Which place is cheaper, Strasbourg or Leuven?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Leuven or Strasbourg?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Leuven or Strasbourg? 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 Strasbourg?
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.
Strasbourg
Strasbourg is the capital and largest city of the Grand Est region of France and is the official seat of the European Parliament. Located close to the border with Germany in the historic region of Alsace, Strasbourg is the perfect introduction to all that is unique about Alsace - walking a fine tightrope between France and Germany and between a medieval past and a progressive future. Strasbourg has a range of attractions from a fascinating Gothic Cathedral to the old town's twisting alleys lined with crooked half-timbered houses and cozy winstubs (Alsatian taverns) by the canals. Strasbourg is famous for its Christmas market and gingerbread and is also home to the glittering EU Quarter and hosts France's second-largest student population. Strasbourg is immersed in the Franco-German culture and although violently disputed throughout history, has been a bridge of unity between France and Germany for centuries. The city center is classified as a UNESCO World Heritage site, the first entire city to earn such an honor.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to Belgium, The Best Tours for Seniors to Belgium, The Best 10-Day Tours from Paris, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Paris.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayLeuven €178Strasbourg €138
The average daily cost (per person) in Leuven is €178, while the average daily cost in Strasbourg is €138. 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 Strasbourg in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personLeuven €93Strasbourg €67
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomLeuven €186Strasbourg €134
Compare Hotels in Leuven and Strasbourg
Looking for a hotel in Leuven or Strasbourg? 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 Strasbourg Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Leuven €61Strasbourg €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
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Strasbourg
Also for Strasbourg, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Door-to-Door private transfer and driver from Strasbourg to Basel: $233
- Private Transfer Strasbourg to Europa Park: $251
- Private Transfer from Strasbourg Train Station to Hotel: $64
- Private transfer Strasbourg Airport: $59
- Private Arrival or Departure Transfer: $58
Is it cheaper to fly into Leuven or Strasbourg?
Prices for flights to both Strasbourg 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 €49Strasbourg €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
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Strasbourg
For Strasbourg, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Strasbourg Private Food Tour: experience the city like a local!: $93
- Strasbourg Food Tour : Gourmet private Tour with tastings: $102
- Strasbourg Traditional Food Tour - Do Eat Better Experience: $108
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Leuven €23Strasbourg €24
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
Tours and Activities in Strasbourg
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Strasbourg.
- Self-Guided Photo Tour with Photobook: $0.86
- Strasbourg : Discovery Stroll and Reading Walking Tour: $2.13
- First Discovery Walk and Reading Walking Tour: $3.21
- City Exploration Game and Tour on your Phone: $6.36
- Self-Guided Tour of Strasbourg’s Grand Île: $6.39
- Strasbourg Scavenger Hunt and Best Landmarks Self-Guided Tour: $6.56
- Escape Game and Tour: $6.95
- Strasbourg сity tour: audioguide in your smartphone: $7.49
- Self Guided City Audio Tour in Strasbourg: $7.65
- Highlights Self-Guided Scavenger Hunt City Tour: $8.02
- Scavenger Hunt and Walking Tour: $9.84
- Strasbourg Scavenger Hunt and City Highlights Walking Tour: $10
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayLeuven €25Strasbourg €19
Sample the Local Flavors in Strasbourg
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Strasbourg:
- Aperitif at the winemaker with cellar visit and wine tasting in Alsace: $11
- Wine tasting and immersive cellar tour: $20
- Wine tour, tasting and picnic basket: $38
- From Medieval Villages & Wine Tasting Day Trip: $118
- Medieval Villages and Wine Tasting from Strasbourg: $120
- Strasbourg : Wine Tour by bike with a local: $150
- Wine Tasting Private Tour: $545
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Leuven and Strasbourg, we can see that Leuven is more expensive. And not only is Strasbourg much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Strasbourg would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Strasbourg 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 Strasbourg.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Leuven Expensive? and Is Strasbourg Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Leuven or Strasbourg?
Strasbourg has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Leuven. When comparing the sizes of Leuven and Strasbourg, 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 Strasbourg?
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 Strasbourg in the Summer?
Both Strasbourg and Leuven during the summer are popular places to visit. Furthermore, many travelers come to Strasbourg for the family-friendly experiences.
In July, Leuven is generally around the same temperature as Strasbourg. Daily temperatures in Leuven average around 18°C (65°F), and Strasbourg fluctuates around 20°C (68°F).
In Strasbourg, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the summer, Leuven often gets less sunshine than Strasbourg. Leuven gets 186 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Strasbourg receives 240 hours of full sun.
Leuven usually gets more rain in July than Strasbourg. Leuven gets 75 mm (3 in) of rain, while Strasbourg receives 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyLeuven 18°C (65°F)Strasbourg 20°C (68°F)
Should I visit Leuven or Strasbourg in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Leuven and Strasbourg. Furthermore, many visitors come to Strasbourg in the autumn for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.
Leuven is around the same temperature as Strasbourg in the autumn. The daily temperature in Leuven averages around 12°C (54°F) in October, and Strasbourg fluctuates around 12°C (53°F).
Leuven usually receives more sunshine than Strasbourg during autumn. Leuven gets 114 hours of sunny skies, while Strasbourg receives 101 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Leuven usually receives more rain than Strasbourg. Leuven gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Strasbourg receives 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberLeuven 12°C (54°F)Strasbourg 12°C (53°F)
Should I visit Leuven or Strasbourg in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Leuven as well as Strasbourg. Additionally, most visitors come to Strasbourg for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.
Strasbourg can be very cold during winter. Leuven can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, Leuven is much warmer than Strasbourg. Typically, the winter temperatures in Leuven in January average around 3°C (38°F), and Strasbourg averages at about 2°C (35°F).
In the winter, Leuven often gets more sunshine than Strasbourg. Leuven gets 49 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Strasbourg receives 42 hours of full sun.
Leuven usually gets more rain in January than Strasbourg. Leuven gets 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Strasbourg receives 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryLeuven 3°C (38°F)Strasbourg 2°C (35°F)
Should I visit Leuven or Strasbourg in the Spring?
Both Strasbourg and Leuven are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Strasbourg because of the natural beauty.
In April, Leuven is generally around the same temperature as Strasbourg. Daily temperatures in Leuven average around 10°C (49°F), and Strasbourg fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).
Leuven usually receives less sunshine than Strasbourg during spring. Leuven gets 147 hours of sunny skies, while Strasbourg receives 161 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Leuven usually receives more rain than Strasbourg. Leuven gets 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Strasbourg receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilLeuven 10°C (49°F)Strasbourg 11°C (51°F)
Typical Weather for Strasbourg and Leuven
| Leuven | Strasbourg | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 3°C (38°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) | 2°C (35°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) |
| Feb | 4°C (39°F) | 53 mm (2.1 in) | 3°C (38°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) |
| Mar | 6°C (43°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 37 mm (1.5 in) |
| Apr | 10°C (49°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) |
| May | 14°C (57°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 75 mm (3 in) |
| Jun | 17°C (62°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 75 mm (3 in) |
| Jul | 18°C (65°F) | 75 mm (3 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) |
| Aug | 18°C (65°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) | 20°C (67°F) | 68 mm (2.7 in) |
| Sep | 16°C (60°F) | 59 mm (2.3 in) | 17°C (62°F) | 56 mm (2.2 in) |
| Oct | 12°C (54°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) |
| Nov | 7°C (45°F) | 76 mm (3 in) | 6°C (43°F) | 47 mm (1.9 in) |
| Dec | 4°C (40°F) | 76 mm (3 in) | 3°C (37°F) | 40 mm (1.6 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.