Which place is cheaper, Frankfurt or Leuven?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Leuven or Frankfurt?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Leuven or Frankfurt? 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: Leuven or Frankfurt?
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.
Frankfurt
Frankfurt is the financial and business hub of Germany. It houses the European Central Bank and the German Stock Exchange, and often plays host to trade shows and business fairs. It has the country's most modern skyline and the largest airport. It is also a transportation hub for Germany with many important train lines passing through. The city itself is situated on the River Main. Some of the most important sights are along the river near Romer Square and include museums and monuments. This area pulls in millions of tourists every year. Although many sights are clustered in this area, it's important to head into more off the beaten path areas that can be enjoyable to explore. These areas offer glimpses into daily life in Frankfurt.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Belgium, The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in Belgium, The Best Coach Bus Tours in Germany, and The Best Adventure Tours to Germany.
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Leuven Prices
Belgium PricesFrankfurt Prices
Germany Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayLeuven €214Frankfurt €152
The average daily cost (per person) in Leuven is €214, while the average daily cost in Frankfurt 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 Leuven and Frankfurt in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personLeuven €93Frankfurt €58
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomLeuven €186Frankfurt €116
Compare Hotels in Leuven and Frankfurt
Looking for a hotel in Leuven or Frankfurt? 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: Leuven Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Leuven €61Frankfurt €25
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Leuven
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Leuven:
- Zaventem Airport Shuttle Transfer <-> Liège (1 to 8 PLACES): $96
- Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer service in Brussels APT-HTL(BRU): $81
- Transfer from Brussels Airport to Brussels MB V Class 7 PAX: $167
- Transfer from Brussels Airport -> Antwerp MB S-CLASS 3 PAX: $257
- Transfer From Brussels Airport to Charleroi Airport: $191
- Transfer Brussels Airport -> Namur MB E Class 1-3 PAX (ONE WAY): $245
- Transfer Brussels Airport -> Brussels MB V Class 7 PAX (ONE WAY): $167
- Transfer Brussels Airport -> Antwerp MB V-CLASS 7 PAX: $221
- Transfer Brussels Airport (BRU) -> City Center 7 PAX (ONE WAY): $167
- Transfer Brussels Airport (BRU) -> City Center 1-3 PAX (ONE WAY): $132
- Round Trip Private Transfer Brussels Airport BRU to Antwerp City by Luxury Van: $299
- Private transfer from Brussels BRU Airport - Brussels MB E-CLASS 3 PAX: $120
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Frankfurt
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Frankfurt:
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Car Rental€50
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Frankfurt
Also for Frankfurt, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Airport Transfer: Airport FRA to Frankfurt by Luxury Van: $88
- Airport Transfer: Frankfurt to Airport FRA by Business Car: $80
- Arrival Transfer: Airport FRA to Frankfurt by Luxury Van: $88
- Arrival Transfer: Frankfurt Airport FRA to Frankfurt by Van: $88
- Frankfurt Airport (FRA) to Wiesbaden Thermal Round-Trip Transfer: $124
- Frankfurt Hahn Airport: Bus transfer from/to Mainz: $20
- Frankfurt Hahn Airport: Bus transfer from/to city central: $22
- Frankfurt Highlights Private Car Tour with Airport Transfers: $420
- Frankfurt to Frankfurt Airport (FRA) - Departure Private Transfer: $72
- FRA Airport to Frankfurt City Private Transfer: $29
- Private Transfer to/from Airport and City: $81
- Private Transfer to/from Airport and City: $74
Is it cheaper to fly into Leuven or Frankfurt?
Prices for flights to both Frankfurt and Leuven 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 dayLeuven €85Frankfurt €70
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Leuven
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Leuven.
