A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers London vs. Leiden for Attractions, Nightlife, Families, and Couples

Should you visit London or Leiden?

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 London and Leiden can help you decide which place is right for you.

London

London is a diverse, iconic, and global city. Visitors will also find so much to do here because it's a large city with many sights and attractions. With stunning beauty, London attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the theater, nightlife, and live music. See London travel costs.

Leiden

Leiden is a scholarly, historic, and cultural city. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food. See Leiden travel costs.

London and Leiden: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in London or Leiden?

Tourists will generally find more to do in London than Leiden. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. London is more touristy than Leiden and is known for its international reputation, its world-renowned theater productions, and its many different markets. It is also well known for Big Ben. Leiden is famous for its many museums and renowned university.

Big Ben

How is London different from Leiden?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Leiden and London. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in London or Leiden?

London is a must-visit destination for its museums and history. Also, Leiden is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its museums and landmarks.

With plenty of landmarks, attractions, and museums, London has many famous sights for visitors. The city has so many iconic sights that we can't list them all, but some of the most famous include the Tower of London, Buckingham Palace, St. Paul's Cathedral, Westminster Abbey, Big Ben, and the British Museum. You can fill many days exploring the treasures found at each of the venues.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Leiden can be an interesting and educational experience. There are a huge number of museums around town. Some are affiliated with the museum, while others are not. Some of the favorites include the National Museum of Antiquities (Rijksmuseum van Oudheden), Naturalis Biodiversity Center, The Boerhaave Museum, the Corpus Museum, and the National Ethnological Museum.

Is London or Leiden Better for Theater?

London is a must-visit destination for its shows and theatre. However, Leiden is not a theatre destination.

The theater scene in London is world-class. The West End theater district is where you'll find the most popular musicals. Famous theaters include Apollo Theatre, Palace Theatre, and Piccadilly Theatre. There are often Wednesday matinees that are a bit cheaper than the evening shows. You may also be able to get discounted last minute tickets if you're visiting during the less touristy times.

Leiden is not a theatre destination.

Is the Food Better in London or Leiden? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Local dishes at restaurants are fun to try in both London and Leiden.

London has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. Although food here was once the butt of a number of jokes, the restaurant scene has come a long way, and you can find anything and everything around town. Head to Chinatown to try dim sum or hot pot. There are no shortage of Indian restaurants as well. If you want the best food for the lowest prices, your best bet is to get out of the touristy areas and discover where the locals eat. There are also many markets that are perfect for grabbing a unique lunch or snack. Burrough Market has a number of ethnic and seafood vendors as well as fresh produce and snack options.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Leiden makes for a great culinary experience. There's a diverse food scene with many international flavors such as Japanese, Chinese, and French. The cafe culture influences the culinary scene and you'll find many cozy cafes and restaurants where you can enjoy a bite to eat.

Is London or Leiden Better for Nightlife?

London is a must-visit destination for its evening party scene. Also, Leiden is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for nightlife.

London is a world class party destination. Some of the best neighborhoods for nightlife are Camden, West End, Soho, and Shoreditch. There are many festivals, concerts, and shows worth checking out and the nightlife scene is diverse enough that there really is something for everyone.

Leiden has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. The large student population means that there is a good nightlife scene. There are a variety of bars, pubs, and cafes where you can enjoy a drink, with options ranging from cozy, intimate spots to larger, more vibrant venues. The Oude Markt area, with its charming historic setting, is a hotspot for nightlife, offering a mix of traditional Dutch bars and international-themed pubs.

Is London or Leiden Better for Music?

London is a must-visit destination for its music scene. However, Leiden is not a live music destination.

London has become a mecca for musicians from around the world. Famous music venues include Dominion Theatre, the Roundhouse, and Dublin Castle.

Leiden is not a live music destination.

Is the Shopping Better in London or Leiden?

London is a must-visit destination for its shopping areas. Also, Leiden is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for shopping.

Many people travel to London specifically to go shopping. With so much iconic shopping around town, it's hard to decide where to go. Head to Oxford Street, Regent Street, or Piccadilly Circus for a quintessential British shopping experience.

Leiden is a great destination for shopping. There are a mix of unique boutiques, international brands, and charming local stores. The Breestraat and Nieuwe Rijn are popular shopping streets, and they're lined with a variety of shops selling everything from fashion and accessories to books, art, and antiques. The city also has several markets, including a weekly Saturday market near the Pieterskerk, where you can find fresh produce, flowers, and vintage items.

Is London or Leiden More Beautiful?

London is an excellent place to visit for its scenery and beauty. However, Leiden is not a destination known for its beauty.

With stunning beauty, London attracts visitors from all around. The city has quaint neighborhoods and stunning architectural landmarks that are not to be missed.

Leiden is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is London or Leiden Better for Families?

London is a must-visit destination for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Leiden is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

London is one of the most popular family destinations. Whether you do a Harry Potter Tour, take a ride on the London Eye, or enjoy afternoon tea, there are plenty of activities for kids around town. The Harry Potter Studio Tour is fun for everyone, but should be booked well in advance as it sells out. Theatre enthusiasts will enjoy catching a musical in West End and sampling dim sum or a hot pot in Chinatown. There are often Wednesday matinee showings that are perfect for kids with early bedtimes.

Leiden is a very family-friendly place to visit. The town has a mix of educational, cultural, and fun activities for all ages. There are many family-friendly museums like Naturalis Biodiversity Center, where kids can explore dinosaurs and wildlife, and the National Museum of Antiquities, which brings history to life. There's also the Corpus Museum, which takes visitors on a unique, interactive journey through the human body.

Is London or Leiden Better for Couples?

