Which place is cheaper, Toulouse or Leuven?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Leuven or Toulouse?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Leuven or Toulouse? 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 Toulouse?
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.
Toulouse
Toulouse is the capital city of the southwest French Department of Haute-Garonne, as well as the Occitanie region. It rests on the banks of the River Garonne. Toulouse is the fourth largest city and metropolitan area in France with nearly 500,000 inhabitants. Toulouse is the headquarters of the European aerospace industry, with the headquarters of Airbus, the Galileo positioning system, the SPOT satellite system, the Aerospace Group, ATR, and the Aerospace Valley. Toulouse is a city with unique architecture made of pink terracotta bricks, which earned it the nickname la Ville Rose ("the Pink City"). Its enchanting Vieux Quartier (Old Quarter) is a dreamy jumble of coral-colored shop fronts and churches. Toulouse knows how to have a good time, whether in food markets or the thick of its smoldering jazz, techno and rock scenes. From the tips of dusky pink spires to its loudest bars, time spent in Toulouse truly has a rose colored glow.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to Belgium, The Best Tours for Seniors to Belgium, The Best Historical Tours in France, and The Best 10-Day Tours in France.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayLeuven €178Toulouse €125
The average daily cost (per person) in Leuven is €178, while the average daily cost in Toulouse is €125. 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 Toulouse in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personLeuven €93Toulouse €67
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomLeuven €186Toulouse €134
Compare Hotels in Leuven and Toulouse
Looking for a hotel in Leuven or Toulouse? 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 Toulouse Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Leuven €61Toulouse €41
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) : $279
- Transfer Brussels Airport <-> Namur MB V Class 1-7 PAX (ONE WAY): $240
- Private transfer from Brussels Airport <-> Gent MB S-CLASS 3 PAX: $220
- Transfer Brussels Airport -> Antwerp MB V-CLASS 7 PAX: $202
- Round Trip Private Transfer Brussels Airport BRU to Mechelen by Business Car: $177
- Transfer From Brussels Airport to Charleroi Airport: $175
- Private transfer from BRU Airport - Brussels GO BACK MB E-CLASS 3 PAX: $161
- Arrival Private Transfer from Brussels Airport BRU to Ghent City by Business Car: $147
- Airport Transfer Brussels To Ghent: $145
- Private transfer from BRU Airport to Brussels city with Mercedes V class 7 pax: $144
- First Class transfer BRUSSELS TO ANTWERP: $140
- Transfer Brussels Airport -> Brussels MB V-CLASS 7 PAX: $131
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Toulouse
Also for Toulouse, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Arrival Transfer Toulouse Airport TLS to Toulouse by Car or Van: $41
- Departure Private Transfer: Toulouse to Toulouse Airport TLS in Luxury Van: $92
- Private transfer from or to Toulouse Airport: $87
- Private transfer your alternative to taxi for your travels: $93
- Toulouse Private Transfer from Toulouse Airport to City centre: $67
- Toulouse Private Transfer from Toulouse city centre to Toulouse Airport: $66
- Transfer Toulouse to Carcassonne center: $240
- Transfer from BLAGNAC Airport to all other destinations in Toulouse: $53
Is it cheaper to fly into Leuven or Toulouse?
Prices for flights to both Toulouse 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 €49Toulouse €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
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Toulouse
For Toulouse, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- No Diet Club - Best food tour in Toulouse !: $52
- Bakeries, Chocolate & Patisseries Food Tour: $76
- Traditional Toulouse Food Tour - Do Eat Better Experience: $104
- Victor Hugo Market Guided Food Tour with Tastings: $105
- Marché Victor Hugo Small Group Food Tour: $107
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Leuven €23Toulouse €15
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 Toulouse
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Toulouse.