- Mechelen Food Tour: $96
Typical Food Prices in Frankfurt
For Frankfurt, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Soda€2.00
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Bagel Sandwich and Latte€7.00
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Ham & Cheese Sandwich and Coffee€6.00
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Sandwich and Cola€7.00
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Frankfurt
For Frankfurt, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- VEGAN FOOD TOUR TO 3-4 LOCAL FOODSPOTS: $88
- Food Tour to 3-4 Local Food Spots: $88
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Leuven €23Frankfurt €36
Tours and Activities in Leuven
Here are a few actual costs in Leuven for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Belgium Mechelen Guided Tour Guide: $31
- Lost Lanes and Secret Gardens Self Guided Audio Tour: $9.99
- Mechelen Small-Group Running Tour: $69
- Mechelen Small-Group Walking Tour with a small meal /snack: $90
- Private 2 Hour Walking Tour of Mechelen : $299
- Pub Trail Mechelen: an adventure full of surprises: $13
- Small-Group Chocolate Tour in Mechelen: $81
- Small-Group Mechelen City Guided Walking Tour: $69
Tours and Activities in Frankfurt
For Frankfurt, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Frankfurt Scavenger Hunt and Highlights Self-Guided Tour: $5.96
- Frankfurt Self-Guided Historical Walking Tour: $8.21
- Struwwelpeter Museum Entry Ticket w/Audio Guide: $9.40
- Frankfurter Kunstverein: Admission ticket: $12
- Frankfurt Card: Experience Frankfurt at the Best Price: $14
- Frankfurt Airport: Fraport Visitor Center Entry Ticket: $14
- EXPERIMINTA ScienceCenter Entry Ticket: $15
- Christmas Market & Old Town Tour 60 min-daily 16:00-in German: $16
- Horror Theater and City Tour The Hell's Demon: $16
- Scary Sightseeing Tour with The Hangman: $16
- Old Town Horror Stories Walking Tour in German: $16
- "The Sandman" Nightmarish Walking Tour: $16
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayLeuven €25Frankfurt €30
Typical Alcohol Prices in Frankfurt
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Frankfurt:
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Becks Beer€2.00
Sample the Local Flavors in Frankfurt
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Frankfurt:
- Frankfurt am Main: Night Pub Crawl Shots and Party: $29
- Frankfurt Wine Tasting Tour with a Wine Expert: $308
- Private pub crawl with insider-guide & free shots: $317
- Bachelor party Pub crawl & party for your bachelor party: $429
- Private Rhine Valley tour with river cruise & wine tasting: $915
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Leuven and Frankfurt, we can see that Leuven is more expensive. And not only is Frankfurt much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Frankfurt would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Frankfurt 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 Frankfurt.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Leuven Expensive? and Is Frankfurt Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Leuven or Frankfurt?
Frankfurt has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of Leuven. When comparing the sizes of Leuven and Frankfurt, 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 Leuven or Frankfurt?
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 Leuven or Frankfurt in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Leuven as well as Frankfurt. Also, many travelers come to Frankfurt for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Leuven is around the same temperature as Frankfurt. Typically, the summer temperatures in Leuven in July average around 18°C (65°F), and Frankfurt averages at about 19°C (67°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Frankfurt. In the summer, Leuven often gets less sunshine than Frankfurt. Leuven gets 186 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Frankfurt receives 225 hours of full sun.
Leuven usually gets more rain in July than Frankfurt. Leuven gets 75 mm (3 in) of rain, while Frankfurt receives 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyLeuven 18°C (65°F)Frankfurt 19°C (67°F)
Should I visit Leuven or Frankfurt in the Autumn?
Both Frankfurt and Leuven are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Also, many visitors come to Frankfurt in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.
In October, Leuven is generally a little warmer than Frankfurt. Daily temperatures in Leuven average around 12°C (54°F), and Frankfurt fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).
Leuven usually receives more sunshine than Frankfurt during autumn. Leuven gets 114 hours of sunny skies, while Frankfurt receives 103 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Leuven usually receives more rain than Frankfurt. Leuven gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Frankfurt receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberLeuven 12°C (54°F)Frankfurt 11°C (51°F)
Should I visit Leuven or Frankfurt in the Winter?
Both Frankfurt and Leuven during the winter are popular places to visit. Furthermore, most visitors come to Frankfurt for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.
Frankfurt can be very cold during winter. Leuven can get quite cold in the winter. Leuven is much warmer than Frankfurt in the winter. The daily temperature in Leuven averages around 3°C (38°F) in January, and Frankfurt fluctuates around 1°C (34°F).
In the winter, Leuven often gets more sunshine than Frankfurt. Leuven gets 49 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Frankfurt receives 41 hours of full sun.
Leuven usually gets more rain in January than Frankfurt. Leuven gets 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Frankfurt receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryLeuven 3°C (38°F)Frankfurt 1°C (34°F)
Should I visit Leuven or Frankfurt in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Leuven and Frankfurt. Furthermore, the spring months attract visitors to Frankfurt because of the activities around the city.
In the spring, Leuven is around the same temperature as Frankfurt. Typically, the spring temperatures in Leuven in April average around 10°C (49°F), and Frankfurt averages at about 10°C (50°F).
Leuven usually receives less sunshine than Frankfurt during spring. Leuven gets 147 hours of sunny skies, while Frankfurt receives 163 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Leuven usually receives more rain than Frankfurt. Leuven gets 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Frankfurt receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilLeuven 10°C (49°F)Frankfurt 10°C (50°F)
Typical Weather for Frankfurt and Leuven
| Leuven | Frankfurt | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 3°C (38°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) | 1°C (34°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) |
| Feb | 4°C (39°F) | 53 mm (2.1 in) | 3°C (37°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Mar | 6°C (43°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) | 6°C (43°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
| Apr | 10°C (49°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 52 mm (2 in) |
| May | 14°C (57°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) | 14°C (58°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Jun | 17°C (62°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Jul | 18°C (65°F) | 75 mm (3 in) | 19°C (67°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) |
| Aug | 18°C (65°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) |
| Sep | 16°C (60°F) | 59 mm (2.3 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) |
| Oct | 12°C (54°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
| Nov | 7°C (45°F) | 76 mm (3 in) | 5°C (42°F) | 59 mm (2.3 in) |
| Dec | 4°C (40°F) | 76 mm (3 in) | 2°C (36°F) | 54 mm (2.1 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.