Which place is cheaper, Hamburg or Leiden?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Leiden or Hamburg?
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 Hamburg can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Leiden or Hamburg?
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.
Hamburg
Hamburg is most noted for its port, which is the largest in Germany and the second busiest in Europe. Despite it's size, it is actually located about 100 kilometers from the North Sea on the River Elbe. The popularity of this port has given Hamburg the nickname as Germany's Gateway to the World. The city itself is the second largest in Germany and the metropolitan area has a population of over 4 million people.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours from Amsterdam, The Best 2-Week Tours from Amsterdam, The Best 10-Day Tours from Berlin, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Berlin.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayLeiden €133Hamburg €117
The average daily cost (per person) in Leiden is €133, while the average daily cost in Hamburg is €117. 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 Hamburg in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personLeiden €78Hamburg €54
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomLeiden €156Hamburg €108
Compare Hotels in Leiden and Hamburg
Looking for a hotel in Leiden or Hamburg? 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 Hamburg Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Leiden €26Hamburg €29
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
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Hamburg
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Hamburg:
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Short Distance Ubahn Ticket€1.70
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Hamburg
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Hamburg:
- Roundtrip Private Transfer from Hamburg Airport HAM to Hamburg: $83
- Round Trip Transfer Hamburg Airport HAM to Hamburg City by van: $209
- Rickmer Rickmers Museum Guided Tour with Transfers : $267
- Rickmer Rickmers Museum Guided Tour with Transfers: $262
- Private transfer from Fuhlsbüttel Airport to Hamburg City Center: $114
- Private Transfer from Hamburg to Hannover with 2h of Sightseeing: $271
- Private Transfer from Hamburg to Hamburg Airport HAM Departure : $41
- Private Transfer from Hamburg to Bremen with an English Speaking Driver: $234
- Private Transfer from Hamburg Hotels to Bremerhaven Cruise Port: $65
- Private Transfer from Hamburg Cruise Port to Hamburg City Hotels: $51
- Private Transfer from Hamburg Cruise Port to Hamburg Airport(HAM): $38
- Private Transfer from Hamburg City to Ostseekai Kiel Cruise Port: $78
Is it cheaper to fly into Leiden or Hamburg?
Prices for flights to both Hamburg 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 €39Hamburg €35
Typical Food Prices in Hamburg
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Hamburg:
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Pink Thai Soup Dinner and Spring Rolls€15
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Currywurst and Pommes Frites€5.00
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Donner Kebab and Coke€6.00
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Traditional Hamburg Dinner w/ Beer€15
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Donner Kebab Lunch€4.00
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Sandwich and Coffee Break€6.00
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Fish Sandwich from Fish Market€3.50
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Coffee and Donut€4.00
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Hamburg
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Hamburg.
- St. Pauli kulinarisch – Die Food Tour: $48
- Elphi Plaza und HafenCity kulinarisch – Die Food Tour: $59
- Original Musical Dinner Cruise 2024: $117
- Hamburg Private Food Tours with a Local: 100% Personalized : $186
- St. Pauli: Guided Food Tour with 5 Tastings: $481
- Elbphilharmonie Plaza and HafenCity Food Tour: $588
- Elbphilharmonie Plaza and HafenCity Food Tour: $588
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Leiden €17Hamburg €39
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
Typical Entertainment Prices in Hamburg
Here are a few typical costs in Hamburg for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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Tower at St. Michael's Church€3.50
Tours and Activities in Hamburg
Here are a few actual costs in Hamburg for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Hamburg Private Walking Tour With A Professional Guide: $287
- Safari tour in St Pauli: $33
- "Cruise in the City" - Sailing Yacht Event, Hamburg/Elbe: $69
- "Hafengeburtstag Hamburg" 2024. Cruise&Sail from/to Wedel: $181
- "Highlights of Hamburg" Biketour: $39
- 1 Hour Kiez Speed Tour for Adults: $19
- 1-Day Hop On Hop Off Bus Tour of Hamburg Line D: $20
- 10 secrets of Hamburg's old town - exciting scavenger hunt tour: $34
- 2 Hours Guided Hamburg E-Scooter Tour: $71
- 2 Hours Guided Hamburg Segway Night Tour: $93
- 2 Hours Guided Hamburg Segway Tour: $75
- 2 Hours Hamburg E-scooter Tour: $35
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayLeiden €26Hamburg €17
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 Hamburg
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Hamburg:
- Night Pub Crawl through The Repperbahn: $21
- Weekend Night Pub Crawl through the Reeperbahn: $34
- Pub Crawl - Ultimate party pub crawl incl. One-hour drinks flat rate: $44
- Hamburg Pub Crawl including 1 hour flatrate for beer: $51
- Bachelor(ette) Premium Party with Pub Crawl: $401
- Private Pub Crawl Tour: $401
- Private Premium Pub Crawl: $513
When comparing the travel costs between Leiden and Hamburg, 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 Hamburg Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Leiden or Hamburg?
