Which place is cheaper, Leuven or London?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit London or Leuven?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between London and Leuven can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: London or Leuven?
London
The capital of the United Kingdom is a thriving multicultural metropolis. Steeped in iconic landmarks, world-class museums and royal parks, London is energetic, majestic, ambitious and one of the world's greatest cities. London is a cultural and fashion capital, a great place to go out, an amazing place to eat and one of those cities that is constantly changing with new and exciting things sprouting up almost every day. History and tradition greet you at every turn in the UK's capital. London is also a city with an edgy underbelly, delighting in neon pink dive bars, cheeky graffiti and mind-blowing street food. When you need a break from the action, pop into a pub or relax in one of the city's many parks. Blow through the city on a double-decker bus, and take a pinch-me-I'm-in-London walk through the West End. As one of the most visited cities in the world, London is busy, vibrant and very tourist friendly. The only problem with London is that it's very expensive; it can eat away at your budget if you aren't careful. Luckily, there are also tons of free or cheap things to do in London that can fill your time.
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.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in United Kingdom, The Best 3-Day Tours in United Kingdom, The Best Luxury Tours to Belgium, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Belgium.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayLondon £190Leuven £152
The average daily cost (per person) in London is £190, while the average daily cost in Leuven is £152. 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 London and Leuven in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personLondon £123Leuven £79
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomLondon £246Leuven £158
Compare Hotels in London and Leuven
Looking for a hotel in London or Leuven? 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: London Hotel Prices and Leuven Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.London £26Leuven £52
Typical Local Transportation Prices in London
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in London:
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Taxi Ride£15
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Heathrow Express£18
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Luggage Storage£8.00
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London Map£1.29
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Oyster Card£36
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Train to Gatwick Airport (2)£22
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Oyster Card£27
Hired Cars and Shuttles in London
Also for London, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- "Private Group Transfer: Heathrow Airport to City of London": $172
- "Private Transfer: Heathrow Airport to Central London Hotel": $70
- "Private Transfer: Heathrow Airport to Dover Cruise Port": $146
- "Private Transfer: London Heathrow Airport to Bath".: $162
- "Private Transfer: London Heathrow Airport to Bournemouth".: $152
- "Private Transfer: London Heathrow Airport to Cambridge.": $106
- "Private Transfer: London Heathrow Airport to Crawley.": $94
- "Private Transfer: London Heathrow Airport to Dorking.": $82
- "Private Transfer: London Heathrow Airport to Dorking.": $81
- "Private Transfer: London Heathrow Airport to Guildford.": $77
- "Private Transfer: London Heathrow Airport to Harlow".: $99
- "Private Transfer: London Heathrow Airport to Slough": $55
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 London or Leuven?
Prices for flights to both Leuven and London 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 dayLondon £34Leuven £42
Typical Food Prices in London
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to London:
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Lunch at Starbucks£13
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Tea£6.00
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Afternoon Tea at Fortnum & Mason£39
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Morning Tea£6.35
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Pastry£5.00
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Sushi Dinner for One£18
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in London
For London, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Borough Market Food Tour - Self Guided: $6.47
- Dinner and Live DJ at A Fancy Restaurant: $16
- Hard Rock Cafe with Set Menu for Lunch or Dinner: $34
- Picadilly Circus: Hard Rock Cafe Set Menu Lunch or Dinner: $36
- Tea and Doughnuts: Borough Market Walking Food Tour: $44
- Pizza Making Cookery Class: $52
- Borough Bites, The London Food Tour: $66
- Borough Market Flavors of London Food Tour: $66
- No Diet Club - Best food Tour in East London: $67
- African & Caribbean Food Tour in Multi-Cultural Brixton: $74
- Plant Power - Vegan Food Tour: $87
- Ultimate London Food Tour: Borough Market & Southwark: $89
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
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.London £33Leuven £19
Typical Entertainment Prices in London
For London, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
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Two Tickets to a Concert£83
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London Symphony Orchestra£34
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London Pass£47
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Comedy Show£8.00
Tours and Activities in London
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for London.
