Which place is cheaper, Bruges or Leuven?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Leuven or Bruges?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Leuven or Bruges? 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 Bruges?
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.
Bruges
Located in the northern part of Belgium, in Flanders, Bruges is one of the most charming and well preserved cities in Europe. With its stone streets and charming shops, it is a postcard perfect city that seems to have jumped out of the pages of a Disney fairytale. The city itself is quite compact, adding to the charm and making it easily walkable. Even given its old world charm, it manages to present a cosmopolitan air as well. There's an active nightlife, but during the day the historical city center is best enjoyed at a leisurely pace. You can take a carriage ride through the cobblestone streets or you can wander around on your own. Be sure to swing into some of the museums, cathedrals, and churches you'll see along the way. There are now shops everywhere that are designed to appeal to tourists. While some may be easy to walk by, it takes the strongest souls to ignore the chocolate shops you'll see on your way.
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 Brussels, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Belgium.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayLeuven €178Bruges €123
The average daily cost (per person) in Leuven is €178, while the average daily cost in Bruges is €123. 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 Bruges in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personLeuven €93Bruges €59
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomLeuven €186Bruges €118
Compare Hotels in Leuven and Bruges
Looking for a hotel in Leuven or Bruges? 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 Bruges Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Leuven €61Bruges €17
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) : $278
- Private transfer from Brussels Airport - Maastricht MB E-CLASS 3 PAX: $277
- Private transfer from Brussels Airport <-> Gent MB S-CLASS 3 PAX: $219
- Transfer Brussels Airport -> Antwerp MB V-CLASS 7 PAX: $201
- Private transfer from Brussels Airport <-> Gent MB E-CLASS 3 PAX: $185
- Round Trip Private Transfer Brussels Airport BRU to Mechelen by Business Car: $176
- Private transfer from BRU Airport - Brussels GO BACK MB E-CLASS 3 PAX: $161
- Brussels Airport Shuttle Transfer <-> SPA (1 to 8 PLACES): $155
- Arrival Private Transfer from Brussels Airport BRU to Ghent City by Business Car: $146
- Airport Transfer Brussels To Ghent: $145
- Private transfer from BRU Airport to Brussels city with Mercedes V class 7 pax: $143
- First Class transfer BRUSSELS TO ANTWERP: $139
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Bruges
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Bruges:
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Five Day Bus Pass€15
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Bike Rental for Day€8.00
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bruges
Also for Bruges, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Bruges hotel to Ostend Airport (OST) - Departure Private Transfer: $31
- Brugge Airport: 1-Way Private Transfer to Brugge: $111
- Brussels airport transfer (BRU) <-> from or to Bruges (3 pax sedan): $260
- Private Direct Transfer From Bruges to Amsterdam: $272
- Private Transfer From Bruges To Amsterdam, 2 hour stop in Utrecht: $298
- Private Transfer from ZeeBrugge or Bruges to Antwerp By Luxury car: $162
- Private Transfer from Zeebrugge Cruise Port to Bruges hotels : $33
- Private Transfer from Zeebrugge Cruise Port to Brussels hotels : $142
- Private Transfer from Zeebrugge Port to Brussels Airport BRU: $142
- Shuttle Transfer Bruges <-> Paris (1 to 8 PLACES): $289
- Transfer Bruges <-> Schipol Airport Amsterdam (1 - 8 Places): $228
Is it cheaper to fly into Leuven or Bruges?
Prices for flights to both Bruges 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 €49Bruges €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 Bruges
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Bruges:
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Cup of Tea€2.00
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Sandwich for Lunch€3.25
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Bruges
For Bruges, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Private Food Tour – 10 Tastings with Locals: $118
- The 10 Tastings of Bruges With Locals: Private Food Tour : $132
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Leuven €23Bruges €15
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: $287
- Special Christmas Journey in Leuven - Walking Tour: $393
Typical Entertainment Prices in Bruges
For Bruges, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
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Groeninge Museum Entrance€8.00
Tours and Activities in Bruges
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Bruges.
