Which place is cheaper, Reykjavik or Leuven?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Leuven or Reykjavik?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Leuven or Reykjavik? 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 Reykjavik?
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.
Reykjavik
Reykjavik is the capital and largest city in the country of Iceland. The city is where the vast majority of the country's population resides and the urban area has about 200,000 residents. The city is sprawling, with a large area covered in suburbs. The the city center is quite compact, with many interesting and colorful houses. There are a lot of things that attract tourists to this city, including an interesting culture and history as well as plenty of shopping and dining opportunities.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to Belgium, The Best Tours for Seniors to Belgium, The Best Budget Tours to Iceland, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Iceland.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayLeuven €178Reykjavik €228
The average daily cost (per person) in Leuven is €178, while the average daily cost in Reykjavik is €228. 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 Reykjavik in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personLeuven €93Reykjavik €129
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomLeuven €186Reykjavik €258
Compare Hotels in Leuven and Reykjavik
Looking for a hotel in Leuven or Reykjavik? 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 Reykjavik Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Leuven €61Reykjavik €42
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
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Reykjavik
Also for Reykjavik, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Hveragerdi to Keflavik Airport (KEF) - Deparure Private Transfer: $68
- Airport Express Shared Departure Transfer from Reykjavik Hotels to Keflavik Airport: $37
- Airport Express Shared Departure transfer from Reykjavik City to Keflavik Airport: $29
- Airport Transfer (One way) between Keflavik and Reykjavik: $200
- Airport Transfer in Iceland from Keflavik Airport to Reykjavik City With Hotel Drop Off: $36
- Airport Transfer in Iceland from Keflavik Airport to Reykjavik City one way: $28
- Airport Transfer in Iceland from Reykjavik City to Keflavik Airport One Way: $28
- Airport Transfer in Iceland from Reykjavik City to Keflavik Airport with Hotel Pick Up: $36
- Blue Lagoon Admission Ticket Including Transfer: $268
- Blue Lagoon Admission Ticket with Transfer: $254
- Blue Lagoon Entry Ticket with Optional Private or Shared Transfer: $163
- Blue Lagoon One Way Transfer: $184
Is it cheaper to fly into Leuven or Reykjavik?
Prices for flights to both Reykjavik 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 €49Reykjavik €28
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 Reykjavik
For Reykjavik, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Dinner (Fish Market)€165
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Reykjavik
For Reykjavik, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Icelandic Food Tour: $123
- Weekend Reykjavik Food Tour with a stop at the Reykjavik Flea Market: $125
- The Reykjavik Christmas Food Tour: $127
- 3 Hour Shared Christmas Food Tour with Guide in Reykjavik: $129
- Reykjavik Market & Lunch Food Tour - BitesizedIceland.com: $142
- Reykjavik Old Harbor Food Tour - BitesizedIceland.com: $144
- Reykjavik Old Harbor Food Tour: $145
- Icelandic Cooking Class in Downtown Reykjavik with Musical Hosts: $296
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Leuven €23Reykjavik €67
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
Typical Entertainment Prices in Reykjavik
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Reykjavik's activities, tours, and tickets:
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Art Museum€9.97
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Wine and Spa€27
Tours and Activities in Reykjavik
For Reykjavik, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- First Discovery Walk and Reading Walking Tour: $3.21
- Reykjavík: City Exploration Game and Tour: $6.42
- Reykjavik Scavenger Hunt and Best Landmarks Self-Guided Tour: $6.55
- Reykjavik Highlights Self-Guided Scavenger Hunt & City Tour: $8.02
- Self-Guided Audio Walking Tour: $9.99
- Explore Reykjavik's Legacy: In-App Audio Tour: $11
- Citywalk Tour - Audioguide in English & German: $11
- Icelandic Museum of Rock 'n' Roll Admission Ticket: $11
- Skip the Line: Icelandic Museum of Rock 'n' Roll Admission Ticket: $11
- Geothermal Energy Exhibition Entry Ticket: $17
- Reykjavík: National Museum of Iceland Entry Ticket: $18
- Skip the Line: The National Museum of Iceland Ticket: $18
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayLeuven €25Reykjavik €26
Typical Alcohol Prices in Reykjavik
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Reykjavik are as follows:
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Beer€8.15
Sample the Local Flavors in Reykjavik
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Reykjavik:
- Gin Distillery tour and tasting: $25
- Eimverk Distillery Tour with Tasting: $32
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Leuven and Reykjavik, we can see that Reykjavik is more expensive. And not only is Leuven much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Leuven would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Leuven 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 Reykjavik would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Reykjavik than you might in Leuven.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Leuven Expensive? and Is Reykjavik Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Leuven or Reykjavik?
