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

Should you visit York or Leiden?

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

Should I visit York 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: York or Leiden?

York

York, in North Yorkshire, England, is a city rich in history that dates back to before Roman times. It is an ancient cathedral city that still has some impressive historical buildings that make it easily worth a visit. It has some of the best preserved buildings and structures in all of Europe, so if you're a history buff, then this is the place to be. It is usually tied with Manchester as the second most visited city in England, after London.

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


Which place is cheaper, Leiden or York?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in York is £106, 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 York and Leiden in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    York £59
    Leiden £66
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    York £118
    Leiden £132
Compare Hotels in York and Leiden

Looking for a hotel in York 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 York


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: York Hotel Prices and Leiden Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    York £12
    Leiden £22

Hired Cars and Shuttles in York

Some specific examples of transportation prices in York:

  • Private Transfer from York to Manchester Airport (MAN): $279
  • Private Transfer from Hull to Manchester Airport (MAN): $271
  • Private Transfer from Hambleton to Manchester Airport (MAN): $163

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 York or Leiden?

Prices for flights to both Leiden and York 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
    York £32
    Leiden £33
Typical Food Prices in York

Some typical examples of dining costs in York are as follows:


  • Dinner
    £22

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in York

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in York.

  • Breakfast Food Tour in York: $51
  • Party Cruise with Welcome Drink, Dinner, and DJ Music: $56
  • York on a Fork Food Tour: $83

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    York £11
    Leiden £15

Tours and Activities in York

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for York are as follows:

  • All Creatures Great & Small tour from York: $100
  • Bishopthorpe Palace Christmas Cruise: $19
  • Castle Howard Entrance Ticket: $32
  • City Sightseeing York Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour: $20
  • Clueniveristy of Magic!! Immersive Adventure in York City: $24
  • Comedy Horror Show: York Ghost Bus Tour: $25
  • Dark Tales of York. Private ghost tours.: $61
  • Daytime Sightseeing Boat Cruise in York: $18
  • Discover York's Legacy: In-App Audio Tour of the City Walls: $11
  • Early Evening Boat Cruise through York: $18
  • Fish & Chips Boat Cruise in York: $30
  • From Full-Day Yorkshire Dales Tour: $74

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
    York £13
    Leiden £22
Typical Alcohol Prices in York

Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in York are as follows:


  • A Couple Beers
    £9.00

Sample the Local Flavors in York

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in York:

  • Hooting Owl Distillery York - Distillery Tour & Guided Tasting: $32
  • Bar Maid-led Pub Crawl for Special Events: $47
  • The Full Hoot Distillery Tour & Guided Hooting Owl Experience: $57

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 York and Leiden, we can see that Leiden 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 York Expensive? and Is Leiden Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, York or Leiden?

York has a larger population, and is about 20% larger than the population of Leiden. When comparing the sizes of York 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 York 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 York or Leiden in the Summer?

Both Leiden and York during the summer are popular places to visit. The family-friendly experiences are the main draw to York this time of year.

In July, York is generally around the same temperature as Leiden. Daily temperatures in York average around 16°C (62°F), and Leiden fluctuates around 17°C (62°F).

In Leiden, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the summer, York often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Leiden. York gets 196 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Leiden receives 204 hours of full sun.

York usually gets less rain in July than Leiden. York gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Leiden receives 75 mm (3 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    York 16°C (62°F) 
    Leiden 17°C (62°F)

Should I visit York or Leiden in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both York and Leiden. Many travelers come to York for the shopping scene.

York is around the same temperature as Leiden in the autumn. The daily temperature in York averages around 11°C (52°F) in October, and Leiden fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).

York usually receives more sunshine than Leiden during autumn. York gets 112 hours of sunny skies, while Leiden receives 99 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, York usually receives less rain than Leiden. York gets 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Leiden receives 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    York 11°C (52°F) 
    Leiden 11°C (51°F)

Should I visit York or Leiden in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to York as well as Leiden. Many visitors come to York in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Leiden can be very cold during winter. York can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, York is much warmer than Leiden. Typically, the winter temperatures in York in January average around 4°C (39°F), and Leiden averages at about 2°C (36°F).

In the winter, York often gets more sunshine than Leiden. York gets 61 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Leiden receives 46 hours of full sun.

York usually gets less rain in January than Leiden. York gets 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Leiden receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    York 4°C (39°F) 
    Leiden 2°C (36°F)

Should I visit York or Leiden in the Spring?

Both Leiden and York are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities.

In April, York is generally around the same temperature as Leiden. Daily temperatures in York average around 8°C (46°F), and Leiden fluctuates around 8°C (46°F).

York usually receives less sunshine than Leiden during spring. York gets 151 hours of sunny skies, while Leiden receives 166 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, York usually receives less rain than Leiden. York gets 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Leiden receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    York 8°C (46°F) 
    Leiden 8°C (46°F)

Typical Weather for Leiden and York

York Leiden
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 4°C (39°F) 49 mm (1.9 in) 2°C (36°F) 66 mm (2.6 in)
Feb 4°C (39°F) 38 mm (1.5 in) 3°C (37°F) 49 mm (1.9 in)
Mar 6°C (43°F) 49 mm (1.9 in) 5°C (41°F) 63 mm (2.5 in)
Apr 8°C (46°F) 47 mm (1.9 in) 8°C (46°F) 52 mm (2 in)
May 11°C (53°F) 50 mm (2 in) 12°C (54°F) 61 mm (2.4 in)
Jun 15°C (58°F) 53 mm (2.1 in) 15°C (59°F) 68 mm (2.7 in)
Jul 16°C (62°F) 51 mm (2 in) 17°C (62°F) 75 mm (3 in)
Aug 16°C (61°F) 63 mm (2.5 in) 17°C (62°F) 71 mm (2.8 in)
Sep 14°C (57°F) 47 mm (1.9 in) 14°C (57°F) 67 mm (2.6 in)
Oct 11°C (52°F) 47 mm (1.9 in) 11°C (51°F) 72 mm (2.8 in)
Nov 7°C (44°F) 54 mm (2.1 in) 6°C (43°F) 81 mm (3.2 in)
Dec 5°C (40°F) 53 mm (2.1 in) 3°C (38°F) 80 mm (3.1 in)