- London's Hidden Gems Self Guided City Tour: $3.26
- London Scavenger Hunt and Best Landmarks Self-Guided Tour: $3.27
- Harry Potter Movie Locations Self Walking Tour: $3.74
- Private Audio Guided Walking Tour in London: $5.44
- Bloomsbury's Contribution to Health Care History: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.48
- Covent Garden: A Self-Guided Photography Tour : $5.54
- Brick Lane: A self-guided audio tour of East London's vibrant jewel: $5.54
- Secret An audio tour about the heritage of the city's Russian immigrants: $5.54
- London Lights: A Self-Guided Audio Tour of the Cultural Capital of the World: $5.54
- Photographing Dynamic Soho: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.55
- Southbank Photography Walk: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.55
- Bustling Bloomsbury: A Self-Guided Street Photography Tour: $5.55
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
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayLondon £15Leuven £21
Sample the Local Flavors in London
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in London:
- Historic Pub Walking Tour of London: $13
- 2-Hour Haunted Pub Walking Tour: $20
- Shoreditch Bar Crawl of Five Venues with Drink Deals: $22
- Central London Pub Crawl: $23
- 1 Big Night Out Weekday Pub Crawl: $23
- Camden Pub Crawl in London: $25
- Craft Brewery Tour with Tasting of 4 Beers: $25
- Shoreditch Pub Crawl in London: $25
- Pub Crawl of Central London: $29
- Burlesque Cabaret Show in Covent Garden: $31
- Camden Pub Crawl & Bar Tour London: $31
- Pub Crawl and Nightlife Tour: $31
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between London and Leuven, we can see that London 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 London would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in London 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 London Expensive? and Is Leuven Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, London or Leuven?
London has a larger population, and is about 80 times larger than the population of Leuven. When comparing the sizes of London and Leuven, 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 London or Leuven?
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 London or Leuven in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to London as well as Leuven. Most visitors come to London for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.
In July, London is generally around the same temperature as Leuven. Daily temperatures in London average around 18°C (64°F), and Leuven fluctuates around 18°C (65°F).
In the summer, London often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Leuven. London gets 195 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Leuven receives 186 hours of full sun.
London usually gets less rain in July than Leuven. London gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Leuven receives 75 mm (3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyLondon 18°C (64°F)Leuven 18°C (65°F)
Should I visit London or Leuven in the Autumn?
Both Leuven and London are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The autumn months attract visitors to London because of the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
London is around the same temperature as Leuven in the autumn. The daily temperature in London averages around 12°C (53°F) in October, and Leuven fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).
London usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Leuven during autumn. London gets 107 hours of sunny skies, while Leuven receives 114 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, London usually receives less rain than Leuven. London gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Leuven receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberLondon 12°C (53°F)Leuven 12°C (54°F)
Should I visit London or Leuven in the Winter?
Both Leuven and London during the winter are popular places to visit. The museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine are the main draw to London this time of year.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Leuven. It's quite cold in London in the winter. In the winter, London is a little warmer than Leuven. Typically, the winter temperatures in London in January average around 4°C (40°F), and Leuven averages at about 3°C (38°F).
In the winter, London often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Leuven. London gets 52 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Leuven receives 49 hours of full sun.
London usually gets less rain in January than Leuven. London gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Leuven receives 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryLondon 4°C (40°F)Leuven 3°C (38°F)
Should I visit London or Leuven in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both London and Leuven. Many travelers come to London for the activities around the city and the natural beauty.
In April, London is generally around the same temperature as Leuven. Daily temperatures in London average around 9°C (48°F), and Leuven fluctuates around 10°C (49°F).
London usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Leuven during spring. London gets 147 hours of sunny skies, while Leuven receives 147 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, London usually receives less rain than Leuven. London gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Leuven receives 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilLondon 9°C (48°F)Leuven 10°C (49°F)
Typical Weather for Leuven and London
| London | Leuven | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 4°C (40°F) | 52 mm (2 in) | 3°C (38°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) |
| Feb | 5°C (40°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) | 4°C (39°F) | 53 mm (2.1 in) |
| Mar | 7°C (44°F) | 47 mm (1.9 in) | 6°C (43°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) |
| Apr | 9°C (48°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) | 10°C (49°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) |
| May | 13°C (55°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) |
| Jun | 16°C (61°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 17°C (62°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) |
| Jul | 18°C (64°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) | 18°C (65°F) | 75 mm (3 in) |
| Aug | 18°C (64°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 18°C (65°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) |
| Sep | 15°C (59°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 59 mm (2.3 in) |
| Oct | 12°C (53°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Nov | 7°C (45°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 76 mm (3 in) |
| Dec | 5°C (42°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) | 4°C (40°F) | 76 mm (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.