Which place is cheaper, Leuven or Utrecht?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Utrecht or Leuven?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Utrecht or Leuven? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Where Should I go: Utrecht or Leuven?
Utrecht
Utrecht is both a province and a city in the Netherlands. The city is a unique university city with a lively atmosphere. Imagine Amsterdam but smaller, and with fewer tourists. Utrecht has the same underlying historical/magical feel as Amsterdam, but is full of locals rather than crowds of tourists. It has a population of about 300,000 making it the fourth largest city in the Netherlands.
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 Family-Friendly Tours to Netherlands, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Netherlands, The Best Luxury Tours to Belgium, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Belgium.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayUtrecht €189Leuven €178
The average daily cost (per person) in Utrecht is €189, 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 Utrecht and Leuven in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personUtrecht €106Leuven €93
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomUtrecht €212Leuven €186
Compare Hotels in Utrecht and Leuven
Looking for a hotel in Utrecht 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: Utrecht Hotel Prices and Leuven Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Utrecht €23Leuven €61
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Utrecht
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Utrecht:
- Private transfer from Utrecht to AMS Schiphol Airport: $120
- Private taxi transfer from Utrecht to Amsterdam: $101
- Train Transfer Utrecht from/to Rotterdam: $15
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 Utrecht or Leuven?
Prices for flights to both Leuven and Utrecht 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 dayUtrecht €58Leuven €49
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Utrecht
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Utrecht.
- City Boat Tour & Balkan Restaurant Lunch OR Dinner: $31
- Vegan Food Tour like a local. Eat, walk, enjoy.: $70
- Vegan Food Tour by bike in get of the beaten track! : $71
- Vegan Food Tour like a Local: eat, walk, enjoy Utrecht: $71
- Guided Food Tour: $79
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.Utrecht €44Leuven €23
Tours and Activities in Utrecht
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Utrecht are as follows:
- Hoge Woerd Museum Entry Ticket with Audio Tour: $4.28
- Utrecht Scavenger Hunt and Best Landmarks Self-Guided Tour: $5.45
- Highlights walking Tour in Utrecht with Audio and GPS Guide: $6.06
- Highlights Self-Guided Scavenger Hunt and Tour: $6.42
- De Haar Castle Gardens Entrance Ticket: $7.49
- Castles, Canals and Good Folk: A Self-Guided Audio Tour of Utrecht: $8.99
- Walking Tour with Audio Guide on App: $9.36
- Cultural and Historical Audio Guided Walking Tour of Utrecht: $11
- Lofen Palace Time Travel with Entry Ticket & Guide: $12
- Guided Highlights Walking Tour: $13
- Cultural and Historical Audio Guided Walking Tour of Utrecht: $13
- Dom Tower Entry Ticket and Guided Tour: $14
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
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayUtrecht €24Leuven €25
Sample the Local Flavors in Utrecht
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Utrecht:
- Utrecht Pub Trail: Pub crawl with interactive online game: $12
- Utrecht Private Self-Guided Pub Crawl Pub Quiz: $21
When comparing the travel costs between Utrecht and Leuven, we can see that Utrecht 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 Utrecht Expensive? and Is Leuven Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Utrecht or Leuven?
Utrecht has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Leuven. When comparing the sizes of Utrecht 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 Utrecht 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 Utrecht or Leuven in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Utrecht and Leuven. The summer months attract visitors to Utrecht because of the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Utrecht is around the same temperature as Leuven. Typically, the summer temperatures in Utrecht in July average around 17°C (62°F), and Leuven averages at about 18°C (65°F).
Utrecht usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Leuven during summer. Utrecht gets 194 hours of sunny skies, while Leuven receives 186 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Utrecht usually receives around the same amount of rain as Leuven. Utrecht gets 75 mm (3 in) of rain, while Leuven receives 75 mm (3 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyUtrecht 17°C (62°F)Leuven 18°C (65°F)
Should I visit Utrecht or Leuven in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Utrecht as well as Leuven. The shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Utrecht this time of year.
In October, Utrecht is generally cooler than Leuven. Daily temperatures in Utrecht average around 11°C (51°F), and Leuven fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).
In the autumn, Utrecht often gets less sunshine than Leuven. Utrecht gets 100 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Leuven receives 114 hours of full sun.
Utrecht usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Leuven. Utrecht gets 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Leuven receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberUtrecht 11°C (51°F)Leuven 12°C (54°F)
Should I visit Utrecht or Leuven in the Winter?
Both Leuven and Utrecht are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Utrecht for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Leuven can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Utrecht. Utrecht is much colder than Leuven in the winter. The daily temperature in Utrecht averages around 2°C (36°F) in January, and Leuven fluctuates around 3°C (38°F).
Utrecht usually receives less sunshine than Leuven during winter. Utrecht gets 38 hours of sunny skies, while Leuven receives 49 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Utrecht usually receives around the same amount of rain as Leuven. Utrecht gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Leuven receives 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryUtrecht 2°C (36°F)Leuven 3°C (38°F)
Should I visit Utrecht or Leuven in the Spring?
Both Leuven and Utrecht during the spring are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Utrecht in the spring for the natural beauty.
In the spring, Utrecht is cooler than Leuven. Typically, the spring temperatures in Utrecht in April average around 8°C (46°F), and Leuven averages at about 10°C (49°F).
In the spring, Utrecht often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Leuven. Utrecht gets 156 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Leuven receives 147 hours of full sun.
Utrecht usually gets less rain in April than Leuven. Utrecht gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Leuven receives 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilUtrecht 8°C (46°F)Leuven 10°C (49°F)
Typical Weather for Leuven and Utrecht
| Utrecht | 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) |
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.