A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Leiden vs. Calais for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Leiden or Calais?

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 Calais can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Leiden or Calais?

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.

Calais

Calais is a port city in northern France located across the English Channel from the clifftop town of Dover It's the principal ferry crossing point between France and England. Its old town, Calais-Nord, sits on an artificial island surrounded by canals.

Calais is a Cultural Link to Europe, just a hop, skip and a jump away from Belgium and England, on the Opal Coast in the Nord-Pas-de-Calais region. The city of Calais is exceptionally located between sea and countryside. Calais is renowned for its lace, which can be found in haute-couture designs. Preserved natural spaces abound with its 23 km of coastline, rugged cliffs, breathtakingly diverse terrain, and coastal villages. Whether on foot, bike or horseback, and even in the water along the coast, there is plenty to do to make this a great option for a visit!

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours from Amsterdam, The Best 2-Week Tours from Amsterdam, The Best Budget Tours to France, and The Best Tours for Seniors to France.

When comparing the travel costs between Leiden and Calais, we can see that Calais 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 Calais Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Leiden or Calais?

Leiden has a larger population, and is about 61% larger than the population of Calais. When comparing the sizes of Leiden and Calais, 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 Calais?

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 Calais in the Summer?

Both Calais and Leiden during the summer are popular places to visit. Furthermore, the summer months attract visitors to Calais because of the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.

Leiden is around the same temperature as Calais in the summer. The daily temperature in Leiden averages around 17°C (62°F) in July, and Calais fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

In Calais, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Leiden. In the summer, Leiden often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Calais. Leiden gets 204 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Calais receives 212 hours of full sun.

Leiden usually gets more rain in July than Calais. Leiden gets 75 mm (3 in) of rain, while Calais receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Leiden or Calais in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Leiden and Calais. Furthermore, the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene are the main draw to Calais this time of year.

In the autumn, Leiden is cooler than Calais. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Leiden in October average around 11°C (51°F), and Calais averages at about 12°C (54°F).

Leiden usually receives less sunshine than Calais during autumn. Leiden gets 99 hours of sunny skies, while Calais receives 119 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Leiden usually receives more rain than Calais. Leiden gets 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Calais receives 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Leiden or Calais in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Leiden as well as Calais. Additionally, many travelers come to Calais for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Calais. It's quite cold in Leiden in the winter. In January, Leiden is generally much colder than Calais. Daily temperatures in Leiden average around 2°C (36°F), and Calais fluctuates around 4°C (40°F).

In the winter, Leiden often gets less sunshine than Calais. Leiden gets 46 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Calais receives 57 hours of full sun.

Leiden usually gets more rain in January than Calais. Leiden gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Calais receives 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Leiden or Calais in the Spring?

Both Calais and Leiden are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Also, many visitors come to Calais in the spring for the beaches and the activities around the city.

Leiden is cooler than Calais in the spring. The daily temperature in Leiden averages around 8°C (46°F) in April, and Calais fluctuates around 9°C (47°F).

Leiden usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Calais during spring. Leiden gets 166 hours of sunny skies, while Calais receives 162 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Leiden usually receives more rain than Calais. Leiden gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Calais receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Calais and Leiden