Which place is cheaper, Dusseldorf or Leuven?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Leuven or Dusseldorf?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Leuven or Dusseldorf? 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 Dusseldorf?
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.
Dusseldorf
Dusseldorf is a city in western Germany divided by the Rhine River, with its Altstadt (Old Town) on the east bank and modern commercial areas to the west. Dusseldorf is a university town and a center of art and fashion. This old electoral capital is also a city of wide streets lined by elegant shops, with a ring of parks and gardens encircling its vibrant downtown area. As an important cultural center, Dusseldorf has dozens of museums and in excess of 100 art galleries encompassing everything from internationally renowned facilities, such as the impressive Art Collection North Rhine-Westphalia, to the smaller installations found in the city's trendy Konigsallee area. In the Altstadt, St. Lambertus Church and Schlossturm (Castle Tower) both date to the 13th century. Dusseldorf impresses with boundary-pushing architecture, lively nightlife, and an art scene to rival many higher-profile cities. It's a posh and modern city that likes to have a good time with bar-hopping around the Altstadt, the historical quarter along the Rhine. These tourist attractions, along with the city's location on the Rhine and its numerous wide squares and wonderful riverside walkways, make it a particularly pleasant place to spend time.
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 Munich, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Berlin.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayLeuven €178Dusseldorf €185
The average daily cost (per person) in Leuven is €178, while the average daily cost in Dusseldorf is €185. 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 Dusseldorf in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personLeuven €93Dusseldorf €95
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomLeuven €186Dusseldorf €190
Compare Hotels in Leuven and Dusseldorf
Looking for a hotel in Leuven or Dusseldorf? 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 Dusseldorf Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Leuven €61Dusseldorf €1.63
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
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Dusseldorf
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Dusseldorf:
- Arrival Private Transfer Dusseldorf Train Station or Port by Car: $92
- Dusseldorf Airport (DUS) to Dusseldorf - Arrival Private Transfer: $49
- Dusseldorf Airport Transfers : Airport DUS to Dusseldorf in Business Car: $73
- Dusseldorf Airport Transfers : Airport DUS to Dusseldorf in Luxury Car: $86
- Dusseldorf Airport Transfers : Airport DUS to Dusseldorf in Luxury Van: $77
- Dusseldorf Airport Transfers : Dusseldorf to Airport DUS in Luxury Car: $86
- Dusseldorf Arrival Private Transfers from Airport DUS to Dusseldorf: $73
Is it cheaper to fly into Leuven or Dusseldorf?
Prices for flights to both Dusseldorf 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 €49Dusseldorf €76
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 Dusseldorf
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Dusseldorf:
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Salami€1.99
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Nutella€1.00
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Yogurt€1.00
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Dusseldorf
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Dusseldorf.
- Culinary Flingern – The Food Tour: $48
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Leuven €23Dusseldorf €25
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 Dusseldorf
Here are a few actual costs in Dusseldorf for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Düsseldorf Scavenger Hunt and Best Landmarks Self-Guided Tour: $7.10
- Düsseldorf Self-Guided Audio Tour: $9.00
- Walking Tour with Audio Guide on App: $11
- Düsseldorf Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $11
- Düsseldorf Sightseeing round-trip Cruise: $19
- Night watchman tour: $22
- Guided Walking Tour in Dusseldorf: $22
- Hop-on hop-off tour in Düsseldorf in a double-decker bus: $22
- Dusseldorf Old Town and Altbier Tour: $25
- Düsseldorf 2-Hour Evening Cruise: $27
- Beer tour with tasting in Dusseldorf: $34
- City game scavenger hunt Duisburg - independent city tour I discovery tour: $44
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayLeuven €25Dusseldorf €23
Typical Alcohol Prices in Dusseldorf
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Dusseldorf are as follows:
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Night Out Drinking€25
Sample the Local Flavors in Dusseldorf
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Dusseldorf:
- Brewery Tour Düsseldorf in English (inc. 3 beer): $29
When comparing the travel costs between Leuven and Dusseldorf, we can see that Dusseldorf 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 Dusseldorf Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Leuven or Dusseldorf?
