Is Leuven Expensive?

Is Leuven expensive to visit?

Leuven is a moderately priced destination with an average daily cost of $193. Compared to the rest of Europe, which is known to be an expensive region, it is a moderately priced place to visit. It's ranked in the top 50% of cities in Europe for its travel costs, comparable to places like Santorini and Annecy.



Leuven, Belgium

How expensive is Leuven?

The average cost of traveling to Leuven can vary widely based on many factors, but our calculations based on previous travlers show that the average daily cost is $193 (U.S. Dollars). Your travel style, accommodation preferences, dining choices, and trip duration can alter your individual budget, as you can find a wide array of accommodation, food, and entertainment options available for your visit. Sticking to mid-range hotels, affordable restaurants, and public transit when available can keep your costs close to this calculated average. See more travel costs for Leuven here.

How expensive is a weekend trip (three days) to Leuven?

Based on our calculations from previous travelers, a weekend trip to Leuven will cost around $578 per person. This amount includes sightseeing activities, hotels, restaurants, local transportation, and other travel expenses. For two people, a weekend trip would cost $1,157.

How expensive is a one week (7-day) trip to Leuven?

On average, a one week trip to Leuven costs about $1,350 per person. This is based on the previous expenses of actual travelers, and includes accommodation, food, activities, local transportation, and more. For two people, a one week trip costs $2,699.

Is it expensive to backpack in Leuven?

While Leuven attracts a few backpackers, traveling on a budget can be challenging because there are only a few hostels around town. The average cost of a hostel in Leuven is $36 per night. The cheapest beds cost about $31 and the most expensive rooms cost around $41. (See hostel prices in Leuven here.)

Here are a few sample prices from popular hostels in Leuven.

  • $31 for a dorm bed at Leuven City Hostel

Are hotels expensive in Leuven?

Considering our analysis of hotel prices in Leuven, it becomes apparent that they are very affordable in comparison to hotels in other cities. On average, you can expect to spend around $81 per night for a hotel room. The city is home to approximately 1 five-star hotels, presenting an average rate of $382 per night. For a balanced choice catering to both comfort and cost-effectiveness, three-star hotels provide an average rate of $80 per night, while two-star hotels offer an even more budget-friendly alternative at $71 per night.


Hotels by star rating in Leuven
Rating Number of Hotels Average Hotel Price
5 stars 1 $382
4 stars 7 $102
3 stars 15 $80
2 stars 5 $71
1 star 8 $60
No rating 3 $72

5 Grote Markt, Leuven
Overall Rating 8.6
Predikherenstraat 22, Leuven
Overall Rating 8.6

How expensive are sightseeing activities in Leuven?

Activities and things to do in Leuven can vary in price depending on the type of activity, length, and location. Below are a number of popular activities to give you an idea of what to expect when visiting. Generally, previous travelers have spent $25 per day on sightseeing activities and things to do when visiting, which is more than the country's average of $21.

    • Small-Group Chocolate Tour in Mechelen: $63
    • Small-Group Mechelen City Guided Walking Tour: $52
    • Mechelen Small-Group Running Tour: $52
    • Guided Small-Group Cycling Tour of Mechelen: $60
    • Private 2 Hour Walking Tour of Mechelen : $229
    • Leuven: Self-Guided Walking Tour with Offline Access: $5.99
    • Leuven: Escape Tour - Self-Guided Citygame: $32
    • Leuven: Murder Crime Game Self-Guided Interactive City Tour: $74

    Is food expensive in Leuven?

    Food in Leuven can vary in price depending on the restaurant and food options available. Generally, other travelers have spent $53 on food per person per day, which is more than the country's average of $46. To save money, eat at less expensive restaurants, try street food, or cook your own meals when possible.

    • Mechelen Food Tour: $82
    • Mechelen Small-Group Walking Tour with Lunch or Dinner: $75
    • Vegan Walking Food Tour in Mechelen: $82

    Is transportation expensive in Leuven?

    The prices of local transportation in Leuven can vary by the type of transit used. Other travelers have spent an average of $66 on local transportation per person per day, which is more than the country's average of $19. To save money, take public transit whenever possible, as it will almost always be cheaper than a taxi or private driver.

    More for Leuven

    If you're planning a trip to Leuven, Belgium, check out these other informative travel guides.



    We've been gathering travel costs from tens of thousands of actual travelers since 2010, and we use the data to calculate average daily travel costs for destinations around the world. We also systematically analyze the prices of hotels, hostels, and tours from travel providers such as Kayak, HostelWorld, TourRadar, Viator, and others. This combination of expenses from actual travelers, combined with pricing data from major travel companies, gives us a uniqe insight into the overall cost of travel for thousands of cities in countries around the world. You can see more here: How it Works.



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