How Much Does Brussels Cost? 2026 Budget Guide | Prices & Tips
Brussels is a versatile European capital where costs can vary significantly based on whether a visitor is focused on the diplomatic EU Quarter or the historic center. While it is generally more affordable than nearby Paris or London, travelers should expect a moderate price point with a typical solo daily budget ranging from $77 / €65 to $683 / €580. The city’s unique position as a business and political hub means that high-end services are plentiful, yet quintessential experiences like street-side fries and public art remain accessible to those on a tighter budget. Mid-range visitors will find excellent value in the local bistro scene, where authentic Belgian fare and world-class Trappist beers are standard features. Navigating the city effectively involves balancing paid attractions like the Atomium with numerous high-quality free cultural institutions.
Is Brussels expensive to visit?
Brussels is a moderately expensive city, with expected daily costs ranging from $77 / €65 to $683 / €580 depending on the level of luxury and dining preferences.
On This Page
Daily Budget
How much to budget per person per day in Brussels
$77
per person /day
$253
per person /day
$683
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 | $230 | $759 | $2,048 |
| 5-Day Trip | $383 | $1,265 | $3,413 |
| 7-Day Trip | $536 | $1,771 | $4,779 |
per person — Excludes international flights
Budget Buffer
Recommended contingency for unexpected expenses
A daily buffer of 10–20% is recommended to cover variable costs such as the local hotel tourist tax and common restaurant surcharges like the $2.35–$5.89 / €2–€5 bread and tapenade fee. Travelers should also carry small change for public toilet fees, which typically range from $0.59–$1.18 / €0.5–€1 at major transit hubs.
How Does It Compare?
See how Brussels stacks up against other popular destinations
What Things Cost
Real prices for common tourist expenses in Brussels
Food & Drink (3)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Large Fries with Sauce (Maison Antoine) A quintessential Brussels street food experience. Expect long queues at Place Jourdan. | $5.65 €4.8 |
| Mid-Range Restaurant Dinner (Main Course) Typical cost for a carbonnade flamande or mussels in a standard bistro. | $28 €24 |
| Pint of Belgian Trappist Beer (Bistro) Draft lagers are cheaper (~$4.12 / €3.5), but craft/Trappist beers average ~$6.47 / €5.5. | $6.47 €5.5 |
Transport (4)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| STIB-MIVB Single Journey (Contactless) Contactless fare. Paper single ticket is $3.41 / €2.9. Valid for 60 minutes with transfers. | $2.82 €2.4 |
| STIB contactless daily cap (max per day) When paying contactless, STIB charges max $10 / €8.5/day (after 4 journeys, additional journeys that day are free). | $10 €8.5 |
| Train: Brussels Central to Airport (Standard) Standard one-way fare between Brussels Airport and the Brussels Zone is $11 / €9.3 and includes the Diabolo fee. If you already hold an SNCB ticket, the Diabolo supplement (currently $8.12 / €6.9) may be added separately. | $11 €9.3 |
| Taxi Flag Drop (Daytime) The initial meter charge. Expect ~$2.71 / €2.3 per additional km. | $3.06 €2.6 |
Accommodation (3)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Dorm Bed in Central Hostel (Urban City Centre) Low-season starting rate for a shared dorm. Prices typically rise to ~$29–$41 / €25–€35 during weekends or summer. | $21 €18 |
| 3-Star Hotel Nightly Rate (Average) Centrally located mid-range hotels like Ibis or Novotel fall into this bracket. | $179 €152 |
| 5-Star Luxury Hotel (Corinthia Brussels / Astoria) Flagship luxury hotel; starting rates often around $589+ / €500+ per night depending on dates. | $589 €500 |
Activities (3)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Atomium Entry (Standard Adult) Adult ticket $20 / €17. Seniors (65+) $16 / €14. | $20 €17 |
| Magritte Museum (RMFAB Adult) Magritte-only adult ticket $12 / €10. Old Masters + Magritte combo ticket is $18 / €15. | $12 €10 |
| Brussels Card (24 Hours) 24h Brussels Card starts at $48 / €41. STIB public transport add-on for 24h is +$11 / €9. | $48 €41 |
Connectivity (1)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Airalo eSIM (10GB / 30 Days) Convenient digital option that works immediately on arrival. | $14 €12 |
Food & Dining
What to eat and what it costs
The dining landscape is defined by high-quality comfort food, with a standard mid-range restaurant dinner main course costing approximately $28 / €24. Casual street food is a budget staple, such as a large portion of fries with sauce at the famous Maison Antoine for $5.65 / €4.8, while a pint of Belgian Trappist beer in a local bistro typically averages $6.47 / €5.5.
Cheap Eats
Where locals eat — real places, real prices
Maison Antoine
$5.3–$12 / €4.5–€10Place Jourdan · Street food area
You can eat your fries at many of the surrounding bars if you buy a drink—look for the 'frites accepted' sign.
Noordzee (Mer du Nord)
$9.42–$21 / €8–€18Sainte-Catherine · Street food area
Eat standing up at the tall tables; try the ~$11 / €9 grey shrimp croquettes.
Tonton Garby
$7.65–$14 / €6.5–€12Central · Bakery
Garby will make a custom sandwich based on your taste preferences; expect a 15-minute wait.
Bia Mara
$16–$24 / €14–€20Grand Place · Local chain
Modern, sustainable fish and chips with creative sauces for under ~$21 / €18.
Wolf Food Market
$14–$26 / €12–€22City Center · Food court
Great for groups as it offers everything from sushi to Neapolitan pizza in a stylish indoor hall.
Getting Around
Transport costs and the smartest ways to move
Brussels is highly walkable, but its comprehensive STIB-MIVB network is the most efficient way to travel longer distances, costing $2.82 / €2.4 for a contactless single journey. For those paying contactless, STIB caps daily spending at $10 / €8.5 (after 4 journeys, additional journeys that day are free), covering all metro, tram, and bus lines within the region.
