UK travelers just adore visiting the dream destination of Belgium. And why wouldn’t that be? Wherever you roam in Belgium, the country is full of charming cities, great historical backgrounds, and delicious Belgian food available without going too far to the corner of the world. Now this would suggest that everyone from the UK will be able to visit Belgium at ease, but what’s stopping many of them? It is the rising travel costs all across Europe that many UK tourists often ask: Is Belgium expensive?
To be honest, Belgium is actually not the cheapest European destination, but we believe that with the right planning and the power of the available knowledge, making a budget-friendly trip to Belgium is actually possible. This is why in this blog we will be offering a free guide with saving tips when you travel to Belgium, especially keeping the UK travelers in mind. Also, if you are facing any complications in getting a Belgium Tourist Visa, we can help you with that too. Further details will be provided before the end of this blog.
When you plan to travel to Belgium, you need to understand that choosing the right time is essential. If you choose to travel during the shoulder season, i.e., from the months between April to June and September to October, you have a great opportunity to save enough amount on the flight tickets and accommodation bookings. As per the statistics, most of the flights from the UK to Belgium can drop to about 30% compared to the soaring prices in the summer season. As far as hotels are concerned, hotels also offer lower rates during non-peak months. To make it easy for you, a hotel room for €150 during the summer will cost you about €90 in spring.
Furthermore, the Belgium weather feels comfortable during this period. So you have mild temperatures to face with fewer crowds around you. Just enjoy the trip with a relaxed pace while saving around €100-€200 over a 5-day stay.
Another way to reduce unnecessary extra costs while you travel to Belgium is by taking advantage of the splendid transportation network. Trains, buses and trams are very affordable. Now it’s better to purchase a combo of 10 journey tickets in Brussels that will cost around €17. This is because if you buy individual tickets that will end up costing you €25.
Moreover, the public transport in Belgium connects all the major cities with ease. Remember that if you travel during the weekend, then the SNCB/NMBS will offer a 50% discount on the return train journeys. A round trip from Brussels to Bruges usually costs about €28. Now, if you apply the weekend pass, your round trip will be just for €14.
Thus, choosing trains and trams over overpriced taxis or rental cars, you could save around €30 to €60 during the visit.
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It is already mentioned above that Belgium has a great cultural heritage. This is why many top museums offer free admission. Like, for example, the Parlamentarium and the House of European History in Brussels are completely free. If you are fond of art, then the Musée Antoine Wiertz and Musée Meunier stay open without charging any entry fee.
Now coming to other popular institutions there are free museum days available. Like the first Wednesday or Sunday of the month can give complete free access. Generally, the museum entry fees are between €8 and €15, so if you plan to visit around 4 to 5 museums, you could save around €30 to €60.
The cities like Brussels and Bruges are stunningly beautiful, but it is expensive too. So, since we have to reduce cost, it would be logical to choose an affordable area like Ghent, Mechelen, or Leuven for accommodation, which are considered the cheapest cities in Belgium for many travellers.
These cities even offer dining options at lower prices, and you can easily go to major attractions using the train service. For example, a hotel in Brussels will cost you €120 per night, and a hotel room in Ghent will cost you €70 per night. So the difference is clear, that you will be saving around €40 to €100 a night. Thus, the destinations have plenty of places to visit in Belgium without making a hole in your pocket.
It’s time to talk about how to make the eating arrangements budget-friendly. Dining in Belgium actually doesn’t have to be expensive. But that doesn’t mean that you can head straight to a gourmet restaurant, as it will be very costly. So we can explore the Belgium street food options which are actually very delicious, authentic, and cheap. So for just €5 to €8 you can enjoy the world famous Belgium Fries that are served in paper cones with a great variety of sauces.
The freshly-baked Belgian waffles are an absolute must-try. You can get it easily from street vendors, then feel the crispy, sweet for just around €3 to €5. Through these iconic foods, you will actually make yourself connect with Belgian culture, and it also serves the goal of budget-conscious travellers. So if you opt for street food instead of restaurants for lunch and snacks, you can save around €10 to €20 per meal.
Check out the markets like Marche de la Place Flagey in Brussels or Ostend’s Fish Market. There are the ideal places and a favourite one among locals to shop for fresh produce, artisanal goods and other local delicacies. The markets are truly a great alternative instead of opting for pricey restaurants.
Just grab everything right from seafood dishes to cheese platters at just half the cost of a meal in any bistro. Additionally,there are many stalls that offer meal boxes under €10, which you can try along with excellent coffee and pastries for just €1.50. Thus, if you travelling with a family of three, you get to save daily from shopping markets for a total between €20 to €30.
Suppose your itinerary consists of visiting many attractions in just one city; then you should definitely invest in a city card. For example, the Brussels Card can give you free access to 40-plus museums, coupled with public transport and discounts at restaurants.
