Which place is cheaper, Le Mans or Leuven?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Leuven or Le Mans?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Leuven or Le Mans? 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 Le Mans?
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.
Le Mans
Le Mans is a city in France, on the Sarthe River. Le Mans is found about 80 kilometers north of Tours, and south of Alencon. To many of course, Le Mans is famous only for a 24 hour racing event once a year. If you are not interested in cars and car racing, it is best to avoid visiting Le Mans in the middle of June. However, Le Mans also has a fantastic old town and is well worth the visit. Known as the Cite Plantagenet, this is where in 1129 Geoffrey Plantagenet married Matilda, daughter of Henry I of England and gave birth to Henry II.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to Belgium, The Best Tours for Seniors to Belgium, The Best Adventure Tours to France, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in France.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayLeuven €178Le Mans €83
The average daily cost (per person) in Leuven is €178, while the average daily cost in Le Mans is €83. 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 Le Mans in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personLeuven €93Le Mans €37
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomLeuven €186Le Mans €74
Compare Hotels in Leuven and Le Mans
Looking for a hotel in Leuven or Le Mans? 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 Le Mans Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Leuven €61Le Mans €30
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 Le Mans?
Prices for flights to both Le Mans 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 €49Le Mans €27
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 €23Le Mans €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: $288
- Special Christmas Journey in Leuven - Walking Tour: $395
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayLeuven €25Le Mans €12
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Leuven and Le Mans, we can see that Leuven is more expensive. And not only is Le Mans much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Le Mans would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Le Mans 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 Le Mans.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Leuven Expensive? and Is Le Mans Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Leuven or Le Mans?
Le Mans has a larger population, and is about 56% larger than the population of Leuven. When comparing the sizes of Leuven and Le Mans, 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 Le Mans?
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 Le Mans in the Summer?
Both Le Mans and Leuven during the summer are popular places to visit. Also, many travelers come to Le Mans for the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences.
In July, Leuven is generally around the same temperature as Le Mans. Daily temperatures in Leuven average around 18°C (65°F), and Le Mans fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).
In Le Mans, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the summer, Leuven often gets less sunshine than Le Mans. Leuven gets 186 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Le Mans receives 231 hours of full sun.
Leuven usually gets more rain in July than Le Mans. Leuven gets 75 mm (3 in) of rain, while Le Mans receives 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyLeuven 18°C (65°F)Le Mans 19°C (66°F)
Should I visit Leuven or Le Mans in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Leuven and Le Mans. Also, many visitors come to Le Mans in the autumn for the small town atmosphere.
Leuven is around the same temperature as Le Mans in the autumn. The daily temperature in Leuven averages around 12°C (54°F) in October, and Le Mans fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).
Leuven usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Le Mans during autumn. Leuven gets 114 hours of sunny skies, while Le Mans receives 117 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Leuven usually receives around the same amount of rain as Le Mans. Leuven gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Le Mans receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberLeuven 12°C (54°F)Le Mans 13°C (55°F)
Should I visit Leuven or Le Mans in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Leuven as well as Le Mans. Also, most visitors come to Le Mans for the museums and the cuisine during these months.
Le Mans can be very cold during winter. Leuven can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, Leuven is cooler than Le Mans. Typically, the winter temperatures in Leuven in January average around 3°C (38°F), and Le Mans averages at about 5°C (40°F).
In the winter, Leuven often gets less sunshine than Le Mans. Leuven gets 49 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Le Mans receives 54 hours of full sun.
Leuven usually gets less rain in January than Le Mans. Leuven gets 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Le Mans receives 74 mm (2.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryLeuven 3°C (38°F)Le Mans 5°C (40°F)
Should I visit Leuven or Le Mans in the Spring?
Both Le Mans and Leuven are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Le Mans because of the small town charm.
In April, Leuven is generally around the same temperature as Le Mans. Daily temperatures in Leuven average around 10°C (49°F), and Le Mans fluctuates around 10°C (50°F).
Leuven usually receives less sunshine than Le Mans during spring. Leuven gets 147 hours of sunny skies, while Le Mans receives 168 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Leuven usually receives more rain than Le Mans. Leuven gets 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Le Mans receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilLeuven 10°C (49°F)Le Mans 10°C (50°F)
Typical Weather for Le Mans and Leuven
| Leuven | Le Mans | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 3°C (38°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) | 5°C (40°F) | 74 mm (2.9 in) |
| Feb | 4°C (39°F) | 53 mm (2.1 in) | 5°C (42°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) |
| Mar | 6°C (43°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) |
| Apr | 10°C (49°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| May | 14°C (57°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) | 14°C (56°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) |
| Jun | 17°C (62°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) | 17°C (62°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) |
| Jul | 18°C (65°F) | 75 mm (3 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) |
| Aug | 18°C (65°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) | 19°C (65°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) |
| Sep | 16°C (60°F) | 59 mm (2.3 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 59 mm (2.3 in) |
| Oct | 12°C (54°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Nov | 7°C (45°F) | 76 mm (3 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 77 mm (3 in) |
| Dec | 4°C (40°F) | 76 mm (3 in) | 5°C (42°F) | 75 mm (3 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.