Which place is cheaper, Brussels or Leiden?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Leiden or Brussels?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Leiden and Brussels can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Leiden or Brussels?
Leiden
Leiden is a city in the province of South Holland. It is south of the Netherlands capital, Amsterdam, and has a population of about 190,000. It is known for its university, museums, markets, and of course, canals. Leiden University is the oldest university in the Netherlands and is a sister school of Oxford, which is England's oldest university.
Brussels
Brussels is the capital of Belgium and also the sight of the headquarters of the European Union. Generally speaking, it's an expensive city that sees a good amount of travelers. It is also a highly political city that has an air of importance and power. It's an incredibly international city, with people from all over the world flocking to it due to its political, economical, and cultural significance.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours from Amsterdam, The Best 2-Week Tours from Amsterdam, The Best Cultural Tours in Belgium, and The Best Luxury Tours to Belgium.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayLeiden €133Brussels €137
The average daily cost (per person) in Leiden is €133, while the average daily cost in Brussels is €137. 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 Leiden and Brussels in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personLeiden €78Brussels €73
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomLeiden €156Brussels €146
Compare Hotels in Leiden and Brussels
Looking for a hotel in Leiden or Brussels? 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.
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: Leiden Hotel Prices and Brussels Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Leiden €26Brussels €17
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Leiden
Also for Leiden, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Zero Emission Tesla Taxi Transfer from Leiden Area to the Airport: $92
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Brussels
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Brussels are as follows:
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Subway Pass€4.50
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Atomium train ticket (2)€8.00
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Brussels
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Brussels:
- VIP Transfer between Brussels Airport (BRU) and Antwerp: $245
- Transfer Shuttle Leuven <-> Schipol Airport Amsterdam (1 to 8 Places): $174
- Private Transfert from Bruges to Brussels Airport By Business car: $163
- Private Transfers Between Brussels Airport and the City: $107
- Private Transfer: Brussels to Brussels Airport BRU by Luxury Van: $86
- Private Transfer from Brussels to Luxembourg with Luxury car: $233
- Private Transfer from Brussels to Amsterdam: $500
- Private Transfer from Brussels hotels to Zeebrugge Cruise Port: $143
- Private Transfer from Brussels City to Brussels Airport(BRU): $44
- Private Transfer from Brussels City Hotels to IJmuiden Port: $141
- Private Transfer from Brussels Airport to Bruges By Business car: $136
- Private Transfer from Brussels Airport or city to Charleroi By Luxury car: $87
Is it cheaper to fly into Leiden or Brussels?
Prices for flights to both Brussels and Leiden 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
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Food Meals for one dayLeiden €39Brussels €38
Typical Food Prices in Brussels
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Brussels:
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Ice Cream & Macaroons€4.60
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Dessert (Turkish Delights)€4.75
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Cheese€5.60
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Olives and Snacks€6.98
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Waffle€3.00
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Brussels
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Brussels.
- Hard Rock Cafe with Set Menu for Lunch or Dinner: $28
- Hard Rock Cafe Brussels with Set Lunch or Dinner : $29
- City Center Guided Food Tour with Tastings: $61
- Food Tour in Brussels - Do Eat Better Experience: $106
- Brussels Walking Food Tour With Secret Food Tours: $130
- Secret Food Tours Brussels: $136
- Market Tour and Cooking Lesson with a Belgian Gourmet Meal in a Brussels Home: $160
- Private Food Tour – 10 Tastings with Locals: $162
- Brussels Private Custom Food Tour with a Local Foodie : $190
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Leiden €17Brussels €23
Tours and Activities in Leiden
For Leiden, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Highlights Walking Tour in Leiden with Audio and GPS Guide: $7.55
- Hortus Botanicus Entry Ticket: $9.59
- Guided City Canal Cruise: $13
- The Hidden Stories of Leiden - Self-guided audio tour: $14
- Self-Guided City Trail Kids Tour in Noordwijk (4-8 years): $21
- Windmill cruise through Warmond: $21
- Self-guided city trail - JOLA's Schnipseljagd Noordwijk Sea Tour: $26
- 90 minutes Walking tour and Escape room in Leiden: $27
- Discover Leiden with a self-guided Outside Escape city game tour!: $27
- Self-guided city trail - JOLA's Schnipseljagd Leiden Tour: $32
- Self-guided city trail - JOLA's Schnipseljagd Noordwijk Tour: $32
- Escape Tour - Self-Guided Citygame: $32
Tours and Activities in Brussels
Here are a few actual costs in Brussels for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Beer Tasting Tour in Brussels: $24
- Walking Tour with Audio Guide on App: $11
- 2 Hours Walking Tour in Brussel: $33
- 2-Hour Brussels Guided Walking Tour: $15
- 4 Hour Private Tour in Brussels : $272
- A Self-Guided Tour of Brussels' Secret Places and Untold Stories: $5.99
- A Self-Guided Tour of Medieval to Modern Times: $7.99
- Antwerp Sightseeing Tour from Brussels : $48
- Architecture Tour of Brussels: $27
- Artistic Bruges on a Private Tour with a local: $71
- Atomium: In App Audio Tour+Ticket (ENG): $18
- Beer Tasting Experience in Brussels: $26
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayLeiden €26Brussels €13
Sample the Local Flavors in Leiden
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Leiden:
- Leiden Private Self-Guided Pub Crawl Pub Quiz: $21
- Leiden Private Self Guided Pub Crawl: $22
Typical Alcohol Prices in Brussels
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Brussels are as follows:
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Bottle of Wine€10
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Beer€6.00
Sample the Local Flavors in Brussels
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Brussels:
- Pub Crawl and Nightlife Party Experience: $18
When comparing the travel costs between Leiden and Brussels, we can see that Brussels is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Europe, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Leiden Expensive? and Is Brussels Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Leiden or Brussels?
