A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Leiden vs. Mont-Saint-Michel for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Leiden or Mont-Saint-Michel?

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 Mont-Saint-Michel can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Leiden or Mont-Saint-Michel?

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.

Mont-Saint-Michel

Mont Saint-Michel is an island community in Normandy, France. It is located about a half of a mile (or one kilometer) off of the country's northwest coast, at the mouth of the Couesnon River near Avranches. The population of the island, at last count, was just under 50 people. The island has been a strategic fortifications since ancient times and since the 8th century AD has been the seat of the monastery from which it was named. The structural composition of the town exemplifies the feudal society that constructed it: on top, God, the abbey and monastery; below, the great halls; then stores and housing; and at the bottom, outside the walls, houses for fishermen and farmers. One of France's most recognizable landmarks, visited by more than 3 million people each year, Mont Saint-Michel and its bay are on the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites. Over 60 buildings within the commune are protected in France as historical monuments.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours from Amsterdam, The Best 2-Week Tours from Amsterdam, The Best River Cruises in France, and The Best Bicycle Tours in France.


Which place is cheaper, Mont-Saint-Michel 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 Mont-Saint-Michel is €156. 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 Mont-Saint-Michel in more detail.



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

Looking for a hotel in Leiden or Mont-Saint-Michel? 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 Mont-Saint-Michel


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 Mont-Saint-Michel Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Leiden 26
    Mont-Saint-Michel 70

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

Is it cheaper to fly into Leiden or Mont-Saint-Michel?

Prices for flights to both Mont-Saint-Michel 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
    Mont-Saint-Michel 44

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Leiden 17
    Mont-Saint-Michel 30

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: $7.59
  • 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 Mont-Saint-Michel

Here are a few actual costs in Mont-Saint-Michel for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • 2-Hour Guided Walking tour of the Mont Saint Michel : $33
  • Abbey du Mont Saint-Michel Priority Entrance Tickets: $16
  • Airborne Museum Admission Ticket: $11
  • Cherbourg Like a Local: Customized Private Tour: $44
  • Entrance ticket to the Battle of the Hedges Museum: $11
  • Mont Saint-Michel Abbey in the Middle Ages: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $8.99
  • Mont-St-Michel: Private Walking Tour "Abbey Ticket Included": $261
  • Mont-St-Michel: Shared Tour (10 max) "Abbey Ticket Included": $162
  • Mt St. Michel Private Tour with Abbey tickets and tour guide: $272
  • Normandy Mont-Saint-Michel Abbey Entrance Ticket: $14
  • Private Guided Tour in WW2 Jeep of the Landing Beaches: $272
  • Private walking tour of Mont Saint Michel with a licensed guide: $215

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Leiden 26
    Mont-Saint-Michel 7.86

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


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Leiden and Mont-Saint-Michel, we can see that Mont-Saint-Michel is more expensive. And not only is Leiden much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Leiden would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Leiden and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Mont-Saint-Michel would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Mont-Saint-Michel than you might in Leiden.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Leiden Expensive? and Is Mont-Saint-Michel Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Leiden or Mont-Saint-Michel?

Leiden has a larger population, and is about 1500 times larger than the population of Mont-Saint-Michel. When comparing the sizes of Leiden and Mont-Saint-Michel, 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 Mont-Saint-Michel?

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 Mont-Saint-Michel in the Summer?

Both Mont-Saint-Michel and Leiden during the summer are popular places to visit. Also, the hiking and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Mont-Saint-Michel this time of year.

In July, Leiden is generally cooler than Mont-Saint-Michel. Daily temperatures in Leiden average around 17°C (62°F), and Mont-Saint-Michel fluctuates around 19°C (65°F).

In Mont-Saint-Michel, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Leiden. In the summer, Leiden often gets less sunshine than Mont-Saint-Michel. Leiden gets 204 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Mont-Saint-Michel receives 246 hours of full sun.

