How Much Does Bruges Cost? 2026 Budget Guide | Prices & Tips
Bruges is a world-class historical destination where costs reflect its status as a high-demand "museum city." While it is more expensive than industrial hubs, it remains more accessible than major capitals like London or Paris, provided travelers plan ahead. Expect a daily budget ranging from $118 / €100 for solo budget travelers to $557 / €473 for those seeking high-end luxury. The compact nature of the historic center means that many expenses are concentrated within the Markt & Burg areas, where dining prices are highest. By balancing mid-range meals with street food and utilizing city passes, visitors can enjoy the medieval charm without overspending.
Is Bruges expensive to visit?
Bruges is moderately expensive — expect to spend $118–$557 / €100–€473 per day depending on whether you choose hostel dorms or 5-star heritage hotels.
On This Page
Daily Budget
How much to budget per person per day in Bruges
$118
per person /day
$272
per person /day
$557
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 | $353 | $816 | $1,670 |
| 5-Day Trip | $589 | $1,359 | $2,784 |
| 7-Day Trip | $824 | $1,903 | $3,897 |
per person — Excludes international flights
Budget Buffer
Recommended contingency for unexpected expenses
Maintain a 15% buffer to cover the City Accommodation Tax of approximately $4.71 / €4 per person, per night, and small fees of $0.59–$1.18 / €0.5–€1 for public toilets. This also allows for the common practice of rounding up restaurant bills by $2.35–$5.89 / €2–€5 as a gesture for good service.
How Does It Compare?
See how Bruges stacks up against other popular destinations
What Things Cost
Real prices for common tourist expenses in Bruges
Food & Drink (4)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Budget lunch (e.g., Pita at 't Brugsch Pitahuis) One of the best value spots in the center. Fresh pita and salad plates are usually ~$15–$19 / €13–€16. | $18 €15 |
| Mid-range restaurant main course Mussels with fries (Moules-frites) often cost ~$28–$33 / €24–€28 in tourist areas. | $26 €22 |
| Belgian Beer (Trappist/Specialty) in a bar Specialty beers like Westvleteren or high-ABV Trappists are more expensive than standard pilsners (~$5.3 / €4.5). | $7.65 €6.5 |
| Waffle with toppings (Street vendor) A plain waffle is ~$4.12 / €3.5; adding chocolate, strawberries, and cream pushes it to ~$7.65 / €6.5. | $7.06 €6 |
Transport (3)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Single De Lijn bus ticket Valid for 60 minutes. Contactless payment is widely available on board. Walking is usually faster in the car-free center. | $3.53 €3 |
| Flibco Airport Shuttle (Charleroi to Bruges) Walk-up fares at the airport can be as high as ~$38–$45 / €32–€38. Booking in advance is highly recommended. | $23 €20 |
| Taxi fare (Station to Grote Markt) A short 5-minute ride from the station to the Markt typically costs ~$14–$21 / €12–€18 including standard luggage. | $18 €15 |
Accommodation (3)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Budget hostel dorm bed (e.g., Snuffel Hostel) Dorm prices fluctuate seasonally. Central hostels like Snuffel or St Christopher's average around $29 / €25 per night in mid-season. | $29 €25 |
| Mid-range hotel room (e.g., Grand Hotel Casselbergh) Expect to pay $165–$212 / €140–€180 for well-rated 3-star or boutique 4-star hotels in the historic center. | $188 €160 |
| Luxury 5-star hotel (e.g., Hotel Heritage or Duke's Palace) Iconic properties like Hotel Heritage often command higher rates during peak weekends. | $503 €427 |
Activities (5)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Belfry of Bruges (Belfort) Adult Ticket Standard adult rate for peak periods/weekends. Winter midweek rates are ~$18 / €15. | $19 €16 |
| Canal Boat Tour (Standardized Price) Tours last 30 minutes. Prices are fixed across all 5 official landing stages. | $18 €15 |
| Church of Our Lady Museum (Michelangelo Madonna) Entry to the church is free, but this ticket covers the museum section containing the Madonna and Child and the mausoleums. | $12 €10 |
| Choco-Story (Chocolate Museum) Adult Ticket Includes chocolate demonstrations and tastings. | $19 €16 |
| Musea Brugge Card (72-hour pass) Valid for 72 hours. Covers the Belfry, Groeningemuseum, Stadhuis, and 9 other sites. | $39 €33 |
Connectivity (1)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Local Prepaid SIM Card (Proximus Pay&Go+) Includes 3GB data for 31 days. Available at many newsstands and grocery stores. | $12 €10 |
Food & Dining
What to eat and what it costs
Dining in the heart of the city can be costly, with mid-range restaurant main courses typically priced around $26 / €22 and specialty dishes like Moules-frites reaching $28–$33 / €24–€28. Budget-conscious travelers can find value at spots like 't Brugsch Pitahuis, where fresh pita plates cost approximately $18 / €15. Specialty Belgian beers in local bars generally average $7.65 / €6.5, while a decadent waffle with toppings from a street vendor costs about $7.06 / €6.
