Prices in Belgium are not the lowest, so visiting Belgium can turn out to be a considerable expense, especially since the prices here are calculated in euro. Even in nearby France it is cheaper. When it comes to the specific region of Belgium where it is the most expensive, it is definitely the capital, i.e. Brussels. High prices are also found in other tourist-favorite places, such as Bruges, Antwerp and Ghent. Therefore, it is worth getting acquainted with the prices of accommodation, transport, food and sightseeing in Belgium before the trip. In order to be prepared for such and not other expenses. It will also help you stick to a set, sometimes even limited budget.
Accommodation prices in Belgium
Accommodation costs in Belgium depend on the specific place and date of arrival. The most expensive times, almost everywhere, are holidays and the warmer months. The most expensive accommodation is in Brussels and in other tourist attractive cities. In smaller and less known places, the cost of accommodation will be cheaper. However, in summer it can be difficult to find vacancies, because there are simply much less of them than in large cities.
Average accommodation prices in Belgium are as follows:
- a night in a hostel will cost more than 50 euro
- an overnight stay in a two-star hotel costs almost 100 euro
- a night in a four-star hotel costs around 110 euro
- an overnight stay in a five-star facility will cost at least 180 euro
Of course, you can find, for example, cheaper accommodation in a hostel, but it is unlikely to be lower than 19-20 euro per night. When it comes to shared rooms in Belgium, their cost also fluctuates around EUR 20-35 per night. It is also worth looking for price opportunities on websites that bring together accommodation offers of various facilities.
Urban transport prices in Belgium
Public transport prices are high. For a single ticket, depending on the city, we will pay about 1.5-3 euro. Therefore, if we intend to travel more by public transport, it is better to consider day, weekend or even weekly tickets, if of course they will be available in a given place. A one-day ticket costs 6-8 euro, while a three-day ticket costs 12 to 18 euro.
In turn, moving between Belgian cities is not that expensive anymore. The country is not big, so the distances here are also not huge. Rail transport between major cities costs 12-16 euro per ticket. In addition, it is also possible to purchase a ticket for more journeys, which can be used by more than one person.
See also current prices in the Netherlands.
Taxi, car rental and fuel prices in Belgium
Taxi prices in Belgium are quite high. You have to pay 2.5 to 9 euro for the beginning of the course itself. To this we have to add from 1.80 to 3.30 euro for each kilometer traveled. On the other hand, an hourly taxi rank in Belgium will cost from 30 to 50 euro.
Renting an economy class car in Belgium for one day costs an average of 26 euro, and a luxury vehicle around 200 euro a day. You also need to add the cost of fuel. In Belgium, the prices are as follows:
- 95 gasoline 1.36 euro per liter
- gasoline 98 EUR 1.40 per liter
- diesel 1.28 euro per liter
- LPG 0.46 euro per liter
Food prices in shops in Belgium
Food in Belgium is expensive, especially when it comes to vegetables and fruits, as well as dairy and meat. The way to save a little is shopping in cheaper stores and supermarkets. In Belgium, these are network discounters such as Aldi, Smatch or Lidl. You can also go shopping in Spar, Carrefour, Colruyt or Delhaize. We will pay the most for grocery shopping in Belgium, buying in small shops and gas stations.
Average prices of basic groceries in shops in Belgium:
- butter 1.60 euro per cube
- bread roll 0.40 euro each
- sweet roll 0.75 euro apiece
- croissant 0.50 euro each
- baguette 1.20 euro for a large loaf
- bread 1.70 euro for a loaf
- milk 1 euro per liter
- fruit yoghurt 0.50 euro for a small cup
- sandwich cheese 2 euro per pack
- yellow cheese 3 euro for 200 grams
- blue cheese 3.60 euro each
- white cheese 5.20 euro per kilo
- eggs 2.60 euro for 12 pieces
- sausage 19 euro per kilo
- sliced ham 3.50 euro per pack
- sliced salami 1.40 euro for 100 grams
- minced meat 13 euro per kilogram
- chicken fillet 9 euro per kilogram
- beef 15 euro per kilo
- salmon fillet 18 euro for 0.7 kilogram
- prawns 6 euro for 0.5 kilogram
- pasta 0.70 euro for 0.5 kilogram
- rice 1.90 euro per kilogram
- oil 2 euro per liter
