Is Bruges expensive? What things really cost in 2026
Short answer
Bruges is moderately expensive: a budget day costs about €95 per person and a mid-range day about €180, close to Amsterdam's old centre and pricier than Ghent or Antwerp. Rooms in the medieval centre, terrace meals on the Markt and the paid sights (Belfry, museums, canal boats at about €15 each) are where the money goes.
Daily budget: backpacker, mid-range, luxury
| Budget | Mid-range | Comfort | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bed (per person, sharing) | €45 | €85 | €165 |
| Food & drink | €30 | €50 | €95 |
| Sights & tickets | €15 | €35 | €55 |
| Local transport | €3 | €10 | €25 |
| Per person, per day | €93 | €180 | €340 |
Approximate 2026 prices, two people sharing a room. From our Bruges day-cost table.
What things cost
| Item | Typical price* |
|---|---|
| Cone of fries at the Belfry fry stands | about €4-5 |
| Belgian beer in a café | €4-7 |
| De Lijn bus, station to Markt | about €3 (cheaper in the app) |
| Belfry climb | about €15-16 |
| Canal boat (30 minutes) | about €15 |
| Groeningemuseum | about €15-16 |
| Train from Brussels, one way | roughly €15-16 |
| Mid-range double, Sint-Anna B&B | €130-200 |
* Approximate prices, October 2026. They change with season and exchange rates.
Where the money goes
Accommodation is the biggest cost because the old town is small and popular: even budget rooms near the station or on Langestraat cost €80-130 a double, and canal-side hotels reach €220-450. The main sights each charge around €15, so a day with the Belfry, a canal boat and a museum costs about €45 in tickets, and restaurants on the Markt charge a clear premium. A city tax of a few euros per person per night is added at the hotel.
When it is cheaper
January to March and November (outside the Christmas market weeks) are usually the cheapest months for rooms, often 20-30% below summer weekends; weekday nights are cheaper than Fridays and Saturdays all year.
How to spend less
- Buy the Musea Brugge Museum Pass if you plan three or more museums; check the current price first.
- Eat on Langestraat and the streets off the Markt, not on the square's terraces.
- Buy De Lijn tickets in the app, which is cheaper than paying the driver.
- Take a weekday night: Bruges fills with Belgian and Dutch weekenders on Fridays and Saturdays.
- Stay in Ghent or Brussels and visit Bruges for the day if rooms are too expensive; trains take about 25 minutes from Ghent.
- Rent a bike (about €15-20 a day) for Damme and the windmills instead of a tour.
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Common questions
How much does a day in Bruges cost?
About €95 per person on a budget, €180 mid-range and €340 for comfort, sharing a double room.
Is Bruges more expensive than Ghent?
Usually yes, especially for hotels and restaurants in the centre. Ghent is 25 minutes away by train and often cheaper.
Is the Museum Pass worth it?
Yes, if you visit three or more Musea Brugge sites, such as the Groeningemuseum and Sint-Janshospitaal. Check the current price online.