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

Should you visit Windsor or Leiden?

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

Should I visit Windsor 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: Windsor or Leiden?

Windsor

Windsor is a small town in Berkshire, England most famous for Windsor Castle, which is the largest and oldest occupied castle in the world. The town rests along the River Thames, across which lies Windsor's twin town of Eton, known for Eton College. Together, the two make up a quaint tourist destination that is largely pedestrianized, making for a walkable, car-free holiday.

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 Historical Tours in United Kingdom, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in United Kingdom, The Best 10-Day Tours from Amsterdam, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Amsterdam.


Which place is cheaper, Leiden or Windsor?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Windsor is £150, 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 Windsor and Leiden in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Windsor £70
    Leiden £66
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Windsor £140
    Leiden £132
Compare Hotels in Windsor and Leiden

Looking for a hotel in Windsor 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 Windsor


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: Windsor Hotel Prices and Leiden Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Windsor £66
    Leiden £22

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Windsor

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Windsor:

  • Windsor Castle Ticket & Private Transfer: $319
  • London: Windsor Castle Private Tour with Hotel Transfers: $562
  • London: Transfer to Southampton with Windsor Castle Visit: $161
  • "Private Transfer: From London Heathrow Airport to Windsor": $56

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 Windsor or Leiden?

Prices for flights to both Leiden and Windsor 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
    Windsor £39
    Leiden £33
Typical Food Prices in Windsor

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Windsor:


  • Morning Tea
    £2.50

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Windsor £26
    Leiden £15

Tours and Activities in Windsor

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

  • 1,000 Years of Royal History from Windsor to Eton: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $7.99
  • 3 Hour Private Tour in Windsor Old Town and Castle: $191
  • From London: Half-Day Trip to Windsor with Castle Tickets: $111
  • From Southampton: Bath and Windsor Tour with London Drop-Off: $230
  • LEGOLAND Windsor Resort 2 Day Admission Ticket: $66
  • LEGOLAND Windsor Resort: Entrance Ticket: $44
  • Private Tour Windsor, Eton & Hampton Court: $650
  • Private Windsor Town & Guided Castle Walking Tour: $350
  • Private Windsor Walking Tour: $146
  • Royal Windsor & Stonehenge Private Tour: $1,998
  • Royal Windsor Castle Tour Private including tickets: $362
  • Stonehenge and Windsor Castle Tour from London With Entry Tickets: $126

Tours and Activities in Leiden

For Leiden, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Highlights Walking Tour in Leiden with Audio and GPS Guide: $7.57
  • Hortus Botanicus Entry Ticket: $9.62
  • Guided City Canal Cruise: $13
  • The Hidden Stories of Leiden - Self-guided audio tour: $14
  • Self-Guided City Trail Kids Tour in Noordwijk (4-8 years): $21
  • Windmill cruise through Warmond: $21
  • 90 minutes Walking tour and Escape room in Leiden: $21
  • Self-guided city trail - JOLA's Schnipseljagd Noordwijk Sea Tour: $26
  • Discover Leiden with a self-guided Outside Escape city game tour!: $27
  • Self-guided city trail - JOLA's Schnipseljagd Leiden Tour: $32
  • Self-guided city trail - JOLA's Schnipseljagd Noordwijk Tour: $32
  • Escape Tour - Self-Guided Citygame: $32

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Windsor £7.55
    Leiden £22

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 Windsor and Leiden, we can see that Windsor 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 Windsor would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Windsor 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 Windsor Expensive? and Is Leiden Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Windsor or Leiden?

Leiden has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Windsor. When comparing the sizes of Windsor 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 Windsor or Leiden?

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 Windsor or Leiden in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Windsor as well as Leiden. The small town charm and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Windsor this time of year.

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

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Leiden. In the summer, Windsor often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Leiden. Windsor gets 195 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Leiden receives 204 hours of full sun.

Windsor usually gets less rain in July than Leiden. Windsor gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Leiden receives 75 mm (3 in) of rain this time of the year.


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

Should I visit Windsor or Leiden in the Autumn?

Both Leiden and Windsor are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Windsor for the small town atmosphere and the natural beauty of the area.

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

Windsor usually receives more sunshine than Leiden during autumn. Windsor gets 107 hours of sunny skies, while Leiden receives 99 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Windsor usually receives less rain than Leiden. Windsor gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Leiden receives 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


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

Should I visit Windsor or Leiden in the Winter?

Both Leiden and Windsor during the winter are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Windsor in the winter for the museums and the cuisine.

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

In the winter, Windsor often gets more sunshine than Leiden. Windsor gets 52 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Leiden receives 46 hours of full sun.

Windsor usually gets less rain in January than Leiden. Windsor gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Leiden receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.


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

Should I visit Windsor or Leiden in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Windsor and Leiden. Most visitors come to Windsor for the small town charm and the natural beauty during these months.

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

Windsor usually receives less sunshine than Leiden during spring. Windsor gets 147 hours of sunny skies, while Leiden receives 166 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Windsor usually receives less rain than Leiden. Windsor gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Leiden receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the spring.


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

Typical Weather for Leiden and Windsor

Windsor 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)