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

Should you visit Leiden or Auxerre?

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

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Leiden and Auxerre can help you decide which place is right for you.

Leiden

Leiden is a scholarly, historic, and cultural city. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food. See Leiden travel costs.

Auxerre

Auxerre is a undiscovered, authentic, and under-rated town. This is a charming small with plenty of activities, too. It's also popular because of the food and museums. See Auxerre travel costs.

Leiden and Auxerre: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Leiden or Auxerre?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Leiden. Although Leiden and Auxerre are popular destinations, Leiden has more sights and attractions for tourists. Leiden is very popular for its museums and attractions, food, nightlife, and shopping, while Auxerre attracts visitors for its small town charm. Leiden is more touristy than Auxerre and is known for its many museums and renowned university. It is also well known for the Hortus Botanicus. Auxerre is famous for its food, wine, and art history.

How is Leiden different from Auxerre?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Leiden is great for its historical sights. Also, Auxerre is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its sights and museums.

Many visitors head to Leiden specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. 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.

Auxerre is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. Although the town is often overlooked by tourists, there are many nice cathedrals and churches around town.

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

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

Leiden has a number of nationally recognized food spots and 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.

Auxerre offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. The town is a the heart of the wine industry, so you'll find many great restaurants where you can enjoy local food and wine.

Is Leiden or Auxerre Better for Nightlife?

Leiden is very good for its evening party scene. However, Auxerre is not a good destination for nightlife.

If you're looking for night time activities Leiden has a few options to choose from. 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.

Most people don't head to Auxerre specifically for the nightlife scene, but you can find a few options. It has a quiet nightlife with some nice bars and pubs.

Is the Shopping Better in Leiden or Auxerre?

Leiden is very good for its shopping areas. However, Auxerre is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Leiden has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. 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.

Auxerre is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Leiden or Auxerre Better for Families?

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

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Leiden. 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.

Auxerre is a family-friendly place to visit. There's the Zoo de La Fleche and the Aquarium de Touraine. You can also wander through Musee de l'Avallon or des Plantes.

Is Leiden or Auxerre Better for Couples?

Both Leiden and Auxerre are nice destinations to visit as a couple.

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.

Auxerre is a nice destination for couples. There are many great eateries as well nice architecture and, of course, excellent wine.

Is Leiden or Auxerre Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Leiden is very good for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Auxerre is not a good destination for backpackers.

Leiden is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. 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.

Auxerre is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. It's not a popular stop off on the backpacker circuit, but you will find some affordable accommodation options.

Is Leiden or Auxerre Better for Students?

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

Leiden is very popular with students. 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.

Auxerre is not popular with students.

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

Visitors will find nice public transit in both Leiden and Auxerre.

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.

You'll find some public transit in Auxerre, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There are buses around town.

Is Leiden or Auxerre a more walkable city?

Leiden is great for its ease of walking around. Also, Auxerre is not as popular, but is still a nice town 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.

Auxerre is somewhat walkable. The center is walkable but it is a bit more difficult to navigate than some nearby towns.

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

Should I spend more time in Auxerre or Leiden?

How long in Leiden or Auxerre?

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

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

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

In Leiden, you'll find nightlife and food. This city offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

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

A weekend in Leiden or Auxerre?

In Leiden, you'll find food and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Leiden has to offer.

Auxerre 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 Leiden or Auxerre?

Leiden is a great place to explore. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

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

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Leiden. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Leiden. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Travelers enjoy the food and museums when visiting the authentic destination of Auxerre. This town 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 10-Day Tours from Amsterdam, The Best 2-Week Tours from Amsterdam, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in France, and The Best 2-Week Tours in France.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Leiden and Auxerre, we can see that Leiden is more expensive. And not only is Auxerre much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Auxerre would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Auxerre 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 Auxerre.

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

Which is Bigger, Leiden or Auxerre?

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

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 Leiden or Auxerre in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Leiden and Auxerre. The summer months attract visitors to Leiden because of the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Auxerre this time of year.

Leiden is cooler than Auxerre in the summer. The daily temperature in Leiden averages around 17°C (62°F) in July, and Auxerre fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Auxerre this time of the year. In Leiden, it's very sunny this time of the year. Leiden usually receives less sunshine than Auxerre during summer. Leiden gets 204 hours of sunny skies, while Auxerre receives 255 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Leiden usually receives more rain than Auxerre. Leiden gets 75 mm (3 in) of rain, while Auxerre receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Leiden or Auxerre in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Leiden as well as Auxerre. The shopping scene are the main draw to Leiden this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to Auxerre for the small town atmosphere.

In the autumn, Leiden is cooler than Auxerre. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Leiden in October average around 11°C (51°F), and Auxerre averages at about 13°C (55°F).

In the autumn, Leiden often gets less sunshine than Auxerre. Leiden gets 99 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Auxerre receives 126 hours of full sun.

Leiden usually gets more rain in October than Auxerre. Leiden gets 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Auxerre receives 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Leiden or Auxerre in the Winter?

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

Auxerre can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Leiden. In January, Leiden is generally cooler than Auxerre. Daily temperatures in Leiden average around 2°C (36°F), and Auxerre fluctuates around 3°C (37°F).

Leiden usually receives less sunshine than Auxerre during winter. Leiden gets 46 hours of sunny skies, while Auxerre receives 53 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Leiden usually receives more rain than Auxerre. Leiden gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Auxerre receives 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Leiden or Auxerre in the Spring?

Both Auxerre and Leiden during the spring are popular places to visit. Also, most visitors come to Auxerre for the small town charm during these months.

Leiden is cooler than Auxerre in the spring. The daily temperature in Leiden averages around 8°C (46°F) in April, and Auxerre fluctuates around 10°C (50°F).

In the spring, Leiden often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Auxerre. Leiden gets 166 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Auxerre receives 167 hours of full sun.

Leiden usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Auxerre. Leiden gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Auxerre receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Auxerre and Leiden