A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Saint Andrews vs. Leuven for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Saint Andrews or Leuven?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Saint Andrews 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: Saint Andrews or Leuven?

Saint Andrews

Saint Andrews is a small town on the east coast of Scotland, facing the North Sea. It is best known as the home of golf and host to the oldest university in Scotland, University of Saint Andrews.

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 Adventure Tours to United Kingdom, The Best Sightseeing Tours in United Kingdom, The Best Luxury Tours to Belgium, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Belgium.


Which place is cheaper, Leuven or Saint Andrews?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Saint Andrews is £215, 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 Saint Andrews and Leuven in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Saint Andrews £116
    Leuven £79
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Saint Andrews £232
    Leuven £158
Compare Hotels in Saint Andrews and Leuven

Looking for a hotel in Saint Andrews 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.

Hotels in Saint Andrews


Hotels in Leuven


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.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Saint Andrews £53
    Leuven £52

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Leuven

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Leuven:

  • Brussels Airport(BRU) to Brussels hotels-Arrival Private Transfer: $24
  • Brussels Airport(BRU) to Brussels city - Arrival Private Transfer: $33
  • Brussels Airport Shuttle Transfer <-> Brussels (1 to 8 PLACES): $34
  • Private transfer from Airport(BRU) to Brussels City Center: $44
  • Brussels Airport(BRU) to City hotels- Round-Trip Private Transfer: $48
  • Private transfer from Brussels Airport to Brussels city Business car: $54
  • Brussels Airport Transfer <-> Tomorrowland Boom (1 to 8 Places): $58
  • Private Airport Transfer: Brussels Airport (BRU) to Brussels: $65
  • Brussels Airport (BRU) to Brussels - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $65
  • One-way Private Transfer From/To Brussels Airport: $70
  • Private Transfer from Brussels Airport to the city of Brussels: $73
  • Private Arrival Transfer from Brussels Airport to Brussels City by Business Car: $74

Is it cheaper to fly into Saint Andrews or Leuven?

Prices for flights to both Leuven and Saint Andrews 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Saint Andrews £62
    Leuven £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
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Saint Andrews £45
    Leuven £19

Tours and Activities in Saint Andrews

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Saint Andrews are as follows:

  • Rebels, Romance & Raisins St. Andrew's Walking Audio Tour: $6.99
  • St Andrews Must-Sees Daily Walking Tour (11am & 2pm): $18
  • St Andrews Golf Oriented Heritage Tours - Town and Old Course: $19
  • St Andrews History Tours: $19
  • St Andrews Old Course History Tour, for the Golfer: $19
  • St Andrews Walking Tours: $19
  • St Andrews Ghost Tours: $20
  • The Original St Andrews Photo Shoot Tour: $82
  • Private St Andrews Dark Side Tour: $145
  • Private St. Andrews: Home of Golf Old Course Walking Tour: $146
  • Private St. Andrews Tour with Dedicated Local Guide: $146
  • Private St Andrews Town Tour for Future Students: $146

Tours and Activities in Leuven

Here are a few actual costs in Leuven for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Self-Guided Walking Tour with Offline Access: $5.99
  • Escape Tour - Self-Guided Citygame: $32
  • Small-Group Mechelen City Guided Walking Tour: $52
  • Mechelen Small-Group Running Tour: $52
  • Guided Small-Group Cycling Tour of Mechelen: $60
  • Small-Group Chocolate Tour in Mechelen: $63
  • Murder Crime Game Self-Guided Interactive City Tour: $74
  • Private 2 Hour Walking Tour of Mechelen : $229
  • Soothing Corners of Leuven - Romantic Tour: $288
  • Special Christmas Journey in Leuven - Walking Tour: $395

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Saint Andrews £26
    Leuven £21


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Saint Andrews and Leuven, we can see that Saint Andrews 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 Saint Andrews would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Saint Andrews 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 Saint Andrews Expensive? and Is Leuven Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Saint Andrews or Leuven?

Leuven has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Saint Andrews. When comparing the sizes of Saint Andrews 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 Saint Andrews or Leuven?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Saint Andrews or Leuven in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Saint Andrews and Leuven. Many visitors come to Saint Andrews in the summer for the beaches, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.

