A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Lisse vs. Cork for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Lisse or Cork?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Should I visit Lisse or Cork? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Where Should I go: Lisse or Cork?

Lisse

Lisse is very much a seasonal destination. During a two month period every spring it becomes one of the Netherlands most popular tourist destinations. In the Bulb Region of South Holland, it is home to the Keukenhof amusement park, which comes to life every spring with millions of flowers coming into full bloom. The spectacular sight attracts over eight hundred thousand visitors every year, all during that two month time period. This sight truly is amazing with rows of colored flowers lighting up the grounds. The flowers cover more than 32 hectares and include tulips, hyacinths, daffodils and other spring flowers. Its a wonderful sight for people of all ages, and a wonderful photographic opportunity for anybody in the area.

Cork

Located on the banks of the River Lee, Cork has a small, but pleasant downtown that is easy to walk around. The city was built up on marshland, and many of the streets today, including St Patrick's Street, the South Mall and the Grand Parade, are actually built over what was once river channels. Today there are more than thirty bridges that cross over the channelized River Lee. As an orientation, it's nice to take a historic walking tour of the downtown area. Then you can explore the area in more detail by yourself. There are cathedrals, museums, and galleries around town so you can keep yourself quite entertained. If the weather is nice, head out to Lough park, which has a small freshwater limestone lake and some interesting water fowl to see. It's a great place to people watch and see daily life in the city of Cork.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Netherlands, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Netherlands, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Ireland, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Ireland.


Which place is cheaper, Cork or Lisse?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Lisse is €145, while the average daily cost in Cork is €101. 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 Lisse and Cork in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Lisse 79
    Cork 60
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Lisse 158
    Cork 120
Compare Hotels in Lisse and Cork

Looking for a hotel in Lisse or Cork? 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 Lisse


Hotels in Cork


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: Cork Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Lisse 23
    Cork 16

Is it cheaper to fly into Lisse or Cork?

Prices for flights to both Cork and Lisse 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
    Lisse 47
    Cork 30

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Lisse

For Lisse, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Haarlem's Food-steps: A self-guided Food Tour: $39
  • WALKING DINNER HAARLEM | 3 courses + 3 drinks and a lot of fun: $87
  • Guided Food Tour Haarlem (min. 2 persons) - Many local tastings : $97

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cork

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Cork.

  • Hysterical Histories, Comedic Dinner Theater Show: $53
  • Hysterical Histories Cork Dinner Theatre Show: $57
  • Historic Cork Delicious Donut Adventure & Walking Food Tour: $65

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Lisse 30
    Cork 9.29

Tours and Activities in Lisse

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Lisse.

  • Walking tour Haarlem (Tip Based): $4.36
  • Keukenhof: Parking Ticket or Park Information Booklet: $7.49
  • Haarlem Highlights Walking Tour Audio and GPS Guided: $7.57
  • Cultural and Historical Audio guided walking tour Tour of Haarlem: $13
  • Leiden: Windmill and Countryside Cruise near Keukenhof: $16
  • Haarlem: Canal Cruise Spaarne Mill to Mill: $20
  • Haarlem: 50 minutes Boat Cruise: $20
  • 90 minutes Self-Guided Walking tour and Escape room in Haarlem: $21
  • Keukenhof: Entry Ticket: $21
  • Haarlem Open Canal Tour with a real live guide: $25
  • Discover Haarlem with a self-guided Outside Escape city game tour: $27
  • 2 Hours Walking Tour Throughout History & Highlights of Haarlem: $28

Tours and Activities in Cork

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

  • Blarney Castle Tour from Cork including Cobh: $60
  • Cliffs of Moher Day Tour from Including The Wild Altanic Way: $53
  • Cliffs of Moher and More: Full-Day Tour from Cork: $52
  • Coastal Foraging and Folklore Tour: $55
  • Cork City Cycle Tour - Experience the beautiful and historic City by bike: $51
  • Cork City Gaol Admission Ticket: $14
  • Cork City Hop On/Off Open Top Bus Tour: $24
  • Cork Culinary Tour: $128
  • Cork Culinary Tour: $142
  • Cork Delicious Donut Adventure by Underground Donut Tour: $65
  • Cork Highlights: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.99
  • Cork Holiday Donut Adventure by Underground Donut Tour: $65