So for €29, you can avail of the 24-hour pass, which can help you get entry to the popular spots, which can total up to €100, if the entry tickets are purchased individually. If you take the passes for 48 or 72 hours, then the savings multiply. It’s a great tool if you’re out for a museum hoping when you travel to Belgium. Other cities like Ghent and Antwerp also offer similar passes too.
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Here we go, coming back to the accommodation hacks again to make your travel to Belgium budget-friendly Try booking our accommodations a few months early. You can unlock great deals, especially on Airbnb and boutique hotels. As per statistics suggest the early bird discounts range from 10% to 40%, depending on the type of season, like peak or off.
If you plan on staying in one city for a long time, like for 3 to 4 nights. Then you can save extra or avail discounts on the weekly stays. If you combine this by choosing to stay in a small town or suburb, you could save around €50 to €150 for the entire trip. Additionally, in cities like Leuven or Namur, you have even the option to find a cozy Airbnb apartment which falls under €50 per night. Thus, it’s ideal for extended stays.
One of the significant highlights when you travel to Belgium is budgeting your daily expenses. So start allocating a specific amount from the beginning itself, like €60, then analyze how much you are spending on your food, transport and other entry fees to get the idea.
Prevent yourself from the craving of impulse buying, going on unnecessary tours and dining in overpriced cafes. This way you can save €10 to €25 daily. Check out the popular apps like Trail Wallet and TravelSpend to help you track spending in real time.
Thus, if you can understand the daily costs in Belgium and try your best to keep them under control, then it will give you an opportunity to extend your trip or treat yourself to something special, like chocolates or souvenirs.
Free walking tours are always available in most Belgian cities. The local guides always help out, showing the important cultural places, the history behind, with some exciting tips. With just a small tip of €5 to €10, you can make the tour very cheap, whereas the paid tours cost around €15 to €25.
Don’t be deceived with the quality of the free walking tours. These tours will surely cover the main landmarks, hidden alleys and other food recommendations. We recommend that you do that on your first day in any city. This way for a trip to multiple cities you could save €30 to €60 through the whole trip.
As per the EU roaming rules, you can use your UK SIM’s existing data plan in Belgium. Don’t buy any local SIMS as you can end up paying high roaming fees. Plus, you have the option to use free Wi-Fi at any cafes, museums and stations. This is another fine way to avoid hidden costs while you travel to Belgium.
Explore more: Belgium Travel Guide 2025: Things To Do in Belgium
Now it’s time to summarise all of it. If you can follow these tips when you travel to Belgium, your estimated savings can be pocket-friendly like this:
| Tip | Estimated Savings |
| Travelling during the shoulder season | €100 to €200 |
| Using Public Transport options | €30 to €60 |
| Visiting free entry fee museums | €30 to €60 |
| Staying in budget-friendly cities | €40 to €100 per night |
| Eating street foods | €10 to €20 per meal |
| Spending on Local Markets | €20 to €30 per day |
| City passes discounts | €30 to €70 |
| Early booking of accommodations | €50 to €150 |
| Fix the budget planning | €10 to €25 per day |
| Free walking tours | €10 to €20 per tour |
Hence, Total Estimated Savings: €400 to €900 per week. ( Remember, it fully depends on your travel style, too)
If the thought of applying for a Belgium Visa Appointment is stressful, then let the experts at BELGIUM VISA UK take care of it for you. We have absolutely talented and experienced expert members who can solve any type of Belgium visa-related queries. Apply online today to fill in your details. After revising your profile, our experts will contact you within 24 working hours. An appointment at the visa centre will also be booked according to your comfort, so that you can focus on your plans for travel to Belgium.
So, coming back to the question, is Belgium expensive? You must have got the idea now that it completely depends on the way you plan. If you can form the right strategy, then your travel to Belgium will never burn a hole in your pocket. Right from jumping into a tram to exploring the aromatic local Belgium street food to witnessing stunning art in popular museums, there are plenty of ways to cut costs and enjoy an unforgettable journey completely worry-free.
We hope that this guide will help you come up with a plan. You will definitely come back home with a full heart and some money left in your pocket.
Also Check: How To Apply for a Belgium Schengen Tourist Visa from the UK easily?
Yes absolutely! You can not only avail the Belgium Rail pass, but you will get great offers on unlimited train travel for a specific number of days, and it is also a great option for regional travel.
No, it is not mandatory. The service charges are already included. However, if you could round up the bill or leave a small change, it will be appreciated.
Yes, tap water is completely safe and is free everywhere in Belgium. You can carry a refillable bottle rather than spending on packaged bottled water.
You can go for the walking tours, visit the open-air markets, relax in public parks and explore the historic city centers in Bruges and Ghent.
April 28, 2025
April 24, 2025
