A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Kos vs. Leipzig for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Couples

Should you visit Kos or Leipzig?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Kos and Leipzig can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Kos

Kos is a beautiful, ancient, and cultural island. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. Other reasons to visit include hiking, shopping, and museums.

Leipzig

Leipzig is a growing, dynamic, and cultural city. This is a quaint and attractive place to visit, too. Other reasons to visit include food, shopping, and museums.

Kos and Leipzig: Pros and Cons

Pros
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Popular for food and cuisine
  • Active nightlife
  • Nice resorts
  • Good scuba and snorkeling destination
  • Popular beach
  • Good for hiking
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Good for backpackers and budget travelers
  • Impressive beauty
Pros
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Active nightlife
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Good for backpackers and budget travelers
Things to Consider
  • Less popular for food


Is there more to do in Kos or Leipzig?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Kos. Although Kos and Leipzig are both popular with visitors, Kos has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Kos is more popular for its museums, food, nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, hiking, and impressive beauty, while Leipzig is known for its shopping and quaint atmosphere. Kos is popular for its sandy beaches and crystal clear blue water. It is also home to Asklepieion Archeological Site. Leipzig is popular for being the home of several great musicians such as Bach and Richard Wagner.

How is Kos different from Leipzig?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Leipzig and Kos. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Kos or Leipzig?

Kos
Leipzig

Kos is terrific for its historical sights. Also, Leipzig is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its sights and museums.

Travelers visit Kos from around the world to see its many world-famous attractions. The small island is packed with archaeological sites and interesting history. Famous places worth visiting include the ruins of Asklepion, the ancient Agora, Roman Odeon, Neratzia Castle, and so many more!

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Leipzig. There are many historic landmarks like Old City Hall, St. Thomas Church, St. Nicholas Church, and the Battle of the Nations Monument.


Is the Food Better in Kos or Leipzig? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Kos
Leipzig

Kos is terrific for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Leipzig is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Known for it's food and restaurant scene, Kos is always at the top of any foodie's travel list. The cuisine relies heavily on locally harvested ingredients with many dishes featuring cheese, seafood, vegetables, olive oil, and potatoes. The dishes are influenced by Italian and Turkish cuisines and common dishes include moussaka, souvlaki and tzatziki. Popular seafood options are prawns, squid, lobster and octopus. A great way to enjoy a sampling of local dishes is to visit an ouzeri, which is a Greek taverna that serves mezza style meals with small dishes that you can share.

Visitors will find a budding food and restaurant scene in Leipzig. Coffee houses and cellar restaurants offer an unique atmosphere where you can enjoy local specialties. Sample beef roulade or Saxon dumplings while you soak up the cozy ambiance.

Is Kos or Leipzig Better for Nightlife?

Kos
Leipzig

Kos is great for nightlife. Also, Leipzig is not as popular, but is still a nice city for nightlife and partying.

Many people head to Kos for the nightlife scene. For such a small island you'll find a huge party scene during the peak summer months. There are almost nightly parties, beach raves, and late night clubs throughout the summer months. The bars and clubs are mostly concentrated around a couple of streets in the center of Kos Town, but Kardamena is also a lively party area. It's popular with British tourists who head here for the all-night clubs.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Leipzig. Nightlife in town centers around live theater, cultural centers, and live entertainment.

Is Kos or Leipzig Better for Resorts?

Kos
Leipzig

Kos is a nice place to visit for its luxury resorts. However, Leipzig is not a resort destination.

Kos has a handful of resorts to choose from. It's a smaller island and there aren't as many resorts here as there are on some of the larger Greek islands. Some of the best resort areas include Lamp and Psalidi to the northwest, Tigaki on the west coast (a good option for families), as well as Mastihari and Marmari which both have relaxed atmospheres. The younger crowd often hangs out around Kardemena on the east coast.

Leipzig is not a resort destination.


Is Kos or Leipzig Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Kos
Leipzig

Kos is terrific for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling. However, Leipzig is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

People travel to Kos specifically to enjoy its famous scuba diving and snorkeling areas. There are countless snorkeling sports around the island where you can immerse yourself in the undersea world. Popular snorkeling areas include Camel Beach and Limnionas Beach. Make sure you understand the water conditions before heading into the water.

Leipzig is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Kos or Leipzig Better for Beaches?

Kos
Leipzig

Kos is terrific for its beaches. However, Leipzig is not a beach destination.

The beaches in Kos are among the best in the world. The island is famous for its beautiful beaches, many of which are sandy with various shades of color. There are touristy beaches with plenty of amenities as well as less frequented beaches that offer a quieter and more remote atmosphere. Some of the most visited beaches on the island include Agios Stefanos, Kardamena, Kefalos and Lambi while some of the more peaceful areas are Cavo Paradiso and Helona Beach.

Leipzig is not a beach destination.

Is Kos or Leipzig Better for Hiking?

Kos
Leipzig

Kos is a nice place to visit for hiking. However, Leipzig is not a hiking destination.

Kos has hiking trails worth exploring. This is a great walking island with a number of easy walks or hikes that take you along the coastline or through interesting landscapes.