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Lisse 23
    Cork 13

Sample the Local Flavors in Lisse

Also in Lisse, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Haarlem Private Self Guided Pub Crawl: $22

Sample the Local Flavors in Cork

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Cork:

  • Clonakilty Distillery Tour & Classic Whiskey Tasting: $22
  • Cork City: Rebel City Distillery Tour: $27
  • Rebel City Distillery Tour: $27
  • Midleton Distillery Tour with Whiskey Tasting: $32
  • Midleton Distillery Experience & Whiskey Tasting -Home of Jameson: $33
  • Whiskey Cocktail Making Class at Midleton Distillery: $64
  • Cork Irish Whiskey Cocktail Making Class at Midleton Distillery : $65
  • Midleton Distillery Behind the Scenes Tour & Tasting: $80
  • Blarney Castle Cork City and Jameson Distillery Semi Private Tour: $196
  • Private Cork City Tour, Kinsale and Jameson Distillery: $254


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Lisse and Cork, we can see that Lisse is more expensive. And not only is Cork much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Cork would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Cork 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 Lisse would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Lisse than you might in Cork.

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


Which is Bigger, Lisse or Cork?

Cork has a larger population, and is about 9 times larger than the population of Lisse. When comparing the sizes of Lisse and Cork, 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 Lisse or Cork?

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 Lisse or Cork in the Summer?

Both Cork and Lisse during the summer are popular places to visit. Also, most visitors come to Cork for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

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

It's quite sunny in Lisse. In the summer, Lisse often gets more sunshine than Cork. Lisse gets 204 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Cork receives 178 hours of full sun.

Lisse usually gets more rain in July than Cork. Lisse gets 75 mm (3 in) of rain, while Cork receives 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Lisse 17°C (62°F) 
    Cork 16°C (60°F)

Should I visit Lisse or Cork in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Lisse and Cork. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Cork because of the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

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

Lisse usually receives more sunshine than Cork during autumn. Lisse gets 99 hours of sunny skies, while Cork receives 90 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Lisse usually receives less rain than Cork. Lisse gets 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Cork receives 97 mm (3.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Lisse 11°C (51°F) 
    Cork 11°C (52°F)

Should I visit Lisse or Cork in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Lisse as well as Cork. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Cork this time of year.

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

In the winter, Lisse often gets less sunshine than Cork. Lisse gets 46 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Cork receives 60 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Cork. Lisse usually gets less rain in January than Cork. Lisse gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Cork receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Lisse 2°C (36°F) 
    Cork 6°C (43°F)

Should I visit Lisse or Cork in the Spring?

Both Cork and Lisse are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Also, many travelers come to Cork for the activities around the city.

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

Lisse usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Cork during spring. Lisse gets 166 hours of sunny skies, while Cork receives 157 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Lisse usually receives around the same amount of rain as Cork. Lisse gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Cork receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Lisse 8°C (46°F) 
    Cork 9°C (48°F)

Typical Weather for Cork and Lisse

Lisse Cork
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 2°C (36°F) 66 mm (2.6 in) 6°C (43°F) 110 mm (4.3 in)
Feb 3°C (37°F) 49 mm (1.9 in) 6°C (43°F) 91 mm (3.6 in)
Mar 5°C (41°F) 63 mm (2.5 in) 7°C (45°F) 73 mm (2.9 in)
Apr 8°C (46°F) 52 mm (2 in) 9°C (48°F) 55 mm (2.2 in)
May 12°C (54°F) 61 mm (2.4 in) 11°C (52°F) 60 mm (2.4 in)
Jun 15°C (59°F) 68 mm (2.7 in) 14°C (57°F) 58 mm (2.3 in)
Jul 17°C (62°F) 75 mm (3 in) 16°C (60°F) 53 mm (2.1 in)
Aug 17°C (62°F) 71 mm (2.8 in) 16°C (60°F) 80 mm (3.1 in)
Sep 14°C (57°F) 67 mm (2.6 in) 14°C (57°F) 79 mm (3.1 in)
Oct 11°C (51°F) 72 mm (2.8 in) 11°C (52°F) 97 mm (3.8 in)
Nov 6°C (43°F) 81 mm (3.2 in) 8°C (47°F) 85 mm (3.3 in)
Dec 3°C (38°F) 80 mm (3.1 in) 7°C (45°F) 101 mm (4 in)