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

Should you visit Lisse or Galway?

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

Should I visit Lisse or Galway? 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 Galway?

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.

Galway

Galway is Ireland's fifth largest city with a population of over 70,000. Located in the province of Connacht, it is typically the first stop for travelers headed into western Ireland. It serves as a gateway for this scenic part of the country, but it truly is a destination in and of itself. The city is pleasantly quaint, and is crisscrossed by lovely pedestrian only streets that are lined with shopping and restaurants. There are also countless museums and galleries to explore. Churches and cathedrals dot the town and are fun to drop by if you're fascinated with architecture.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Netherlands, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Netherlands, The Best Budget Tours to Ireland, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Ireland.


Which place is cheaper, Galway 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 Galway is €131. 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 Galway in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Lisse 79
    Galway 70
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Lisse 158
    Galway 140
Compare Hotels in Lisse and Galway

Looking for a hotel in Lisse or Galway? 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 Galway


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: Galway Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Lisse 23
    Galway 33

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Galway

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Galway:

  • Galway Private Driver: Personalized Tours & Transfers: $749
  • One-Way Private Transfer to Killarney: $668
  • From 1-Way Private Transfer to Dublin Airport: $668
  • From 1-Way Private Transfer to Cork City: $561
  • Galway to Limerick | Private Transfer and Car Service: $294
  • Galway to Shannon Airport | Private Transfer & Car Service: $294
  • Shannon Airport to Seamless Private Transfers: $257
  • Galway Private Transfer from Galway Airport to City centre: $90
  • Galway Private Transfer from central Galway to Galway Airport: $90

Is it cheaper to fly into Lisse or Galway?

Prices for flights to both Galway 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
    Galway 33

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

Typical Food Prices in Galway

Some typical examples of dining costs in Galway are as follows:


  • Fish & Chips Dinner
    8.12

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Galway

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

  • Tour & Taste Galway Food Tour: $93
  • Galway Food Tour: $107
  • Galway Food Tours: $109
  • Private Irish Cooking Experience in the Heart of Gaeltacht: $136
  • Farm to Table Experience and Irish Cooking Class in Galway: $190

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Lisse 30
    Galway 12

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 Galway

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

  • Abalone farm tour and tasting with coastal seaweed walk. Guided. 2 hours: $82
  • 3 Hours Guided Irish Whiskey Tour and Tasting in Galway City: $180
  • Aran Island, Cliffs of Moher & Cruise tour from Galway. Guided.: $119
  • Aran Islands Bike Tour with Tea & Scones - Day Trip to Inisheer from Doolin: $136
  • Aran Islands Bike Tour with Tea and Scones from Galway: $163
  • Aran Islands and Cliffs of Moher Cruise from Galway: $82
  • Aran Islands and Cliffs of Moher Day Cruise sailing from Galway City Docks: $60
  • Boat cruise with local skipper on Galway Bay. Galway city. 1 hour: $36
  • Burren Botany Experience: $16
  • Castles of Connemara tour departing Galway city. Guided. Full day: $134
  • City Sightseeing Galway Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour: $17
  • City of the Tribes Tour: $131

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Lisse 23
    Galway 15

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 Galway

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Galway:

  • Traditional Irish Poitin & Gin Distillery Tour: $355


When comparing the travel costs between Lisse and Galway, we can see that Lisse is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Europe, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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


Which is Bigger, Lisse or Galway?

Galway has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Lisse. When comparing the sizes of Lisse and Galway, 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 Galway?

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 Galway in the Summer?

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

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

It's quite sunny in Lisse. In the summer, Lisse often gets more sunshine than Galway. Lisse gets 204 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Galway receives 142 hours of full sun.

Lisse usually gets more rain in July than Galway. Lisse gets 75 mm (3 in) of rain, while Galway receives 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.


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

Should I visit Lisse or Galway in the Autumn?

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

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

Lisse usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Galway during autumn. Lisse gets 99 hours of sunny skies, while Galway receives 96 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Galway receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Lisse usually receives less rain than Galway. Lisse gets 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Galway receives 142 mm (5.6 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


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

Should I visit Lisse or Galway in the Winter?

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

The weather in Lisse can be very cold. In the winter, Lisse is much colder than Galway. Typically, the winter temperatures in Lisse in January average around 2°C (36°F), and Galway averages at about 6°C (42°F).

In the winter, Lisse often gets less sunshine than Galway. Lisse gets 46 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Galway receives 59 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Galway. Lisse usually gets less rain in January than Galway. Lisse gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Galway receives 116 mm (4.6 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Lisse 2°C (36°F) 
    Galway 6°C (42°F)

Should I visit Lisse or Galway in the Spring?

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

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

Lisse usually receives more sunshine than Galway during spring. Lisse gets 166 hours of sunny skies, while Galway receives 153 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Lisse usually receives around the same amount of rain as Galway. Lisse gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Galway receives 52 mm (2.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.


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

Typical Weather for Galway and Lisse

Lisse Galway
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 2°C (36°F) 66 mm (2.6 in) 6°C (42°F) 116 mm (4.6 in)
Feb 3°C (37°F) 49 mm (1.9 in) 6°C (42°F) 88 mm (3.4 in)
Mar 5°C (41°F) 63 mm (2.5 in) 7°C (45°F) 103 mm (4.1 in)
Apr 8°C (46°F) 52 mm (2 in) 9°C (48°F) 52 mm (2.1 in)
May 12°C (54°F) 61 mm (2.4 in) 11°C (53°F) 82 mm (3.2 in)
Jun 15°C (59°F) 68 mm (2.7 in) 14°C (57°F) 86 mm (3.4 in)
Jul 17°C (62°F) 75 mm (3 in) 16°C (60°F) 54 mm (2.1 in)
Aug 17°C (62°F) 71 mm (2.8 in) 16°C (60°F) 118 mm (4.6 in)
Sep 14°C (57°F) 67 mm (2.6 in) 14°C (57°F) 110 mm (4.3 in)
Oct 11°C (51°F) 72 mm (2.8 in) 11°C (52°F) 142 mm (5.6 in)
Nov 6°C (43°F) 81 mm (3.2 in) 8°C (46°F) 101 mm (4 in)
Dec 3°C (38°F) 80 mm (3.1 in) 6°C (44°F) 125 mm (4.9 in)