Brussels has a larger population, and is about 9 times larger than the population of Leiden. When comparing the sizes of Leiden and Brussels, 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.
When is the best time to visit Leiden or Brussels?
Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.
Should I visit Leiden or Brussels in the Summer?
Both Brussels and Leiden during the summer are popular places to visit. Furthermore, most visitors come to Brussels for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months.
In the summer, Leiden is around the same temperature as Brussels. Typically, the summer temperatures in Leiden in July average around 17°C (62°F), and Brussels averages at about 18°C (65°F).
It's quite sunny in Leiden. In the summer, Leiden often gets more sunshine than Brussels. Leiden gets 204 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Brussels receives 186 hours of full sun.
Leiden usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Brussels. Leiden gets 75 mm (3 in) of rain, while Brussels receives 75 mm (3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyLeiden 17°C (62°F)Brussels 18°C (65°F)
Should I visit Leiden or Brussels in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Leiden and Brussels. Furthermore, the autumn months attract visitors to Brussels because of the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.
In October, Leiden is generally cooler than Brussels. Daily temperatures in Leiden average around 11°C (51°F), and Brussels fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).
Leiden usually receives less sunshine than Brussels during autumn. Leiden gets 99 hours of sunny skies, while Brussels receives 114 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Leiden usually receives around the same amount of rain as Brussels. Leiden gets 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Brussels receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberLeiden 11°C (51°F)Brussels 12°C (54°F)
Should I visit Leiden or Brussels in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Leiden as well as Brussels. Additionally, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Brussels this time of year.
It's quite cold in Brussels in the winter. The weather in Leiden can be very cold. Leiden is much colder than Brussels in the winter. The daily temperature in Leiden averages around 2°C (36°F) in January, and Brussels fluctuates around 3°C (38°F).
In the winter, Leiden often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Brussels. Leiden gets 46 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Brussels receives 49 hours of full sun.
Leiden usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Brussels. Leiden gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Brussels receives 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryLeiden 2°C (36°F)Brussels 3°C (38°F)
Should I visit Leiden or Brussels in the Spring?
Both Brussels and Leiden are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Also, many travelers come to Brussels for the activities around the city.
In the spring, Leiden is cooler than Brussels. Typically, the spring temperatures in Leiden in April average around 8°C (46°F), and Brussels averages at about 10°C (49°F).
Leiden usually receives more sunshine than Brussels during spring. Leiden gets 166 hours of sunny skies, while Brussels receives 147 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Leiden usually receives less rain than Brussels. Leiden gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Brussels receives 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilLeiden 8°C (46°F)Brussels 10°C (49°F)
Typical Weather for Brussels and Leiden
| Leiden | Brussels | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 2°C (36°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) | 3°C (38°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) |
| Feb | 3°C (37°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) | 4°C (39°F) | 53 mm (2.1 in) |
| Mar | 5°C (41°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) | 6°C (43°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) |
| Apr | 8°C (46°F) | 52 mm (2 in) | 10°C (49°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) |
| May | 12°C (54°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) |
| Jun | 15°C (59°F) | 68 mm (2.7 in) | 17°C (62°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) |
| Jul | 17°C (62°F) | 75 mm (3 in) | 18°C (65°F) | 75 mm (3 in) |
| Aug | 17°C (62°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) | 18°C (65°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) |
| Sep | 14°C (57°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 59 mm (2.3 in) |
| Oct | 11°C (51°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Nov | 6°C (43°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 76 mm (3 in) |
| Dec | 3°C (38°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 4°C (40°F) | 76 mm (3 in) |
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.