How Much Does Antwerp Cost? 2026 Budget Guide | Prices & Tips
Antwerp offers a sophisticated travel experience where costs align with its status as a major European port and fashion capital. A solo traveler can navigate the city on a budget of approximately $113 / €96 per day, while luxury seekers may spend upwards of $536 / €455 per day for premium experiences. While generally more affordable than London or Zurich, prices for dining and lodging remain on par with other major Northern European hubs. Visitors will find that expenses are heavily concentrated in the Historisch Centrum, with better value often found in neighborhoods like Het Zuid or Sint-Andries. Understanding the local pricing structures for public transport and specific tourist fees is essential for maintaining a balanced budget.
Is Antwerp expensive to visit?
Antwerp is a moderately priced destination where daily expenses typically range from $113 / €96 to $536 / €455 depending on whether one chooses hostel stays or high-end luxury boutique hotels.
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Daily Budget
How much to budget per person per day in Antwerp
$113
per person /day
$261
per person /day
$536
per person /day
Trip Costs by Duration
Total estimated costs per person, excluding flights
| Trip Costs by Duration | Budget | Mid-Range | Luxury |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3-Day Trip | $339 | $784 | $1,607 |
| 5-Day Trip | $565 | $1,306 | $2,678 |
| 7-Day Trip | $791 | $1,829 | $3,749 |
per person — Excludes international flights
Budget Buffer
Recommended contingency for unexpected expenses
Keep a 10–15% buffer for city tax ($3.77 / €3.2/person/night for hotels/B&Bs; under-12s exempt) and small daily extras. For Brussels Airport train transfers, tickets include a mandatory $8.12 / €6.9 Brussels Airport Supplement (Diabolo)—make sure it's included in your ticket price.
How Does It Compare?
See how Antwerp stacks up against other popular destinations
What Things Cost
Real prices for common tourist expenses in Antwerp
Food & Drink (3)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Three-Course Meal for Two (Mid-Range) Expect to pay more in the Grote Markt area; seek out Het Zuid for better value local spots. | $124 €105 |
| Belgian Draft Beer (0.5L) Trappist and specialty beers (like Westmalle) are typically ~$6.47–$8.24 / €5.5–€7. | $5.77 €4.9 |
| Coffee (Cappuccino) Artisan coffee shops in the Fashion District may charge closer to ~$5.3 / €4.5. | $4.41 €3.75 |
Transport (4)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| De Lijn Single Ticket Single De Lijn ticket (60 minutes). Price is $3.53 / €3 whether bought in-app/online/SMS or via contactless on board. | $3.53 €3 |
| 10-Ride Lijnkaart (Public Transport) 10-journey ticket (each ride 60 minutes). Effective cost is $2.59 / €2.2 per ride. | $26 €22 |
| Brussels Airport to Antwerp Train (inc. Diabolo) Total ticket price includes the mandatory $8.12 / €6.9 Brussels Airport Supplement (Diabolo). Price varies by peak/off-peak. | $21 €18 |
| City Taxi Starting Fee The rate per kilometer is ~$2.82 / €2.4. A night surcharge of ~$2.94 / €2.5 applies between 22:00 and 06:00. | $10 €8.5 |
Accommodation (3)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Luxury Hotel (Botanic Sanctuary Antwerp) Premium 5-star experience in a former monastery. Prices include access to the spa and wellness area. | $676 €574 |
| Mid-range Boutique Hotel (Hotel 'T Sandt) Located in the historic center. For more budget-friendly mid-range options, Motel One is ~$124 / €105. | $354 €301 |
| Hostel dorm bed (The ASH) This price is for a bed in a shared dorm. Private rooms cost significantly more and vary by date. | $35 €30 |
Activities (3)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Antwerp City Pass (24h) Includes free public transport and entry to 16 museums including the MAS and Cathedral. | $53 €45 |
| Cathedral of Our Lady Entrance International visitors pay the full ~$14 / €12 rate. Residents of Antwerp enter for free with ID. | $14 €12 |
| MAS Museum (Permanent Collection) The panoramic roof is free to access, but exhibitions require this paid ticket. | $14 €12 |
Connectivity (1)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Local SIM Card (Base/Proximus Airport) Passport registration is required by law for all local SIM cards in Belgium. | $24 €20 |
Food & Dining
What to eat and what it costs
The dining landscape is diverse, with a three-course meal for two at a mid-range restaurant averaging $124 / €105. While a standard Belgian draft beer costs around $5.77 / €4.9, specialty Trappist beers like Westmalle typically range from $6.47 / €5.5 to $8.24 / €7. Budget-conscious travelers can find value in local 'frituur' shops or artisan spots in the Sint-Andries district.