Reykjavik has a larger population, and is about 23% larger than the population of Leuven. When comparing the sizes of Leuven and Reykjavik, 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 Reykjavik?
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 Reykjavik in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Leuven as well as Reykjavik. Also, many visitors come to Reykjavik in the summer for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.
In July, Leuven is generally much warmer than Reykjavik. Daily temperatures in Leuven average around 18°C (65°F), and Reykjavik fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).
In the summer, Leuven often gets more sunshine than Reykjavik. Leuven gets 186 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Reykjavik receives 171 hours of full sun.
Leuven usually gets more rain in July than Reykjavik. Leuven gets 75 mm (3 in) of rain, while Reykjavik receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyLeuven 18°C (65°F)Reykjavik 11°C (52°F)
Should I visit Leuven or Reykjavik in the Autumn?
Both Reykjavik and Leuven are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Also, most visitors come to Reykjavik for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.
Reykjavik can be very cold during autumn. Leuven is much warmer than Reykjavik in the autumn. The daily temperature in Leuven averages around 12°C (54°F) in October, and Reykjavik fluctuates around 5°C (41°F).
Leuven usually receives more sunshine than Reykjavik during autumn. Leuven gets 114 hours of sunny skies, while Reykjavik receives 83 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Leuven usually receives less rain than Reykjavik. Leuven gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Reykjavik receives 86 mm (3.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberLeuven 12°C (54°F)Reykjavik 5°C (41°F)
Should I visit Leuven or Reykjavik in the Winter?
Both Reykjavik and Leuven during the winter are popular places to visit. Furthermore, the winter months attract visitors to Reykjavik because of the shopping scene and the cuisine.
The weather in Reykjavik can be very cold. Leuven can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Leuven is much warmer than Reykjavik. Typically, the winter temperatures in Leuven in January average around 3°C (38°F), and Reykjavik averages at about -0°C (32°F).
In the winter, Leuven often gets more sunshine than Reykjavik. Leuven gets 49 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Reykjavik receives 27 hours of full sun.
Leuven usually gets less rain in January than Reykjavik. Leuven gets 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Reykjavik receives 76 mm (3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryLeuven 3°C (38°F)Reykjavik -0°C (32°F)
Should I visit Leuven or Reykjavik in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Leuven and Reykjavik. Furthermore, the natural beauty are the main draw to Reykjavik this time of year.
It's quite cold in Reykjavik in the spring. In April, Leuven is generally much warmer than Reykjavik. Daily temperatures in Leuven average around 10°C (49°F), and Reykjavik fluctuates around 3°C (38°F).
Leuven usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Reykjavik during spring. Leuven gets 147 hours of sunny skies, while Reykjavik receives 140 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Leuven usually receives around the same amount of rain as Reykjavik. Leuven gets 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Reykjavik receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilLeuven 10°C (49°F)Reykjavik 3°C (38°F)
Typical Weather for Reykjavik and Leuven
| Leuven | Reykjavik | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 3°C (38°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) | -0°C (32°F) | 76 mm (3 in) |
| Feb | 4°C (39°F) | 53 mm (2.1 in) | 1°C (33°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) |
| Mar | 6°C (43°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) | 1°C (34°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) |
| Apr | 10°C (49°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) | 3°C (38°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) |
| May | 14°C (57°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) | 7°C (44°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) |
| Jun | 17°C (62°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) | 10°C (49°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| Jul | 18°C (65°F) | 75 mm (3 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 52 mm (2 in) |
| Aug | 18°C (65°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) |
| Sep | 16°C (60°F) | 59 mm (2.3 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) |
| Oct | 12°C (54°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 5°C (41°F) | 86 mm (3.4 in) |
| Nov | 7°C (45°F) | 76 mm (3 in) | 1°C (35°F) | 73 mm (2.9 in) |
| Dec | 4°C (40°F) | 76 mm (3 in) | 0°C (32°F) | 79 mm (3.1 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.