Which place is cheaper, Kinsale or Leuven?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Leuven or Kinsale?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Leuven or Kinsale? 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 Kinsale?
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.
Kinsale
Near the River Bandon you'll find the small town of Kinsale, also known as Cionn tSaile. It sits comfortably in the hills that separate it from the nearby ocean. It's a quaint town that is also a historic port. Today is remains popular as a travel destination for sailors and travelers.
The town has two forts that protected it from invasion and served as the site for one of the most important battles in Irish history, in 1601. During this battle the Irish army arrived from the north to defend the town from an English siege. At the time the town was occupied by the Spanish. The Irish lost the battle and this was the defeat that led to the end of the ancient Gaelic aristocracy in Ireland.
Today the town is not only a charming place to visit, but also a great place to enjoy seafood, particularly during the yearly festival.
The climate in Kinsale is similar to that of nearby Cork. Average highs during the summer months are around 19 degrees Celsius and lows are about 12 degrees Celsius. During the winter months average highs are around 9 degrees Celsius and lows stay just above freezing at 3 degrees Celsius. Rain is generally consistent throughout the year, although you can expect slightly more precipitation during the winter months.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to Belgium, The Best Tours for Seniors to Belgium, The Best Tours for Seniors to Ireland, and The Best 3-Day Tours from Dublin.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayLeuven €178Kinsale €129
The average daily cost (per person) in Leuven is €178, while the average daily cost in Kinsale is €129. 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 Kinsale in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personLeuven €93Kinsale €74
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomLeuven €186Kinsale €148
Compare Hotels in Leuven and Kinsale
Looking for a hotel in Leuven or Kinsale? 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 Kinsale Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Leuven €61Kinsale €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) : $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
Is it cheaper to fly into Leuven or Kinsale?
Prices for flights to both Kinsale 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 €49Kinsale €46
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 €23Kinsale €5.00
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 Kinsale
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Kinsale.
- Titanic Trail Guided Walking Tour Cobh: $21
- Visit 16 Sites Key Historical Sites And Experience Cobh Rebel Tours: $27
- Cobh Evening Ghost Tour: $43
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayLeuven €25Kinsale €16
Sample the Local Flavors in Kinsale
Also in Kinsale, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- (Small Group) Shore Tour from Cork: Blarney Castle & Jameson Distillery: $147
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Leuven and Kinsale, we can see that Leuven is more expensive. And not only is Kinsale much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Kinsale would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Kinsale 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 Kinsale.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Leuven Expensive? and Is Kinsale Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Leuven or Kinsale?
Leuven has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Kinsale. When comparing the sizes of Leuven and Kinsale, 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 Kinsale?
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 Kinsale in the Summer?
Both Kinsale and Leuven during the summer are popular places to visit. Also, most visitors come to Kinsale for the beaches, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.
Leuven is a little warmer than Kinsale in the summer. The daily temperature in Leuven averages around 18°C (65°F) in July, and Kinsale fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).
In the summer, Leuven often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Kinsale. Leuven gets 186 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kinsale receives 178 hours of full sun.
Leuven usually gets more rain in July than Kinsale. Leuven gets 75 mm (3 in) of rain, while Kinsale receives 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyLeuven 18°C (65°F)Kinsale 16°C (60°F)
Should I visit Leuven or Kinsale in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Leuven and Kinsale. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Kinsale because of the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area.
In the autumn, Leuven is around the same temperature as Kinsale. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Leuven in October average around 12°C (54°F), and Kinsale averages at about 11°C (52°F).
Leuven usually receives more sunshine than Kinsale during autumn. Leuven gets 114 hours of sunny skies, while Kinsale receives 90 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Leuven usually receives less rain than Kinsale. Leuven gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Kinsale receives 97 mm (3.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberLeuven 12°C (54°F)Kinsale 11°C (52°F)
Should I visit Leuven or Kinsale in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Leuven as well as Kinsale. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Kinsale this time of year.
The weather in Leuven can be very cold. In January, Leuven is generally much colder than Kinsale. Daily temperatures in Leuven average around 3°C (38°F), and Kinsale fluctuates around 6°C (43°F).
In the winter, Leuven often gets less sunshine than Kinsale. Leuven gets 49 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kinsale receives 60 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Kinsale. Leuven usually gets less rain in January than Kinsale. Leuven gets 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Kinsale receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryLeuven 3°C (38°F)Kinsale 6°C (43°F)
Should I visit Leuven or Kinsale in the Spring?
Both Kinsale and Leuven are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Also, many travelers come to Kinsale for the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty.
Leuven is around the same temperature as Kinsale in the spring. The daily temperature in Leuven averages around 10°C (49°F) in April, and Kinsale fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).
Leuven usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Kinsale during spring. Leuven gets 147 hours of sunny skies, while Kinsale receives 157 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Leuven usually receives around the same amount of rain as Kinsale. Leuven gets 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Kinsale receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilLeuven 10°C (49°F)Kinsale 9°C (48°F)
Typical Weather for Kinsale and Leuven
| Leuven | Kinsale | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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.