Cheap Eats
Where locals eat — real places, real prices
Bocca
$10–$15 / €8.5–€13Dweersstraat · Local chain
Perfect for a quick, filling pasta meal to take away and eat by the canals. Save ~$5.89 / €5 compared to sit-down dining.
't Brugsch Pitahuis
$15–$20 / €13–€17Philipstockstraat · Local chain
Their falafel and pita plates are massive and easily shared between two light eaters.
The Olive Street Food
$7.65–$14 / €6.5–€12Wollestraat · Street food area
Excellent Greek-inspired loaded fries and wraps for under ~$13 / €11.
Sanseveria Bagelsalon
$12–$17 / €10–€15Predikherenstraat · Bakery
The 'vintage' atmosphere is great for a budget-friendly but trendy brunch.
That's Toast
$13–$18 / €11–€15Dweersstraat · Local chain
Very popular brunch spot; arrive before 10:00 to avoid the ~30-minute queue.
Getting Around
Transport costs and the smartest ways to move
The historic center is almost entirely car-free and highly walkable, making public transport largely unnecessary for most visitors. A single De Lijn bus ticket costs $3.53 / €3, but walking is usually faster and more scenic for exploring the medieval alleys. For those arriving at the station with heavy luggage, a taxi to the Grote Markt typically costs around $18 / €15.
Accommodation Overview
Lodging prices are heavily influenced by proximity to the Belfry, with budget hostel dorms at Snuffel Hostel averaging $29 / €25 per night. Mid-range boutique hotels like Grand Hotel Casselbergh offer a sweet spot for value at approximately $188 / €160, while iconic luxury properties such as Hotel Heritage can reach $503 / €427 during peak periods.
Accommodation Budget in Bruges
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 Musea Brugge Card for $39 / €33 if planning to visit the Belfry, Groeningemuseum, and Town Hall; it pays for itself after just three major sites.
- 2 Book the Flibco Airport Shuttle from Charleroi online in advance for $23 / €20 to avoid the walk-up fare of $38–$45 / €32–€38.
- 3 Eat lunch at 't Brugsch Pitahuis on Philipstockstraat, where a full salad and pita plate costs just $18 / €15.
- 4 Visit during May or September when temperatures are 15–18°C (59–64°F) and accommodation prices can be up to $47 / €40 lower per night than in peak summer.
- 5 Refill water bottles at the public drinking fountains found near the Burg and Minnewater to avoid paying for bottled water in restaurants.
- 6 Opt for a $18 / €15 official canal boat tour rather than private options, as prices are standardized across all five official landing stages.
- 7 Check out the budget-friendly pasta at Bocca on Dweersstraat for a quick meal under $18 / €15.
- 8 Walk the 1.5km from the train station to the center instead of taking the $18 / €15 taxi to enjoy the scenic Minnewater park entrance for free.
