A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Kaunas vs. Leiden for Food, Families, Nightlife, and Couples

Should you visit Kaunas 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 Kaunas 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.

Kaunas

Kaunas is a vibrant, cultural, and active city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. It's also popular because of the nightlife and food. See Kaunas travel costs.

Leiden

Leiden is a scholarly, historic, and cultural city. Other popular activities here include nightlife, food, and shopping. See Leiden travel costs.

Kaunas and Leiden: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Kaunas or Leiden?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Kaunas than Leiden. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Kaunas is very popular for its historical sights and big city activities, while Leiden attracts visitors for its museums and attractions, food, and shopping. Leiden is more touristy than Kaunas and is popular for its many museums and renowned university. Kaunas is famous for its traditional Lithuanian culture and authentic old town. It is also well known for The Kaunas Old Town.

How is Kaunas different from Leiden?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Leiden is notable for its sights and museums. However, Kaunas does not have museums and landmarks.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Leiden. 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.

Kaunas does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Leiden is notable for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Kaunas is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its restaurants.

Dining out in Leiden is an experience not to be missed. 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 plenty of up and coming restaurants around Kaunas. It is a great place to try traditional Lithuanian dishes as there are a number of good restaurants and an active restaurant scene. Popular local dishes include cepelinai potato dumplings and cold beetroot soup.

Is Kaunas or Leiden Better for Nightlife?

Evening events are nice in both Kaunas and Leiden.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Kaunas. The nightlife scene continues to improve with a growing number of bars and clubs. During the warmer months you'll find many places opening outdoor areas. The old town is one of the more lively areas in town where it's nice to enjoy a drink on a terrace.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe 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 Kaunas or Leiden Better for its Old Town?

Kaunas is very good for its historic old town charm. However, Leiden does not have a historic old town.

Kaunas has an old town worth visiting. The old town has tree-lined streets with charming cafes and a number of museums. It's also where you'll find the Kaunas Castle.

Leiden does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Kaunas or Leiden?

Leiden is a good destination for its shopping areas. However, Kaunas is a mediocre city for shopping.

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.

Kaunas is a good destination for shopping. The old town is the place to pick up souvenirs, but there are also shopping malls and outlets in the city.

Is Kaunas or Leiden Better for Families?

Leiden is notable for its family-friendly activities. Also, Kaunas is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

Leiden is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. 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.

Kaunas is a family-friendly city. The city has both outdoor and indoor areas that are fun for kids. Vienybės Square has fountains and splash areas that are fun for kids of all ages. Lampėdis Lake is a great place to swim or visit an adventure park. When the weather isn't great, you can head indoors to the the Kaunas Tadas Ivanauskas Zoological Museum or "CurioCity" in the Mega Mall.

Is Kaunas or Leiden Better for Couples?

Leiden is a good destination for couples. However, Kaunas is a mediocre city for romance.

Leiden is a good city for couples to visit. 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.

Kaunas is not the best destination for a couple to visit. The city has a number of historical sites as well as interesting restaurants that you can explore.

Is Kaunas or Leiden Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Both Kaunas and Leiden are nice destinations for backpackers.

Plenty of backpackers visit Kaunas. It's not a popular destination, but there are enough concerts and festivals throughout the year that it does see a few tourists.

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.

Is Kaunas or Leiden Better for Students?

Leiden is notable for students. Also, Kaunas is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its student-friendly activities.

Many students visit Leiden. 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.

Plenty of students visit Kaunas. The city has a vibrant and young student population. It also hosts festivals, concerts, and other events that make it a fun destination for international students.

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

Both Kaunas and Leiden offer nice public transit options.

Kaunas has a few public transit options. There are both buses and trolleybuses around town.

Leiden has some public transit options. 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.

Is Kaunas or Leiden a more walkable city?

Leiden is notable for its ease of walking around. Also, Kaunas is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its walkability.

Leiden is a very walkable destination. 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.

Kaunas is somewhat walkable. When the weather is nice, the city is a nice place to take a walk.

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

Should I spend more time in Leiden or Kaunas?

How long in Kaunas or Leiden?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Kaunas or Leiden to fill your time. In our opinion, Leiden has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Leiden than Kaunas. However, 1-2 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

Families should spend more time in Leiden than Kaunas. 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.

Couples should spend more time in Leiden than Kaunas. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Leiden that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Leiden than Kaunas 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 Kaunas or Leiden?

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

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

A weekend in Kaunas or Leiden?

Kaunas 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.

Leiden 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.

Five days in Kaunas or Leiden?

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

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

A week in Kaunas or Leiden?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the vibrant destination of Kaunas. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

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

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours for Seniors to Lithuania, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Vilnius, The Best 10-Day Tours from Amsterdam, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Amsterdam.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Kaunas and Leiden, we can see that Leiden is more expensive. And not only is Kaunas much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Kaunas would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Kaunas 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 Leiden would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Leiden than you might in Kaunas.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Kaunas Expensive? and Is Leiden Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Kaunas or Leiden?

Kaunas has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Leiden. When comparing the sizes of Kaunas 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 Kaunas 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 Kaunas or Leiden in the Summer?

Both Leiden and Kaunas during the summer are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Kaunas for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Leiden in the summer for the family-friendly experiences.

Kaunas is around the same temperature as Leiden in the summer. The daily temperature in Kaunas averages around 18°C (64°F) in July, and Leiden fluctuates around 17°C (62°F).

In Leiden, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Kaunas. In the summer, Kaunas often gets more sunshine than Leiden. Kaunas gets 256 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Leiden receives 204 hours of full sun.

Kaunas usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Leiden. Kaunas gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Leiden receives 75 mm (3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Kaunas or Leiden in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Kaunas and Leiden. Many visitors come to Kaunas in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Also, most visitors come to Leiden for the shopping scene during these months.

In the autumn, Kaunas is cooler than Leiden. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Kaunas in October average around 8°C (46°F), and Leiden averages at about 11°C (51°F).

Kaunas usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Leiden during autumn. Kaunas gets 99 hours of sunny skies, while Leiden receives 99 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Kaunas usually receives less rain than Leiden. Kaunas gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Leiden receives 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Kaunas or Leiden in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Kaunas as well as Leiden. Most visitors come to Kaunas for the shopping scene and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Leiden because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

The weather in Leiden can be very cold. Kaunas can be very cold during winter. In January, Kaunas is generally much colder than Leiden. Daily temperatures in Kaunas average around -5°C (23°F), and Leiden fluctuates around 2°C (36°F).

In the winter, Kaunas often gets less sunshine than Leiden. Kaunas gets 40 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Leiden receives 46 hours of full sun.

Kaunas usually gets less rain in January than Leiden. Kaunas gets 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Leiden receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Kaunas or Leiden in the Spring?

Both Leiden and Kaunas are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The spring months attract visitors to Kaunas because of the activities around the city.

Kaunas is cooler than Leiden in the spring. The daily temperature in Kaunas averages around 7°C (44°F) in April, and Leiden fluctuates around 8°C (46°F).

Kaunas usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Leiden during spring. Kaunas gets 175 hours of sunny skies, while Leiden receives 166 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Kaunas usually receives less rain than Leiden. Kaunas gets 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Leiden receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Leiden and Kaunas