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

Should you visit Leiden or Kinsale?

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

Where Should I go: Leiden or Kinsale?

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.

Kinsale

Near the River Bandon you'll find the small town of Kinsale, also known as Cionn tSaile. It sits comfortably in the hills that separate it from the nearby ocean. It's a quaint town that is also a historic port. Today is remains popular as a travel destination for sailors and travelers.

The town has two forts that protected it from invasion and served as the site for one of the most important battles in Irish history, in 1601. During this battle the Irish army arrived from the north to defend the town from an English siege. At the time the town was occupied by the Spanish. The Irish lost the battle and this was the defeat that led to the end of the ancient Gaelic aristocracy in Ireland.

Today the town is not only a charming place to visit, but also a great place to enjoy seafood, particularly during the yearly festival.

The climate in Kinsale is similar to that of nearby Cork. Average highs during the summer months are around 19 degrees Celsius and lows are about 12 degrees Celsius. During the winter months average highs are around 9 degrees Celsius and lows stay just above freezing at 3 degrees Celsius. Rain is generally consistent throughout the year, although you can expect slightly more precipitation during the winter months.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours from Amsterdam, The Best 2-Week Tours from Amsterdam, The Best Tours for Seniors to Ireland, and The Best 3-Day Tours from Dublin.

When comparing the travel costs between Leiden and Kinsale, 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 Kinsale Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Leiden or Kinsale?

Leiden has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Kinsale. When comparing the sizes of Leiden and Kinsale, 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 Kinsale?

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 Kinsale in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Leiden and Kinsale. Furthermore, many visitors come to Kinsale in the summer for the beaches, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Leiden is generally around the same temperature as Kinsale. Daily temperatures in Leiden average around 17°C (62°F), and Kinsale fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).

In Leiden, it's very sunny this time of the year. Leiden usually receives more sunshine than Kinsale during summer. Leiden gets 204 hours of sunny skies, while Kinsale receives 178 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Leiden usually receives more rain than Kinsale. Leiden gets 75 mm (3 in) of rain, while Kinsale receives 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Leiden or Kinsale in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Leiden as well as Kinsale. Additionally, most visitors come to Kinsale for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

Leiden is around the same temperature as Kinsale in the autumn. The daily temperature in Leiden averages around 11°C (51°F) in October, and Kinsale fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

In the autumn, Leiden often gets more sunshine than Kinsale. Leiden gets 99 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kinsale receives 90 hours of full sun.

Leiden usually gets less rain in October than Kinsale. Leiden gets 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Kinsale receives 97 mm (3.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Leiden or Kinsale in the Winter?

Both Kinsale and Leiden are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Kinsale because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Leiden can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Leiden is much colder than Kinsale. Typically, the winter temperatures in Leiden in January average around 2°C (36°F), and Kinsale averages at about 6°C (43°F).

Leiden usually receives less sunshine than Kinsale during winter. Leiden gets 46 hours of sunny skies, while Kinsale receives 60 hours of full sun in the winter.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Kinsale. In January, Leiden usually receives less rain than Kinsale. Leiden gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Kinsale receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Leiden or Kinsale in the Spring?

Both Kinsale and Leiden during the spring are popular places to visit. Also, the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty are the main draw to Kinsale this time of year.

In April, Leiden is generally cooler than Kinsale. Daily temperatures in Leiden average around 8°C (46°F), and Kinsale fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).

In the spring, Leiden often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Kinsale. Leiden gets 166 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kinsale receives 157 hours of full sun.

Leiden usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Kinsale. Leiden gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Kinsale receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Kinsale and Leiden