Belgium Travel Budget: Daily Costs and Smart Saving Tips

How much does Belgium cost per day?

Belgium is one of Western Europe's pricier countries, but it is cheaper than neighbouring Switzerland or the Netherlands in many ways. Here is a realistic guide.

• Budget traveller: 70-90 EUR per day (hostel dorm, supermarket food, walking, one paid sight)
• Mid-range: 130-200 EUR per day (3-star hotel or B&B, restaurant meals, trains between cities)
• Comfort: 280 EUR and up (boutique hotel, taxis, fine dining)

Sample prices

• A glass of Belgian beer in Brussels or Antwerp: 3.50-5 EUR
• A cone of fries (frietkot/friterie) with sauce: 3.50-5 EUR
• A waffle from a street stand: 2-4 EUR
• Daily menu (dagschotel) at a brasserie: 15-22 EUR
• Dinner main course in Ghent or Bruges: 20-30 EUR
• Cappuccino: 3-4 EUR
• Museum entry (e.g. Magritte Museum, Brussels): 10-16 EUR
• Supermarket water 1.5L at Colruyt or Delhaize: 0.60-1 EUR

Accommodation

A hostel bed runs 25-40 EUR. A simple double hotel room is 80-130 EUR in Brussels and Antwerp, and Bruges spikes in summer. Book ahead during the Christmas markets and Tomorrowland season.

Getting around

• A single Brussels STIB metro/tram ticket: 2.60 EUR, or a day pass at 8 EUR
• Trains (SNCB) are the easiest way between cities. Brussels to Bruges is about 15 EUR, Brussels to Antwerp around 8 EUR
• A Standard Multi 10-trip rail card saves money for several journeys
• Under-26 travellers get cheap weekend Go Pass tickets

Money and cards

Belgium uses the euro. Cards (Visa, Mastercard, contactless, Apple/Google Pay) are accepted almost everywhere, including small frietkots. Carry a little cash for markets and tips. Tipping is not mandatory; rounding up or leaving a euro or two is plenty. ATMs at banks like KBC, BNP Paribas Fortis and Belfius are reliable; avoid standalone Euronet machines with poor rates.

Saving tips

• Eat your big meal at lunch with a dagmenu instead of dinner
• Many museums are free on the first Sunday of the month
• Drink tap water (it is safe) and buy beer at supermarkets, not just bars
• Walk Bruges and Ghent centres; they are tiny and free
• Use the train rather than rental cars; parking in cities is expensive

Stay connected in Belgium

A HelloSIM eSIM keeps you online the moment you land, so you can pull up maps, translate menus and confirm train and hotel bookings without paying roaming fees.