Which place is cheaper, Munich or Leuven?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Leuven or Munich?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Leuven or Munich? 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 Munich?
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.
Munich
Munich is the capital city of Bavaria and a top travel destination within Germany. It has stunning architecture and a cultural scene that rivals Berlin. It has some of the country's top museums, festivals, and concerts. Munich is most famous for its Oktoberfest, which is easily the busiest time of year in the city. The architecture is what surprises most travelers. It's quite impressive and truly adds to the character of the city. Although much of Munich was destroyed during World War II, the city has successfully rebuilt most of the buildings in their previous style. Much of the city remains as it was in the 1800s. There are two major research universities in Munich, helping to make it a center for engineering, business, and the sciences.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to Belgium, The Best Tours for Seniors to Belgium, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Germany, and The Best Walking Tours in Germany.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayLeuven €178Munich €148
The average daily cost (per person) in Leuven is €178, while the average daily cost in Munich is €148. 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 Munich in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personLeuven €93Munich €89
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomLeuven €186Munich €178
Compare Hotels in Leuven and Munich
Looking for a hotel in Leuven or Munich? 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 Munich Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Leuven €61Munich €19
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Leuven
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Leuven:
- Airport Transfer Brussels To Ghent: $145
- 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 1-7pax: $86
- Brussels Airport Shuttle Transfer <-> Brussels (1 to 8 PLACES): $34
- Brussels Airport Transfer <-> Tomorrowland Boom (1 to 8 Places): $58
- Brussels Airport(BRU) to Brussels hotels-Arrival Private Transfer: $24
- Brussels Airport(BRU) to City hotels- Round-Trip Private Transfer: $48
- Brussels Private Transfer from Brussels Airport (BRU) to City centre: $95
- Brussels Shuttle Transfer <-> Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport (1 to 8 PLACES) : $279
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Munich
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Munich:
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Single Zone Trip on Subway€2.30
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Inner District Subway Day Pass€5.20
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City transport day ticket€11
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Munich
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Munich:
- Arrival Private Transfer from Munich Airport MUC to Munich in Luxury Car: $249
- Arrival Transfer Munich Train Station to Munich by Luxury Car: $74
- Arrival Transfer Munich Train Station to Munich by Luxury Van: $65
- Arrival Transfer from Munich Train Station to Munich by Sedan: $60
- Departure Private Transfer: Munich City to Munich Airport MUC in Luxury Car: $250
- From Munich Airport to Nuremberg - Private Transfer - punctual & friendly Driver: $193
- From Munich Airport to Salzburg - Private Transfer - punctual & friendly Driver: $208
- Guided Nymphenburg Palace Tour with Transfers & skip the line.: $235
- Mercedes Benz V-Class Airport Transfers: $158
- Munich Airport (MUC) to Arber Resort - Arrival Private Transfer: $87
- Munich Airport (MUC) to Garmisch-Partenkirchen - Arrival Transfer: $71
- Munich Airport (MUC) to Munich - Arrival Private Transfer: $32
Is it cheaper to fly into Leuven or Munich?
Prices for flights to both Munich 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 €49Munich €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
Typical Food Prices in Munich
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Munich:
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Bratwurst€5.00
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Leberkässemmeln (Veal & Pork Sandwich)€1.95
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Munich
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Munich.
- Hard Rock Cafe with Set Menu for Lunch or Dinner: $27
- Viktualienmarkt Gourmet Food Tour: $46
- Private Salzburg History & Food Tour with Munich train add-on: $55
- Food Tour Beer- 3 small beers & "Brotzeit" in GERMAN: $79
- 6 gears dinner show menu: $99
- Original Munich Christmas Market Food Tour - all tastings included: $136
- Lunch Like a Local: Munich's ORIGINAL Viktualienmarkt Food Tour: $141
- Private Full Day Bavarian Beer and Food Tour in Munich: $209
- Private - Viktualienmarkt Food Tour and Beyond - best Munich tastings: $229
- Munich Food Tour & Food Market with German Delicacies: $265
- Salzburg Semi-Private Guided Day Tour from Munich with Dinner : $273
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Leuven €23Munich €29
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
Typical Entertainment Prices in Munich
Here are a few typical costs in Munich for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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Schack Gallery Entrance€4.00
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Munich Zoo Entrance€9.00
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Pub Crawl Munich Tour€14
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Neuschwanstein Castle (2)€24
Tours and Activities in Munich
Here are a few actual costs in Munich for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Selfguided Audiotour "Munich Old Town": $3.20
- First Discovery Walk and Reading Walking Tour: $3.21
- Victuals Market Self-Guided Audio Tour: $3.74
- Germany eSIM Tourist Roaming Data Plan: $4.28
- Guided tour through the Sudeten German Museum: $5.35
- Escape Game and Tour: $5.35
- From Germany eSIM Tourist Roaming Data Plan: $5.35
- Munich through the Centuries: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.99
- Self-guided Walking Tour to River Isar Landmarks: $6.31
- City Exploration Game and Tour on your Phone: $6.36
- Highlights Self-Guided Scavenger Hunt and Tour: $6.95
- Interactive City Tour on Your Smartphone: $7.48
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayLeuven €25Munich €37
Typical Alcohol Prices in Munich
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Munich:
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Hofbrauhaus€12
Sample the Local Flavors in Munich
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Munich:
- Exclusive Brewery Tour & Tasting of 4 Organic Beers: $28
- Munich's Original Pub Crawl: $31
- English Guided Brewery Tour in Munich beertasting 4 beers: $37
- Max & Moritz: Interactive Wine Tasting Experience: $37
- Cheese & Wine tasting: $95
- The ORIGINAL Munich Christmas Market Festive Wine Tour -with food: $141
- Private Wine Tasting Tour in Munich with a Wine Expert: $288
- Private Wine Tasting Tour in Munich with a Wine Expert: $294
- Bachelor(ette) Party with Pub Crawl: $401
- Bachelor(ette) Party with Pub Crawl: $401
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Leuven and Munich, we can see that Leuven is more expensive. And not only is Munich much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Munich would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Munich 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 Munich.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Leuven Expensive? and Is Munich Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Leuven or Munich?