Dusseldorf has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Leuven. When comparing the sizes of Leuven and Dusseldorf, 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 Dusseldorf?
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 Dusseldorf in the Summer?
Both Dusseldorf and Leuven are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Dusseldorf because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.
In July, Leuven is generally around the same temperature as Dusseldorf. Daily temperatures in Leuven average around 18°C (65°F), and Dusseldorf fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).
Leuven usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Dusseldorf during summer. Leuven gets 186 hours of sunny skies, while Dusseldorf receives 195 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Leuven usually receives around the same amount of rain as Dusseldorf. Leuven gets 75 mm (3 in) of rain, while Dusseldorf receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyLeuven 18°C (65°F)Dusseldorf 19°C (66°F)
Should I visit Leuven or Dusseldorf in the Autumn?
Both Dusseldorf and Leuven during the autumn are popular places to visit. Furthermore, the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene are the main draw to Dusseldorf this time of year.
Leuven is around the same temperature as Dusseldorf in the autumn. The daily temperature in Leuven averages around 12°C (54°F) in October, and Dusseldorf fluctuates around 12°C (53°F).
In the autumn, Leuven often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Dusseldorf. Leuven gets 114 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Dusseldorf receives 112 hours of full sun.
Leuven usually gets more rain in October than Dusseldorf. Leuven gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Dusseldorf receives 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberLeuven 12°C (54°F)Dusseldorf 12°C (53°F)
Should I visit Leuven or Dusseldorf in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Leuven and Dusseldorf. Furthermore, many travelers come to Dusseldorf for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Dusseldorf. It's quite cold in Leuven in the winter. In the winter, Leuven is a little warmer than Dusseldorf. Typically, the winter temperatures in Leuven in January average around 3°C (38°F), and Dusseldorf averages at about 3°C (37°F).
Leuven usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Dusseldorf during winter. Leuven gets 49 hours of sunny skies, while Dusseldorf receives 45 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Leuven usually receives around the same amount of rain as Dusseldorf. Leuven gets 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Dusseldorf 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)Dusseldorf 3°C (37°F)
Should I visit Leuven or Dusseldorf in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Leuven as well as Dusseldorf. Additionally, many visitors come to Dusseldorf in the spring for the activities around the city.
In April, Leuven is generally around the same temperature as Dusseldorf. Daily temperatures in Leuven average around 10°C (49°F), and Dusseldorf fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).
In the spring, Leuven often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Dusseldorf. Leuven gets 147 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Dusseldorf receives 155 hours of full sun.
Leuven usually gets more rain in April than Dusseldorf. Leuven gets 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Dusseldorf receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilLeuven 10°C (49°F)Dusseldorf 9°C (48°F)
Typical Weather for Dusseldorf and Leuven
| Leuven | Dusseldorf | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 3°C (38°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) | 3°C (37°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) |
| Feb | 4°C (39°F) | 53 mm (2.1 in) | 3°C (38°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) |
| Mar | 6°C (43°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) | 6°C (44°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) |
| Apr | 10°C (49°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
| May | 14°C (57°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Jun | 17°C (62°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) | 17°C (62°F) | 86 mm (3.4 in) |
| Jul | 18°C (65°F) | 75 mm (3 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) |
| Aug | 18°C (65°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 62 mm (2.5 in) |
| Sep | 16°C (60°F) | 59 mm (2.3 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) |
| Oct | 12°C (54°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 56 mm (2.2 in) |
| Nov | 7°C (45°F) | 76 mm (3 in) | 7°C (44°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) |
| Dec | 4°C (40°F) | 76 mm (3 in) | 4°C (40°F) | 74 mm (2.9 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.