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

Should you visit Turku or Leiden?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Turku or Leiden, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Where Should I go: Turku or Leiden?

Turku

Turku, a city on the southwest coast of Finland, straddles the Aura River. Dating from the 13th century, it's known for Turku Castle, a medieval fortress with a history museum, perched at the river mouth. Restaurants line the cobbled riverside streets. On the eastern bank lies the Old Great Square, a former trade hub, surrounded by grand buildings. The nearby Turku Cathedral houses a royal tomb and a museum. The historic castle and cathedral point to the city's rich cultural history when it was the Finnish capital, and contemporary Turku is full of experimental art and vibrant festivals, thanks in part to its spirited university population (the country's second largest), who make Turku's nightlife young and fun. As the first city many visitors encounter arriving by ferry from Sweden and Aland, it's a splendid introduction to the Finnish mainland.

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 Luxury Tours to Finland, The Best Budget Tours to Finland, The Best 10-Day Tours from Amsterdam, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Amsterdam.

When comparing the travel costs between Turku 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 Turku Expensive? and Is Leiden Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Turku or Leiden?

Turku has a larger population, and is about 47% larger than the population of Leiden. When comparing the sizes of Turku 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 Turku 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 Turku or Leiden in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Turku and Leiden. Furthermore, the summer months attract visitors to Leiden because of the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Turku is around the same temperature as Leiden. Typically, the summer temperatures in Turku in July average around 16°C (61°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. In Turku, it's very sunny this time of the year. Turku usually receives more sunshine than Leiden during summer. Turku gets 262 hours of sunny skies, while Leiden receives 204 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Turku usually receives around the same amount of rain as Leiden. Turku gets 74 mm (2.9 in) of rain, while Leiden receives 75 mm (3 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Turku or Leiden in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Turku as well as Leiden. Additionally, the shopping scene are the main draw to Leiden this time of year.

In October, Turku is generally much colder than Leiden. Daily temperatures in Turku average around 6°C (43°F), and Leiden fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).

In the autumn, Turku often gets less sunshine than Leiden. Turku gets 90 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Leiden receives 99 hours of full sun.

Turku usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Leiden. Turku gets 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Leiden receives 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Turku or Leiden in the Winter?

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

Be prepared for some very cold days in Leiden. It's quite cold in Turku in the winter. Turku is much colder than Leiden in the winter. The daily temperature in Turku averages around -6°C (20°F) in January, and Leiden fluctuates around 2°C (36°F).

Turku usually receives less sunshine than Leiden during winter. Turku gets 39 hours of sunny skies, while Leiden receives 46 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Turku usually receives less rain than Leiden. Turku gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Leiden receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Turku or Leiden in the Spring?

Both Leiden and Turku during the spring are popular places to visit.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Turku. In the spring, Turku is much colder than Leiden. Typically, the spring temperatures in Turku in April average around 3°C (37°F), and Leiden averages at about 8°C (46°F).

In the spring, Turku often gets more sunshine than Leiden. Turku gets 182 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Leiden receives 166 hours of full sun.

Turku usually gets less rain in April than Leiden. Turku gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Leiden receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Leiden and Turku