Which place is cheaper, Leuven or Manchester?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Manchester 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 Manchester and Leuven can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Manchester or Leuven?
Manchester
Located in the heart of Northern England, Manchester is the unofficial Capital of the North. Though it dates back as a Roman city, the city boomed in growth during the Industrial Revolution in textiles, and is today one of the most-visited cities in England by overseas travelers.
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 2-Week Tours from Edinburgh, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to 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 dayManchester £184Leuven £152
The average daily cost (per person) in Manchester is £184, 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 Manchester and Leuven in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personManchester £71Leuven £79
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomManchester £142Leuven £158
Compare Hotels in Manchester and Leuven
Looking for a hotel in Manchester 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: Manchester Hotel Prices and Leuven Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Manchester £19Leuven £52
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Manchester
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Manchester are as follows:
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Rail to Airport£11
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Parking in Manchester£3.00
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Manchester
Also for Manchester, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Arrival Private Transfer: Manchester Airport MAN to Liverpool in Business Car: $121
- Manchester Airport (MAN) to Manchester - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $116
- Manchester Airport (MAN): Private Transfer to Liverpool City: $249
- Manchester Airport (MAN): Private Transfer to Manchester: $155
- Manchester Airport(MAN) to Liverpool- Round-Trip Private Transfer: $157
- Manchester Airport: BUS Transfer to/from London: $8.12
- Manchester Private Transfer from Manchester Airport to City centre: $75
- 1-Wsy Airport Bus Transfer to/from Leeds: $6.86
- One-way Private Transfer From/To Manchester Airport: $99
- Private Round-Trip Transfer From Manchester Airport to Old Trafford Stadium: $279
- Private Transfer Manchester Airport to Lake District Ski Club: $87
- Private Transfer from Astley to Manchester Airport (MAN): $65
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 Manchester or Leuven?
Prices for flights to both Leuven and Manchester 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 dayManchester £55Leuven £42
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Manchester
For Manchester, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Hard Rock Cafe with Set Menu for Lunch or Dinner: $30
- Hard Rock Cafe Manchester with Set Menu for Lunch or Dinner: $33
- Pistachio LOVERS Italian Dinner Experience: $35
- Private Italian Dinner with a Romantic Night Experience: $63
- 2 Hours Sicilian Wine Tasting and Dinner at Manchester: $76
- Manchester Food Tour with a Local Guide: $87
- Half-Day Manchester Food Tour with Lunch: $89
- 3-Hour Guided Manchester Food Tour with Lunch : $95
- Private Food Tour with Local Guide: $199
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.Manchester £30Leuven £19
Tours and Activities in Manchester
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Manchester.
- Manchester Scavenger Hunt and Best Landmarks Self-Guided Tour: $4.36
- Manchester City Exploration Game and Tour: $5.35
- Manchester’s Rebirth and Renewal: A Self Guided Audio Tour: $5.99
- England's First Industrial City: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.99
- Self-Guided Audio Tour: $11
- Manchester Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $11
- Manchester Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self Guided Tour: $11
- Private Manchester Self-Guided Tour: $11
- Self-Guided City Sightseeing Treasure Hunt: $12
- Salford Quays Guided Walking Tour: $12
- Canal & River Cruise: $15
- City River Tour: $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
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayManchester £9.90Leuven £21
Sample the Local Flavors in Manchester
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Manchester:
- Bar Maid-led Pub Crawl for Special Events: $47
- Four hour walking wine tasting tour of Manchester's best bars: $101
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Manchester and Leuven, we can see that Manchester 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 Manchester would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Manchester 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 Manchester Expensive? and Is Leuven Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Manchester or Leuven?
Manchester has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Leuven. When comparing the sizes of Manchester 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 Manchester 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 Manchester or Leuven in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Manchester as well as Leuven. Most visitors come to Manchester for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.
In the summer, Manchester is cooler than Leuven. Typically, the summer temperatures in Manchester in July average around 16°C (62°F), and Leuven averages at about 18°C (65°F).
In the summer, Manchester often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Leuven. Manchester gets 176 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Leuven receives 186 hours of full sun.
Manchester usually gets less rain in July than Leuven. Manchester gets 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Leuven receives 75 mm (3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyManchester 16°C (62°F)Leuven 18°C (65°F)
Should I visit Manchester or Leuven in the Autumn?
Both Leuven and Manchester are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The autumn months attract visitors to Manchester because of the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene.
In October, Manchester is generally around the same temperature as Leuven. Daily temperatures in Manchester average around 11°C (52°F), and Leuven fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).
Manchester usually receives less sunshine than Leuven during autumn. Manchester gets 97 hours of sunny skies, while Leuven receives 114 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Manchester usually receives more rain than Leuven. Manchester gets 78 mm (3.1 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 OctoberManchester 11°C (52°F)Leuven 12°C (54°F)
Should I visit Manchester or Leuven in the Winter?
Both Leuven and Manchester during the winter are popular places to visit. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Manchester this time of year.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Leuven. It's quite cold in Manchester in the winter. Manchester is a little warmer than Leuven in the winter. The daily temperature in Manchester averages around 4°C (39°F) in January, and Leuven fluctuates around 3°C (38°F).
In the winter, Manchester often gets more sunshine than Leuven. Manchester gets 53 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Leuven receives 49 hours of full sun.
Manchester usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Leuven. Manchester gets 69 mm (2.7 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 JanuaryManchester 4°C (39°F)Leuven 3°C (38°F)
Should I visit Manchester or Leuven in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Manchester and Leuven. Many travelers come to Manchester for the activities around the city.
In the spring, Manchester is cooler than Leuven. Typically, the spring temperatures in Manchester in April average around 8°C (46°F), and Leuven averages at about 10°C (49°F).
Manchester usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Leuven during spring. Manchester gets 144 hours of sunny skies, while Leuven receives 147 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Manchester usually receives less rain than Leuven. Manchester gets 51 mm (2 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 AprilManchester 8°C (46°F)Leuven 10°C (49°F)
Typical Weather for Leuven and Manchester
| Manchester | Leuven | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 4°C (39°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) | 3°C (38°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) |
| Feb | 4°C (39°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 4°C (39°F) | 53 mm (2.1 in) |
| Mar | 6°C (43°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 6°C (43°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) |
| Apr | 8°C (46°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 10°C (49°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) |
| May | 11°C (53°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) |
| Jun | 15°C (58°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) | 17°C (62°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) |
| Jul | 16°C (62°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) | 18°C (65°F) | 75 mm (3 in) |
| Aug | 16°C (61°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) | 18°C (65°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) |
| Sep | 14°C (57°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 59 mm (2.3 in) |
| Oct | 11°C (52°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Nov | 7°C (44°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 76 mm (3 in) |
| Dec | 5°C (40°F) | 78 mm (3.1 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.