- Toulouse : Self-guided Reading Tour: $2.13
- First Discovery Walk and Reading Walking Tour: $3.21
- Toulouse : Walking tour with audio guide: $5.29
- City Exploration Game and Tour on your Phone: $6.36
- Toulouse Scavenger Hunt and Best Landmarks Self Guided Tour: $6.56
- Highlights Self-Guided Scavenger Hunt & Tour: $6.95
- City Exploration Game and Tour: $6.95
- Toulouse's Timeless Splendor: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $11
- Self-Guided Audio Tour: $11
- Toulous: Glory of Occitania Audio Tour: $15
- Aeroscopia Admission Ticket: $16
- Sightseeing Tour by Open-Top Minibus: $17
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayLeuven €25Toulouse €7.50
Sample the Local Flavors in Toulouse
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Toulouse:
- Pub Crawl Toulouse: $20
- From Toulouse Cite de carcassonne et wine tasting: $530
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Leuven and Toulouse, we can see that Leuven is more expensive. And not only is Toulouse much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Toulouse would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Toulouse 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 Toulouse.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Leuven Expensive? and Is Toulouse Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Leuven or Toulouse?
Toulouse has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Leuven. When comparing the sizes of Leuven and Toulouse, 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 Toulouse?
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 Toulouse in the Summer?
Both Toulouse and Leuven during the summer are popular places to visit. Also, most visitors come to Toulouse for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months.
In the summer, Leuven is cooler than Toulouse. Typically, the summer temperatures in Leuven in July average around 18°C (65°F), and Toulouse averages at about 22°C (72°F).
In Toulouse, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the summer, Leuven often gets less sunshine than Toulouse. Leuven gets 186 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Toulouse receives 275 hours of full sun.
Leuven usually gets more rain in July than Toulouse. Leuven gets 75 mm (3 in) of rain, while Toulouse receives 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyLeuven 18°C (65°F)Toulouse 22°C (72°F)
Should I visit Leuven or Toulouse in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Leuven and Toulouse. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Toulouse because of the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
In October, Leuven is generally cooler than Toulouse. Daily temperatures in Leuven average around 12°C (54°F), and Toulouse fluctuates around 15°C (60°F).
Leuven usually receives less sunshine than Toulouse during autumn. Leuven gets 114 hours of sunny skies, while Toulouse receives 161 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Leuven usually receives more rain than Toulouse. Leuven gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Toulouse receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberLeuven 12°C (54°F)Toulouse 15°C (60°F)
Should I visit Leuven or Toulouse in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Leuven as well as Toulouse. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Toulouse this time of year.
The weather in Leuven can be very cold. Leuven is much colder than Toulouse in the winter. The daily temperature in Leuven averages around 3°C (38°F) in January, and Toulouse fluctuates around 6°C (44°F).
In the winter, Leuven often gets less sunshine than Toulouse. Leuven gets 49 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Toulouse receives 88 hours of full sun.
Leuven usually gets more rain in January than Toulouse. Leuven gets 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Toulouse receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryLeuven 3°C (38°F)Toulouse 6°C (44°F)
Should I visit Leuven or Toulouse in the Spring?
Both Toulouse and Leuven are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Also, many travelers come to Toulouse for the activities around the city and the natural beauty.
In the spring, Leuven is cooler than Toulouse. Typically, the spring temperatures in Leuven in April average around 10°C (49°F), and Toulouse averages at about 12°C (54°F).
Leuven usually receives less sunshine than Toulouse during spring. Leuven gets 147 hours of sunny skies, while Toulouse receives 178 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Leuven usually receives less rain than Toulouse. Leuven gets 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Toulouse receives 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilLeuven 10°C (49°F)Toulouse 12°C (54°F)
Typical Weather for Toulouse and Leuven
| Leuven | Toulouse | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 3°C (38°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) | 6°C (44°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) |
| Feb | 4°C (39°F) | 53 mm (2.1 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) |
| Mar | 6°C (43°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) | 10°C (49°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) |
| Apr | 10°C (49°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) |
| May | 14°C (57°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 73 mm (2.9 in) |
| Jun | 17°C (62°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) | 19°C (67°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) |
| Jul | 18°C (65°F) | 75 mm (3 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) |
| Aug | 18°C (65°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) | 22°C (71°F) | 47 mm (1.9 in) |
| Sep | 16°C (60°F) | 59 mm (2.3 in) | 20°C (67°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) |
| Oct | 12°C (54°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 15°C (60°F) | 52 mm (2 in) |
| Nov | 7°C (45°F) | 76 mm (3 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) |
| Dec | 4°C (40°F) | 76 mm (3 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 56 mm (2.2 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.