Is Belgium expensive? What things really cost in 2026
Short answer
Belgium is moderately expensive, a little cheaper than the Netherlands or Paris but well above Southern and Eastern Europe, with a mid-range day at about €210 per person. Hotels in Brussels and Bruges are the main cost; trains, beer and street food are good value.
Daily budget: backpacker, mid-range, luxury
| Budget | Mid-range | Comfort | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bed (per person, sharing) | €55 | €100 | €220 |
| Food & drink | €30 | €55 | €110 |
| Sights & tickets | €15 | €35 | €60 |
| Local transport | €10 | €20 | €40 |
| Per person, per day | €110 | €210 | €430 |
Approximate 2026 prices, two people sharing a room. From our Belgium day-cost table.
What things cost
| Item | Typical price* |
|---|---|
| Coffee in a café | about €3–4 |
| Belgian fries (frites) with sauce | about €4–6 |
| Belgian waffle from a stall | about €3–7 |
| Glass of Belgian beer in a bar | about €4–7 |
| Brussels metro/tram ticket | about €2.50 |
| Train Brussels–Bruges, one way | about €15–17 |
| Bruges Belfry climb | about €15–18 |
| Moules-frites in a restaurant | about €25–35 |
| Mid-range double room, Brussels centre | about €150–250 |
* Approximate prices, October 2026. They change with season and exchange rates.
Where the money goes
Accommodation takes the biggest share: a central Brussels double runs about €150–250 and Bruges canal-side hotels much more, plus a city tax per room or person per night. Restaurants are not cheap, with mains of €20–30 and moules-frites often €25–35. Museums and towers cost €10–18 each. On the other hand, trains between the cities are frequent and reasonably priced (with weekend discounts), and frites, waffles and beer in local bars keep daily food costs down.
When it is cheaper
Prices drop from January to March and in November, when hotels in Bruges and Ghent are noticeably cheaper, often by 20–30%. Brussels business hotels can be cheaper at weekends and in July–August, when EU institutions slow down.
How to spend less
- Base yourself in Brussels or Ghent and visit Bruges as a day trip, as Bruges hotels cost more.
- Travel by train at weekends, when SNCB/NMBS offers cheaper return fares; under-26s get youth fares.
- Eat lunch menus (plat du jour / dagschotel), often €15–20, instead of à la carte dinners.
- Buy chocolate at supermarkets or less touristy chocolatiers away from the Grand-Place.
- Avoid the restaurant touts on Rue des Bouchers in Brussels.
- Check for free first-Wednesday-afternoon entries at many Brussels museums.
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Common questions
How much does a day in Belgium cost?
About €110 per person on a budget, €210 mid-range and €430 for comfort, sharing a double and including trains. City taxes are added to hotel bills.
Is Belgium more expensive than the Netherlands?
Roughly similar or slightly cheaper; Brussels and Bruges hotels are the main expense in both countries.
Are trains in Belgium expensive?
No. Brussels to Bruges is about €15–17 one way, and weekend return fares are discounted.