- Self-Guided City Game and Audio Tour App: $2.66
- First Discovery Walk and Reading Walking Tour: $3.20
- Unforgettable Sightseeings, History and Tasting.: $3.20
- Bruges Guided Walking Tour: Stories, Mysteries and People: $3.20
- Gastronomic Tour: A Taste of Bruges: $3.24
- Historical Walking Tour: Legends of Bruges: $3.24
- Storytelling Tour Bruges | First Day Must | History & Tips: $3.24
- Walking Tour Exciting Stories, Mysteries, People: $3.25
- Bruges city tour: audio guide in your smartphone: $5.33
- Self Guided City Audio Tour in Bruges: $5.42
- Medieval A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.99
- City Exploration Game and Tour on your Phone: $6.38
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayLeuven €25Bruges €11
Sample the Local Flavors in Bruges
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Bruges:
- Bruges Pub Trail: Pub crawl with interactive online game: $12
- Bourgogne des Flandres Brewery and Distillery Visit: $17
- Private: Discover Bruges beers & brewery with chocolate pairing by a young local: $190
- Beer walking tour with visit Brewery Bourgogne de Flandres: $639
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Leuven and Bruges, we can see that Leuven is more expensive. And not only is Bruges much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Bruges would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Bruges 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 Bruges.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Leuven Expensive? and Is Bruges Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Leuven or Bruges?
Bruges has a larger population, and is about 26% larger than the population of Leuven. When comparing the sizes of Leuven and Bruges, 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 Bruges?
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 Bruges in the Summer?
Both Bruges and Leuven during the summer are popular places to visit. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Bruges because of the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Leuven is around the same temperature as Bruges. Typically, the summer temperatures in Leuven in July average around 18°C (65°F), and Bruges averages at about 17°C (63°F).
In Bruges, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the summer, Leuven often gets less sunshine than Bruges. Leuven gets 186 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bruges receives 202 hours of full sun.
Leuven usually gets more rain in July than Bruges. Leuven gets 75 mm (3 in) of rain, while Bruges receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyLeuven 18°C (65°F)Bruges 17°C (63°F)
Should I visit Leuven or Bruges in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Leuven and Bruges. Also, the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Bruges this time of year.
In October, Leuven is generally around the same temperature as Bruges. Daily temperatures in Leuven average around 12°C (54°F), and Bruges fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).
Leuven usually receives more sunshine than Bruges during autumn. Leuven gets 114 hours of sunny skies, while Bruges receives 105 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Leuven usually receives less rain than Bruges. Leuven gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Bruges receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberLeuven 12°C (54°F)Bruges 12°C (54°F)
Should I visit Leuven or Bruges in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Leuven as well as Bruges. Also, many travelers come to Bruges for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Bruges. It's quite cold in Leuven in the winter. Leuven is around the same temperature as Bruges in the winter. The daily temperature in Leuven averages around 3°C (38°F) in January, and Bruges fluctuates around 3°C (38°F).
In the winter, Leuven often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Bruges. Leuven gets 49 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bruges receives 47 hours of full sun.
Leuven usually gets more rain in January than Bruges. Leuven gets 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Bruges receives 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryLeuven 3°C (38°F)Bruges 3°C (38°F)
Should I visit Leuven or Bruges in the Spring?
Both Bruges and Leuven are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Also, many visitors come to Bruges in the spring for the natural beauty.
In the spring, Leuven is a little warmer than Bruges. Typically, the spring temperatures in Leuven in April average around 10°C (49°F), and Bruges averages at about 8°C (47°F).
Leuven usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Bruges during spring. Leuven gets 147 hours of sunny skies, while Bruges receives 158 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Leuven usually receives more rain than Bruges. Leuven gets 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Bruges receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilLeuven 10°C (49°F)Bruges 8°C (47°F)
Typical Weather for Bruges and Leuven
| Leuven | Bruges | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 3°C (38°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) | 3°C (38°F) | 59 mm (2.3 in) |
| Feb | 4°C (39°F) | 53 mm (2.1 in) | 3°C (38°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) |
| Mar | 6°C (43°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) | 6°C (42°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) |
| Apr | 10°C (49°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) | 8°C (47°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| May | 14°C (57°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) |
| Jun | 17°C (62°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) |
| Jul | 18°C (65°F) | 75 mm (3 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) |
| Aug | 18°C (65°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) |
| Sep | 16°C (60°F) | 59 mm (2.3 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) |
| Oct | 12°C (54°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) |
| Nov | 7°C (45°F) | 76 mm (3 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 75 mm (2.9 in) |
| Dec | 4°C (40°F) | 76 mm (3 in) | 5°C (40°F) | 71 mm (2.8 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.