Saint Andrews is cooler than Leuven in the summer. The daily temperature in Saint Andrews averages around 14°C (58°F) in July, and Leuven fluctuates around 18°C (65°F).

Saint Andrews usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Leuven during summer. Saint Andrews gets 184 hours of sunny skies, while Leuven receives 186 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Saint Andrews usually receives less rain than Leuven. Saint Andrews gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Leuven receives 75 mm (3 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Saint Andrews 14°C (58°F) 
    Leuven 18°C (65°F)

Should I visit Saint Andrews or Leuven in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Saint Andrews as well as Leuven. Most visitors come to Saint Andrews for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

In the autumn, Saint Andrews is cooler than Leuven. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Saint Andrews in October average around 10°C (49°F), and Leuven averages at about 12°C (54°F).

In the autumn, Saint Andrews often gets less sunshine than Leuven. Saint Andrews gets 100 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Leuven receives 114 hours of full sun.

Saint Andrews usually gets less rain in October than Leuven. Saint Andrews gets 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Leuven receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Saint Andrews 10°C (49°F) 
    Leuven 12°C (54°F)

Should I visit Saint Andrews or Leuven in the Winter?

Both Leuven and Saint Andrews are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The winter months attract visitors to Saint Andrews because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

It's quite cold in Leuven in the winter. The weather in Saint Andrews can be very cold. In January, Saint Andrews is generally around the same temperature as Leuven. Daily temperatures in Saint Andrews average around 3°C (38°F), and Leuven fluctuates around 3°C (38°F).

Saint Andrews usually receives more sunshine than Leuven during winter. Saint Andrews gets 58 hours of sunny skies, while Leuven receives 49 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Saint Andrews usually receives around the same amount of rain as Leuven. Saint Andrews gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Leuven receives 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Saint Andrews 3°C (38°F) 
    Leuven 3°C (38°F)

Should I visit Saint Andrews or Leuven in the Spring?

Both Leuven and Saint Andrews during the spring are popular places to visit. The beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty are the main draw to Saint Andrews this time of year.

Saint Andrews is cooler than Leuven in the spring. The daily temperature in Saint Andrews averages around 7°C (45°F) in April, and Leuven fluctuates around 10°C (49°F).

In the spring, Saint Andrews often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Leuven. Saint Andrews gets 155 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Leuven receives 147 hours of full sun.

Saint Andrews usually gets less rain in April than Leuven. Saint Andrews gets 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Leuven receives 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Saint Andrews 7°C (45°F) 
    Leuven 10°C (49°F)

Typical Weather for Leuven and Saint Andrews

Saint Andrews Leuven
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 3°C (38°F) 66 mm (2.6 in) 3°C (38°F) 67 mm (2.6 in)
Feb 3°C (38°F) 44 mm (1.7 in) 4°C (39°F) 53 mm (2.1 in)
Mar 5°C (41°F) 47 mm (1.9 in) 6°C (43°F) 72 mm (2.8 in)
Apr 7°C (45°F) 41 mm (1.6 in) 10°C (49°F) 57 mm (2.2 in)
May 10°C (49°F) 54 mm (2.1 in) 14°C (57°F) 71 mm (2.8 in)
Jun 13°C (55°F) 50 mm (2 in) 17°C (62°F) 79 mm (3.1 in)
Jul 14°C (58°F) 52 mm (2 in) 18°C (65°F) 75 mm (3 in)
Aug 14°C (58°F) 62 mm (2.4 in) 18°C (65°F) 63 mm (2.5 in)
Sep 12°C (54°F) 61 mm (2.4 in) 16°C (60°F) 59 mm (2.3 in)
Oct 10°C (49°F) 62 mm (2.4 in) 12°C (54°F) 70 mm (2.8 in)
Nov 5°C (42°F) 57 mm (2.2 in) 7°C (45°F) 76 mm (3 in)
Dec 4°C (39°F) 59 mm (2.3 in) 4°C (40°F) 76 mm (3 in)