Accommodation Overview
The city's hotel market is influenced by the business calendar. Mid-range (3-star) properties fluctuate heavily by weekday vs weekend. At the very top end, Corinthia Brussels (formerly the Grand Hotel Astoria) is a flagship luxury option with rooms starting around $589+ / €500+ per night.
Accommodation Budget in Brussels
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 a Brussels Card for $48 / €41 to get 24-hour access to 49 museums; it pays for itself if visiting three or more major sites like the Magritte Museum or the Belgian Comic Strip Center.
- 2 Pay for transport using contactless cards or devices to secure the $2.82 / €2.4 rate, avoiding the $3.41 / €2.9 surcharge for physical paper tickets.
- 3 Look for 'Plat du Jour' lunch specials in the Saint-Géry and Dansaert districts, which often offer a full meal for significantly less than the $28 / €24 dinner average.
- 4 Take advantage of free museum entry on the first Sunday of the month at the Musée Mode & Dentelle and the Sewers Museum, or the first Wednesday afternoon for the Magritte Museum.
- 5 Avoid hotels in the EU Quarter during the week when diplomatic business keeps prices high; instead, look for weekend deals when business rates often drop.
- 6 Refill water bottles at public fountains located in major squares like Grand Place to avoid paying $3.18 / €2.7 or more for bottled water in cafes.
- 7 Eat at the Wolf Food Market in the city center for a variety of high-quality local and international dishes at lower price points than traditional sit-down bistros.
- 8 Visit the Neuhaus Outlet Shop on the outskirts near Erasmus station for significant discounts and free samples of premium Belgian chocolate.
- 9 Buy a standard train ticket from Brussels Central to the airport for $11 / €9.3, which already includes the mandatory Diabolo supplement, rather than paying separately.
- 10 Utilize the free Poelaert elevators at Place Poelaert for a panoramic view of the city rather than paying for a high-rise observation deck.
Seasonal Pricing
When prices rise and fall throughout the year
Apr, May, Jun, Sep, Oct, Dec
+25-35%
Jan, Feb, Nov
-20-30%
Mar, May, Sep
Brussels is a business city; hotels can actually be cheaper on weekends than midweek. July and August are busy with tourists but avoid the business rush, leading to moderate prices.
Events to Watch
- ● Flower Carpet (mid-August, even years): +50% hotel rates
- ● EU Summits (various): Hotel prices spike in the EU Quarter
- ● Winter Wonders (Dec): City center hotels increase prices by ~$47 / €40/night
Free Things to Do
The best experiences that cost absolutely nothing
- 1 Explore the Grand Place, a UNESCO World Heritage site, to admire the ornate guildhalls and the Town Hall for $0.
- 2 Follow the Comic Strip Route to discover over 60 large-scale murals of famous characters like Tintin and the Smurfs throughout the city.
- 3 Visit the Parlamentarium to learn about the European Parliament through interactive exhibits with free entry for all visitors.
- 4 Walk through the House of European History in Leopold Park, which offers free admission and multimedia guides in 24 languages.
- 5 Snap a photo of the iconic Manneken Pis statue, located just a short walk from the central square.
- 6 Stroll through the Mont des Arts gardens for a manicured landscape and one of the most famous elevated views of the city skyline.
- 7 Admire the architecture and majestic interiors of the Cathedral of St. Michael and St. Gudula for no cost.
- 8 Explore the Parc du Cinquantenaire to see the massive triumphal arch and sprawling green spaces.
- 9 Visit the Royal Palace of Brussels during the summer months when it opens its doors to the public for free tours.
- 10 Wander through the Galeries Royales Saint-Hubert, a stunning 19th-century glass-roofed shopping arcade.
- 11 Browse the daily flea market at Place du Jeu de Balle in the Marolles district for a glimpse into local life and vintage curiosities.
- 12 Take in the sunset views from the terrace at Place Poelaert in front of the Palais de Justice.
Worth the Splurge
Premium experiences that justify the price tag
Michelin-starred Dinner at Comme Chez Soi
A legendary Art Nouveau dining room; lunch (Wed–Sat) is a relatively accessible way in (their lunch is advertised at $106 / €90 for starter+main+dessert).
Private Belgian Chocolate Workshop
Learn from a master chocolatier like Laurent Gerbaud; you take home ~$35 / €30 worth of your own creations.
Corinthia Spa x Sisley treatment
Premium spa experience at Corinthia Brussels; pricing depends on treatment and access—check the live booking page for current rates.
Popular Activities
Top-rated tours and experiences in Brussels
Day Trip Costs
Popular day trips from Brussels and what they cost
Bruges
$38 / €32 by train
$18 / €15
$88 / €75
Ghent
$25 / €21 by train
$14 / €12
$71 / €60
Payment & Money
How to pay and what to know about money
Euro (EUR)
1 € ≈ 1.18 $
No
Everywhere, including most market stalls and public toilets.
Service is legally included in the bill. It is customary to round up to the nearest ~$2.35–$5.89 / €2–€5 for good service at dinner.
Use bank-affiliated ATMs (BNP Paribas, KBC, ING). Avoid 'Euronet' machines which charge high withdrawal fees (~$4.71+ / €4+).
Connectivity
eSIM: $8.83 for 5GB (30 days) (opens in new tab)
Local SIM: $18 / €15 for 10GB with Proximus Pay&Go
WiFi: Excellent in the city center via 'wifi.brussels' and in most cafés.
Airalo eSIM is the most seamless for short stays; Proximus local SIMs offer better value for heavy data users.
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 Brussels.
Updated: February 16, 2026
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