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

Should you visit Leiden or Rouen?

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

Where Should I go: Leiden or Rouen?

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.

Rouen

Rouen is a city on the River Seine in the north of France. It is the capital of the region of Normandy. It was formerly one of the largest and most prosperous cities of Medieval Europe. The city has had a turbulent history. It was devastated by fire and plague several times during the Middle Ages, and was occupied by the English during the Hundred Years War. The young French heroine Joan of Arc (Jeanne d'Arc) was tried for heresy and burned at the stake in the central square in 1431. And during WWII, Allied bombing raids laid waste to large parts of the city, especially south of the cathedral.

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 France, and The Best Food and Culinary Tours in France.


Which place is cheaper, Rouen 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 Rouen is €109. 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 Rouen in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Leiden 78
    Rouen 52
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Leiden 156
    Rouen 104
Compare Hotels in Leiden and Rouen

Looking for a hotel in Leiden or Rouen? 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 Rouen


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 Rouen Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Leiden 26
    Rouen 34

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 Rouen

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Rouen:

  • Round-Trip Private Transfer Rouen Airport URO to Rouen by Minivan: $164

Is it cheaper to fly into Leiden or Rouen?

Prices for flights to both Rouen 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
    Rouen 35

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Leiden 17
    Rouen 18

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 Rouen

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Rouen are as follows:

  • Audio guided tour : Rouen retold - Joan of Arc retold: $16
  • From Normandy D-Day Beaches Private Full-Day Tour: $1,283
  • From Normandy’s Regional Highlights Private Tour: $933
  • Guided Tour of the Historic Center of Rouen: $26
  • Private Custom Walking Guided Tour in Rouen: $51
  • Rouen Like a Local: Customized Private Tour: $52
  • Rouen audio guided tour: $13
  • American Landing Beaches Discovery Private Tour: $1,128
  • Castles and Abbeys Private Full-Day Tour: $1,283
  • Discover Rouen with a licenced tour guide: $59
  • Guided Tour of the Historic Center: $26
  • Private Guided Walking Tour: $307

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Leiden 26
    Rouen 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 Rouen, we can see that Leiden is more expensive. And not only is Rouen much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Rouen would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Rouen 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 Rouen.

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


Which is Bigger, Leiden or Rouen?

Leiden has a larger population, and is about 6% larger than the population of Rouen. When comparing the sizes of Leiden and Rouen, 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 Rouen?

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 Rouen in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Leiden as well as Rouen. Additionally, the summer months attract visitors to Rouen because of the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Leiden is generally around the same temperature as Rouen. Daily temperatures in Leiden average around 17°C (62°F), and Rouen fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Rouen. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Leiden this time of the year. In the summer, Leiden often gets less sunshine than Rouen. Leiden gets 204 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Rouen receives 241 hours of full sun.

Leiden usually gets more rain in July than Rouen. Leiden gets 75 mm (3 in) of rain, while Rouen receives 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Leiden 17°C (62°F) 
    Rouen 17°C (63°F)

Should I visit Leiden or Rouen in the Autumn?

Both Rouen and Leiden are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Also, the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Rouen this time of year.

Leiden is cooler than Rouen in the autumn. The daily temperature in Leiden averages around 11°C (51°F) in October, and Rouen fluctuates around 12°C (53°F).

Leiden usually receives less sunshine than Rouen during autumn. Leiden gets 99 hours of sunny skies, while Rouen receives 127 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Leiden usually receives around the same amount of rain as Rouen. Leiden gets 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Rouen receives 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Leiden 11°C (51°F) 
    Rouen 12°C (53°F)

Should I visit Leiden or Rouen in the Winter?

Both Rouen and Leiden during the winter are popular places to visit. Also, many travelers come to Rouen for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Rouen. It's quite cold in Leiden in the winter. In the winter, Leiden is much colder than Rouen. Typically, the winter temperatures in Leiden in January average around 2°C (36°F), and Rouen averages at about 4°C (39°F).

In the winter, Leiden often gets less sunshine than Rouen. Leiden gets 46 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Rouen receives 62 hours of full sun.

Leiden usually gets more rain in January than Rouen. Leiden gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Rouen receives 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Leiden 2°C (36°F) 
    Rouen 4°C (39°F)

Should I visit Leiden or Rouen in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Leiden and Rouen. Also, many visitors come to Rouen in the spring for the natural beauty.

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

Leiden usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Rouen during spring. Leiden gets 166 hours of sunny skies, while Rouen receives 172 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Leiden usually receives more rain than Rouen. Leiden gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Rouen receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Leiden 8°C (46°F) 
    Rouen 9°C (48°F)

Typical Weather for Rouen and Leiden

Leiden Rouen
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 2°C (36°F) 66 mm (2.6 in) 4°C (39°F) 59 mm (2.3 in)
Feb 3°C (37°F) 49 mm (1.9 in) 4°C (40°F) 48 mm (1.9 in)
Mar 5°C (41°F) 63 mm (2.5 in) 7°C (44°F) 55 mm (2.2 in)
Apr 8°C (46°F) 52 mm (2 in) 9°C (48°F) 48 mm (1.9 in)
May 12°C (54°F) 61 mm (2.4 in) 12°C (54°F) 54 mm (2.1 in)
Jun 15°C (59°F) 68 mm (2.7 in) 15°C (59°F) 62 mm (2.4 in)
Jul 17°C (62°F) 75 mm (3 in) 17°C (63°F) 57 mm (2.2 in)
Aug 17°C (62°F) 71 mm (2.8 in) 17°C (63°F) 57 mm (2.2 in)
Sep 14°C (57°F) 67 mm (2.6 in) 15°C (59°F) 68 mm (2.7 in)
Oct 11°C (51°F) 72 mm (2.8 in) 12°C (53°F) 72 mm (2.8 in)
Nov 6°C (43°F) 81 mm (3.2 in) 7°C (45°F) 81 mm (3.2 in)
Dec 3°C (38°F) 80 mm (3.1 in) 5°C (40°F) 70 mm (2.8 in)


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