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

Should you visit Leiden or Galway?

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

Where Should I go: Leiden or Galway?

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.

Galway

Galway is Ireland's fifth largest city with a population of over 70,000. Located in the province of Connacht, it is typically the first stop for travelers headed into western Ireland. It serves as a gateway for this scenic part of the country, but it truly is a destination in and of itself. The city is pleasantly quaint, and is crisscrossed by lovely pedestrian only streets that are lined with shopping and restaurants. There are also countless museums and galleries to explore. Churches and cathedrals dot the town and are fun to drop by if you're fascinated with architecture.

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 Ireland, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Ireland.


Which place is cheaper, Galway 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 Galway is €131. 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 Galway in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Leiden 78
    Galway 70
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Leiden 156
    Galway 140
Compare Hotels in Leiden and Galway

Looking for a hotel in Leiden or Galway? 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 Galway


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 Galway Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Leiden 26
    Galway 33

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

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Galway

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Galway:

  • Shannon Airport to Seamless Private Transfers: $257
  • One-Way Private Transfer to Killarney: $668
  • Galway to Shannon Airport | Private Transfer & Car Service: $294
  • Galway to Limerick | Private Transfer and Car Service: $294
  • Galway Private Transfer from central Galway to Galway Airport: $90
  • Galway Private Transfer from Galway Airport to City centre: $90
  • Galway Private Driver: Personalized Tours & Transfers: $749
  • From 1-Way Private Transfer to Dublin Airport: $668
  • From 1-Way Private Transfer to Cork City: $561

Is it cheaper to fly into Leiden or Galway?

Prices for flights to both Galway 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
    Galway 33

Typical Food Prices in Galway

Some typical examples of dining costs in Galway are as follows:


  • Fish & Chips Dinner
    8.12

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Galway

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

  • Tour & Taste Galway Food Tour: $93
  • Galway Food Tour: $107
  • Galway Food Tours: $109
  • Private Irish Cooking Experience in the Heart of Gaeltacht: $136
  • Farm to Table Experience and Irish Cooking Class in Galway: $190

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Leiden 17
    Galway 12

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 Galway

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

  • Abalone farm tour and tasting with coastal seaweed walk. Guided. 2 hours: $82
  • 3 Hours Guided Irish Whiskey Tour and Tasting in Galway City: $180
  • Aran Island, Cliffs of Moher & Cruise tour from Galway. Guided.: $119
  • Aran Islands Bike Tour with Tea & Scones - Day Trip to Inisheer from Doolin: $136
  • Aran Islands Bike Tour with Tea and Scones from Galway: $163
  • Aran Islands and Cliffs of Moher Cruise from Galway: $82
  • Aran Islands and Cliffs of Moher Day Cruise sailing from Galway City Docks: $60
  • Boat cruise with local skipper on Galway Bay. Galway city. 1 hour: $36
  • Burren Botany Experience: $16
  • Castles of Connemara tour departing Galway city. Guided. Full day: $134
  • City Sightseeing Galway Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour: $17
  • City of the Tribes Tour: $131

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Leiden 26
    Galway 15

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 Galway

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Galway:

  • Traditional Irish Poitin & Gin Distillery Tour: $355


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


Which is Bigger, Leiden or Galway?

Leiden has a larger population, and is about 69% larger than the population of Galway. When comparing the sizes of Leiden and Galway, 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 Galway?

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 Galway in the Summer?

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

In the summer, Leiden is around the same temperature as Galway. Typically, the summer temperatures in Leiden in July average around 17°C (62°F), and Galway 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 Galway. Leiden gets 204 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Galway receives 142 hours of full sun.

Leiden usually gets more rain in July than Galway. Leiden gets 75 mm (3 in) of rain, while Galway receives 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.


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

Should I visit Leiden or Galway in the Autumn?

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

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

Leiden usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Galway during autumn. Leiden gets 99 hours of sunny skies, while Galway receives 96 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Galway. In October, Leiden usually receives less rain than Galway. Leiden gets 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Galway receives 142 mm (5.6 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


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

Should I visit Leiden or Galway in the Winter?

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

Leiden can be very cold during winter. Leiden is much colder than Galway in the winter. The daily temperature in Leiden averages around 2°C (36°F) in January, and Galway fluctuates around 6°C (42°F).

In the winter, Leiden often gets less sunshine than Galway. Leiden gets 46 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Galway receives 59 hours of full sun.

Galway gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Leiden usually gets less rain in January than Galway. Leiden gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Galway receives 116 mm (4.6 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Leiden 2°C (36°F) 
    Galway 6°C (42°F)

Should I visit Leiden or Galway in the Spring?

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

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

Leiden usually receives more sunshine than Galway during spring. Leiden gets 166 hours of sunny skies, while Galway receives 153 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Leiden usually receives around the same amount of rain as Galway. Leiden gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Galway receives 52 mm (2.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.


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

Typical Weather for Galway and Leiden

Leiden Galway
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 2°C (36°F) 66 mm (2.6 in) 6°C (42°F) 116 mm (4.6 in)
Feb 3°C (37°F) 49 mm (1.9 in) 6°C (42°F) 88 mm (3.4 in)
Mar 5°C (41°F) 63 mm (2.5 in) 7°C (45°F) 103 mm (4.1 in)
Apr 8°C (46°F) 52 mm (2 in) 9°C (48°F) 52 mm (2.1 in)
May 12°C (54°F) 61 mm (2.4 in) 11°C (53°F) 82 mm (3.2 in)
Jun 15°C (59°F) 68 mm (2.7 in) 14°C (57°F) 86 mm (3.4 in)
Jul 17°C (62°F) 75 mm (3 in) 16°C (60°F) 54 mm (2.1 in)
Aug 17°C (62°F) 71 mm (2.8 in) 16°C (60°F) 118 mm (4.6 in)
Sep 14°C (57°F) 67 mm (2.6 in) 14°C (57°F) 110 mm (4.3 in)
Oct 11°C (51°F) 72 mm (2.8 in) 11°C (52°F) 142 mm (5.6 in)
Nov 6°C (43°F) 81 mm (3.2 in) 8°C (46°F) 101 mm (4 in)
Dec 3°C (38°F) 80 mm (3.1 in) 6°C (44°F) 125 mm (4.9 in)