Leiden: The Ultimate Budget-Friendly Day Trip!

Discovering the charm of Leiden on a shoestring budget.

21 June 2023

Leiden is a charming city in the Netherlands that can be visited on a budget. With budget-friendly accommodations and delicious local street food, travelers can experience the city's rich history by taking advantage of free walking tours and visiting museums with free admission. Visitors can also stroll through Leiden’s picturesque parks and canals to experience the city's natural beauty without spending a dime.

Day trip plan

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Day

Leiden on a budget

  • Morning coffee and pastries at Van Der Leur: start your day with a typical Dutch breakfast in a cozy café.
  • Visit the Botanical Garden: enjoy a peaceful stroll through 10 hectares of plants from all over the world. Admission is free.
  • Lunch at Broodje Ben: try one of these famous Dutch sandwiches filled with cheese, meat, or veggies. Affordable and delicious.
  • Discover the city center: Leiden is a charming town with many historic buildings, canals, and cute shops. Take your time to wander around.
  • Climb the Burcht: this medieval castle offers a great view of the city. It costs only €3 to go up. Worth it for the Instagram shot!
  • Dinner at the Foodhallen: end your day with street food from different cuisines in this trendy indoor food market. Plenty of vegetarian options.

How to get there

Plane

The easiest and quickest way to get to Leiden is by flying into Amsterdam Airport Schiphol and then taking a train directly to Leiden Central Station. The journey takes around 20-30 minutes and trains generally run every 15 minutes.

Car

Driving to Leiden is fairly straightforward, however parking in the city can be difficult and expensive. There are various parking garages dotted around the city, as well as some on-street parking areas. A popular option for those driving into Leiden is to park at the P+R Lammenschans car park and take public transport into the city center.

Train

Leiden is easily accessible by train from various cities in the Netherlands. The closest train station to Leiden is Leiden Central Station, which is serviced by trains from Amsterdam, Rotterdam, The Hague, and other major cities.

Boat

Although Leiden is a fairly small city, it is possible to get there by boat via the Old Rhine river. There are various boat hire options available from nearby towns such as Leiderdorp and Oegstgeest, allowing visitors to take a relaxing journey down the river and moor up in Leiden's picturesque city center.

Bus

There are various buses that run to Leiden from nearby towns and cities. These include Arriva and Connexxion, and tickets can be purchased either online in advance or at the bus station. The main bus station in Leiden is Leiden Centraal Busstation.

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