Which place is cheaper, Potsdam or Leiden?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Leiden or Potsdam?
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 Potsdam can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Leiden or Potsdam?
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.
Potsdam
Before you lays a treasure chest of historic beauties. From the glimmering Renaissance Orangery Palace that overlooks its sumptuous fountains to the neoclassical Charlottenhof Castle that is surrounded by lush England gardens, you find yourself in none other than Potsdam, Germany. The capital and largest city of the German federal state of Brandenburg, Potsdam borders the German capital Berlin and is located right on the bay of the River Havel. A home for Prussian kings until 1918 and a brainchild of the Enlightenment, Potsdam was constructed thoughtfully and carefully by its architects to create what many to believe as "a picturesque, pastoral dream" and a "balance between both nature and reason." From interconnected lakes to historic landmarks, Potsdam is a city that is bursting with life all year around. With its rich history, it was no wonder various parts of the city were named a World Heritage Site. With its landscape and cityscape rivaling in beauty, Potsdam is simply a breathtaking city that must be explored!
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours from Amsterdam, The Best 2-Week Tours from Amsterdam, The Best Coach Bus Tours in Germany, and The Best Adventure Tours to Germany.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayLeiden €133Potsdam €111
The average daily cost (per person) in Leiden is €133, while the average daily cost in Potsdam is €111. 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 Potsdam in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personLeiden €78Potsdam €60
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomLeiden €156Potsdam €120
Compare Hotels in Leiden and Potsdam
Looking for a hotel in Leiden or Potsdam? 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 Potsdam Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Leiden €26Potsdam €28
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 Potsdam
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Potsdam:
- Private Transfer from Potsdam to Berlin Tegel Airport: $160
- Departure Airport Transfer from Potsdam Hotels to Berlin BER Airport: $174
- Berlin Airport Departure Transfer from Potsdam Hotels: $174
Is it cheaper to fly into Leiden or Potsdam?
Prices for flights to both Potsdam 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 €39Potsdam €31
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Leiden €17Potsdam €25
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 Potsdam
Here are a few actual costs in Potsdam for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- 2 hours: Private Harbor and Castle Sightseeing Cruise: $364
- 4 hours Private Romantic River Boat Cruise with Wine: $620
- 4h Private Havelland Discovery Boat Cruise with Skipper: $620
- 8h: Private Potsdam Islands Sightseeing Boat Cruise: $1,358
- AbenteuerPark Adventure Climbing in the Trees: $31
- Babelsberg Park Walking Tour: $152
- Beautiful Baroque A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.99
- Brandenburg Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $11
- Christmas Walking Tour of Magical Potsdam: $502
- Christmas Walking Tour of Magical Potsdam: $257
- City Sightseeing Potsdam Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour: $22
- City and Palaces Tour Potsdam - Stadt- und Schloesserrundfahrt Potsdam: $27
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayLeiden €26Potsdam €6.70
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 Potsdam, we can see that Leiden is more expensive. And not only is Potsdam much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Potsdam would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Potsdam 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 Leiden would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Leiden than you might in Potsdam.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Leiden Expensive? and Is Potsdam Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Leiden or Potsdam?
Potsdam has a larger population, and is about 21% larger than the population of Leiden. When comparing the sizes of Leiden and Potsdam, 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 Potsdam?
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 Potsdam in the Summer?
Both Potsdam and Leiden during the summer are popular places to visit. Furthermore, the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Potsdam this time of year.
In July, Leiden is generally cooler than Potsdam. Daily temperatures in Leiden average around 17°C (62°F), and Potsdam fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).
In Potsdam, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Leiden. In the summer, Leiden often gets less sunshine than Potsdam. Leiden gets 204 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Potsdam receives 232 hours of full sun.
Leiden usually gets more rain in July than Potsdam. Leiden gets 75 mm (3 in) of rain, while Potsdam receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyLeiden 17°C (62°F)Potsdam 19°C (66°F)
Should I visit Leiden or Potsdam in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Leiden and Potsdam. Furthermore, many travelers come to Potsdam for the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area.
Leiden is around the same temperature as Potsdam in the autumn. The daily temperature in Leiden averages around 11°C (51°F) in October, and Potsdam fluctuates around 10°C (51°F).
Leiden usually receives less sunshine than Potsdam during autumn. Leiden gets 99 hours of sunny skies, while Potsdam receives 114 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Leiden usually receives more rain than Potsdam. Leiden gets 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Potsdam receives 36 mm (1.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberLeiden 11°C (51°F)Potsdam 10°C (51°F)
Should I visit Leiden or Potsdam in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Leiden as well as Potsdam. Additionally, many visitors come to Potsdam in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Potsdam can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Leiden. In the winter, Leiden is much warmer than Potsdam. Typically, the winter temperatures in Leiden in January average around 2°C (36°F), and Potsdam averages at about -0°C (31°F).
In the winter, Leiden often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Potsdam. Leiden gets 46 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Potsdam receives 47 hours of full sun.
Leiden usually gets more rain in January than Potsdam. Leiden gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Potsdam receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryLeiden 2°C (36°F)Potsdam -0°C (31°F)
Should I visit Leiden or Potsdam in the Spring?
Both Potsdam and Leiden are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Also, most visitors come to Potsdam for the small town charm and the natural beauty during these months.
In April, Leiden is generally cooler than Potsdam. Daily temperatures in Leiden average around 8°C (46°F), and Potsdam fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).
Leiden usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Potsdam during spring. Leiden gets 166 hours of sunny skies, while Potsdam receives 168 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Leiden usually receives more rain than Potsdam. Leiden gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Potsdam receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilLeiden 8°C (46°F)Potsdam 9°C (48°F)
Typical Weather for Potsdam and Leiden
| Leiden | Potsdam | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 2°C (36°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) | -0°C (31°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) |
| Feb | 3°C (37°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) | 1°C (34°F) | 37 mm (1.5 in) |
| Mar | 5°C (41°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) | 5°C (40°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) |
| Apr | 8°C (46°F) | 52 mm (2 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) |
| May | 12°C (54°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Jun | 15°C (59°F) | 68 mm (2.7 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) |
| Jul | 17°C (62°F) | 75 mm (3 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 52 mm (2 in) |
| Aug | 17°C (62°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) | 19°C (65°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) |
| Sep | 14°C (57°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| Oct | 11°C (51°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) | 10°C (51°F) | 36 mm (1.4 in) |
| Nov | 6°C (43°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) | 5°C (41°F) | 47 mm (1.9 in) |
| Dec | 3°C (38°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 1°C (34°F) | 56 mm (2.2 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.