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

Should you visit Leiden or Cork?

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

Where Should I go: Leiden or Cork?

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.

Cork

Located on the banks of the River Lee, Cork has a small, but pleasant downtown that is easy to walk around. The city was built up on marshland, and many of the streets today, including St Patrick's Street, the South Mall and the Grand Parade, are actually built over what was once river channels. Today there are more than thirty bridges that cross over the channelized River Lee. As an orientation, it's nice to take a historic walking tour of the downtown area. Then you can explore the area in more detail by yourself. There are cathedrals, museums, and galleries around town so you can keep yourself quite entertained. If the weather is nice, head out to Lough park, which has a small freshwater limestone lake and some interesting water fowl to see. It's a great place to people watch and see daily life in the city of Cork.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours from Amsterdam, The Best 2-Week Tours from Amsterdam, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Ireland, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Ireland.


Which place is cheaper, Cork or Leiden?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Leiden is €133, while the average daily cost in Cork is €101. 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 Cork in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Leiden 78
    Cork 60
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Leiden 156
    Cork 120
Compare Hotels in Leiden and Cork

Looking for a hotel in Leiden or Cork? 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 Leiden


Hotels in Cork


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 Cork Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Leiden 26
    Cork 16

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: $93

Is it cheaper to fly into Leiden or Cork?

Prices for flights to both Cork 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Leiden 39
    Cork 30

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cork

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Cork.

  • Hysterical Histories, Comedic Dinner Theater Show: $53
  • Hysterical Histories Cork Dinner Theatre Show: $57
  • Historic Cork Delicious Donut Adventure & Walking Food Tour: $65

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Leiden 17
    Cork 9.29

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: $7.57
  • Hortus Botanicus Entry Ticket: $9.62
  • 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
  • 90 minutes Walking tour and Escape room in Leiden: $21
  • Self-guided city trail - JOLA's Schnipseljagd Noordwijk Sea Tour: $26
  • 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 Cork

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Cork are as follows:

  • Blarney Castle Tour from Cork including Cobh: $60
  • Cliffs of Moher Day Tour from Including The Wild Altanic Way: $53
  • Cliffs of Moher and More: Full-Day Tour from Cork: $52
  • Coastal Foraging and Folklore Tour: $55
  • Cork City Cycle Tour - Experience the beautiful and historic City by bike: $51
  • Cork City Gaol Admission Ticket: $14
  • Cork City Hop On/Off Open Top Bus Tour: $24
  • Cork Culinary Tour: $128
  • Cork Culinary Tour: $142
  • Cork Delicious Donut Adventure by Underground Donut Tour: $65
  • Cork Highlights: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.99
  • Cork Holiday Donut Adventure by Underground Donut Tour: $65

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Leiden 26
    Cork 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

Sample the Local Flavors in Cork

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Cork:

  • Clonakilty Distillery Tour & Classic Whiskey Tasting: $22
  • Cork City: Rebel City Distillery Tour: $27
  • Rebel City Distillery Tour: $27
  • Midleton Distillery Tour with Whiskey Tasting: $32
  • Midleton Distillery Experience & Whiskey Tasting -Home of Jameson: $33
  • Whiskey Cocktail Making Class at Midleton Distillery: $64
  • Cork Irish Whiskey Cocktail Making Class at Midleton Distillery : $65
  • Midleton Distillery Behind the Scenes Tour & Tasting: $80
  • Blarney Castle Cork City and Jameson Distillery Semi Private Tour: $196
  • Private Cork City Tour, Kinsale and Jameson Distillery: $254


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Leiden and Cork, we can see that Leiden is more expensive. And not only is Cork much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Cork would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Cork 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 Leiden would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Leiden than you might in Cork.

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


Which is Bigger, Leiden or Cork?

Cork has a larger population, and is about 58% larger than the population of Leiden. When comparing the sizes of Leiden and Cork, 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 Cork?

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 Cork in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Leiden as well as Cork. Additionally, many visitors come to Cork in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Leiden is around the same temperature as Cork. Typically, the summer temperatures in Leiden in July average around 17°C (62°F), and Cork averages at about 16°C (60°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Leiden this time of the year. In the summer, Leiden often gets more sunshine than Cork. Leiden gets 204 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Cork receives 178 hours of full sun.

Leiden usually gets more rain in July than Cork. Leiden gets 75 mm (3 in) of rain, while Cork receives 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Leiden 17°C (62°F) 
    Cork 16°C (60°F)

Should I visit Leiden or Cork in the Autumn?

Both Cork and Leiden are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Also, most visitors come to Cork for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene during these months.

In October, Leiden is generally around the same temperature as Cork. Daily temperatures in Leiden average around 11°C (51°F), and Cork fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

Leiden usually receives more sunshine than Cork during autumn. Leiden gets 99 hours of sunny skies, while Cork receives 90 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Leiden usually receives less rain than Cork. Leiden gets 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Cork receives 97 mm (3.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Leiden 11°C (51°F) 
    Cork 11°C (52°F)

Should I visit Leiden or Cork in the Winter?

Both Cork and Leiden during the winter are popular places to visit. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Cork because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Leiden can be very cold during winter. Leiden is much colder than Cork in the winter. The daily temperature in Leiden averages around 2°C (36°F) in January, and Cork fluctuates around 6°C (43°F).

In the winter, Leiden often gets less sunshine than Cork. Leiden gets 46 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Cork receives 60 hours of full sun.

Cork gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Leiden usually gets less rain in January than Cork. Leiden gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Cork receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Leiden 2°C (36°F) 
    Cork 6°C (43°F)

Should I visit Leiden or Cork in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Leiden and Cork. Also, the activities around the city are the main draw to Cork this time of year.

In the spring, Leiden is cooler than Cork. Typically, the spring temperatures in Leiden in April average around 8°C (46°F), and Cork averages at about 9°C (48°F).

Leiden usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Cork during spring. Leiden gets 166 hours of sunny skies, while Cork receives 157 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Leiden usually receives around the same amount of rain as Cork. Leiden gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Cork receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Leiden 8°C (46°F) 
    Cork 9°C (48°F)

Typical Weather for Cork and Leiden

Leiden Cork
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 2°C (36°F) 66 mm (2.6 in) 6°C (43°F) 110 mm (4.3 in)
Feb 3°C (37°F) 49 mm (1.9 in) 6°C (43°F) 91 mm (3.6 in)
Mar 5°C (41°F) 63 mm (2.5 in) 7°C (45°F) 73 mm (2.9 in)
Apr 8°C (46°F) 52 mm (2 in) 9°C (48°F) 55 mm (2.2 in)
May 12°C (54°F) 61 mm (2.4 in) 11°C (52°F) 60 mm (2.4 in)
Jun 15°C (59°F) 68 mm (2.7 in) 14°C (57°F) 58 mm (2.3 in)
Jul 17°C (62°F) 75 mm (3 in) 16°C (60°F) 53 mm (2.1 in)
Aug 17°C (62°F) 71 mm (2.8 in) 16°C (60°F) 80 mm (3.1 in)
Sep 14°C (57°F) 67 mm (2.6 in) 14°C (57°F) 79 mm (3.1 in)
Oct 11°C (51°F) 72 mm (2.8 in) 11°C (52°F) 97 mm (3.8 in)
Nov 6°C (43°F) 81 mm (3.2 in) 8°C (47°F) 85 mm (3.3 in)
Dec 3°C (38°F) 80 mm (3.1 in) 7°C (45°F) 101 mm (4 in)