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

Should you visit Lisse or Kiel?

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

Should I visit Lisse or Kiel? 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 Kiel?

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.

Kiel

Kiel is a port city on Germany's Baltic Sea coast. Much of the city center it was obliterated during WWII by bombing raids on its U-boat pens. In the old town, the rebuilt, medieval St. Nikolai Church hosts classical concerts and Holstenstrasse and Danische Strasse are streets lined with shops. The city also has several indoor malls linked by pedestrian bridges. Along the Kiel Fjord, the Maritime Museum displays model ships and nautical instruments in a former fish auction hall. Nearby, cruise ships dock at the Ostseekai Terminal in Germania Harbor. This grand harbor in Kiel continues on as it has for centuries and should be the focus of your visit. Huge ferries transport millions of passengers to and from Scandinavia, while summer sees locals strolling the long waterfront promenade.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Netherlands, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Netherlands, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Berlin, and The Best 10-Day Tours from Berlin.


Which place is cheaper, Kiel 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 Kiel is €138. 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 Kiel in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Lisse 79
    Kiel 67
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Lisse 158
    Kiel 134
Compare Hotels in Lisse and Kiel

Looking for a hotel in Lisse or Kiel? 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 Kiel


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: Kiel Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Lisse 23
    Kiel 54

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kiel

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kiel:

  • Ostseekai Kiel Cruise Port: Private Transfer to Hamburg: $645
  • Ostseekai Kiel Cruise Port to Hamburg hotels - Round-Trip Private Transfer : $235
  • Ostseekai Kiel Cruise Port to Hamburg hotels - Arrival Private Transfer : $118
  • Ostseekai Kiel Cruise Port to Hamburg Airport (HAM) - Departure Private Transfer: $118
  • Private Transfer from Ostseekai Kiel Port to Hamburg Airport: $79
  • Private Transfer from Ostseekai Kiel Cruise Port to Hamburg city: $79

Is it cheaper to fly into Lisse or Kiel?

Prices for flights to both Kiel 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
    Kiel 39

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

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Lisse 30
    Kiel 19

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 Kiel

Here are a few actual costs in Kiel for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Bicycle tour to Friedrichshafen with a visit to the Zeppelin & Dornier Museum: $141
  • Bike Tour of Lubeck with Top Attractions and Private Guide: $244
  • Boat Cruise and a Private Walking Tour of Lubeck's Old Town: $205
  • Christmas Stories of Lubeck – Private Walking Tour: $256
  • City Sightseeing Kiel Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour: $22
  • Discovering Lubeck – Private Walking Tour for Couples: $202
  • Fascinating Pearls of Lubeck - Guided Walking Tour: $191
  • Kiel - Private Historic Walking Tour: $384
  • Kiel Crime Experience: self-guided crime tour: $42
  • Kiel Private Guided Walking Tour: $281
  • Kiel Self-Guided Audio Tour: Explore this Historic Port: $12
  • Kiel's Historical Port: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $12

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Lisse 23
    Kiel 12

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


When comparing the travel costs between Lisse and Kiel, 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 Kiel Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Lisse or Kiel?

Kiel has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Lisse. When comparing the sizes of Lisse and Kiel, 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 Kiel?

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 Kiel in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Lisse as well as Kiel. Additionally, the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Kiel this time of year.

Lisse is around the same temperature as Kiel in the summer. The daily temperature in Lisse averages around 17°C (62°F) in July, and Kiel fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Kiel. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Lisse this time of the year. In the summer, Lisse often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Kiel. Lisse gets 204 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kiel receives 219 hours of full sun.

Lisse usually gets less rain in July than Kiel. Lisse gets 75 mm (3 in) of rain, while Kiel receives 88 mm (3.4 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Lisse 17°C (62°F) 
    Kiel 16°C (61°F)

Should I visit Lisse or Kiel in the Autumn?

Both Kiel and Lisse are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Also, many travelers come to Kiel for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

In the autumn, Lisse is around the same temperature as Kiel. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Lisse in October average around 11°C (51°F), and Kiel averages at about 10°C (50°F).

Lisse usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Kiel during autumn. Lisse gets 99 hours of sunny skies, while Kiel receives 102 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Lisse usually receives more rain than Kiel. Lisse gets 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Kiel receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Lisse 11°C (51°F) 
    Kiel 10°C (50°F)

Should I visit Lisse or Kiel in the Winter?

Both Kiel and Lisse during the winter are popular places to visit. Also, many visitors come to Kiel in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Kiel can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Lisse. In January, Lisse is generally much warmer than Kiel. Daily temperatures in Lisse average around 2°C (36°F), and Kiel fluctuates around 0°C (33°F).

In the winter, Lisse often gets more sunshine than Kiel. Lisse gets 46 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kiel receives 39 hours of full sun.

Lisse usually gets more rain in January than Kiel. Lisse gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Kiel receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Lisse 2°C (36°F) 
    Kiel 0°C (33°F)

Should I visit Lisse or Kiel in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Lisse and Kiel. Also, most visitors come to Kiel for the beaches and the activities around the city during these months.

Lisse is a little warmer than Kiel in the spring. The daily temperature in Lisse averages around 8°C (46°F) in April, and Kiel fluctuates around 7°C (44°F).

Lisse usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Kiel during spring. Lisse gets 166 hours of sunny skies, while Kiel receives 171 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Lisse usually receives around the same amount of rain as Kiel. Lisse gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Kiel receives 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Lisse 8°C (46°F) 
    Kiel 7°C (44°F)

Typical Weather for Kiel and Lisse

Lisse Kiel
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 2°C (36°F) 66 mm (2.6 in) 0°C (33°F) 61 mm (2.4 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) 3°C (38°F) 47 mm (1.9 in)
Apr 8°C (46°F) 52 mm (2 in) 7°C (44°F) 49 mm (1.9 in)
May 12°C (54°F) 61 mm (2.4 in) 11°C (53°F) 53 mm (2.1 in)
Jun 15°C (59°F) 68 mm (2.7 in) 15°C (59°F) 65 mm (2.6 in)
Jul 17°C (62°F) 75 mm (3 in) 16°C (61°F) 88 mm (3.4 in)
Aug 17°C (62°F) 71 mm (2.8 in) 16°C (62°F) 71 mm (2.8 in)
Sep 14°C (57°F) 67 mm (2.6 in) 14°C (56°F) 64 mm (2.5 in)
Oct 11°C (51°F) 72 mm (2.8 in) 10°C (50°F) 65 mm (2.6 in)
Nov 6°C (43°F) 81 mm (3.2 in) 5°C (41°F) 82 mm (3.2 in)
Dec 3°C (38°F) 80 mm (3.1 in) 2°C (35°F) 73 mm (2.9 in)