Leipzig is not a hiking destination.


Is the Shopping Better in Kos or Leipzig?

Kos
Leipzig

Leipzig is an excellent place to visit for shopping. Also, Kos is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its shopping opportunities.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Leipzig. The city center has most of the best shopping areas. There are pedestrian streets and squares like Petersstraße and Marktplatz, as well as large shopping malls like Promenaden Hauptbahnhof Leipzig and Petersbogen.

Kos offers some nice shopping areas. There are a number of traditional items that you can pick up while you're in town. Fun souvenirs include jewelry, leather items, and perfumes.

Is Kos or Leipzig Better for Families?

Kos
Leipzig

Both Kos and Leipzig are good to visit with kids.

Kos is a family-friendly island. It's comparable to other Greek islands when it comes to kids' activities. Kos Town can get a bit lively at night so if you want to avoid the party crowds, then those areas are easily avoided. Popular activities include exploring ancient ruins, going to the Kos Archaeological Museum, visiting The Castle of the Knights, and of course, hanging out at the beach. One of the best family-friendly resort areas is Tigaki along the west coast.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Leipzig. Head to Belantis, which is an amusement park with rides, or take the kids to one of the many parks like Clara-Zetkin Park where they can unwind. The Leipzig Zoo makes a nice outing as well or Maya Mare is a fun waterpark. There are also several good museums like the Leipzig Panometer.

Is Kos or Leipzig Better for Couples?

Kos
Leipzig

Kos is great for romance. Also, Leipzig is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its romantic activities.

Kos is a great island if you're traveling as a couple. This small island offers beautiful beaches and plenty of ancient ruins to explore. Kos Town is where you'll find the liveliest atmosphere but for some of the best resorts you'll want to stay in one of the resort suburbs like Lampi or Psalidi.

Leipzig makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. There are many beautiful outdoor parks and natural areas where couples can enjoy this beautiful city.


Is Kos or Leipzig Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Kos
Leipzig

Kos is great for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Leipzig is not as popular, but is still a nice city for backpackers.

Kos is very popular with the backpacker crowd. It's a small island but has a few hostels and a variety of apartments available for rent. Despite its small size, there are areas where you'll want to have a car if you wish to explore, but if you stay in town you'll find getting around fairly easy. The island attracts its share of young travelers and you'll find plenty of people to hang out with.

Leipzig is a good island to visit for backpackers. Many backpackers overlook this city, but there are a few hostels and some nice areas to explore for those who make their way here.

Is Kos or Leipzig Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Kos
Leipzig

Visitors will find high quality public transit in both Kos and Leipzig.

Visitors to Kos can move around easily with public transportation. Buses connect many of the tourist destinations including beaches, cultural sights, are resort areas.

The public transit in Leipzig can get you around easily. The city has 61 bus lines and 13 tram lines that connect Leizpig to elsewhere in the region.

Is Kos or Leipzig a more walkable city?

Kos
Leipzig

Kos is great for its walkability. Also, Leipzig is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its high level of walkability.

Kos is very walkable. It's small size means it's possible to explore parts of the island on foot or bicycle. There are some beautiful walks on the island, but some areas will require a car or bus.

Leipzig is a somewhat walkable place. Parts of Leizpig are more walkable than others.


For even more information, also check out Is Kos Worth Visiting? and Is Leipzig Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Leipzig or Kos?

How long in Kos or Leipzig?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Kos and Leipzig. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Kos than in Leipzig. Usually, 2-5 days is a good amount of time for Kos, and 1-3 days is enough time in Leipzig.

Families should spend more time in Kos than Leipzig. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Kos, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Kos than Leipzig. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Kos that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Kos than Leipzig if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Kos.


  • How many days in Kos or Leipzig? Ideal Length of Stay
    Kos 2-5 
    Leipzig 1-3

One day in Kos or Leipzig?

In Kos, you'll find shopping and museums. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. This island offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

With nightlife and food around the dynamic destination of Leipzig, there's plenty to do. So, one day is just the right amount of time to spend here. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.

A weekend in Kos or Leipzig?

In Kos, you'll find museums and nightlife. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Most people come for the beaches. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Kos has to offer.

Many people visit Leipzig for a weekend. With food and shopping around the dynamic city of Leipzig, there's plenty to do. Because of this, a weekend is usually enough time for a trip here.

Five days in Kos or Leipzig?

Kos is a great place to explore. It is common to spend five days here. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. Five days is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Kos has to offer. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

The destination of Leipzig offers shopping and museums. It offers something for everyone. Five days is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips.


A week in Kos or Leipzig?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Kos. Many people enjoy the food and scuba diving and snorkeling when visiting Kos. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Leipzig, a popular city, is full of activities for travelers. Your budget might influence how long you stay. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days.


For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from Athens, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Greece, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Germany, and The Best Walking Tours in Germany.


Which place is cheaper, Leipzig or Kos?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Kos is €134, while the average daily cost in Leipzig is €166. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Kos and Leipzig in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Kos 62
    Leipzig 91
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Kos 124
    Leipzig 182
Compare Hotels in Kos and Leipzig

Looking for a hotel in Kos or Leipzig? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.

