Which place is cheaper, Mont-Saint-Michel or Leuven?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Leuven or Mont-Saint-Michel?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Leuven or Mont-Saint-Michel? 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 Mont-Saint-Michel?
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.
Mont-Saint-Michel
Mont Saint-Michel is an island community in Normandy, France. It is located about a half of a mile (or one kilometer) off of the country's northwest coast, at the mouth of the Couesnon River near Avranches. The population of the island, at last count, was just under 50 people. The island has been a strategic fortifications since ancient times and since the 8th century AD has been the seat of the monastery from which it was named. The structural composition of the town exemplifies the feudal society that constructed it: on top, God, the abbey and monastery; below, the great halls; then stores and housing; and at the bottom, outside the walls, houses for fishermen and farmers. One of France's most recognizable landmarks, visited by more than 3 million people each year, Mont Saint-Michel and its bay are on the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites. Over 60 buildings within the commune are protected in France as historical monuments.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to Belgium, The Best Tours for Seniors to Belgium, The Best River Cruises in France, and The Best Bicycle Tours in France.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayLeuven €178Mont-Saint-Michel €156
The average daily cost (per person) in Leuven is €178, while the average daily cost in Mont-Saint-Michel is €156. 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 Mont-Saint-Michel in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personLeuven €93Mont-Saint-Michel €70
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomLeuven €186Mont-Saint-Michel €140
Compare Hotels in Leuven and Mont-Saint-Michel
Looking for a hotel in Leuven or Mont-Saint-Michel? 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 Mont-Saint-Michel Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Leuven €61Mont-Saint-Michel €70
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
Is it cheaper to fly into Leuven or Mont-Saint-Michel?
Prices for flights to both Mont-Saint-Michel 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 €49Mont-Saint-Michel €44
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 €23Mont-Saint-Michel €30
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 Mont-Saint-Michel
Here are a few actual costs in Mont-Saint-Michel for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Self Guided Audio Tour around Mont Saint-Michele island: $5.45
- Mont Saint-Michel Abbey in the Middle Ages: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $8.99
- Airborne Museum Admission Ticket: $11
- Entrance ticket to the Battle of the Hedges Museum: $11
- Normandy Mont-Saint-Michel Abbey Entrance Ticket: $14
- Abbey du Mont Saint-Michel Priority Entrance Tickets: $16
- Walking Tour in the bay of Mont-Saint-Michel: $16
- 2-Hour Guided Walking tour of the Mont Saint Michel : $33
- Cherbourg Like a Local: Customized Private Tour: $44
- Mont-St-Michel: Shared Tour (10 max) "Abbey Ticket Included": $162
- Private walking tour of Mont Saint Michel with a licensed guide: $215
- Mont-St-Michel: Private Walking Tour "Abbey Ticket Included": $261
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayLeuven €25Mont-Saint-Michel €7.86
When comparing the travel costs between Leuven and Mont-Saint-Michel, we can see that Leuven 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 Mont-Saint-Michel Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Leuven or Mont-Saint-Michel?
Leuven has a larger population, and is about 1160 times larger than the population of Mont-Saint-Michel. When comparing the sizes of Leuven and Mont-Saint-Michel, 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 Mont-Saint-Michel?
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 Mont-Saint-Michel in the Summer?
Both Mont-Saint-Michel and Leuven are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Also, many travelers come to Mont-Saint-Michel for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.
Leuven is around the same temperature as Mont-Saint-Michel in the summer. The daily temperature in Leuven averages around 18°C (65°F) in July, and Mont-Saint-Michel fluctuates around 19°C (65°F).
It's quite sunny in Mont-Saint-Michel. Leuven usually receives less sunshine than Mont-Saint-Michel during summer. Leuven gets 186 hours of sunny skies, while Mont-Saint-Michel receives 246 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Leuven usually receives more rain than Mont-Saint-Michel. Leuven gets 75 mm (3 in) of rain, while Mont-Saint-Michel receives 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyLeuven 18°C (65°F)Mont-Saint-Michel 19°C (65°F)
Should I visit Leuven or Mont-Saint-Michel in the Autumn?
Both Mont-Saint-Michel and Leuven during the autumn are popular places to visit. Furthermore, many visitors come to Mont-Saint-Michel in the autumn for the hiking trails and the natural beauty of the area.
In the autumn, Leuven is around the same temperature as Mont-Saint-Michel. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Leuven in October average around 12°C (54°F), and Mont-Saint-Michel averages at about 13°C (55°F).
In the autumn, Leuven often gets less sunshine than Mont-Saint-Michel. Leuven gets 114 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Mont-Saint-Michel receives 134 hours of full sun.
Leuven usually gets more rain in October than Mont-Saint-Michel. Leuven gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Mont-Saint-Michel receives 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberLeuven 12°C (54°F)Mont-Saint-Michel 13°C (55°F)
Should I visit Leuven or Mont-Saint-Michel in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Leuven and Mont-Saint-Michel. Furthermore, most visitors come to Mont-Saint-Michel for the museums and the cuisine during these months.
Leuven can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Leuven is generally much colder than Mont-Saint-Michel. Daily temperatures in Leuven average around 3°C (38°F), and Mont-Saint-Michel fluctuates around 5°C (41°F).
Leuven usually receives less sunshine than Mont-Saint-Michel during winter. Leuven gets 49 hours of sunny skies, while Mont-Saint-Michel receives 70 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Leuven usually receives around the same amount of rain as Mont-Saint-Michel. Leuven gets 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Mont-Saint-Michel receives 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryLeuven 3°C (38°F)Mont-Saint-Michel 5°C (41°F)
Should I visit Leuven or Mont-Saint-Michel in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Leuven as well as Mont-Saint-Michel. Additionally, the spring months attract visitors to Mont-Saint-Michel because of the natural beauty.
Leuven is around the same temperature as Mont-Saint-Michel in the spring. The daily temperature in Leuven averages around 10°C (49°F) in April, and Mont-Saint-Michel fluctuates around 10°C (50°F).
In the spring, Leuven often gets less sunshine than Mont-Saint-Michel. Leuven gets 147 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Mont-Saint-Michel receives 180 hours of full sun.
Leuven usually gets more rain in April than Mont-Saint-Michel. Leuven gets 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Mont-Saint-Michel receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilLeuven 10°C (49°F)Mont-Saint-Michel 10°C (50°F)
Typical Weather for Mont-Saint-Michel and Leuven
| Leuven | Mont-Saint-Michel | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 3°C (38°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) | 5°C (41°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) |
| Feb | 4°C (39°F) | 53 mm (2.1 in) | 6°C (43°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) |
| Mar | 6°C (43°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 53 mm (2.1 in) |
| Apr | 10°C (49°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) |
| May | 14°C (57°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) | 13°C (56°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) |
| Jun | 17°C (62°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) | 16°C (62°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) |
| Jul | 18°C (65°F) | 75 mm (3 in) | 19°C (65°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) |
| Aug | 18°C (65°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) | 18°C (65°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) |
| Sep | 16°C (60°F) | 59 mm (2.3 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) |
| Oct | 12°C (54°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) |
| Nov | 7°C (45°F) | 76 mm (3 in) | 8°C (47°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) |
| Dec | 4°C (40°F) | 76 mm (3 in) | 6°C (43°F) | 63 mm (2.5 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.