Which place is cheaper, Ghent or Leiden?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Leiden or Ghent?
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 Ghent can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Leiden or Ghent?
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.
Ghent
Ghent is a large city in the northern part of Belgium (the Flanders region) with a population of about 250,000. This city was one of the most powerful cities in Europe during the Middle Ages, which is portrayed today, mostly through architecture. There is a large university in Ghent with over 60,000 students, and a large portion of the population are young students. However, among the natives and students, there are also many foreigners and artists that you will find walking the streets of the city. Ghent is also Belgium's second largest port city.
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 €133Ghent €118
The average daily cost (per person) in Leiden is €133, while the average daily cost in Ghent is €118. 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 Ghent in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personLeiden €78Ghent €72
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomLeiden €156Ghent €144
Compare Hotels in Leiden and Ghent
Looking for a hotel in Leiden or Ghent? 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 Ghent Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Leiden €26Ghent €19
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 Ghent
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Ghent:
- Ostend Bruges Airport(OST) to Bruges- Round-Trip Private Transfer: $63
- Ostend <-> Luxembourg transfer (1 to 8 places): $233
- Ghent <-> Amsterdam Shuttle Transfer (1 to 8 Seats): $229
- Departure Private Transfer from Ghent City to Brussels Airport by Luxury Van: $166
- Departure Private Transfer from Ghent City to Brussels Airport by Business Car: $147
Is it cheaper to fly into Leiden or Ghent?
Prices for flights to both Ghent 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 €39Ghent €35
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Ghent
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Ghent.
- Walking food tour: Introduction to Ghent through food: $102
- Small-Group Food Tour in Ghent by Bike: $158
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Leiden €17Ghent €8.64
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 Ghent
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Ghent are as follows:
- Bicycle tour in historic Ghent: $49
- Christmas Experience in Ghent - Walking Tour: $491
- Discover Ghent with a self-guided Outside Escape city game tour!: $22
- Experience Christmas in Mons - Walking Tour: $247
- Exquisite Sites of Ghent - Family Tour: $187
- Exquisite Sites of Ghent - Family Tour: $384
- From Brussels: Private Tour of Bruges, Ghent and Flanders: $620
- Gastronomic Walking Tour of Gent - Tasters included: $3.26
- Ghent Beer Guided Walking Tour: $49
- Ghent Beer and Sightseeing Adventure: $97
- Ghent Bike Tour Off-the-beaten-track: $52
- Ghent City Highlights Walking Tour with Light Meal: $75
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayLeiden €26Ghent €18
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 Ghent
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Ghent:
- Ghent Pub Trail : Pub crawl with interactive online game: $12
- Private Ghent Beer & Brewery Tour by a young local: $245
When comparing the travel costs between Leiden and Ghent, 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 Ghent Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Leiden or Ghent?
Ghent has a larger population, and is about 93% larger than the population of Leiden. When comparing the sizes of Leiden and Ghent, 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 Ghent?
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 Ghent in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Leiden as well as Ghent. Also, most visitors come to Ghent for the family-friendly experiences during these months.
In the summer, Leiden is around the same temperature as Ghent. Typically, the summer temperatures in Leiden in July average around 17°C (62°F), and Ghent averages at about 17°C (63°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Ghent. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Leiden this time of the year. In the summer, Leiden often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Ghent. Leiden gets 204 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ghent receives 202 hours of full sun.
Leiden usually gets more rain in July than Ghent. Leiden gets 75 mm (3 in) of rain, while Ghent receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyLeiden 17°C (62°F)Ghent 17°C (63°F)
Should I visit Leiden or Ghent in the Autumn?
Both Ghent and Leiden are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Ghent because of the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.
In October, Leiden is generally cooler than Ghent. Daily temperatures in Leiden average around 11°C (51°F), and Ghent fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).
Leiden usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Ghent during autumn. Leiden gets 99 hours of sunny skies, while Ghent receives 105 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Leiden usually receives less rain than Ghent. Leiden gets 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Ghent receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberLeiden 11°C (51°F)Ghent 12°C (54°F)
Should I visit Leiden or Ghent in the Winter?
Both Ghent and Leiden during the winter are popular places to visit. Furthermore, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Ghent this time of year.
It's quite cold in Ghent in the winter. The weather in Leiden can be very cold. Leiden is much colder than Ghent in the winter. The daily temperature in Leiden averages around 2°C (36°F) in January, and Ghent fluctuates around 3°C (38°F).
In the winter, Leiden often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Ghent. Leiden gets 46 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ghent receives 47 hours of full sun.
Leiden usually gets more rain in January than Ghent. Leiden gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Ghent receives 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryLeiden 2°C (36°F)Ghent 3°C (38°F)
Should I visit Leiden or Ghent in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Leiden and Ghent. Furthermore, many travelers come to Ghent for the natural beauty.
In the spring, Leiden is cooler than Ghent. Typically, the spring temperatures in Leiden in April average around 8°C (46°F), and Ghent averages at about 8°C (47°F).
Leiden usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Ghent during spring. Leiden gets 166 hours of sunny skies, while Ghent receives 158 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Leiden usually receives more rain than Ghent. Leiden gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Ghent receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilLeiden 8°C (46°F)Ghent 8°C (47°F)
Typical Weather for Ghent and Leiden
| Leiden | Ghent | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 2°C (36°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) | 3°C (38°F) | 59 mm (2.3 in) |
| Feb | 3°C (37°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) | 3°C (38°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) |
| Mar | 5°C (41°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) | 6°C (42°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) |
| Apr | 8°C (46°F) | 52 mm (2 in) | 8°C (47°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| May | 12°C (54°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) |
| Jun | 15°C (59°F) | 68 mm (2.7 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) |
| Jul | 17°C (62°F) | 75 mm (3 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) |
| Aug | 17°C (62°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) |
| Sep | 14°C (57°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) |
| Oct | 11°C (51°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) |
| Nov | 6°C (43°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 75 mm (2.9 in) |
| Dec | 3°C (38°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 5°C (40°F) | 71 mm (2.8 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.