Bus Hire in Leuven

Leuven (Louvain) is the university city of Flemish Brabant, 25 kilometres east of Brussels via the E40 motorway. KU Leuven (Katholieke Universiteit Leuven), founded in 1425 and the oldest Catholic university in the world still in existence, has approximately 60,000 students and is consistently ranked among the top universities in Europe. The university's presence defines the city: the historic centre is densely packed with academic buildings, faculties, and student facilities, all centred on the Gothic Town Hall and the Sint-Pieterskerk.

Brussels Airport (BRU) is 25 kilometres west via the E40 (approximately 25 minutes by coach). Brussels city centre is 30 kilometres west (approximately 30 minutes). The Great Beguinage (Groot Begijnhof) of Leuven is a UNESCO World Heritage Site (1998): a walled community of 72 houses, 2 churches, and a brewery, built between the 13th and 17th centuries, now serving as accommodation for KU Leuven students and staff. Leuven is also the headquarters of AB InBev (the world's largest brewer, formerly Interbrew), and the Stella Artois brewery (now part of AB InBev) opened its brewery tour in the city.

KU Leuven and the Gothic Town Hall

The Leuven Town Hall (Stadhuis, on the Grote Markt) is a late Gothic building (1439-1469, designed by Sulpitius van Vorst and Mathijs de Layens) regarded as one of the finest examples of Flemish Gothic civic architecture: the three-storey facade is covered by 236 stone niches containing statues of saints and scholars (most of the originals were destroyed in 1914 and replaced in the 19th century). The adjacent Sint-Pieterskerk (St Peter's Church, 15th century, never completed due to soil subsidence in the 16th century) houses the Museum M Leuven (temporary exhibitions of Flemish art) and the original altarpiece triptychs by Dirk Bouts (the Last Supper Altarpiece, 1464-1468, commissioned by the Confraternity of the Holy Sacrament). KU Leuven's central academic buildings (the Naamsestraat administrative quarter and the Oude Markt student district) are within walking distance of the Grote Markt.

Great Beguinage of Leuven

The Great Beguinage (Groot Begijnhof, on the Schapenstraat at the south end of the old town) is a walled quarter of 72 houses, 2 churches, streets, squares, and a stream, all built in Mosan brick between the 13th and 17th centuries. The beguinage was founded around 1230 as a semi-religious community for lay women who lived communally without taking permanent vows. At its height in the 17th century it housed over 3,000 women. KU Leuven acquired the complex in 1962 and restored it over 30 years; it now provides student and staff accommodation and is one of the best-preserved beguinages in Belgium. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site as part of the Flemish Beguinages listing. Coaches drop at the edge of the Schapenstraat zone; the entrance is pedestrianised.

Beer Culture and the Oude Markt

Leuven is a beer city: the Stella Artois brewery (the world's most consumed beer brand, headquartered in Leuven since 1717 as Den Hoorn brewery) operates group brewery tours from the IN&OUT Leuven visitor centre on the Brusselsestraat. AB InBev (the global brewer, headquartered on the Brouwersvliet, Antwerp) traces its origins to the Leuven brewery. The Oude Markt (Old Market, a large pedestrian square one block south of the Grote Markt, flanked by cafe and bar terraces on all four sides) is described locally as the longest bar in the world. It is the social heart of the student city and is packed year-round. The STUK arts centre (on the Naamsestraat) and the M museum (temporary contemporary and Flemish art exhibitions in the Sint-Pieterskerk) serve the cultural needs of the student and academic population.

What Bus Hire Costs in Leuven

As a rough guide, a minibus (up to 19 seats) in Leuven runs around 250 to 490 EUR per day, a midi-coach (around 35 seats) around 415 to 820 EUR per day, and a full-size coach (49 to 55 seats) around 640 to 1,210 EUR per day. Leuven has high year-round demand from KU Leuven's large student and academic population, with the strongest peaks in September and January (term starts) and during major academic conferences. The final figure depends on your route, the date, and how long you need the vehicle and driver. We confirm a fixed price with no hidden charges, so send your details for a free quote.

Services Available in Leuven