Which place is cheaper, Leiden or Lucerne?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Lucerne or Leiden?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Lucerne and Leiden. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.
Where Should I go: Lucerne or Leiden?
Lucerne
Lucerne is a relatively small city in the center of Switzerland. It is located across the lake from Altdorf and it has a thriving tourism industry. It's close proximity to many of the major sights in the country make it a great base for exploration. Many people use it as a jumping off point for exploring Mount Rigi and the Rutli Meadow.
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.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Switzerland, The Best 2-Week Tours in Switzerland, The Best 10-Day Tours from Amsterdam, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Amsterdam.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayLucerne $214Leiden $143
The average daily cost (per person) in Lucerne is $214, while the average daily cost in Leiden is $143. 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 Lucerne and Leiden in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personLucerne $137Leiden $83
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomLucerne $274Leiden $166
Compare Hotels in Lucerne and Leiden
Looking for a hotel in Lucerne or Leiden? 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.
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: Lucerne Hotel Prices and Leiden Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Lucerne $13Leiden $28
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Lucerne
Also for Lucerne, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Zurich Airport (ZRH) to Bad Ragaz Resorts - Round-Trip Transfer: $251
- Rafting in Interlaken with Return Transfer from Lucerne: $257
- Private Transfer from Lucerne to Zurich English Speaking Driver: $134
- Private Transfer from Lucerne to Zurich Airport: $284
- Lucerne City to Zurich City One-Way Private Transfer : $300
- Private transfer from Zurich airport to Lucerne: $547
- LAUTERBRUNNEN Private Transfer from Zurich Airport: $722
- INTERLAKEN Private Transfer from Zurich Airport: $744
- From Canyoning in Interlaken w/ Return Transfer: $257
- Bad Ragaz Resorts to Zurich Airport ZRH - Departure Transfer: $126
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
Is it cheaper to fly into Lucerne or Leiden?
Prices for flights to both Leiden and Lucerne 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
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Food Meals for one dayLucerne $62Leiden $41
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Lucerne
For Lucerne, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Swiss Alps: Traditional Swiss Fondue Cooking Class: $82
- Lake Candlelight Dinner Cruise: $141
- From Zurich: 2-Day Mt.Titlis including 4-course dinner: $547
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Lucerne $34Leiden $18
Typical Entertainment Prices in Lucerne
For Lucerne, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
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1 Day Bicycle Rental$34
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The Swiss Transport Museum Entrance Fee$35
Tours and Activities in Lucerne
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Lucerne.
- A Wonderful Christmas Tour in Lucerne: $275
- A Wonderful Christmas Tour in Lucerne: $534
- Alpine Majesty: Private Tour to Mount Titlis from Luzern: $563
- Alpine Majesty:Luzern to Jungfraujoch Exclusive Private Tour: $821
- Basel: Swiss Alps Glacier Express Train Ride & Lucerne Tour: $760
- Best of Lucerne Walking Photography Tour: $179
- Burgenstock Private Tour: Mt. Rigis & Lake of Lucerne Cruise: $585
- City tour plus Lucerne: $95
- Day Trip from Grindelwald First Mountain Adventure: $174
- Day Trip to Swiss Villages from Lucerne - Small Group tour by Car: $200
- Early morning tour: $213
- Exploring Lucerne with Friends: A Local Experience ❤: $159
Tours and Activities in Leiden
For Leiden, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 90 minutes Walking tour and Escape room in Leiden: $21
- Discover Leiden with a self-guided Outside Escape city game tour!: $27
- Dutch Windmills & Polder Walking Tour: $33
- Half-Day Private Guided Tour in Leiden: $163
- Highlights Walking Tour in Leiden with Audio and GPS Guide: $7.57
- Historical Private Tour with Local Guide: $320
- Leiden City Tour with Live guide in Netherlands: $41
- Escape Tour - Self-Guided Citygame: $32
- Guided City Canal Cruise: $13
- Hortus Botanicus Entry Ticket: $9.62
- Murder Crime Game Self-Guided Interactive City Tour: $74
- Walking City Tour with Live guide: $32
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayLucerne $22Leiden $28
Sample the Local Flavors in Lucerne
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Lucerne:
- 3 Hour Unique Wine Tour - Half Day in Swiss Alps: $166
- Lake Lucerne Region Wine Tasting: $273
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 Lucerne and Leiden, we can see that Lucerne 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 Lucerne would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Lucerne 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 Lucerne Expensive? and Is Leiden Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Lucerne or Leiden?
