Which place is cheaper, Frankfurt or Leuven?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Leuven or Frankfurt?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Leuven or Frankfurt? 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 Frankfurt?
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.
Frankfurt
Frankfurt is the financial and business hub of Germany. It houses the European Central Bank and the German Stock Exchange, and often plays host to trade shows and business fairs. It has the country's most modern skyline and the largest airport. It is also a transportation hub for Germany with many important train lines passing through. The city itself is situated on the River Main. Some of the most important sights are along the river near Romer Square and include museums and monuments. This area pulls in millions of tourists every year. Although many sights are clustered in this area, it's important to head into more off the beaten path areas that can be enjoyable to explore. These areas offer glimpses into daily life in Frankfurt.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to Belgium, The Best Tours for Seniors to Belgium, The Best Coach Bus Tours in Germany, and The Best Adventure Tours to Germany.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayLeuven €178Frankfurt €122
The average daily cost (per person) in Leuven is €178, while the average daily cost in Frankfurt is €122. 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 Frankfurt in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personLeuven €93Frankfurt €58
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomLeuven €186Frankfurt €116
Compare Hotels in Leuven and Frankfurt
Looking for a hotel in Leuven or Frankfurt? 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.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Leuven €61Frankfurt €25
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Leuven
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Leuven:
- Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer service in Brussels APT-HTL(BRU): $81
- Transfer from Brussels city (any hotel or address) to BRU Airport : $109
- Transfer from Brussels city (any hotel or address) to BRU Airport: $131
- Transfer from Brussels Airport->Brussels MB E-CLASS 3 PAX: $109
- Transfer from Brussels Airport to Brussels MB V Class 7 PAX: $130
- Transfer from Brussels Airport -> Antwerp MB S-CLASS 3 PAX: $235
- Transfer from BRU Airport to Brussels city (any hotel or address): $130
- Transfer from BRU Airport to Brussels city (any hotel or address): $109
- Transfer From Brussels Airport to Charleroi Airport: $175
- Transfer Brussels airport <-> Tomorrowland Boom (1 to 8 Places): $104
- Transfer Brussels Airport -> Brussels MB V-CLASS 7 PAX: $130
- Transfer Brussels Airport -> Antwerp MB V-CLASS 7 PAX: $201
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Frankfurt
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Frankfurt:
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Car Rental€50
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Frankfurt
Also for Frankfurt, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Arrival Private Transfer from Frankfurt Airport FRA to Frankfurt by business car: $54
- Arrival Private Transfer: Frankfurt Airport FRA to Frankfurt by Luxury Vehicle: $63
- Arrival Transfer: Frankfurt Airport FRA to Frankfurt in Van: $76
- BaronFleet Frankfurt- Arrival & Departure Airport Transfers: $132
- Departure Private Transfer: Frankfurt to Frankfurt Airport FRA by business car: $54
- Departure Transfer: Frankfurt to Frankfurt Airport FRA by Van: $81
- Departure Transfer: Frankfurt to Frankfurt Airport FRA in Car: $69
- Frankfurt Airport (FRA) to Baden-Baden Thermal - Arrival Transfer: $142
- Frankfurt Airport (FRA) to Frankfurt Arrival Private Transfer: $55
- Frankfurt Airport (FRA) to Frankfurt Round-Trip Private Transfer: $109
- Frankfurt Airport (FRA) to Wiesbaden Thermal Round-Trip Transfer: $55
- Frankfurt Airport (FRA): Private Transfer to Frankfurt: $140
Is it cheaper to fly into Leuven or Frankfurt?
Prices for flights to both Frankfurt 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 €49Frankfurt €41
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 Frankfurt
For Frankfurt, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Soda€2.00
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Bagel Sandwich and Latte€7.00
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Ham & Cheese Sandwich and Coffee€6.00
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Sandwich and Cola€7.00
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Frankfurt
For Frankfurt, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- FOOD TOUR WITH 3-4 LOCAL INSIDER FOODSPOTS: $80
- Eltz Castle Small-Group Tour from Frankfurt with Dinner: $281
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Leuven €23Frankfurt €36
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 Frankfurt
For Frankfurt, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Selfguided Audiotour "Frankfurt Old Town": $3.20
- First Discovery Walk and Reading Walking Tour: $3.21
- Germany eSIM Tourist Roaming Data Plan: $4.28
- City Exploration Game and Tour: $4.81
- Frankfurt Scavenger Hunt and Best Landmarks Self-Guided Tour: $6.55
- Highlights Self-Guided Scavenger Hunt & City Tour: $6.95
- Struwwelpeter Museum Entry Ticket w/Audio Guide: $7.49
- Old Town Smartphone Audio Tour: $7.99
- A Self-Guided Audio Tour by Smartphone: $7.99
- Walking Tour with Audio Guide on App: $8.02
- Historisches Museum Entry Ticket: $8.56
- Frankfurt Self-Guided Audio Tour: $9.00
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayLeuven €25Frankfurt €30
Typical Alcohol Prices in Frankfurt
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Frankfurt:
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Becks Beer€2.00
Sample the Local Flavors in Frankfurt
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Frankfurt:
- Night Pub Crawl through Alt-Sachsenhausen: $21
- Enjoy the night with our Pub Tours: $32
- Weekend Night Pub Crawl through Alt-Sachsenhausen: $34
- Full Day Private Rhine Valley Wine Tour Experience from Frankfurt: $279
- Frankfurt Wine Tasting Tour with a Wine Expert: $280
- Frankfurt Wine Tasting Tour with a Wine Expert: $286
- Guided Walk Tour With Apple Wine Tasting: $334
- Bachelor(ette) Party with Pub Crawl: $401
- Private Premium Pub Crawl Tour: $513
- Private Rhine Valley tour with river cruise & wine tasting: $748
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Leuven and Frankfurt, we can see that Leuven is more expensive. And not only is Frankfurt much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Frankfurt would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Frankfurt 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 Frankfurt.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Leuven Expensive? and Is Frankfurt Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Leuven or Frankfurt?