London is a must-visit destination for couples. Also, Leiden is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for romance.

For those traveling as a couple, London has plenty to offer. With every type of entertainment that you can imagine, this city is the ultimate couple's getaway. There are world class musicals, evening concerts, and restaurants of every style, cuisine, and budget. It's easy for couples to fill days in this vibrant city.

Leiden is a nice destination for couples. Couples who enjoy charming towns and world class museums will enjoy their time here. The town also has picturesque canals, historic bridges, and cozy street cafes. Couples can explore places like the Hortus Botanicus, one of the oldest botanical gardens in the Netherlands, or enjoy a quiet moment in the scenic Leidse Hout Park.

Is London or Leiden Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

London is a must-visit destination for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Leiden is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for backpackers.

A large number of backpackers visit London, as it is a very popular city for budget travelers. Although the city is very expensive, it has tons of hostels, affordable restaurant options, and great public transit. There's a huge backpacker network here and it's easy to meet other travelers. The nightlife scene is also second to none.

It's common for backpackers to visit Leiden. The city offers affordable accommodations, including hostels and budget-friendly hotels, as well as reasonably priced eateries serving Dutch classics and international cuisine. Many of Leiden’s attractions, like its historic canals, charming streets, and open-air markets, can be enjoyed for free.

Is London or Leiden Better for Students?

London is a must-visit destination for its student-friendly activities. Also, Leiden is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for students.

Students come from all over the world to visit London. The city has a number of universities and is a popular study abroad destination. It's also a very diverse city, so international students will feel right at home.

Leiden is a great city to visit as a student. It feels like a university town and it's home to Leiden University, the oldest university in the Netherlands. The university is known for its academic excellence and vibrant student community. The town also has a young atmosphere with plenty of affordable cafes, bars, and cultural events that influence the student life. Its compact size makes it easy to navigate by bike, and the abundance of libraries, study spaces, and museums provides ample resources for learning and inspiration. Housing can be difficult to find though.

Is London or Leiden Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

London is a must-visit destination for times when you don't have a car. Also, Leiden is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its public transit.

London has a world-class public transit network to take passengers everywhere in the city. From the iconic double decker buses to the Tube, there are plenty of options throughout the city.

You'll find some public transit in Leiden, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. The Leiden Central Station is the main hub for trains, which connect the city to other towns throughout the country. Around town there are buses that are reliable and convenient.

Is London or Leiden a more walkable city?

London is a must-visit destination for its ease of walking around. Also, Leiden is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its walkability.

It's very easy to get around on foot in London. With many walkable areas, it is considered to be one of the world's most walkable major cities.

Leiden is very walkable. The city is compact and easy to navigate on foot, with many of its attractions, cafes, shops, and historical sites located within walking distance of each other.

For even more information, also check out Is London Worth Visiting? and Is Leiden Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Leiden or London?

How long in London or Leiden?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in London or Leiden to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in London than Leiden because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for London, and 1-2 days is enough time in Leiden.

Families should spend more time in London than Leiden. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in London, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in London than Leiden. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in London that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in London than Leiden if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in London.

One day in London or Leiden?

London is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Leiden. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

A weekend in London or Leiden?

London is a great place to explore. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Leiden is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Five days in London or Leiden?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in London. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Leiden. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A week in London or Leiden?

London is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. If you have one week, this is a great place to go. This would be the perfect place to spend one week, as it has just the right amount of activities.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the cultural destination of Leiden. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Coach Bus Tours in United Kingdom, The Best Adventure Tours to United Kingdom, The Best 10-Day Tours from Amsterdam, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Amsterdam.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between London and Leiden, we can see that London 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 London would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in London 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 London Expensive? and Is Leiden Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, London or Leiden?

London has a larger population, and is about 60 times larger than the population of Leiden. When comparing the sizes of London and Leiden, 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 London or Leiden?

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 London or Leiden in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both London and Leiden. The summer months attract visitors to London because of the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Leiden this time of year.

London is around the same temperature as Leiden in the summer. The daily temperature in London averages around 18°C (64°F) in July, and Leiden fluctuates around 17°C (62°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Leiden this time of the year. London usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Leiden during summer. London gets 195 hours of sunny skies, while Leiden receives 204 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, London usually receives less rain than Leiden. London gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Leiden receives 75 mm (3 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit London or Leiden in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to London as well as Leiden. The city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to London this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to Leiden for the shopping scene.

In the autumn, London is a little warmer than Leiden. Typically, the autumn temperatures in London in October average around 12°C (53°F), and Leiden averages at about 11°C (51°F).

In the autumn, London often gets more sunshine than Leiden. London gets 107 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Leiden receives 99 hours of full sun.

London usually gets less rain in October than Leiden. London gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Leiden receives 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit London or Leiden in the Winter?

Both Leiden and London are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to London for the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Leiden in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Leiden can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in London. In January, London is generally much warmer than Leiden. Daily temperatures in London average around 4°C (40°F), and Leiden fluctuates around 2°C (36°F).

London usually receives more sunshine than Leiden during winter. London gets 52 hours of sunny skies, while Leiden receives 46 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, London usually receives less rain than Leiden. London gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Leiden receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit London or Leiden in the Spring?

Both Leiden and London during the spring are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to London in the spring for the activities around the city and the natural beauty.

London is a little warmer than Leiden in the spring. The daily temperature in London averages around 9°C (48°F) in April, and Leiden fluctuates around 8°C (46°F).

In the spring, London often gets less sunshine than Leiden. London gets 147 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Leiden receives 166 hours of full sun.

London usually gets less rain in April than Leiden. London gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Leiden receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Leiden and London