Hamburg has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Leiden. When comparing the sizes of Leiden and Hamburg, 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 Hamburg?
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 Hamburg in the Summer?
Both Hamburg and Leiden during the summer are popular places to visit. Furthermore, the music scene and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Hamburg this time of year.
Leiden is around the same temperature as Hamburg in the summer. The daily temperature in Leiden averages around 17°C (62°F) in July, and Hamburg fluctuates around 17°C (62°F).
In Hamburg, 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 Hamburg. Leiden gets 204 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Hamburg receives 207 hours of full sun.
Leiden usually gets less rain in July than Hamburg. Leiden gets 75 mm (3 in) of rain, while Hamburg receives 82 mm (3.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyLeiden 17°C (62°F)Hamburg 17°C (62°F)
Should I visit Leiden or Hamburg in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Leiden and Hamburg. Furthermore, many travelers come to Hamburg for the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
In the autumn, Leiden is around the same temperature as Hamburg. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Leiden in October average around 11°C (51°F), and Hamburg averages at about 10°C (50°F).
Leiden usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Hamburg during autumn. Leiden gets 99 hours of sunny skies, while Hamburg receives 101 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Leiden usually receives more rain than Hamburg. Leiden gets 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Hamburg receives 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberLeiden 11°C (51°F)Hamburg 10°C (50°F)
Should I visit Leiden or Hamburg in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Leiden as well as Hamburg. Additionally, many visitors come to Hamburg in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Hamburg can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Leiden. In January, Leiden is generally much warmer than Hamburg. Daily temperatures in Leiden average around 2°C (36°F), and Hamburg fluctuates around 0°C (33°F).
In the winter, Leiden often gets more sunshine than Hamburg. Leiden gets 46 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Hamburg receives 42 hours of full sun.
Leiden usually gets more rain in January than Hamburg. Leiden gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Hamburg receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryLeiden 2°C (36°F)Hamburg 0°C (33°F)
Should I visit Leiden or Hamburg in the Spring?
Both Hamburg and Leiden are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Also, most visitors come to Hamburg for the natural beauty during these months.
Leiden is around the same temperature as Hamburg in the spring. The daily temperature in Leiden averages around 8°C (46°F) in April, and Hamburg fluctuates around 8°C (46°F).
Leiden usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Hamburg during spring. Leiden gets 166 hours of sunny skies, while Hamburg receives 161 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Leiden usually receives around the same amount of rain as Hamburg. Leiden gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Hamburg receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilLeiden 8°C (46°F)Hamburg 8°C (46°F)
Typical Weather for Hamburg and Leiden
| Leiden | Hamburg | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 2°C (36°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) | 0°C (33°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Feb | 3°C (37°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) | 1°C (34°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) |
| Mar | 5°C (41°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) | 4°C (39°F) | 56 mm (2.2 in) |
| Apr | 8°C (46°F) | 52 mm (2 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
| May | 12°C (54°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 57 mm (2.3 in) |
| Jun | 15°C (59°F) | 68 mm (2.7 in) | 15°C (60°F) | 74 mm (2.9 in) |
| Jul | 17°C (62°F) | 75 mm (3 in) | 17°C (62°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) |
| Aug | 17°C (62°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) | 17°C (62°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Sep | 14°C (57°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Oct | 11°C (51°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) |
| Nov | 6°C (43°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) | 5°C (41°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) |
| Dec | 3°C (38°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 2°C (35°F) | 72 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.