Which place is cheaper, Leuven or Oxford?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Oxford or Leuven?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Oxford or Leuven, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
Where Should I go: Oxford or Leuven?
Oxford
Oxford is a city in England best known as the home of the 12-century Oxford University, the oldest English-speaking university in the world. The city also features landmarks such as Christ Church, the Bodleian Library, and a number of world-class museums.
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 dayOxford £131Leuven £153
The average daily cost (per person) in Oxford is £131, while the average daily cost in Leuven is £153. 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 Oxford and Leuven in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personOxford £72Leuven £80
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomOxford £144Leuven £160
Compare Hotels in Oxford and Leuven
Looking for a hotel in Oxford 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: Oxford Hotel Prices and Leuven Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Oxford £27Leuven £53
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Oxford
Also for Oxford, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Arrival or Departure Private Transfer: Stansted Airport to Central London: $224
- Fareham to Southampton Airport (SOU) - Departure Private Transfer: $39
- Gatwick Airport to Southampton Port or Hotel Private Airport Arrival Transfer: $230
- National Express | Between Gatwick Airport and Heathrow Airports Bus Transfers: $34
- Oxford City to London Heathrow Airport Private Transfer Service: $196
- Oxford Private Departure Transfer - Oxford Hotel/Accommodation to Oxford Airport: $68
- Private One Way or Round Trip Transfer: Kensington SW London to Gatwick Airport: $147
- Private Transfer from Gatwick city hotels to Dover Cruise Port: $55
- Southampton - London Transfer: via Bath and Windsor: $234
- Transfer in private Vehicle from London Gatwick Airport (LGW) - Central London: $96
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Leuven
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Leuven:
- Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer service in Brussels APT-HTL(BRU): $81
- Transfer from Brussels city (any hotel or address) to BRU Airport : $109
- Transfer from Brussels city (any hotel or address) to BRU Airport: $131
- Transfer from Brussels Airport->Brussels MB E-CLASS 3 PAX: $109
- Transfer from Brussels Airport to Brussels MB V Class 7 PAX: $130
- Transfer from Brussels Airport -> Antwerp MB S-CLASS 3 PAX: $235
- Transfer from BRU Airport to Brussels city (any hotel or address): $130
- Transfer from BRU Airport to Brussels city (any hotel or address): $109
- Transfer From Brussels Airport to Charleroi Airport: $175
- Transfer Brussels airport <-> Tomorrowland Boom (1 to 8 Places): $104
- Transfer Brussels Airport -> Brussels MB V-CLASS 7 PAX: $130
- Transfer Brussels Airport -> Antwerp MB V-CLASS 7 PAX: $201
Is it cheaper to fly into Oxford or Leuven?
Prices for flights to both Leuven and Oxford 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 dayOxford £41Leuven £42
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.Oxford £19Leuven £20
Tours and Activities in Oxford
For Oxford, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Discovery Walk & Reading Walking Tour: $3.21
- Carfax Tower Entry Ticket: $3.81
- City Exploration Game and Tour: $5.35
- Self-Guided Highlights Scavenger Hunt & Tour: $5.35
- Oxford Scavenger Hunt and Best Landmarks Self-Guided Tour: $6.56
- Oxford's Literary Legends and Landmarks" A Self-Guided Tour: $7.99
- Discover Oxford's Timeless Tales: In-App Audio Tour: $11
- Discover Oxford's Timeless Tales: In-App Audio Tour: $11
- Explore Oxford's Legacy: In-App Audio Tour for Students: $11
- Oxford Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $11
- Self-Guided City Sightseeing Treasure Hunt: $12
- Stepping Through Oxford Walking Tour: $13
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 dayOxford £21Leuven £22
Sample the Local Flavors in Oxford
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Oxford:
- Bar Maid-led Pub Crawl for Special Events: $44
- Cambridge: Bar Maid-led Pub Crawl for Special Events: $44
- Edinburgh: Bar Maid-led Pub Crawl for Special Events: $44
- Bristol: Bar Maid-led Pub Crawl for Special Events: $47
- Eccentric Oxford 3-Hour Pub Tour: $150
- Wine Tasting in the Garden of England: $221
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Oxford and Leuven, we can see that Leuven is more expensive. And not only is Oxford much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Oxford would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Oxford 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 Oxford.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Oxford Expensive? and Is Leuven Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Oxford or Leuven?
Oxford has a larger population, and is about 66% larger than the population of Leuven. When comparing the sizes of Oxford 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 Oxford 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 Oxford or Leuven in the Summer?
Both Leuven and Oxford during the summer are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Oxford in the summer for the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Oxford is around the same temperature as Leuven. Typically, the summer temperatures in Oxford in July average around 17°C (63°F), and Leuven averages at about 18°C (65°F).
In the summer, Oxford often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Leuven. Oxford gets 195 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Leuven receives 186 hours of full sun.
Oxford usually gets less rain in July than Leuven. Oxford 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 JulyOxford 17°C (63°F)Leuven 18°C (65°F)
Should I visit Oxford or Leuven in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Oxford and Leuven. Most visitors come to Oxford for the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.
In October, Oxford is generally around the same temperature as Leuven. Daily temperatures in Oxford average around 11°C (52°F), and Leuven fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).
Oxford usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Leuven during autumn. Oxford gets 107 hours of sunny skies, while Leuven receives 114 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Oxford usually receives less rain than Leuven. Oxford 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 OctoberOxford 11°C (52°F)Leuven 12°C (54°F)
Should I visit Oxford or Leuven in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Oxford as well as Leuven. The winter months attract visitors to Oxford because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
It's quite cold in Leuven in the winter. The weather in Oxford can be very cold. Oxford is around the same temperature as Leuven in the winter. The daily temperature in Oxford averages around 3°C (38°F) in January, and Leuven fluctuates around 3°C (38°F).
In the winter, Oxford often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Leuven. Oxford gets 52 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Leuven receives 49 hours of full sun.
Oxford usually gets less rain in January than Leuven. Oxford 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 JanuaryOxford 3°C (38°F)Leuven 3°C (38°F)
Should I visit Oxford or Leuven in the Spring?
Both Leuven and Oxford are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The small town charm and the natural beauty are the main draw to Oxford this time of year.
In the spring, Oxford is around the same temperature as Leuven. Typically, the spring temperatures in Oxford in April average around 9°C (48°F), and Leuven averages at about 10°C (49°F).
Oxford usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Leuven during spring. Oxford gets 147 hours of sunny skies, while Leuven receives 147 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Oxford usually receives less rain than Leuven. Oxford 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 AprilOxford 9°C (48°F)Leuven 10°C (49°F)
Typical Weather for Leuven and Oxford
| Oxford | Leuven | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 3°C (38°F) | 52 mm (2 in) | 3°C (38°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) |
| Feb | 4°C (40°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) | 4°C (39°F) | 53 mm (2.1 in) |
| Mar | 6°C (42°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 | 12°C (53°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) |
| Jun | 15°C (59°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 17°C (62°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) |
| Jul | 17°C (63°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) | 18°C (65°F) | 75 mm (3 in) |
| Aug | 17°C (62°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 18°C (65°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) |
| Sep | 14°C (58°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 59 mm (2.3 in) |
| Oct | 11°C (52°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 (40°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.