Which place is cheaper, Heidelberg or Leiden?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Leiden or Heidelberg?
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 Heidelberg can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Leiden or Heidelberg?
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.
Heidelberg
Heidelberg, in the state of Baden-Wurttemberg, is a top travel destination in Germany. It's picturesquely situated in the Neckar River Valley and is a wonderful place to spend a few days. The city has a population of over 148,000 and it's home to Germany's oldest university, the Ruprecht-Karls-Universitat, which has a student population of approximately 28,000.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours from Amsterdam, The Best 2-Week Tours from Amsterdam, The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in Germany, and The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Germany.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayLeiden €133Heidelberg €142
The average daily cost (per person) in Leiden is €133, while the average daily cost in Heidelberg is €142. 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 Heidelberg in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personLeiden €78Heidelberg €93
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomLeiden €156Heidelberg €186
Compare Hotels in Leiden and Heidelberg
Looking for a hotel in Leiden or Heidelberg? 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 Heidelberg Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Leiden €26Heidelberg €17
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 Heidelberg
Also for Heidelberg, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer from Heidelberg City to Mannheim City by Van: $64
- Private Transfer from Badenweiler Thermal to Basel EuroAirport: $63
- Privat Transfer From Basel EuroAirport BSL To Badenweiler : $126
- One Way Private Transfer from Mannheim to Frankfurt : $251
- Karlsruhe Airport (FKB) to BadenBaden Round-Trip Private Transfer: $46
- Karlsruhe Airport (FKB) to Baden-Baden - Arrival Private Transfer: $23
- Airport transfer from Karlsruhe Airport to Baden-Baden: $105
Is it cheaper to fly into Leiden or Heidelberg?
Prices for flights to both Heidelberg 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 €39Heidelberg €37
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Heidelberg
For Heidelberg, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Heidelberg crime dinner to solve the mystery with a delicious 3-course menu: $64
- Craft Beer and Street Food Tour: $598
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Leiden €17Heidelberg €11
Tours and Activities in Leiden
For Leiden, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 90 minutes Walking tour and Escape room in Leiden: $21
- Discover Leiden with a self-guided Outside Escape city game tour!: $27
- Dutch Windmills & Polder Walking Tour: $33
- Half-Day Private Guided Tour in Leiden: $163
- Highlights Walking Tour in Leiden with Audio and GPS Guide: $7.57
- Historical Private Tour with Local Guide: $320
- Leiden City Tour with Live guide in Netherlands: $41
- Escape Tour - Self-Guided Citygame: $32
- Guided City Canal Cruise: $13
- Hortus Botanicus Entry Ticket: $9.62
- Murder Crime Game Self-Guided Interactive City Tour: $74
- Walking City Tour with Live guide: $32
Tours and Activities in Heidelberg
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Heidelberg.
- 2 1/2h Guided Bicycle Tour Discover Heidelberg: $46
- Alternative Heidelberg Tour.: $71
- Amazing Schwetzingen Garden Tour: $238
- Beer and Old Town Tour: $98
- Bicycle Tour from Heidelberg to quaint Ladenburg.: $120
- Culinary city tour in Heidelberg with delicious samples: $43
- E.Bike Tours around Heidelberg: $153
- Evening Heidelberg tour with historical night watchman: $17
- Experience the Local Food around Mannheim: $64
- Fascinating Heidelberg Sightseeing Walking Tour: $217
- Food & Fables Tour of Heidelberg : $131
- Guided Tour of Student Rabble, Whore Pack and the French War: $373
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayLeiden €26Heidelberg €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 Heidelberg
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Heidelberg:
- Highlights of the romantic Black Forest & brewery, private tour: $295
When comparing the travel costs between Leiden and Heidelberg, we can see that Heidelberg 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 Heidelberg Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Leiden or Heidelberg?
Heidelberg has a larger population, and is about 20% larger than the population of Leiden. When comparing the sizes of Leiden and Heidelberg, 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 Heidelberg?
Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.
Should I visit Leiden or Heidelberg in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Leiden and Heidelberg. Also, most visitors come to Heidelberg for the family-friendly experiences during these months.
Leiden is cooler than Heidelberg in the summer. The daily temperature in Leiden averages around 17°C (62°F) in July, and Heidelberg fluctuates around 21°C (69°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Heidelberg this time of the year. In Leiden, it's very sunny this time of the year. Leiden usually receives less sunshine than Heidelberg during summer. Leiden gets 204 hours of sunny skies, while Heidelberg receives 224 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Leiden usually receives around the same amount of rain as Heidelberg. Leiden gets 75 mm (3 in) of rain, while Heidelberg receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyLeiden 17°C (62°F)Heidelberg 21°C (69°F)
Should I visit Leiden or Heidelberg in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Leiden as well as Heidelberg. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Heidelberg because of the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.
In the autumn, Leiden is cooler than Heidelberg. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Leiden in October average around 11°C (51°F), and Heidelberg averages at about 12°C (54°F).
In the autumn, Leiden often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Heidelberg. Leiden gets 99 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Heidelberg receives 102 hours of full sun.
Leiden usually gets more rain in October than Heidelberg. Leiden gets 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Heidelberg receives 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberLeiden 11°C (51°F)Heidelberg 12°C (54°F)
Should I visit Leiden or Heidelberg in the Winter?
Both Heidelberg and Leiden are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Also, the shopping scene and the cuisine are the main draw to Heidelberg this time of year.
It's quite cold in Heidelberg in the winter. The weather in Leiden can be very cold. In January, Leiden is generally cooler than Heidelberg. Daily temperatures in Leiden average around 2°C (36°F), and Heidelberg fluctuates around 3°C (37°F).
Leiden usually receives more sunshine than Heidelberg during winter. Leiden gets 46 hours of sunny skies, while Heidelberg receives 38 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Leiden usually receives more rain than Heidelberg. Leiden gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Heidelberg receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryLeiden 2°C (36°F)Heidelberg 3°C (37°F)
Should I visit Leiden or Heidelberg in the Spring?
Both Heidelberg and Leiden during the spring are popular places to visit. Furthermore, many travelers come to Heidelberg for the natural beauty.
Leiden is cooler than Heidelberg in the spring. The daily temperature in Leiden averages around 8°C (46°F) in April, and Heidelberg fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).
In the spring, Leiden often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Heidelberg. Leiden gets 166 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Heidelberg receives 155 hours of full sun.
Leiden usually gets less rain in April than Heidelberg. Leiden gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Heidelberg receives 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilLeiden 8°C (46°F)Heidelberg 11°C (52°F)
Typical Weather for Heidelberg and Leiden
| Leiden | Heidelberg | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 2°C (36°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) | 3°C (37°F) | 52 mm (2 in) |
| Feb | 3°C (37°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) | 4°C (39°F) | 52 mm (2 in) |
| Mar | 5°C (41°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 53 mm (2.1 in) |
| Apr | 8°C (46°F) | 52 mm (2 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) |
| May | 12°C (54°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) |
| Jun | 15°C (59°F) | 68 mm (2.7 in) | 19°C (65°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) |
| Jul | 17°C (62°F) | 75 mm (3 in) | 21°C (69°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) |
| Aug | 17°C (62°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Sep | 14°C (57°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) |
| Oct | 11°C (51°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) |
| Nov | 6°C (43°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) | 7°C (44°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) |
| Dec | 3°C (38°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 4°C (38°F) | 63 mm (2.5 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.