Cheap Eats
Where locals eat — real places, real prices
Fish a'gogo
$9.42–$18 / €8–€15Center (near Cathedral) · Street food area
Try the calamari or shrimp croquettes for a quick ~$12 / €10 lunch.
Frituur No. 1
$5.3–$12 / €4.5–€10Historisch Centrum · Local chain
A classic Antwerp institution. Order a 'pak friet' with 'stoverijsaus' (beef stew sauce) for ~$7.06 / €6.
Falafel Tof
$11–$16 / €9–€14Sint-Andries · Local chain
Self-service salad bar included with your falafel wrap for ~$11 / €9.5.
Bia Mara
$15–$21 / €13–€18Center · Local chain
Modern take on fish and chips with unique panko crusts for ~$18 / €15.
Domestic
$3.53–$12 / €3–€10Zurenborg / Berchem · Bakery
Excellent pastries and sourdough; grab something sweet and eat it nearby on Dageraadplaats.
Getting Around
Transport costs and the smartest ways to move
Antwerp is walkable, but De Lijn trams/buses are useful for Zuid/Eilandje. A single 60-minute ticket costs $3.53 / €3 (including contactless tap-in on board). A 10-journey ticket costs $26 / €22 ($2.59 / €2.2 per ride), and a day ticket costs $11 / €9. Taxis are the expensive fallback rather than the default.
Accommodation Overview
Lodging options vary from high-end monastery conversions like the Botanic Sanctuary Antwerp at $676 / €574 per night to dorm beds in hostels like The ASH for $35 / €30. Mid-range boutique hotels such as Hotel 'T Sandt cost around $354 / €301, though international chains like Motel One offer consistent value at approximately $124 / €105.
Accommodation Budget in Antwerp
Budget
Hostels, budget hotels, shared facilities
Mid-Range
3-star hotels, boutique stays, great locations
Luxury
5-star hotels, suites, premium amenities
💡 Prices vary by season. Book 2-3 months ahead for best rates.
Money-Saving Tips
Insider tricks to stretch your budget further
- 1 Purchase the Antwerp City Pass for $53 / €45 (24h) to gain free entry to 16 museums, including the MAS and Cathedral, alongside unlimited public transport.
- 2 Use a 10-ride Lijnkaart for $26 / €22 to reduce the cost to $2.59 / €2.2 per ride compared to $3.53 / €3 single tickets.
- 3 Access the panoramic roof of the MAS Museum for free to see the city skyline without paying the $14 / €12 exhibition fee.
- 4 Avoid the $0.35–$0.82 / €0.3–€0.7 terrace surcharge by choosing indoor seating at cafes located in the Grote Markt area.
- 5 Walk between the Centraal Station and the Fashion District; the city is compact and the architecture is a free attraction in itself.
- 6 Refill water bottles at public fountains to avoid high beverage prices in the tourist-heavy Historisch Centrum.
- 7 Eat at Frituur No. 1 or Fish a'gogo for high-quality meals that cost significantly less than the $124 / €105 mid-range restaurant average.
- 8 Take the free ferry from the Steenplein to the Linkeroever (Left Bank) for a unique view of the Antwerp skyline.
- 9 Look for coffee in the residential areas of Het Zuid where prices are closer to $4.41 / €3.75 compared to $5.3 / €4.5 in the Fashion District.
- 10 Visit the Diamond District for window shopping only; organized tours are informative but can be a significant budget splurge.
