Which place is cheaper, Bonn or Leuven?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Leuven or Bonn?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Leuven or Bonn? 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 Bonn?
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.
Bonn
Bonn was the capital of the Federal Republic of Germany (previously, West Germany) and it has a population of about 315,000 people. It sits on the Rhine River just twenty kilometers away from Cologne. Many people travel to Bonn for conferences and business, but Bonn also has a lot of cultural and historical sights to offer visitors. The city is also famous as the birth place of Ludwig van Beethoven. There's a strong student culture in the city as well, and it actually shares many characteristics with Italian cities because of its many cafes and restaurants which line the streets. Outdoor beer gardens are popular and Bonn is a particular good summer destination when the weather is pleasant and you can enjoy the outdoor setting. The city's location also makes it a great base for day trips to Cologne, Dusseldorf, and the Rhine and Eifel regions.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to Belgium, The Best Tours for Seniors to Belgium, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Berlin, and The Best 10-Day Tours from Berlin.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayLeuven €178Bonn €154
The average daily cost (per person) in Leuven is €178, while the average daily cost in Bonn is €154. 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 Bonn in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personLeuven €93Bonn €85
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomLeuven €186Bonn €170
Compare Hotels in Leuven and Bonn
Looking for a hotel in Leuven or Bonn? 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 Bonn Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Leuven €61Bonn €23
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Leuven
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Leuven:
- Brussels Shuttle Transfer <-> Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport (1 to 8 PLACES) : $280
- Private transfer from Brussels Airport - Maastricht MB E-CLASS 3 PAX: $279
- Round Trip Private Transfer Brussels Airport BRU to Antwerp City by Luxury Van: $273
- Transfer Brussels Airport <-> Namur MB V Class 1-7 PAX (ONE WAY): $240
- Transfer from Brussels Airport -> Antwerp MB S-CLASS 3 PAX: $235
- Private transfer from Brussels Airport <-> Gent MB S-CLASS 3 PAX: $221
- Round Trip Private Transfer Brussels Airport BRU to Mechelen City by Luxury Van: $216
- Transfer Brussels Airport -> Antwerp MB V-CLASS 7 PAX: $201
- Private transfer from BRU Airport - Brussels GO BACK MB V-CLASS 7 PAX: $190
- Private transfer from Brussels Airport <-> Gent MB E-CLASS 3 PAX: $185
- Round Trip Private Transfer Brussels Airport BRU to Mechelen by Business Car: $177
- Transfer From Brussels Airport to Charleroi Airport: $175
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bonn
Also for Bonn, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Bonn hotels Cologne Bonn Airport (CGN) - Departure Private Transfer: $55
Is it cheaper to fly into Leuven or Bonn?
Prices for flights to both Bonn 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 €49Bonn €49
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.Leuven €23Bonn €34
Tours and Activities in Leuven
Here are a few actual costs in Leuven for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Guided Small-Group Cycling Tour of Mechelen: $60
- Escape Tour - Self-Guided Citygame: $32
- Murder Crime Game Self-Guided Interactive City Tour: $74
- Self-Guided Walking Tour with Offline Access: $5.99
- Mechelen Small-Group Running Tour: $52
- Private 2 Hour Walking Tour of Mechelen : $229
- Small-Group Chocolate Tour in Mechelen: $63
- Small-Group Mechelen City Guided Walking Tour: $52
- Soothing Corners of Leuven - Romantic Tour: $288
- Special Christmas Journey in Leuven - Walking Tour: $395
Tours and Activities in Bonn
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Bonn.