Hotels in Kos


Hotels in Leipzig


Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.


Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Kos Hotel Prices and Leipzig Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Kos 37
    Leipzig 27

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kos

Also for Kos, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Kos transfer services, Kos - Airport - Kos: $107
  • Private arrival Transfer from Kos Airport to any resort in the island: $84
  • Departure transfer to Kos Airport : $68
  • Kos Airport to Kos Hotels Private One–Way Transfer: $64
  • Artemis Hamam and Spa with Hotel Transfers Kos Island: $59
  • Kos Hotels to Kos Airport Private One–Way Transfer: $59
  • Kalymnos, Pserimos & Plati Island Cruise with Hotel Transfer: $59
  • From Kalymnos Self-Guided Day Trip with Hotel Transfer: $59
  • Kos - Airport Private Transfer: $55
  • Kos Private Transfer Services: $52
  • Private Transfer from Kos Airport to Resorts: $30
  • Kos Town: Kalymnos & Pserimos Day Cruise & Optional Transfer: $30

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Leipzig

Also for Leipzig, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Private Transfer from Leipzig City to Dresden City: $83
  • Leipzig hotels to Leipzig Halle Airport (LEJ) - Departure Private Transfer: $34
  • Leipzig Halle Airport (LEJ) to Leipzig hotels - Round-Trip Private Car Transfer: $68
  • Leipzig Halle Airport (LEJ) to Leipzig hotels - Arrival Private Transfer: $34
  • Arrival Transfer Leipzig Airport LEJ to Leipzig by Car or Van: $93

Is it cheaper to fly into Kos or Leipzig?

Prices for flights to both Leipzig and Kos change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.





Food
  • Food Meals for one day
    Kos 43
    Leipzig 53

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Kos

For Kos, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Greek Dinner with Music, Dancing, and Unlimited Wine: $43
  • Kefalos Sunset Cruise from Kos with Dinner: $61
  • Sunset Cruise with Swimming and BBQ Dinner: $62
  • Tavern Dinner Experience with Greek Dancing and Wine: $65
  • Kos Cooking Classes by Mama Contessa: $86
  • Private Greek Cooking Class in Kos with Lunch: $90
  • Sunset Safari Tour with Dinner: $95
  • Private Cooking Class in Kos, Local Recipes: $97
  • Half Day Wine Tasting with Dinner in Kos: $117

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Leipzig

For Leipzig, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • 3-Hour Sightseeing and Food Tour: $64

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Kos 33
    Leipzig 36

Tours and Activities in Kos

For Kos, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Dory's Glass Bottom Boat Adventure in Pserimos and Pserimos Beach: $29
  • From Boat Tour to the Volcanic Island of Nisyros: $37
  • From Cruise to Kalymnos, Pserimos, and Plati with Lunch: $41
  • From Kalymnos, Pserimos and Plati Day Cruise: $32
  • From Nissyros guided island tour and volcano: $57
  • From Pserimos Island Snorkeling Cruise by Diving Boat: $53
  • From Zia Sunset Tour: $27
  • From the Port of Full Day Boat Cruise to 3 Islands: $32
  • Full Day 3-Island Boat Cruise from Port of Kos: $38
  • Full Day Boat Cruise to 3 Islands with optional pickup: $33
  • Full-Day 3 Island Cruise Tour in Kos Island: $37
  • Full-Day Tour to Nisyros The Volcano Island: $33

Tours and Activities in Leipzig

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Leipzig.

  • 1.5-Hour Historical Tour of Leipzig with Costumed Guide: $21
  • 2 hours Leipzig exclusive: Private city tour with Panorama Tower: $217
  • Big city tour Leipzig Hop on hop off: $20
  • City game scavenger hunt Leipzig Südvorstadt - independent discovery tour: $44
  • City game scavenger hunt Leipzig city center - independent city tour: $44
  • City tour on foot, by S-Bahn and tram: $24
  • Combo Tour in Guided City Tour & City Sightseeing: $21
  • Corpses, Leprosy, Lucifer 75-minute Tour at the Old Cemetery: $19
  • From Day Tour to the Green Belt: $631
  • From Markkleeberg: Full-Day Guided Cycling Tour by the Lakes: $48
  • Gruseltour Leipzig 90-minute walking tour about the Dark Secrets of Leipzig: $19
  • Gruseltour A Haunted Guided Tour: $18

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Kos 19
    Leipzig 26

Sample the Local Flavors in Kos

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Kos:

  • Wineries Tour w/ Wine Tastings, Lunch & Transportation: $59
  • From Tour of 2 Wineries with Wine Tasting & Small Bites: $63
  • Kos Island: Wine Tasting & Zia Village Visit for Sunset: $150


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Kos and Leipzig, we can see that Leipzig is more expensive. And not only is Kos much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Kos would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Kos and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Leipzig would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Leipzig than you might in Kos.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Kos Expensive? and Is Leipzig Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Kos or Leipzig?

Leipzig has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Kos. When comparing the sizes of Kos and Leipzig, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.