- 9 Buy artisanal chocolates from shops in the Sint-Anna district, which often have better prices than those directly on the Grote Markt.
- 10 Get a local Proximus Pay&Go+ SIM card for $12 / €10 at a newsstand to avoid expensive international roaming charges while navigating.
Seasonal Pricing
When prices rise and fall throughout the year
Jul, Aug, Dec
+30-50%
Jan, Feb, Nov
-25-40%
Apr, May, Sep
Bruges is stunning but crowded in summer. For the best experience, visit in May or September when temperatures are 15–18°C (59–64°F) and prices are ~$47 / €40 lower per night.
Events to Watch
- ● Procession of the Holy Blood (May): Hotels booked out months in advance
- ● Christmas Markets (Dec): Huge crowds and peak hotel rates
Free Things to Do
The best experiences that cost absolutely nothing
- 1 Explore the Begijnhof (Ten Wijngaerde), a serene 13th-century convent garden with whitewashed houses.
- 2 Stroll through Minnewater Park (Lake of Love) to see the famous swans and the iconic Lovers' Bridge.
- 3 Walk along the Kruisvest to see the four remaining historic windmills from the outside.
- 4 Visit the lower chapel of the Basilica of the Holy Blood, which is free to enter during opening hours.
- 5 Admire the exterior Gothic architecture of the Stadhuis (Town Hall) in the Burg square.
- 6 Photograph the Rozenhoedkaai (Quay of the Rosary), the city's most famous and picturesque canal view.
- 7 Cross the romantic Bonifacius Bridge for a perfect view of the Church of Our Lady.
- 8 Explore the main nave of the Church of Our Lady for free (only the museum area with the Madonna costs $12 / €10).
- 9 Wander through the Vismarkt (Fish Market) to see the historic stone colonnades.
- 10 Visit the Jan van Eyckplein, a quiet square that was once the heart of the medieval port.
- 11 Walk the 14th-century city ramparts (Vesten) that encircle the historic center.
- 12 Relax in the Koningin Astridpark, a beautiful local park featuring a pavilion and pond.
Worth the Splurge
Premium experiences that justify the price tag
Hot Air Balloon Flight over Bruges
Offers an unmatched bird's-eye view of the UNESCO medieval layout and surrounding Flanders countryside. Includes champagne and a certificate.
Private Horse Carriage Tour
The quintessential romantic Bruges experience. The price is per carriage (up to 5 people), making it ~$16 / €14 each for a group.
De Halve Maan Brewery Tour & Tasting
Includes a tour of the historic brewery and a free Brugse Zot beer with views over the city from the rooftop.
Popular Activities
Top-rated tours and experiences in Bruges
Day Trip Costs
Popular day trips from Bruges and what they cost
Ghent
$22 / €19 by train
$19 / €16
$65 / €55
Antwerp
$38 / €32 by train
$24 / €20
$100 / €85
Payment & Money
How to pay and what to know about money
Euro (EUR)
1 € ≈ 1.18 $
No
High. Even small chocolate shops and cafes accept contactless cards and Apple/Google Pay.
Tipping is not mandatory. Most locals simply round up to the nearest $1.18 / €1 or $2.35 / €2 in cafes. In restaurants, a 5–10% tip for exceptional service is appreciated but never expected.
Stick to official bank ATMs like KBC, Belfius, or BNP Paribas Fortis located near the Markt or station to avoid fees (~$3.53–$5.89 / €3–€5) charged by independent operators.
Connectivity
eSIM: $4.12–$8.24 for 1GB-5GB (7-15 days) (opens in new tab)
Local SIM: $12–$18 / €10–€15 at local newsstands for 3GB-5GB data
WiFi: Excellent. Most cafes, museums, and public squares like the Markt have free, reliable hotspots.
Airalo's eSIM is the most convenient, but a local Proximus SIM offers better value (~$12 / €10 for 3GB) if you need a local number for reservations.
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 Bruges.
Updated: February 16, 2026
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