Which place is cheaper, Saint-Etienne or Leuven?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit Leuven or Saint-Etienne?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Leuven or Saint-Etienne? 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 Saint-Etienne?
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.
Saint-Etienne
Saint-Etienne (Saint Stephen), a city southwest of Lyon, is drawing on its Industrial Revolution origins and its history of arms, bicycle, textile and ribbon production, to reinvent itself as design city. And the change is noticeable. After almost 30 years of decline, the city is now looking optimistically towards the future. Its center and suburbs are smartening up at a rapid pace. There are plenty of good surprises, including two great museums and a great eating scene.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to Belgium, The Best Tours for Seniors to Belgium, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Paris, and The Best 10-Day Tours from Paris.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayLeuven €178Saint-Etienne €108
The average daily cost (per person) in Leuven is €178, while the average daily cost in Saint-Etienne is €108. 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 Saint-Etienne in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personLeuven €93Saint-Etienne €46
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomLeuven €186Saint-Etienne €92
Compare Hotels in Leuven and Saint-Etienne
Looking for a hotel in Leuven or Saint-Etienne? 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.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Leuven €61Saint-Etienne €44
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 Saint-Etienne?
Prices for flights to both Saint-Etienne 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
-
Food Meals for one dayLeuven €49Saint-Etienne €34
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
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Leuven €23Saint-Etienne €25
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
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayLeuven €25Saint-Etienne €10
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Leuven and Saint-Etienne, we can see that Leuven is more expensive. And not only is Saint-Etienne much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Saint-Etienne would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Saint-Etienne 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 Saint-Etienne.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Leuven Expensive? and Is Saint-Etienne Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Leuven or Saint-Etienne?
Saint-Etienne has a larger population, and is about 90% larger than the population of Leuven. When comparing the sizes of Leuven and Saint-Etienne, 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 Saint-Etienne?
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 Saint-Etienne in the Summer?
Both Saint-Etienne and Leuven during the summer are popular places to visit. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Saint-Etienne because of the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.
Leuven is cooler than Saint-Etienne in the summer. The daily temperature in Leuven averages around 18°C (65°F) in July, and Saint-Etienne fluctuates around 22°C (71°F).
In Saint-Etienne, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the summer, Leuven often gets less sunshine than Saint-Etienne. Leuven gets 186 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Saint-Etienne receives 285 hours of full sun.
Leuven usually gets more rain in July than Saint-Etienne. Leuven gets 75 mm (3 in) of rain, while Saint-Etienne receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Summer Average Temperatures JulyLeuven 18°C (65°F)Saint-Etienne 22°C (71°F)
Should I visit Leuven or Saint-Etienne in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Leuven and Saint-Etienne. Also, the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Saint-Etienne this time of year.
In the autumn, Leuven is cooler than Saint-Etienne. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Leuven in October average around 12°C (54°F), and Saint-Etienne averages at about 14°C (56°F).
Leuven usually receives less sunshine than Saint-Etienne during autumn. Leuven gets 114 hours of sunny skies, while Saint-Etienne receives 127 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Leuven usually receives less rain than Saint-Etienne. Leuven gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Saint-Etienne receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
-
Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberLeuven 12°C (54°F)Saint-Etienne 14°C (56°F)
Should I visit Leuven or Saint-Etienne in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Leuven as well as Saint-Etienne. Also, many travelers come to Saint-Etienne for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Saint-Etienne. It's quite cold in Leuven in the winter. In January, Leuven is generally cooler than Saint-Etienne. Daily temperatures in Leuven average around 3°C (38°F), and Saint-Etienne fluctuates around 4°C (39°F).
In the winter, Leuven often gets less sunshine than Saint-Etienne. Leuven gets 49 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Saint-Etienne receives 62 hours of full sun.
Leuven usually gets more rain in January than Saint-Etienne. Leuven gets 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Saint-Etienne receives 55 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryLeuven 3°C (38°F)Saint-Etienne 4°C (39°F)
Should I visit Leuven or Saint-Etienne in the Spring?
Both Saint-Etienne and Leuven are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Also, many visitors come to Saint-Etienne in the spring for the natural beauty.
Leuven is cooler than Saint-Etienne in the spring. The daily temperature in Leuven averages around 10°C (49°F) in April, and Saint-Etienne fluctuates around 11°C (53°F).
Leuven usually receives less sunshine than Saint-Etienne during spring. Leuven gets 147 hours of sunny skies, while Saint-Etienne receives 174 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Leuven usually receives less rain than Saint-Etienne. Leuven gets 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Saint-Etienne receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the spring.
-
Spring Average Temperatures AprilLeuven 10°C (49°F)Saint-Etienne 11°C (53°F)
Typical Weather for Saint-Etienne and Leuven
| Leuven | Saint-Etienne | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 3°C (38°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) | 4°C (39°F) | 55 mm (2.1 in) |
| Feb | 4°C (39°F) | 53 mm (2.1 in) | 6°C (42°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) |
| Mar | 6°C (43°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) | 8°C (47°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) |
| Apr | 10°C (49°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) | 11°C (53°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) |
| May | 14°C (57°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) | 15°C (60°F) | 85 mm (3.4 in) |
| Jun | 17°C (62°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 75 mm (3 in) |
| Jul | 18°C (65°F) | 75 mm (3 in) | 22°C (71°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Aug | 18°C (65°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 75 mm (3 in) |
| Sep | 16°C (60°F) | 59 mm (2.3 in) | 18°C (65°F) | 75 mm (3 in) |
| Oct | 12°C (54°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 14°C (56°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) |
| Nov | 7°C (45°F) | 76 mm (3 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Dec | 4°C (40°F) | 76 mm (3 in) | 4°C (40°F) | 57 mm (2.3 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.