Which place is cheaper, Reykjavik or Leiden?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Leiden or Reykjavik?
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 Reykjavik can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Leiden or Reykjavik?
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.
Reykjavik
Reykjavik is the capital and largest city in the country of Iceland. The city is where the vast majority of the country's population resides and the urban area has about 200,000 residents. The city is sprawling, with a large area covered in suburbs. The the city center is quite compact, with many interesting and colorful houses. There are a lot of things that attract tourists to this city, including an interesting culture and history as well as plenty of shopping and dining opportunities.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours from Amsterdam, The Best 2-Week Tours from Amsterdam, The Best Budget Tours to Iceland, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Iceland.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayLeiden €133Reykjavik €228
The average daily cost (per person) in Leiden is €133, while the average daily cost in Reykjavik is €228. 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 Reykjavik in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personLeiden €78Reykjavik €129
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomLeiden €156Reykjavik €258
Compare Hotels in Leiden and Reykjavik
Looking for a hotel in Leiden or Reykjavik? 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 Reykjavik Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Leiden €26Reykjavik €42
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 Reykjavik
Also for Reykjavik, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- To/from Blue Lagoon Private Transfer in Iceland: $159
- The Lava Tunnel Tour with Transfer from Reykjavik: $103
- The Blue Lagoon Comfort Package Including Transfer from Reykjavik: $167
- Sky Lagoon Entry with 7-Step Ritual and Transfers from Reykjavik: $115
- Skarfabakki Cruise Port to Keflavik Airport (KEF) - Departure Private Transfer: $92
- Skarfabakki Cruise Port Transfers To/From Keflavik Airport.: $161
- Sky Lagoon Admission with Transfer: $124
- Roundtrip Bus Transfer to the Blue Lagoon: $45
- Private Transfer to/from Keflavík Airport: $169
- Private Luxury Airport Transfer Service: $278
- Private Airport Transfer to Keflavik : $165
- Private Airport Transfer - RVK to KEF: $53
Is it cheaper to fly into Leiden or Reykjavik?
Prices for flights to both Reykjavik 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 €39Reykjavik €28
Typical Food Prices in Reykjavik
For Reykjavik, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Dinner (Fish Market)€165
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Reykjavik
For Reykjavik, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Icelandic Food Tour: $123
- Weekend Reykjavik Food Tour with a stop at the Reykjavik Flea Market: $125
- The Reykjavik Christmas Food Tour: $127
- 3 Hour Shared Christmas Food Tour with Guide in Reykjavik: $129
- Reykjavik Market & Lunch Food Tour - BitesizedIceland.com: $142
- Reykjavik Old Harbor Food Tour - BitesizedIceland.com: $144
- Reykjavik Old Harbor Food Tour: $145
- Icelandic Cooking Class in Downtown Reykjavik with Musical Hosts: $296
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Leiden €17Reykjavik €67
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
Typical Entertainment Prices in Reykjavik
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Reykjavik's activities, tours, and tickets:
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Art Museum€9.97
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Wine and Spa€27
Tours and Activities in Reykjavik
For Reykjavik, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- WWII History Tour with a 1940's British Officer in Reykjavik: $148
- #1 Northern Lights Tour In Iceland from Reykjavik with PRO photos: $145
- 1 hour Reykjavík E-Scooter Adventure: $58
- 1-Hour ATV Quad Tour from Reykjavik: $131
- 1-Hour Helicopter Tour in Iceland: The Geothermal Tour: $435
- 1hr ATV & Golden Circle Adventure from Reykjavik: $276
- 1hr Buggy Adventure from Reykjavik: $172
- 2hr Buggy 'Lava Field Adventure' from Reykjavik: $219
- 3-Hour Private Discover Reykjavik Photography Tour: $172
- 3hr Volcanic Springs ATV Adventure from Reykjavik: $299
- ATV - QUAD Adventure: $174
- Adventure in Landmannalaugar and Hot Springs - Reykjavík & Hella: $174
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayLeiden €26Reykjavik €26
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
Typical Alcohol Prices in Reykjavik
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Reykjavik are as follows:
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Beer€8.15
Sample the Local Flavors in Reykjavik
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Reykjavik:
- Gin Distillery tour and tasting: $25
- Eimverk Distillery Tour with Tasting: $32
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Leiden and Reykjavik, we can see that Reykjavik 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 Reykjavik would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Reykjavik 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 Reykjavik Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Leiden or Reykjavik?