Seasonal Pricing
When prices rise and fall throughout the year
Jun, Jul, Aug, Dec
+20–35%
Jan, Feb, Nov
-15–25%
May, Sep, Oct
May and September offer mild weather around 18–22°C (64–72°F) and lower hotel rates than the peak summer months.
Events to Watch
- ● Tomorrowland (late July): +100% hotel prices
- ● Christmas Markets (December): +30% mid-range hotels
Free Things to Do
The best experiences that cost absolutely nothing
- 1 Marvel at the architecture of the Antwerpen-Centraal railway station, often cited as one of the most beautiful in the world.
- 2 Walk through the St. Anna’s Tunnel, a historic wood-escalator pedestrian tunnel running under the Scheldt river.
- 3 Explore the Vlaeykensgang, a hidden 16th-century alleyway that transports visitors back in time.
- 4 Visit the Begijnhof, a tranquil courtyard and historic housing complex for lay religious women.
- 5 Ascend the MAS Museum panoramic roof for 360-degree views of the harbor and city center.
- 6 Walk the Cogels-Osylei street in the Zurenborg district to see stunning Art Nouveau and Fin de Siècle mansions.
- 7 Wander through the Middelheim Museum, a large open-air sculpture park located south of the city center.
- 8 Relax in Park Spoor Noord, a modern landscape park built on a former railway yard.
- 9 Admire the Brabo Fountain and the Renaissance-style City Hall in the Grote Markt.
- 10 View the exterior of the Port House (Havenhuis), an architectural masterpiece designed by Zaha Hadid.
- 11 Visit the Saint Carolus Borromeus Church during non-service hours to see its impressive Baroque facade (interior may have fees for specific sections).
- 12 Stroll through the Botanical Garden (Plantentuin) on Leopoldstraat, featuring over 2,000 plant species.
Worth the Splurge
Premium experiences that justify the price tag
Private Diamond District Tour
Antwerp is the diamond capital of the world; a private expert tour provides secure access and history you can't get elsewhere.
Tasting Menu at The Jane
The Jane's menus currently run about $335–$406 / €285–€345 per person (with a $206 / €175 lunch format on selected days). It's now located at Limastraat 5 (Eilandje) and remains one of Antwerp's headline fine-dining experiences.
Private River Scheldt Boat Rental
Seeing the skyline and the MAS from the water at sunset is the most romantic way to experience the city.
Popular Activities
Top-rated tours and experiences in Antwerp
Day Trip Costs
Popular day trips from Antwerp and what they cost
Ghent
$25 / €21 by train
$15 / €13
$71 / €60
Bruges
$40 / €34 by train
$18 / €15
$100 / €85
Payment & Money
How to pay and what to know about money
Euro (EUR)
1 € ≈ 1.18 $
No
Excellent; contactless is the standard for everything from trams to market stalls.
Service is included by law. Rounding up to the nearest ~$5.89–$12 / €5–€10 for good service is standard.
Use official bank ATMs (KBC, Belfius). Avoid Euronet machines which charge ~$4.71 / €4 fees per withdrawal.
Connectivity
eSIM: $4.12–$12 for 1GB to 10GB (opens in new tab)
Local SIM: $24 / €20 for 10GB at Proximus stores
WiFi: Excellent in the city center and all public libraries/museums.
Airalo eSIM is the most convenient for short trips, but a local Proximus SIM for ~$24 / €20 is better if staying over a week.
Why you can trust this guide
35+ countries • 8 years analyzing travel data
Independent developer and travel data analyst based in Prague. 35+ countries visited across Europe and Asia, 8+ years analyzing flight routes, accommodation prices, and seasonal weather patterns.
- All neighborhoods verified by walking them
- Curated locations based on walkability & safety
- Real-time availability via live partner maps
- Prices based on Booking.com & Numbeo averages
Methodology: This guide combines on-the-ground neighborhood research, current hotel pricing data, and real traveler feedback to provide honest, actionable accommodation recommendations for Antwerp.
Updated: February 16, 2026
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