Which place is cheaper, Arles or Leuven?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Leuven or Arles?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Leuven or Arles? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Where Should I go: Leuven or Arles?
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.
Arles
Arles is a city (and commune) in the south of France, in the Bouches-du-Rhone department. A large part of the Camargue is located on the territory of the commune, making it the largest commune in Metropolitan France in terms of territory. The city has a long history, and was considerably important in the Roman province of Gallia Narbonensis. The Roman and Romanesque Monuments of Arles were listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites in 1981. The Dutch post-Impressionist painter Vincent van Gogh lived in Arles from 1888 to 1889 and produced over 300 paintings and drawings during his time there. The Arles area is full of culture and rich in history. It has many treasures, points of interest, and colorful sunbaked houses and is a great introduction into the Camarguais culture.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to Belgium, The Best Tours for Seniors to Belgium, The Best Contiki Tours to France, and The Best G Adventures Tours to France.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayLeuven €178Arles €142
The average daily cost (per person) in Leuven is €178, while the average daily cost in Arles is €142. 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 Leuven and Arles in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personLeuven €93Arles €71
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomLeuven €186Arles €142
Compare Hotels in Leuven and Arles
Looking for a hotel in Leuven or Arles? 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: Leuven Hotel Prices and Arles Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Leuven €61Arles €23
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Leuven
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Leuven:
- Airport Transfer Brussels To Ghent: $145
- 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 1-7pax: $86
- Brussels Airport Shuttle Transfer <-> Brussels (1 to 8 PLACES): $34
- Brussels Airport Transfer <-> Tomorrowland Boom (1 to 8 Places): $58
- Brussels Airport(BRU) to Brussels hotels-Arrival Private Transfer: $24
- Brussels Airport(BRU) to City hotels- Round-Trip Private Transfer: $48
- Brussels Private Transfer from Brussels Airport (BRU) to City centre: $95
- Brussels Shuttle Transfer <-> Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport (1 to 8 PLACES) : $279
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Arles
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Arles:
- Arles to Marseille Airport (MRS) - Departure Private Transfer: $117
Is it cheaper to fly into Leuven or Arles?
Prices for flights to both Arles and Leuven 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 dayLeuven €49Arles €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
Typical Food Prices in Arles
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Arles:
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Cooked Clams€4.50
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Ice Cream€1.00
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Leuven €23Arles €31
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
Typical Entertainment Prices in Arles
Here are a few typical costs in Arles for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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Castle Entrance Fee€5.50
Tours and Activities in Arles
Here are a few actual costs in Arles for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Provence Region Roman Abbey of Montmajour Entrance Ticket: $7.64
- City tour 45mn of the city, its history, its monuments,: $70
- City tour 1 hour of the city, its history, its monuments,: $84
- From Avignon: Arles, Les Baux-de-Provence & Saint-Rémy Tour: $106
- Arles 2-Hour Private Walking Tour: $187
- 2-Hour Private Walking Tour: $201
- Half Day Private Guided Tour of Arles: $202
- Private Guided Tour of Arles: $218
- Art and History Walking Tour: $299
- Arles Private guided walking tour from Marseille: $342
- Arles, Saint-Rémy & Les Baux De Provence: Guided Tour: $1,176
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayLeuven €25Arles €24
Sample the Local Flavors in Arles
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Arles:
- Lavender Field & Distillery Tour between Nimes & Arles: $6.20
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Leuven and Arles, we can see that Leuven is more expensive. And not only is Arles much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Arles would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Arles 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 Leuven would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Leuven than you might in Arles.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Leuven Expensive? and Is Arles Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Leuven or Arles?
Leuven has a larger population, and is about 74% larger than the population of Arles. When comparing the sizes of Leuven and Arles, 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 Leuven or Arles?
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 Leuven or Arles in the Summer?
Both Arles and Leuven are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Also, many travelers come to Arles for the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Leuven is cooler than Arles. Typically, the summer temperatures in Leuven in July average around 18°C (65°F), and Arles averages at about 24°C (75°F).
It's quite sunny in Arles. Leuven usually receives less sunshine than Arles during summer. Leuven gets 186 hours of sunny skies, while Arles receives 354 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Leuven usually receives more rain than Arles. Leuven gets 75 mm (3 in) of rain, while Arles receives 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyLeuven 18°C (65°F)Arles 24°C (75°F)
Should I visit Leuven or Arles in the Autumn?
Both Arles and Leuven during the autumn are popular places to visit. Also, many visitors come to Arles in the autumn for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.
In October, Leuven is generally cooler than Arles. Daily temperatures in Leuven average around 12°C (54°F), and Arles fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).
In the autumn, Leuven often gets less sunshine than Arles. Leuven gets 114 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Arles receives 178 hours of full sun.
Arles gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Leuven usually gets less rain in October than Arles. Leuven gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Arles receives 130 mm (5.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberLeuven 12°C (54°F)Arles 16°C (61°F)
Should I visit Leuven or Arles in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Leuven and Arles. Also, most visitors come to Arles for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.
Leuven can get quite cold in the winter. Leuven is much colder than Arles in the winter. The daily temperature in Leuven averages around 3°C (38°F) in January, and Arles fluctuates around 7°C (44°F).
Leuven usually receives less sunshine than Arles during winter. Leuven gets 49 hours of sunny skies, while Arles receives 146 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Leuven usually receives around the same amount of rain as Arles. Leuven gets 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Arles receives 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryLeuven 3°C (38°F)Arles 7°C (44°F)
Should I visit Leuven or Arles in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Leuven as well as Arles. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Arles because of the natural beauty.
In the spring, Leuven is cooler than Arles. Typically, the spring temperatures in Leuven in April average around 10°C (49°F), and Arles averages at about 13°C (56°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Arles. In the spring, Leuven often gets less sunshine than Arles. Leuven gets 147 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Arles receives 218 hours of full sun.
Leuven usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Arles. Leuven gets 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Arles receives 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilLeuven 10°C (49°F)Arles 13°C (56°F)
Typical Weather for Arles and Leuven
| Leuven | Arles | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 3°C (38°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) | 7°C (44°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) |
| Feb | 4°C (39°F) | 53 mm (2.1 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Mar | 6°C (43°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 56 mm (2.2 in) |
| Apr | 10°C (49°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) | 13°C (56°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) |
| May | 14°C (57°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 60 mm (2.3 in) |
| Jun | 17°C (62°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) | 21°C (69°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) |
| Jul | 18°C (65°F) | 75 mm (3 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) |
| Aug | 18°C (65°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) | 23°C (74°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) |
| Sep | 16°C (60°F) | 59 mm (2.3 in) | 20°C (69°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) |
| Oct | 12°C (54°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) |
| Nov | 7°C (45°F) | 76 mm (3 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 68 mm (2.7 in) |
| Dec | 4°C (40°F) | 76 mm (3 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) |
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.