A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Southampton vs. Leiden for Attractions, Food, Families, and Couples

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.

Southampton

Southampton is a dynamic, up-and-coming, and waterfront port city. Southampton offers plenty of beauty for visitors. It's also popular because of the food, shopping, and museums. See Southampton travel costs.

Leiden

Leiden is a cultural, scholarly, and historic city. Visitors also love the museums, nightlife, and food. See Leiden travel costs.

Southampton and Leiden: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Southampton or Leiden?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Leiden than Southampton. While Southampton is larger than Leiden, Leiden has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Leiden is more popular for its museums and attractions and food, while Southampton is known for its impressive beauty. Leiden is more touristy than Southampton and is known for its many museums and renowned university. It is also home to the Hortus Botanicus. Southampton is popular for its popularity as a cruise ship port as well as its focus watersports.

How is Southampton different from Leiden?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Leiden is a great city for its historical sights. Also, Southampton is not as popular, but is still a nice port city for its sights and museums.

Leiden offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. 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.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Southampton. Museums are a favorite activity in town. There are a surprising number of options including SeaCity Museum, the Tudor House and Garden, and Southampton City Art Gallery.

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

Leiden is a great city for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Southampton is not as popular, but is still a nice port city for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Leiden has a huge number of terrific restaurants. 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.

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Southampton area. While most people used to pass through Southampton on their way somewhere else, the city now offers a dynamic food scene with local restaurants mixed with international options and even fine dining.

Is Southampton or Leiden Better for Nightlife?

If the nightlife is your priority, you'll find good options in both Southampton and Leiden.

If you're looking for night time activities Southampton has a few options to choose from. The nightlife scene is filled with restaurants, pubs, and bars as well as a few nightclubs mixed in.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Leiden. 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 the Shopping Better in Southampton or Leiden?

If you're looking to go shopping, Southampton and Leiden both offer plenty of good spots.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Southampton. The city has two indoor shopping centers, as well as a range of markets and several independent vendors.

Many visitors go to Leiden to go 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 Southampton or Leiden More Beautiful?

Southampton is very good for its scenery and beauty. However, Leiden is not a destination known for its beauty.

Southampton offers plenty of beauty for visitors. The city mixes culture and a bit of history, making it a fun stop off before a cruise or ferry ride.

Leiden is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Southampton or Leiden Better for Families?

Leiden is a great city for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Southampton is not as popular, but is still a nice port city for its family-friendly activities.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Leiden is very family-friendly. 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.

Southampton is a family-friendly place to visit. This cruise port city offers a handful of fascinating activities for kids including learning about the Mayflower and the Titanic. There are also many parks and gardens as well as the Mayflower Theater, which regularly has kid-family productions.

Is Southampton or Leiden Better for Couples?

Southampton is an excellent place to visit for couples. Also, Leiden is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for romance.

Southampton makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Museums, parks, gardens, and chartered boats all offer a romantic experience for couples visiting the area.

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 Southampton or Leiden Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Leiden is a popular place for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Southampton is not a backpacker-friendly destination.

Plenty of budget travelers 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.

Southampton is not a backpacker-friendly destination.

Is Southampton or Leiden Better for Students?

Leiden is a great city for its student-friendly activities. However, Southampton is not popular with students.

Leiden is a very popular city for students and younger travelers. 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.

Southampton is not popular with students.

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

Leiden is a popular place for times when you don't have a car. However, Southampton is not known for its public transit.

While Leiden offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. 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.

Public transit is generally limited in Southampton. There are buses around town that make some areas accessible even without a car.

Is Southampton or Leiden a more walkable city?

Leiden is a great city for its high level of walkability. Also, Southampton is not as popular, but is still a nice port city for its ease of walking around.

Leiden is a very walkable city. 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.

Southampton is a somewhat walkable port city. It's possible to walk in parts of Southampton but in general it's easier to take a taxi.

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

Should I spend more time in Leiden or Southampton?

How long in Southampton or Leiden?

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Leiden than Southampton 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 Leiden.

One day in Southampton or Leiden?

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

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the scholarly city of Leiden. One day should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A weekend in Southampton or Leiden?

Southampton 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.

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the historic destination of Leiden. This city offers something for everyone. Plenty of people spend a weekend in the area when traveling. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

Five days in Southampton or Leiden?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Southampton. 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.

The cultural city of Leiden offers shopping and museums. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.

A week in Southampton or Leiden?

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

Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Leiden. Anyone can find something fun to do here. 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 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. Furthermore, many travelers come to Leiden for the family-friendly experiences.

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.

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. Additionally, many visitors come to Leiden in the autumn for the shopping scene.

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.

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. Also, most visitors come to Leiden for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

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.

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.

Typical Weather for Leiden and Southampton