Frankfurt has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of Leuven. When comparing the sizes of Leuven and Frankfurt, 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 Frankfurt?
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 Frankfurt in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Leuven as well as Frankfurt. Also, many travelers come to Frankfurt for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Leuven is around the same temperature as Frankfurt. Typically, the summer temperatures in Leuven in July average around 18°C (65°F), and Frankfurt averages at about 19°C (67°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Frankfurt. In the summer, Leuven often gets less sunshine than Frankfurt. Leuven gets 186 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Frankfurt receives 225 hours of full sun.
Leuven usually gets more rain in July than Frankfurt. Leuven gets 75 mm (3 in) of rain, while Frankfurt receives 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyLeuven 18°C (65°F)Frankfurt 19°C (67°F)
Should I visit Leuven or Frankfurt in the Autumn?
Both Frankfurt and Leuven are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Also, many visitors come to Frankfurt in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.
In October, Leuven is generally a little warmer than Frankfurt. Daily temperatures in Leuven average around 12°C (54°F), and Frankfurt fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).
Leuven usually receives more sunshine than Frankfurt during autumn. Leuven gets 114 hours of sunny skies, while Frankfurt receives 103 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Leuven usually receives more rain than Frankfurt. Leuven gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Frankfurt receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberLeuven 12°C (54°F)Frankfurt 11°C (51°F)
Should I visit Leuven or Frankfurt in the Winter?
Both Frankfurt and Leuven during the winter are popular places to visit. Furthermore, most visitors come to Frankfurt for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.
Frankfurt can be very cold during winter. Leuven can get quite cold in the winter. Leuven is much warmer than Frankfurt in the winter. The daily temperature in Leuven averages around 3°C (38°F) in January, and Frankfurt fluctuates around 1°C (34°F).
In the winter, Leuven often gets more sunshine than Frankfurt. Leuven gets 49 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Frankfurt receives 41 hours of full sun.
Leuven usually gets more rain in January than Frankfurt. Leuven gets 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Frankfurt receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryLeuven 3°C (38°F)Frankfurt 1°C (34°F)
Should I visit Leuven or Frankfurt in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Leuven and Frankfurt. Furthermore, the spring months attract visitors to Frankfurt because of the activities around the city.
In the spring, Leuven is around the same temperature as Frankfurt. Typically, the spring temperatures in Leuven in April average around 10°C (49°F), and Frankfurt averages at about 10°C (50°F).
Leuven usually receives less sunshine than Frankfurt during spring. Leuven gets 147 hours of sunny skies, while Frankfurt receives 163 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Leuven usually receives more rain than Frankfurt. Leuven gets 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Frankfurt receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilLeuven 10°C (49°F)Frankfurt 10°C (50°F)
Typical Weather for Frankfurt and Leuven
| Leuven | Frankfurt | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 3°C (38°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) | 1°C (34°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) |
| Feb | 4°C (39°F) | 53 mm (2.1 in) | 3°C (37°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Mar | 6°C (43°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) | 6°C (43°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
| Apr | 10°C (49°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 52 mm (2 in) |
| May | 14°C (57°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) | 14°C (58°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Jun | 17°C (62°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Jul | 18°C (65°F) | 75 mm (3 in) | 19°C (67°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) |
| Aug | 18°C (65°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) |
| Sep | 16°C (60°F) | 59 mm (2.3 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) |
| Oct | 12°C (54°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
| Nov | 7°C (45°F) | 76 mm (3 in) | 5°C (42°F) | 59 mm (2.3 in) |
| Dec | 4°C (40°F) | 76 mm (3 in) | 2°C (36°F) | 54 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.