Which place is cheaper, Cork or Leuven?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Leuven or Cork?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Leuven or Cork? 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 Cork?
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.
Cork
Located on the banks of the River Lee, Cork has a small, but pleasant downtown that is easy to walk around. The city was built up on marshland, and many of the streets today, including St Patrick's Street, the South Mall and the Grand Parade, are actually built over what was once river channels. Today there are more than thirty bridges that cross over the channelized River Lee. As an orientation, it's nice to take a historic walking tour of the downtown area. Then you can explore the area in more detail by yourself. There are cathedrals, museums, and galleries around town so you can keep yourself quite entertained. If the weather is nice, head out to Lough park, which has a small freshwater limestone lake and some interesting water fowl to see. It's a great place to people watch and see daily life in the city of Cork.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to Belgium, The Best Tours for Seniors to Belgium, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Ireland, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Ireland.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayLeuven €178Cork €101
The average daily cost (per person) in Leuven is €178, while the average daily cost in Cork is €101. 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 Cork in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personLeuven €93Cork €60
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomLeuven €186Cork €120
Compare Hotels in Leuven and Cork
Looking for a hotel in Leuven or Cork? 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 Cork Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Leuven €61Cork €16
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Leuven
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Leuven:
- Brussels Airport(BRU) to Brussels hotels-Arrival Private Transfer: $24
- Brussels Airport(BRU) to Brussels city - Arrival Private Transfer: $33
- Brussels Airport Shuttle Transfer <-> Brussels (1 to 8 PLACES): $34
- Private transfer from Airport(BRU) to Brussels City Center: $44
- Brussels Airport(BRU) to City hotels- Round-Trip Private Transfer: $48
- Private transfer from Brussels Airport to Brussels city Business car: $54
- Brussels Airport Transfer <-> Tomorrowland Boom (1 to 8 Places): $58
- Private Airport Transfer: Brussels Airport (BRU) to Brussels: $65
- Brussels Airport (BRU) to Brussels - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $65
- One-way Private Transfer From/To Brussels Airport: $70
- Private Transfer from Brussels Airport to the city of Brussels: $73
- Private Arrival Transfer from Brussels Airport to Brussels City by Business Car: $74
Is it cheaper to fly into Leuven or Cork?
Prices for flights to both Cork 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 €49Cork €30
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
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cork
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Cork.
- Hysterical Histories, Comedic Dinner Theater Show: $53
- Hysterical Histories Cork Dinner Theatre Show: $57
- Historic Cork Delicious Donut Adventure & Walking Food Tour: $65
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Leuven €23Cork €9.29
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
Tours and Activities in Cork
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Cork are as follows:
- Highlights of A Self-Guided Walking Tour: $5.99
- Cork Highlights: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.99
- Discover Cork's Legacy: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $11
- Fota House, Arboretum & Gardens Admission Ticket: $13
- City Gaol Tour with Audio Guide: $14
- Cork City Gaol Admission Ticket: $14
- Cork Self-Guided Audio Tour: $14
- Guided Historical Walking Tour: $20
- Cork Instagram Photography Walking Tour: $22
- Tour guidé de Cork City centre en français: $24
- Cork City Hop On/Off Open Top Bus Tour: $24
- Hop On/Hop Off Cork City Sightseeing Tour : $24
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayLeuven €25Cork €13
Sample the Local Flavors in Cork
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Cork:
- Clonakilty Distillery Tour & Classic Whiskey Tasting: $22
- Cork City: Rebel City Distillery Tour: $27
- Rebel City Distillery Tour: $27
- Midleton Distillery Tour with Whiskey Tasting: $32
- Midleton Distillery Experience & Whiskey Tasting -Home of Jameson: $33
- Whiskey Cocktail Making Class at Midleton Distillery: $64
- Cork Irish Whiskey Cocktail Making Class at Midleton Distillery : $65
- Midleton Distillery Behind the Scenes Tour & Tasting: $80
- Blarney Castle Cork City and Jameson Distillery Semi Private Tour: $196
- Private Cork City Tour, Kinsale and Jameson Distillery: $254
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Leuven and Cork, we can see that Leuven is more expensive. And not only is Cork much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Cork would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Cork 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 Cork.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Leuven Expensive? and Is Cork Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Leuven or Cork?
Cork has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Leuven. When comparing the sizes of Leuven and Cork, 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 Cork?
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 Cork in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Leuven and Cork. Also, most visitors come to Cork for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months.
In July, Leuven is generally a little warmer than Cork. Daily temperatures in Leuven average around 18°C (65°F), and Cork fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).
Leuven usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Cork during summer. Leuven gets 186 hours of sunny skies, while Cork receives 178 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Leuven usually receives more rain than Cork. Leuven gets 75 mm (3 in) of rain, while Cork receives 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyLeuven 18°C (65°F)Cork 16°C (60°F)
Should I visit Leuven or Cork in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Leuven as well as Cork. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Cork because of the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.
Leuven is around the same temperature as Cork in the autumn. The daily temperature in Leuven averages around 12°C (54°F) in October, and Cork fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).
In the autumn, Leuven often gets more sunshine than Cork. Leuven gets 114 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Cork receives 90 hours of full sun.
Leuven usually gets less rain in October than Cork. Leuven gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Cork receives 97 mm (3.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberLeuven 12°C (54°F)Cork 11°C (52°F)
Should I visit Leuven or Cork in the Winter?
Both Cork and Leuven are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Cork this time of year.
The weather in Leuven can be very cold. In the winter, Leuven is much colder than Cork. Typically, the winter temperatures in Leuven in January average around 3°C (38°F), and Cork averages at about 6°C (43°F).
Leuven usually receives less sunshine than Cork during winter. Leuven gets 49 hours of sunny skies, while Cork receives 60 hours of full sun in the winter.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Cork. In January, Leuven usually receives less rain than Cork. Leuven gets 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Cork receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryLeuven 3°C (38°F)Cork 6°C (43°F)
Should I visit Leuven or Cork in the Spring?
Both Cork and Leuven during the spring are popular places to visit. Furthermore, many travelers come to Cork for the activities around the city.
In April, Leuven is generally around the same temperature as Cork. Daily temperatures in Leuven average around 10°C (49°F), and Cork fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).
In the spring, Leuven often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Cork. Leuven gets 147 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Cork receives 157 hours of full sun.
Leuven usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Cork. Leuven gets 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Cork receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilLeuven 10°C (49°F)Cork 9°C (48°F)
Typical Weather for Cork and Leuven
| Leuven | Cork | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 3°C (38°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) | 6°C (43°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) |
| Feb | 4°C (39°F) | 53 mm (2.1 in) | 6°C (43°F) | 91 mm (3.6 in) |
| Mar | 6°C (43°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 73 mm (2.9 in) |
| Apr | 10°C (49°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) |
| May | 14°C (57°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) |
| Jun | 17°C (62°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) |
| Jul | 18°C (65°F) | 75 mm (3 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 53 mm (2.1 in) |
| Aug | 18°C (65°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Sep | 16°C (60°F) | 59 mm (2.3 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) |
| Oct | 12°C (54°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 97 mm (3.8 in) |
| Nov | 7°C (45°F) | 76 mm (3 in) | 8°C (47°F) | 85 mm (3.3 in) |
| Dec | 4°C (40°F) | 76 mm (3 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 101 mm (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.