Leiden usually gets more rain in July than Mont-Saint-Michel. Leiden gets 75 mm (3 in) of rain, while Mont-Saint-Michel receives 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Leiden 17°C (62°F) 
    Mont-Saint-Michel 19°C (65°F)

Should I visit Leiden or Mont-Saint-Michel in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Leiden and Mont-Saint-Michel. Also, many travelers come to Mont-Saint-Michel for the hiking trails and the natural beauty of the area.

Leiden is cooler than Mont-Saint-Michel in the autumn. The daily temperature in Leiden averages around 11°C (51°F) in October, and Mont-Saint-Michel fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

Leiden usually receives less sunshine than Mont-Saint-Michel during autumn. Leiden gets 99 hours of sunny skies, while Mont-Saint-Michel receives 134 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Leiden usually receives more rain than Mont-Saint-Michel. Leiden gets 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Mont-Saint-Michel receives 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Leiden 11°C (51°F) 
    Mont-Saint-Michel 13°C (55°F)

Should I visit Leiden or Mont-Saint-Michel in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Leiden as well as Mont-Saint-Michel. Also, many visitors come to Mont-Saint-Michel in the winter for the museums and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Leiden. In the winter, Leiden is much colder than Mont-Saint-Michel. Typically, the winter temperatures in Leiden in January average around 2°C (36°F), and Mont-Saint-Michel averages at about 5°C (41°F).

In the winter, Leiden often gets less sunshine than Mont-Saint-Michel. Leiden gets 46 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Mont-Saint-Michel receives 70 hours of full sun.

Leiden usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Mont-Saint-Michel. Leiden gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Mont-Saint-Michel receives 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Leiden 2°C (36°F) 
    Mont-Saint-Michel 5°C (41°F)

Should I visit Leiden or Mont-Saint-Michel in the Spring?

Both Mont-Saint-Michel and Leiden are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Also, most visitors come to Mont-Saint-Michel for the natural beauty during these months.

In April, Leiden is generally cooler than Mont-Saint-Michel. Daily temperatures in Leiden average around 8°C (46°F), and Mont-Saint-Michel fluctuates around 10°C (50°F).

Leiden usually receives less sunshine than Mont-Saint-Michel during spring. Leiden gets 166 hours of sunny skies, while Mont-Saint-Michel receives 180 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Leiden usually receives more rain than Mont-Saint-Michel. Leiden gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Mont-Saint-Michel receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Leiden 8°C (46°F) 
    Mont-Saint-Michel 10°C (50°F)

Typical Weather for Mont-Saint-Michel and Leiden

Leiden Mont-Saint-Michel
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 2°C (36°F) 66 mm (2.6 in) 5°C (41°F) 63 mm (2.5 in)
Feb 3°C (37°F) 49 mm (1.9 in) 6°C (43°F) 57 mm (2.2 in)
Mar 5°C (41°F) 63 mm (2.5 in) 8°C (46°F) 53 mm (2.1 in)
Apr 8°C (46°F) 52 mm (2 in) 10°C (50°F) 44 mm (1.7 in)
May 12°C (54°F) 61 mm (2.4 in) 13°C (56°F) 64 mm (2.5 in)
Jun 15°C (59°F) 68 mm (2.7 in) 16°C (62°F) 46 mm (1.8 in)
Jul 17°C (62°F) 75 mm (3 in) 19°C (65°F) 39 mm (1.5 in)
Aug 17°C (62°F) 71 mm (2.8 in) 18°C (65°F) 41 mm (1.6 in)
Sep 14°C (57°F) 67 mm (2.6 in) 16°C (61°F) 48 mm (1.9 in)
Oct 11°C (51°F) 72 mm (2.8 in) 13°C (55°F) 62 mm (2.4 in)
Nov 6°C (43°F) 81 mm (3.2 in) 8°C (47°F) 69 mm (2.7 in)
Dec 3°C (38°F) 80 mm (3.1 in) 6°C (43°F) 63 mm (2.5 in)


Related Articles for Leiden
Related Articles for Mont-Saint-Michel