A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Southampton vs. Leiden for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Southampton or Leiden?

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

Should I visit Southampton or Leiden? 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: Southampton or Leiden?

Southampton

A port city on the southeast coast of England, Southampton is a relatively large city in England. It is home to two universities so much of the population is generally young and there are no shortage of activities around town. The town dates back to the Roman and Saxon times and you can see some of the Roman ruins in a suburb named Bitterne Manor. During the Sazon times, the city was Britain's premier trading post. The city put up a protective wall during the Middle Ages and some remains of this wall can still be seen around town. The architecture throughout Southampton is quite modern, in large part because much of the city was destroyed during World War II.

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 from Edinburgh, The Best 10-Day Tours from London, The Best 10-Day Tours from Amsterdam, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Amsterdam.


Which place is cheaper, Leiden or Southampton?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Southampton is £132, while the average daily cost in Leiden is £114. 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 Southampton and Leiden in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Southampton £85
    Leiden £66
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Southampton £170
    Leiden £132
Compare Hotels in Southampton and Leiden

Looking for a hotel in Southampton 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.

Hotels in Southampton


Hotels in Leiden


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: Southampton Hotel Prices and Leiden Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Southampton £8.70
    Leiden £22
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Southampton

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Southampton:


  • Ferry to Isle of Wight
    £16

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Southampton

Also for Southampton, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Transfers between Southampton and London via famous attractions: $153
  • Transfer from Southampton Port to Southampton Airport (SOU): $35
  • Transfer from Southampton Cruise Terminal to Hotel/Airport: $119
  • Private Transfer to London Hotels and Airports: $437
  • Cruise Transfer to London via Stonehenge: $156
  • Southampton to Southampton Airport (SOU) - Departure Transfer: $35
  • Southampton to London Stansted Airport (STN) - Departure Transfer: $198
  • Southampton to London Gatwick Airport (LGW) - Departure Transfer: $179
  • Southampton To London Private Transfer Service: $209
  • Southampton Port to London Heathrow Airport (LHR) - Departure Private Transfer : $124
  • Southampton Port to Heathrow Airport - Private Transfer: $270
  • Southampton Port to Gatwick Airport I Private Transfer: $300

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 Southampton or Leiden?

Prices for flights to both Leiden and Southampton 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
    Southampton £37
    Leiden £33
Typical Food Prices in Southampton

Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Southampton:


  • Breakfast
    £4.00

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Southampton £19
    Leiden £15

Tours and Activities in Southampton

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

  • Full Day Private Shore Tour in Winchester from Southampton Port: $112
  • Full Day Private Shore Tour in Windsor from Southampton Port: $160
  • Heritage and Majesty: Private Full-Day Tour from Southampton: $1,997
  • Heritage of the Titanic: Southampton Private Walking Tour: $484
  • Isle of Wight Tour App, Hidden Gems Game and Big Britain Quiz (7 Day Pass) UK: $32
  • London to Southampton and Portsmouth Cruise: $191
  • New Forest Tour App, Hidden Gems Game and Big Britain Quiz (7 Day Pass) UK: $32
  • Oxford and Blenheim Palace Day Tour from Southampton: $191
  • Private Day Tour To Bath And The Cotswolds: $406
  • Private Southampton Walking Tour: $22
  • Private cruise arrival from Southampton to London or airport: $159
  • Shuttle Service Southampton Cruise Terminals to Heathrow Airport and London: $153

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
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Southampton £21
    Leiden £22

Sample the Local Flavors in Southampton

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

  • Southampton Bar Maid-led Pub Crawl for Special Events: $47

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 comparing the travel costs between Southampton and Leiden, we can see that Southampton 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 Southampton Expensive? and Is Leiden Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Southampton or Leiden?

Southampton has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Leiden. When comparing the sizes of Southampton 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 Southampton 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 Southampton or Leiden in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Southampton and Leiden. The family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Southampton this time of year.

In the summer, Southampton is around the same temperature as Leiden. Typically, the summer temperatures in Southampton in July average around 18°C (64°F), and Leiden averages at about 17°C (62°F).

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

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


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Southampton 18°C (64°F) 
    Leiden 17°C (62°F)

Should I visit Southampton or Leiden in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Southampton as well as Leiden. Many travelers come to Southampton for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Southampton is generally a little warmer than Leiden. Daily temperatures in Southampton average around 12°C (53°F), and Leiden fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).

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

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


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Southampton 12°C (53°F) 
    Leiden 11°C (51°F)

Should I visit Southampton or Leiden in the Winter?

Both Leiden and Southampton are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Southampton in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Leiden can be very cold during winter. Southampton can get quite cold in the winter. Southampton is much warmer than Leiden in the winter. The daily temperature in Southampton averages around 4°C (40°F) in January, and Leiden fluctuates around 2°C (36°F).

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

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


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Southampton 4°C (40°F) 
    Leiden 2°C (36°F)

Should I visit Southampton or Leiden in the Spring?

Both Leiden and Southampton during the spring are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Southampton for the natural beauty during these months.

In the spring, Southampton is a little warmer than Leiden. Typically, the spring temperatures in Southampton in April average around 9°C (48°F), and Leiden averages at about 8°C (46°F).

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

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


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Southampton 9°C (48°F) 
    Leiden 8°C (46°F)

Typical Weather for Leiden and Southampton

Southampton Leiden
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 4°C (40°F) 52 mm (2 in) 2°C (36°F) 66 mm (2.6 in)
Feb 5°C (40°F) 35 mm (1.4 in) 3°C (37°F) 49 mm (1.9 in)
Mar 7°C (44°F) 47 mm (1.9 in) 5°C (41°F) 63 mm (2.5 in)
Apr 9°C (48°F) 45 mm (1.8 in) 8°C (46°F) 52 mm (2 in)
May 13°C (55°F) 51 mm (2 in) 12°C (54°F) 61 mm (2.4 in)
Jun 16°C (61°F) 51 mm (2 in) 15°C (59°F) 68 mm (2.7 in)
Jul 18°C (64°F) 46 mm (1.8 in) 17°C (62°F) 75 mm (3 in)
Aug 18°C (64°F) 51 mm (2 in) 17°C (62°F) 71 mm (2.8 in)
Sep 15°C (59°F) 51 mm (2 in) 14°C (57°F) 67 mm (2.6 in)
Oct 12°C (53°F) 58 mm (2.3 in) 11°C (51°F) 72 mm (2.8 in)
Nov 7°C (45°F) 55 mm (2.2 in) 6°C (43°F) 81 mm (3.2 in)
Dec 5°C (42°F) 57 mm (2.2 in) 3°C (38°F) 80 mm (3.1 in)


Related Articles for Southampton
Related Articles for Leiden