Leiden has a larger population, and is about 5% larger than the population of Reykjavik. When comparing the sizes of Leiden and Reykjavik, 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 Reykjavik?
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 Reykjavik in the Summer?
Both Reykjavik and Leiden are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Also, many travelers come to Reykjavik for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Leiden is a little warmer than Reykjavik. Typically, the summer temperatures in Leiden in July average around 17°C (62°F), and Reykjavik averages at about 11°C (52°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Leiden. Leiden usually receives more sunshine than Reykjavik during summer. Leiden gets 204 hours of sunny skies, while Reykjavik receives 171 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Leiden usually receives more rain than Reykjavik. Leiden gets 75 mm (3 in) of rain, while Reykjavik receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyLeiden 17°C (62°F)Reykjavik 11°C (52°F)
Should I visit Leiden or Reykjavik in the Autumn?
Both Reykjavik and Leiden during the autumn are popular places to visit. Also, many visitors come to Reykjavik in the autumn for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
Reykjavik can get quite cold in the autumn. In October, Leiden is generally much warmer than Reykjavik. Daily temperatures in Leiden average around 11°C (51°F), and Reykjavik fluctuates around 5°C (41°F).
In the autumn, Leiden often gets more sunshine than Reykjavik. Leiden gets 99 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Reykjavik receives 83 hours of full sun.
Leiden usually gets less rain in October than Reykjavik. Leiden gets 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Reykjavik receives 86 mm (3.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberLeiden 11°C (51°F)Reykjavik 5°C (41°F)
Should I visit Leiden or Reykjavik in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Leiden and Reykjavik. Also, most visitors come to Reykjavik for the shopping scene and the cuisine during these months.
Reykjavik can be very cold during winter. Leiden can get quite cold in the winter. Leiden is much warmer than Reykjavik in the winter. The daily temperature in Leiden averages around 2°C (36°F) in January, and Reykjavik fluctuates around -0°C (32°F).
Leiden usually receives more sunshine than Reykjavik during winter. Leiden gets 46 hours of sunny skies, while Reykjavik receives 27 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Leiden usually receives less rain than Reykjavik. Leiden gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Reykjavik receives 76 mm (3 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryLeiden 2°C (36°F)Reykjavik -0°C (32°F)
Should I visit Leiden or Reykjavik in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Leiden as well as Reykjavik. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Reykjavik because of the natural beauty.
The weather in Reykjavik can be very cold. In the spring, Leiden is much warmer than Reykjavik. Typically, the spring temperatures in Leiden in April average around 8°C (46°F), and Reykjavik averages at about 3°C (38°F).
In the spring, Leiden often gets more sunshine than Reykjavik. Leiden gets 166 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Reykjavik receives 140 hours of full sun.
Leiden usually gets less rain in April than Reykjavik. Leiden gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Reykjavik receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilLeiden 8°C (46°F)Reykjavik 3°C (38°F)
Typical Weather for Reykjavik and Leiden
| Leiden | Reykjavik | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 2°C (36°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) | -0°C (32°F) | 76 mm (3 in) |
| Feb | 3°C (37°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) | 1°C (33°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) |
| Mar | 5°C (41°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) | 1°C (34°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) |
| Apr | 8°C (46°F) | 52 mm (2 in) | 3°C (38°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) |
| May | 12°C (54°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 7°C (44°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) |
| Jun | 15°C (59°F) | 68 mm (2.7 in) | 10°C (49°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| Jul | 17°C (62°F) | 75 mm (3 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 52 mm (2 in) |
| Aug | 17°C (62°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) |
| Sep | 14°C (57°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) |
| Oct | 11°C (51°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) | 5°C (41°F) | 86 mm (3.4 in) |
| Nov | 6°C (43°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) | 1°C (35°F) | 73 mm (2.9 in) |
| Dec | 3°C (38°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 0°C (32°F) | 79 mm (3.1 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.