Leiden has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Lucerne. When comparing the sizes of Lucerne 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 Lucerne 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 Lucerne or Leiden in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Lucerne and Leiden. Many travelers come to Lucerne for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.
Lucerne is a little warmer than Leiden in the summer. The daily temperature in Lucerne averages around 21°C (70°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. In Lucerne, it's very sunny this time of the year. Lucerne usually receives more sunshine than Leiden during summer. Lucerne gets 241 hours of sunny skies, while Leiden receives 204 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Lucerne usually receives more rain than Leiden. Lucerne gets 89 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Leiden receives 75 mm (3 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyLucerne 21°C (70°F)Leiden 17°C (62°F)
Should I visit Lucerne or Leiden in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Lucerne as well as Leiden. Many visitors come to Lucerne in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
In the autumn, Lucerne is a little warmer than Leiden. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Lucerne in October average around 13°C (56°F), and Leiden averages at about 11°C (51°F).
In the autumn, Lucerne often gets more sunshine than Leiden. Lucerne gets 120 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Leiden receives 99 hours of full sun.
Lucerne usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Leiden. Lucerne gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Leiden receives 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberLucerne 13°C (56°F)Leiden 11°C (51°F)
Should I visit Lucerne or Leiden in the Winter?
Both Leiden and Lucerne are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Lucerne for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.
The weather in Leiden can be very cold. Lucerne can be very cold during winter. In January, Lucerne is generally a little warmer than Leiden. Daily temperatures in Lucerne average around 3°C (37°F), and Leiden fluctuates around 2°C (36°F).
Lucerne usually receives more sunshine than Leiden during winter. Lucerne gets 55 hours of sunny skies, while Leiden receives 46 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Lucerne usually receives more rain than Leiden. Lucerne gets 77 mm (3 in) of rain, while Leiden receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryLucerne 3°C (37°F)Leiden 2°C (36°F)
Should I visit Lucerne or Leiden in the Spring?
Both Leiden and Lucerne during the spring are popular places to visit. The spring months attract visitors to Lucerne because of the activities around the city and the natural beauty.
Lucerne is much warmer than Leiden in the spring. The daily temperature in Lucerne averages around 12°C (53°F) in April, and Leiden fluctuates around 8°C (46°F).
In the spring, Lucerne often gets less sunshine than Leiden. Lucerne gets 150 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Leiden receives 166 hours of full sun.
Lucerne usually gets more rain in April than Leiden. Lucerne gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Leiden receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilLucerne 12°C (53°F)Leiden 8°C (46°F)
Typical Weather for Leiden and Lucerne
| Lucerne | Leiden | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 3°C (37°F) | 77 mm (3 in) | 2°C (36°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) |
| Feb | 5°C (40°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 3°C (37°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) |
| Mar | 8°C (46°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) | 5°C (41°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) |
| Apr | 12°C (53°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 52 mm (2 in) |
| May | 16°C (60°F) | 101 mm (4 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Jun | 19°C (66°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 68 mm (2.7 in) |
| Jul | 21°C (70°F) | 89 mm (3.5 in) | 17°C (62°F) | 75 mm (3 in) |
| Aug | 21°C (69°F) | 104 mm (4.1 in) | 17°C (62°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) |
| Sep | 18°C (64°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) |
| Oct | 13°C (56°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) |
| Nov | 7°C (45°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) | 6°C (43°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) |
| Dec | 4°C (39°F) | 83 mm (3.3 in) | 3°C (38°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.