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

Should you visit The Hague 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 The Hague and Leuven can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: The Hague or Leuven?

The Hague

The Hague is a metropolitan city in the province of South Holland, where the Dutch government is located. King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima currently reside there with their three children. The Hague is home to the U.N.'s International Court of Justice, as well as the International Criminal Court. It is the third largest city in the country, with a population of just over 500,000.

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 Luxury Tours to Netherlands, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Netherlands, The Best Luxury Tours to Belgium, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Belgium.


Which place is cheaper, Leuven or The Hague?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in The Hague is €178, while the average daily cost in Leuven is €178. 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 The Hague and Leuven in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    The Hague 104
    Leuven 93
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    The Hague 208
    Leuven 186
Compare Hotels in The Hague and Leuven

Looking for a hotel in The Hague 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 The Hague


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: The Hague Hotel Prices and Leuven Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    The Hague 19
    Leuven 61

Hired Cars and Shuttles in The Hague

Also for The Hague, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Amsterdam: Private Transfer to/from The Hague: $278
  • Amsterdam: Train Transfer Amsterdam from/to Den Haag: $17
  • Amsterdam: Train Transfer Schiphol Airport from/to Den Haag: $20
  • Den Haag: Train Transfer Den Haag from/to Rotterdam: $8.23
  • Eindhoven: Train Transfer Eindhoven from/to Den Haag: $28
  • From One-Way Private Transfer to Schiphol Airport: $257
  • Private Transfer from The Hague City to Schiphol Airport : $137
  • Private Transfer from The Hague to Amsterdam: $137
  • Taxi Transfer from The Hague to Amsterdam Schiphol Airport: $126
  • Utrecht: Train Transfer Utrecht from/to Den Haag: $16

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 The Hague or Leuven?

Prices for flights to both Leuven and The Hague 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
    The Hague 55
    Leuven 49

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in The Hague

For The Hague, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • WALKING DINNER DELFT | 3 courses incl. 3 drinks and a lot of fun: $87

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.
    The Hague 34
    Leuven 23

Tours and Activities in The Hague

For The Hague, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • 2 Hours Walking Tour in The Hague: $3.27
  • 2 Hours Walking Tour in Delft: $3.27
  • The Hague Scavenger Hunt and Best Landmarks Self-Guided Tour: $6.56
  • City Exploration Game and Tour: $6.95
  • The Historical Heart of A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $6.99
  • Highlights Self-Guided Scavenger Hunt and Tour: $8.02
  • Gilde Den Haag: City Walking Tour NL-DEU-ENG: $8.56
  • The Hague Self-Guided Audio Tour : $9.00
  • Walking Tour with Audio Guide on App: $9.36
  • Delft: Walking Tour with Audio Guide on App: $11
  • The Hague Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $11
  • Escher in The Palace Museum Ticket: $12

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
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    The Hague 30
    Leuven 25

Sample the Local Flavors in The Hague

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in The Hague:

  • The Hague Pub Trail: Pub crawl with interactive online game: $12


When comparing the travel costs between The Hague and Leuven, we can see that The Hague 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 The Hague Expensive? and Is Leuven Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, The Hague or Leuven?

The Hague has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Leuven. When comparing the sizes of The Hague 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 The Hague 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 The Hague or Leuven in the Summer?

Both Leuven and The Hague during the summer are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to The Hague for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In the summer, The Hague is around the same temperature as Leuven. Typically, the summer temperatures in The Hague in July average around 17°C (62°F), and Leuven averages at about 18°C (65°F).

It's quite sunny in The Hague. In the summer, The Hague often gets more sunshine than Leuven. The Hague gets 202 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Leuven receives 186 hours of full sun.

The Hague usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Leuven. The Hague gets 75 mm (3 in) of rain, while Leuven receives 75 mm (3 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    The Hague 17°C (62°F) 
    Leuven 18°C (65°F)

Should I visit The Hague or Leuven in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both The Hague and Leuven. The autumn months attract visitors to The Hague because of the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene.

In October, The Hague is generally cooler than Leuven. Daily temperatures in The Hague average around 11°C (51°F), and Leuven fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

The Hague usually receives less sunshine than Leuven during autumn. The Hague gets 105 hours of sunny skies, while Leuven receives 114 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, The Hague usually receives around the same amount of rain as Leuven. The Hague gets 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Leuven receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    The Hague 11°C (51°F) 
    Leuven 12°C (54°F)

Should I visit The Hague or Leuven in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to The Hague as well as Leuven. The shopping scene and the cuisine are the main draw to The Hague this time of year.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Leuven. It's quite cold in The Hague in the winter. The Hague is much colder than Leuven in the winter. The daily temperature in The Hague averages around 2°C (36°F) in January, and Leuven fluctuates around 3°C (38°F).

In the winter, The Hague often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Leuven. The Hague gets 47 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Leuven receives 49 hours of full sun.

The Hague usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Leuven. The Hague gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Leuven receives 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    The Hague 2°C (36°F) 
    Leuven 3°C (38°F)

Should I visit The Hague or Leuven in the Spring?

Both Leuven and The Hague are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to The Hague for the activities around the city.

In the spring, The Hague is cooler than Leuven. Typically, the spring temperatures in The Hague in April average around 8°C (46°F), and Leuven averages at about 10°C (49°F).

The Hague usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Leuven during spring. The Hague gets 158 hours of sunny skies, while Leuven receives 147 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, The Hague usually receives less rain than Leuven. The Hague gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Leuven receives 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    The Hague 8°C (46°F) 
    Leuven 10°C (49°F)

Typical Weather for Leuven and The Hague

The Hague Leuven
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 2°C (36°F) 66 mm (2.6 in) 3°C (38°F) 67 mm (2.6 in)
Feb 3°C (37°F) 49 mm (1.9 in) 4°C (39°F) 53 mm (2.1 in)
Mar 5°C (41°F) 63 mm (2.5 in) 6°C (43°F) 72 mm (2.8 in)
Apr 8°C (46°F) 52 mm (2 in) 10°C (49°F) 57 mm (2.2 in)
May 12°C (54°F) 61 mm (2.4 in) 14°C (57°F) 71 mm (2.8 in)
Jun 15°C (59°F) 68 mm (2.7 in) 17°C (62°F) 79 mm (3.1 in)
Jul 17°C (62°F) 75 mm (3 in) 18°C (65°F) 75 mm (3 in)
Aug 17°C (62°F) 71 mm (2.8 in) 18°C (65°F) 63 mm (2.5 in)
Sep 14°C (57°F) 67 mm (2.6 in) 16°C (60°F) 59 mm (2.3 in)
Oct 11°C (51°F) 72 mm (2.8 in) 12°C (54°F) 70 mm (2.8 in)
Nov 6°C (43°F) 81 mm (3.2 in) 7°C (45°F) 76 mm (3 in)
Dec 3°C (38°F) 80 mm (3.1 in) 4°C (40°F) 76 mm (3 in)