- First Discovery Walk and Reading Walking Tour: $3.21
- Free Walking Tour Bonn - City Center: $3.21
- Self-Guided Highlights Scavenger Hunt & Walking Tour: $4.28
- City Exploration Game and Tour on your Phone: $6.41
- City Exploration Game and Tour: $6.42
- Bonn Scavenger Hunt and Best Landmarks Self-Guided Tour: $6.55
- Walking Tour with Audio Guide on App: $8.02
- Bonn Self Guided City Walking Tour with Audio Guide: $11
- Scavenger Hunt and City Highlights Walking Tour: $11
- Bonn Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $11
- Autumn tours with a live guide: $20
- 1.5-Hour River Cruise on the Rhine: $20
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayLeuven €25Bonn €23
When comparing the travel costs between Leuven and Bonn, we can see that Leuven 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 Leuven Expensive? and Is Bonn Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Leuven or Bonn?
Bonn has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Leuven. When comparing the sizes of Leuven and Bonn, 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 Bonn?
Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.
Should I visit Leuven or Bonn in the Summer?
Both Bonn and Leuven during the summer are popular places to visit. Furthermore, the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Bonn this time of year.
In July, Leuven is generally around the same temperature as Bonn. Daily temperatures in Leuven average around 18°C (65°F), and Bonn fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).
In the summer, Leuven often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Bonn. Leuven gets 186 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bonn receives 191 hours of full sun.
Leuven usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Bonn. Leuven gets 75 mm (3 in) of rain, while Bonn receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyLeuven 18°C (65°F)Bonn 19°C (66°F)
Should I visit Leuven or Bonn in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Leuven and Bonn. Furthermore, many travelers come to Bonn for the shopping scene.
Leuven is around the same temperature as Bonn in the autumn. The daily temperature in Leuven averages around 12°C (54°F) in October, and Bonn fluctuates around 12°C (53°F).
Leuven usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Bonn during autumn. Leuven gets 114 hours of sunny skies, while Bonn receives 109 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Leuven usually receives more rain than Bonn. Leuven gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Bonn receives 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberLeuven 12°C (54°F)Bonn 12°C (53°F)
Should I visit Leuven or Bonn in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Leuven as well as Bonn. Additionally, many visitors come to Bonn in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Bonn can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Leuven. In the winter, Leuven is a little warmer than Bonn. Typically, the winter temperatures in Leuven in January average around 3°C (38°F), and Bonn averages at about 3°C (37°F).
In the winter, Leuven often gets more sunshine than Bonn. Leuven gets 49 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bonn receives 45 hours of full sun.
Leuven usually gets more rain in January than Bonn. Leuven gets 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Bonn receives 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryLeuven 3°C (38°F)Bonn 3°C (37°F)
Should I visit Leuven or Bonn in the Spring?
Both Bonn and Leuven are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities.
In April, Leuven is generally around the same temperature as Bonn. Daily temperatures in Leuven average around 10°C (49°F), and Bonn fluctuates around 10°C (50°F).
Leuven usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Bonn during spring. Leuven gets 147 hours of sunny skies, while Bonn receives 145 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Leuven usually receives more rain than Bonn. Leuven gets 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Bonn receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilLeuven 10°C (49°F)Bonn 10°C (50°F)
Typical Weather for Bonn and Leuven
| Leuven | Bonn | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 3°C (38°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) | 3°C (37°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) |
| Feb | 4°C (39°F) | 53 mm (2.1 in) | 4°C (39°F) | 36 mm (1.4 in) |
| Mar | 6°C (43°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) | 7°C (44°F) | 47 mm (1.8 in) |
| Apr | 10°C (49°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) |
| May | 14°C (57°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) | 14°C (58°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) |
| Jun | 17°C (62°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 73 mm (2.9 in) |
| Jul | 18°C (65°F) | 75 mm (3 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) |
| Aug | 18°C (65°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 68 mm (2.7 in) |
| Sep | 16°C (60°F) | 59 mm (2.3 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) |
| Oct | 12°C (54°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 47 mm (1.9 in) |
| Nov | 7°C (45°F) | 76 mm (3 in) | 7°C (44°F) | 56 mm (2.2 in) |
| Dec | 4°C (40°F) | 76 mm (3 in) | 4°C (39°F) | 53 mm (2.1 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.