10 money-saving tips for budget travelers in Belgium

22.05.2024 - 18:47 / lonelyplanet.com

Nicely nestled at the crossroads of Western Europe, Belgium overflows with museums, castles, designer stores and gastronomic restaurants. 

The country is known to be expensive, but fear not. From delicious street food to lively breweries and pubs, affordable train passes and free museums, you can experience the best of Belgium without breaking the bank. Here are our top money-saving tips, along with a guide to daily costs.

Hostel room: €35–120 per night
Basic room for two: €75–175 per night
Self-catering apartment (including Airbnb): starting from €85 per night
Public transport ticket: €2.50 
Coffee: €3–5
Sandwich: €6–11 
Dinner for two: €75–150 
Beer/pint at the bar: €4–8 
Belgian waffle: €2–5 
Belgian fries: €3–5 

Ready to plan your trip? Here are Belgium's best places to visit

In Belgium, the high season is between July and August. It can also stretch from April to September if you're planning a seaside visit. Christmas markets are increasingly popular, adding to the peak season during the holidays. 

Offseason, flights and accommodations will be less expensive and international trains less crowded. Belgian weather is notoriously fickle and rainy so, if you’d like a good chance of clement weather and lower prices, consider visiting during shoulder season (March to May and September to October).  

One of Belgium's greatest assets is its compact cities, easily explored on foot. They are either small, like Bruges or Mons, or have their main attractions concentrated in specific areas, like Brussels. 

Generally speaking, you won't need to use public transport, and you can save taxi rides for those evenings when night buses don't run (Sunday to Thursday).

Public transportation charges could cost you around €10 per day (if not more), so save your euros and soak up the urban atmosphere and admire the architecture as you stroll.

Belgium is a land of beer, from rich Trappist ales to sour gueuzes, so it's no wonder it's surprisingly affordable. A basic 25cl beer starts at €2.80 on tap (roughly the price of a soft drink), while special 33cl bottled beers go from €4.50. 

Dive right into Belgian culture and indulge by pairing your food with a beer (for example, at the casual Zotte Mouche in Brussels). Or try it at the source by visiting a microbrewery's taproom, such as the Antwerpse Brouw Compagnie in Antwerp.

Thankfully for your wallet, Belgium is replete with street food stalls. Street vendors are lifesavers in a country renowned for expensive restaurants (expect to pay over €50 for a one-person meal). 

Grab a steaming cone of fries for about €4.50 with sauce, or, if you're really hungry, a mitraillette (a half baguette filled with fries, skewered or fried meat, or falafel).

For a sweet treat, stop at a Liège waffle stand.