Which place is cheaper, Leuven or Lucerne?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Lucerne and Leuven. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.
Lucerne is a relatively small city in the center of Switzerland. It is located across the lake from Altdorf and it has a thriving tourism industry. It's close proximity to many of the major sights in the country make it a great base for exploration. Many people use it as a jumping off point for exploring Mount Rigi and the Rutli Meadow.
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 Switzerland, The Best 2-Week Tours in Switzerland, The Best Luxury Tours to Belgium, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Belgium.
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Lucerne is $214, while the average daily cost in Leuven is $191. 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 Lucerne and Leuven in more detail.
Looking for a hotel in Lucerne 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.
Also for Lucerne, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Leuven:
Prices for flights to both Leuven and Lucerne 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.
For Lucerne, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Leuven.
For Lucerne, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Lucerne.
Here are a few actual costs in Leuven for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Lucerne:
When comparing the travel costs between Lucerne and Leuven, we can see that Lucerne is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Europe, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Lucerne Expensive? and Is Leuven Expensive?.
Leuven has a larger population, and is about 63% larger than the population of Lucerne. When comparing the sizes of Lucerne 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.
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.
The summer brings many poeple to Lucerne as well as Leuven. The city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Lucerne this time of year.
In July, Lucerne is generally a little warmer than Leuven. Daily temperatures in Lucerne average around 21°C (70°F), and Leuven fluctuates around 18°C (65°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Lucerne this time of the year. In the summer, Lucerne often gets more sunshine than Leuven. Lucerne gets 241 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Leuven receives 186 hours of full sun.
Lucerne usually gets more rain in July than Leuven. Lucerne gets 89 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Leuven receives 75 mm (3 in) of rain this time of the year.
Both Leuven and Lucerne are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Lucerne for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
Lucerne is around the same temperature as Leuven in the autumn. The daily temperature in Lucerne averages around 13°C (56°F) in October, and Leuven fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).
Lucerne usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Leuven during autumn. Lucerne gets 120 hours of sunny skies, while Leuven receives 114 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Lucerne usually receives around the same amount of rain as Leuven. Lucerne gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Leuven receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
Both Leuven and Lucerne during the winter are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Lucerne in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Leuven can be very cold during winter. Lucerne can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, Lucerne is around the same temperature as Leuven. Typically, the winter temperatures in Lucerne in January average around 3°C (37°F), and Leuven averages at about 3°C (38°F).
In the winter, Lucerne often gets more sunshine than Leuven. Lucerne gets 55 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Leuven receives 49 hours of full sun.
Lucerne usually gets more rain in January than Leuven. Lucerne gets 77 mm (3 in) of rain, while Leuven receives 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Lucerne and Leuven. Most visitors come to Lucerne for the activities around the city and the natural beauty during these months.
In April, Lucerne is generally a little warmer than Leuven. Daily temperatures in Lucerne average around 12°C (53°F), and Leuven fluctuates around 10°C (49°F).
Lucerne usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Leuven during spring. Lucerne gets 150 hours of sunny skies, while Leuven receives 147 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Lucerne usually receives more rain than Leuven. Lucerne gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Leuven receives 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the spring.
Lucerne | Leuven | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
Jan | 3°C (37°F) | 77 mm (3 in) | 3°C (38°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) |
Feb | 5°C (40°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 4°C (39°F) | 53 mm (2.1 in) |
Mar | 8°C (46°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) | 6°C (43°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) |
Apr | 12°C (53°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) | 10°C (49°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) |
May | 16°C (60°F) | 101 mm (4 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) |
Jun | 19°C (66°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 17°C (62°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) |
Jul | 21°C (70°F) | 89 mm (3.5 in) | 18°C (65°F) | 75 mm (3 in) |
Aug | 21°C (69°F) | 104 mm (4.1 in) | 18°C (65°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) |
Sep | 18°C (64°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 59 mm (2.3 in) |
Oct | 13°C (56°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
Nov | 7°C (45°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 76 mm (3 in) |
Dec | 4°C (39°F) | 83 mm (3.3 in) | 4°C (40°F) | 76 mm (3 in) |