Which place is cheaper, Leuven or Lausanne?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Lausanne or Leuven?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Lausanne or Leuven, 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: Lausanne or Leuven?
Lausanne
Located on Lake Geneva, Lausanne is the capital city of French-speaking region of Vaud, Switzerland. The slopes of Lake Geneva's shores are known for growing wine, while the city of Lausanne sprawls across three hills. The city is also home to the International Olympic Committee, the Olympic Museum, and lakeshore Olympic Park, as well as an old town that dates to medieval times.
Leuven
Lying just east of Brussels, Leuven is a Belgian city and capital of the Province of Flemish Brabant known for its breweries, historic architecture, and university. Because of the university, the town is at its busiest during the academic year (September through June), but there is plenty to see and do during all seasons.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to Switzerland, The Best Tours for Seniors to Switzerland, The Best Luxury Tours to Belgium, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Belgium.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayLausanne $227Leuven $191
The average daily cost (per person) in Lausanne is $227, while the average daily cost in Leuven is $191. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Lausanne and Leuven in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personLausanne $136Leuven $99
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomLausanne $272Leuven $198
Compare Hotels in Lausanne and Leuven
Looking for a hotel in Lausanne or Leuven? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.
Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.
Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Lausanne Hotel Prices and Leuven Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Lausanne $41Leuven $66
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Lausanne
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Lausanne:
- Lausanne accommodation to Geneva Airport (GVA) - Departure Private Transfer: $53
- Private Transfer from Geneva Airport to Évian-les-Bains: $160
- Taxi, Airport Transfer and Limousine Service in Switzerland: $233
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Leuven
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Leuven:
- Airport Transfer Brussels To Brussels: $87
- Airport Transfer Brussels To Ghent: $146
- Airport Transfer: Airport BRU to Brussels by Business Car: $82
- Airport Transfer: Brussels Airport BRU to Brussels by Luxury Van: $86
- Arrival Private Transfer from Brussels Airport BRU to Ghent City by Business Car: $147
- Arrival Transfer: Airport BRU to Brussels by Business Car: $82
- Brussels Airport (BRU) to Brussels - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $65
- Brussels Airport BRU to Brussels City all area - Private Airport transfer 1-3pax: $75
- Brussels Airport BRU to Brussels City all area - Private Airport transfer 1-7pax: $86
- Brussels Airport Shuttle Transfer <-> Brussels (1 to 8 PLACES): $34
- Brussels Airport Shuttle Transfer <-> SPA (1 to 8 PLACES): $156
- Brussels Airport Transfer <-> Tomorrowland Boom (1 to 8 Places): $58
Is it cheaper to fly into Lausanne or Leuven?
Prices for flights to both Leuven and Lausanne change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.
Food
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Food Meals for one dayLausanne $62Leuven $52
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Leuven
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Leuven.
- Mechelen Small-Group Walking Tour with Lunch or Dinner: $75
- Mechelen Food Tour: $82
- Vegan Walking Food Tour in Mechelen: $82
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Lausanne $38Leuven $24
Tours and Activities in Lausanne
Here are a few actual costs in Lausanne for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- First Discovery Walk and Reading Walking Tour: $3.21
- Modern Medeival A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $4.99
- Medieval A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.20
- Lausanne Highlights Self Guided Scavenger Hunt & Tour: $5.35
- Exploration Game and City Tour on your Phone: $6.41
- Escape Game and Tour: $6.42
- Lausanne Scavenger Hunt and Best Landmarks Self-Guided Tour: $6.54
- Scavenger Hunt and Self-Guided City Walking Tour: $15
- Lausanne (Ouchy District) City Sights Self-Guided Tour: $15
- Lausanne (City Center) Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $16
- Lausanne Ouchy District City Sights Self-Guided Tour: $16
- The Olympic Museum Entry Ticket: $22
Tours and Activities in Leuven
Here are a few actual costs in Leuven for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Self-Guided Walking Tour with Offline Access: $5.99
- Escape Tour - Self-Guided Citygame: $32
- Small-Group Mechelen City Guided Walking Tour: $52
- Mechelen Small-Group Running Tour: $52
- Guided Small-Group Cycling Tour of Mechelen: $60
- Small-Group Chocolate Tour in Mechelen: $63
- Murder Crime Game Self-Guided Interactive City Tour: $74
- Private 2 Hour Walking Tour of Mechelen : $229
- Soothing Corners of Leuven - Romantic Tour: $288
- Special Christmas Journey in Leuven - Walking Tour: $395
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayLausanne $27Leuven $27
Sample the Local Flavors in Lausanne
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Lausanne:
- Swiss cheese and charcuterie wine tasting: $50
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Lausanne and Leuven, we can see that Lausanne is more expensive. And not only is Leuven much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Leuven would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Leuven 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 Lausanne would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Lausanne than you might in Leuven.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Lausanne Expensive? and Is Leuven Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Lausanne or Leuven?
Lausanne has a larger population, and is about 26% larger than the population of Leuven. When comparing the sizes of Lausanne and Leuven, 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.
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.