- a chocolate bar 0.95 euro each
- chocolate 2 euro for a plate
- cookies 1.90 euro per package
- chips from 2 euro for a large package
- sugar 0.90 euro per kilogram
- instant coffee 8 euro for 0.2 kilogram
- tea 1.60 euro per packet
Average prices of fruit and vegetables in shops in Belgium:
- mango 1.70 euro each
- watermelons 1 euro per kilogram
- oranges 2.30 euro per kilo
- bananas 1.80 euro per kilo
- pears 2.70 euro per kilogram
- tangerines 2 euro for 1 kilogram
- apples 2.20 euro per kilogram
- strawberries 6 euro per kilo
- radishes 1.30 euro for a bunch
- potatoes 1.50 euro per kilo
- lettuce 1.20 euro apiece
- peppers 2.30 euro per kilogram
- tomatoes 2.10 euro per kilogram
- onions 1.30 euro per kilo
- cucumbers 1.10 euro per kilogram
- broccoli 2 euro per kilo
- eggplant 1.80 euro per kilogram
Average prices of drinks, alcohol and cigarettes in Belgium:
- water 0.90 euro for 1.5 liters
- cola 2.10 euro for 1.5 liters
- ice tea 1.70 euro for 1.5 liters
- carbonated drink 2.20 euro for 1.5 liters
- juice 1.65 euro per liter
- branded energy drink 1.60 euro for 0.25 liters
- cider 2.70 euro for 0.75 liters
- radler 1.15 euro for 0.33 liters
- wine 7 euro for a mid-range bottle
- beer from a local brewery 1.30 euro for 0.5 liters
- imported beer 1.70 euro for 0.33 liters
- gin 17 euro for 0.7 liters
- vodka 14 euro for a bottle
- whiskey 17 euro for a bottle
- rum 19 euro for a bottle
- cigarettes 6.70 euro per packet
Meal prices in restaurants in Belgium
As you can already guess, the prices of meals in restaurants in Belgium will not be low. In touristic places it will be hard to find a main course below 20 euro per person. By looking in slightly cheaper eateries, you can find a meal in the range of 15 euro. However, for a three-course dinner in a better restaurant, we will pay 30 euro per person. The cheapest option, but not very healthy, is street food or fast food. However, in Belgium, it can also seriously ventilate our wallets.
Average fast food and street food prices in Belgium:
- Belgian fries 3 euro per serving
- hamburger with cheese 2.40 euro
- set in the well-known fast food 8 euro
- kebab 5-6 euro
- a sandwich or a stuffed bread 3.30 euro
- wings + fries 7 euro
- hot dog with toppings + fries 14 euro
- shashlik and chips 11 euro
- takeaway salad 4.50 euro
- grilled haloumi cheese 7 euro
- falafel 3 euro for two
- frikandel 2 euro a piece
- pizza from 7-8 euro
Average meal prices in restaurants in Belgium:
- salad with chicken, tuna or prawns 11-15 euro
- risotto 12-15 euro depending on the toppings
- mussels and chips 21 euro
- Flemish beef stew 16 euro
- soup 5-6 euro for portions
- pasta with sauce 12-15 euro
- soup + a piece of lasagne 13 euro
- soup + steak 19 euro
- chicken with fries and salad 11 euro
- BBQ ribs 15 euro per portion
- grilled chicken with asparagus 15 euro
- calamari served with vegetables 18 euro
Average prices in cafes and bars in Belgium:
- Belgian waffles 3 euro each
- ice cream ball 2.5 euro
- ice cream dessert with macaroons 4.60 euro
- dessert turkish delights 4.75 euro
- milkshakes or smoothies 5-6 euro
- lemonade 4 euro
- tea 2 euro
- coffee 2 euro
- cappuccino 3 euro
- American coffee 3.50 euro
- hot chocolate 4.50 euro
- water 2.20 euro for 0.33 liters
- cola 2.40 euro for 0.33 liters
- beer from a local brewery 4 euro for 0.5 liters
- imported beer 3.50 euro for 0.33 liters
- a glass of wine 3-4 euro
Prices for attractions in Belgium
The prices of attractions in Belgium are also not the lowest. However, you can find those that are completely free or the cost of a ticket does not exceed 10 euro. You have to pay a little more for the most popular ones.
- Rubens House in Antwerp 8 euro
- Antwerp Zoo 24 euro
- Plantin-Moretus Museum in Antwerp 8 euro
- Museum aan de Stroom 5 euro
- Antwerp Cathedral 5 euro
- History of Brugge in Bruges € 13.50
- Jeruzalemkerk Chapel in Bruges 7 euro
- Beffroi lookout tower in Bruges 10 euro
- De Halve Maan Brewery 9 euro
- Gravensteen Castle in Ghent 10 euro
- Belford Tower in Ghent 8 euro
- Ghent City Museum 8 euro
- Museum of Fine Arts in Ghent 8 euro
- Atomium with the Mini Europa Park 27.50 euro
- Autoworld in Brussels 10 euro
- full tour of St. Michael and St. Gudula in Brussels 6 euro
- Oceade in Brussels 19 euro
- Trainworld in Brussels 10 euro
- Musical Instrument Museum in Brussels 10 euro
See also the interesting places, monuments and attractions of Brussels.
What are your opinions on prices in Belgium?