Munich has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Leuven. When comparing the sizes of Leuven and Munich, 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 Munich?
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 Munich in the Summer?
Both Munich and Leuven are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Also, many visitors come to Munich in the summer for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Leuven is around the same temperature as Munich. Typically, the summer temperatures in Leuven in July average around 18°C (65°F), and Munich averages at about 20°C (68°F).
It's quite sunny in Munich. Leuven usually receives less sunshine than Munich during summer. Leuven gets 186 hours of sunny skies, while Munich receives 242 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Leuven usually receives around the same amount of rain as Munich. Leuven gets 75 mm (3 in) of rain, while Munich receives 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyLeuven 18°C (65°F)Munich 20°C (68°F)
Should I visit Leuven or Munich in the Autumn?
Both Munich and Leuven during the autumn are popular places to visit. Also, most visitors come to Munich for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene during these months.
In October, Leuven is generally around the same temperature as Munich. Daily temperatures in Leuven average around 12°C (54°F), and Munich fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).
In the autumn, Leuven often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Munich. Leuven gets 114 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Munich receives 115 hours of full sun.
Leuven usually gets more rain in October than Munich. Leuven gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Munich receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberLeuven 12°C (54°F)Munich 11°C (52°F)
Should I visit Leuven or Munich in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Leuven and Munich. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Munich because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
The weather in Munich can be very cold. Leuven can be very cold during winter. Leuven is much warmer than Munich in the winter. The daily temperature in Leuven averages around 3°C (38°F) in January, and Munich fluctuates around -1°C (31°F).
Leuven usually receives more sunshine than Munich during winter. Leuven gets 49 hours of sunny skies, while Munich receives 30 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Leuven usually receives more rain than Munich. Leuven gets 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Munich receives 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryLeuven 3°C (38°F)Munich -1°C (31°F)
Should I visit Leuven or Munich in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Leuven as well as Munich. Also, the activities around the city are the main draw to Munich this time of year.
In the spring, Leuven is cooler than Munich. Typically, the spring temperatures in Leuven in April average around 10°C (49°F), and Munich averages at about 11°C (53°F).
In the spring, Leuven often gets less sunshine than Munich. Leuven gets 147 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Munich receives 172 hours of full sun.
Leuven usually gets more rain in April than Munich. Leuven gets 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Munich receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilLeuven 10°C (49°F)Munich 11°C (53°F)
Typical Weather for Munich and Leuven
| Leuven | Munich | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 3°C (38°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) | -1°C (31°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) |
| Feb | 4°C (39°F) | 53 mm (2.1 in) | 3°C (37°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) |
| Mar | 6°C (43°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) | 6°C (43°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) |
| Apr | 10°C (49°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) | 11°C (53°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) |
| May | 14°C (57°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) | 15°C (60°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) |
| Jun | 17°C (62°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) | 19°C (65°F) | 88 mm (3.5 in) |
| Jul | 18°C (65°F) | 75 mm (3 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Aug | 18°C (65°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) |
| Sep | 16°C (60°F) | 59 mm (2.3 in) | 17°C (62°F) | 60 mm (2.3 in) |
| Oct | 12°C (54°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| Nov | 7°C (45°F) | 76 mm (3 in) | 6°C (42°F) | 52 mm (2.1 in) |
| Dec | 4°C (40°F) | 76 mm (3 in) | 1°C (33°F) | 49 mm (1.9 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.