10 budget-friendly strategies for travelers in Belgium

Situated at the heart of Western Europe, Belgium is brimming with museums, castles, high-end shops, and exquisite dining options.

While Belgium may have a reputation for being pricey, there's no need to worry. With tasty street food, vibrant breweries, and affordable train passes alongside free museum visits, you can enjoy the best of Belgium without overspending. Here are our top tips for saving money, along with a guide to daily expenses.

Daily expenses in Belgium

Hostel accommodation: €35–120 per night Standard room for two: €75–175 per night Self-catering apartment (including Airbnb): starting from €85 per night Public transport fare: €2.50 Coffee: €3–5 Sandwich: €6–11 Dinner for two: €75–150 Pint of beer at a bar: €4–8 Belgian waffle: €2–5 Belgian fries: €3–5

Ready to start planning your adventure? Discover the must-see spots in Belgium

1. Travel during the off-peak season

In Belgium, peak travel times are typically July and August. The busy period can also extend from April to September for seaside trips. Additionally, Christmas markets are becoming increasingly popular, making the holiday season a busy time as well.

Traveling in the offseason means lower prices for flights and accommodations, and less crowded international trains. Given Belgium's unpredictable and often rainy weather, consider visiting during the shoulder seasons of March to May or September to October for a better chance of pleasant weather and reduced costs.

2. Most cities are easily walkable

Belgium's compact cities are a major advantage, perfect for exploration on foot. Whether small like Bruges or Mons, or with attractions clustered together like in Brussels, they are simple to navigate.

In general, public transport won't be necessary, and you can reserve taxi rides for nights when night buses aren't available (Sunday to Thursday).

Using public transport might set you back around €10 per day (or more), so why not save your money and enjoy the vibrant atmosphere and stunning architecture as you walk?

3. Beer is quite affordable

Belgium is renowned for its beer, offering everything from rich Trappist ales to tart gueuzes, making it surprisingly budget-friendly. A standard 25cl draft beer starts at €2.80 (similar to a soft drink), while special 33cl bottled beers begin at €4.50.

Immerse yourself in Belgian culture by pairing your meals with a beer (for example, at the laid-back Zotte Mouche in Brussels). Alternatively, visit a microbrewery's taproom, such as Antwerpse Brouw Compagnie in Antwerp, to try it fresh from the source.

4. Take advantage of street food and local markets

Fortunately for your budget, Belgium is filled with street food vendors. These stalls are a godsend in a country known for its pricey restaurants (where a single meal can easily exceed €50).

Savor a hot cone of fries for about €4.50 with your choice of sauce, or for a more substantial bite, try a mitraillette (a half baguette stuffed with fries and your choice of skewered or fried meat, or falafel).

For a delightful dessert, visit a Liège waffle stand. This denser, caramelized waffle is perfect on its own and makes for a convenient snack. Markets not only sell fruits and vegetables but increasingly feature stalls offering delicious meals at budget-friendly prices.

The Marché de la Place Flagey in Brussels is one of the most popular. If you enjoy fish and seafood, make your way to Ostend's Fish Market for the freshest grey shrimp in Belgium.

5. Dine during lunch hours

We all love indulging in a nice restaurant while traveling, and there's a trick to keeping your expenses down – opt for lunch instead of dinner. Many restaurants provide daily or weekly fixed-price menus at lunchtime, often costing half of what dinner would.

In Ghent, for example, the contemporary restaurant Elders has a lunch menu priced at €38, while the four-course dinner is €65. Be sure to check the opening times and make a reservation in advance.

6. Travel affordably by train

Belgium features a comprehensive railway network that connects all major and mid-sized cities effortlessly. The service is dependable (though occasionally delayed), efficient, and comfortable. You can buy tickets online, at stations, or through automated kiosks without the need for advance reservations.

For those planning to visit several cities, SNCB/NMBS offers a transferable 10-trip pass called 'Multi.' The Standard pass is priced at €102, or €99 if purchased through the Belgian Railways app. For travelers under 26, the 'Multi Youth' pass costs €62, or €60 via the app, and it's also valid for group journeys.

If your itinerary includes just one or two cities, try to travel on a weekend or public holiday when tickets are available at a 50% discount.

7. Opt for hostels to save money

Since the onset of COVID-19, accommodation costs in Belgium have surged (expect at least €150 a night in Brussels), affecting both Airbnbs and hostels. However, aside from couchsurfing, hostels remain the most budget-friendly option for an overnight stay.

A bed in a dormitory located in city centers will cost between €35 and €75. While private rooms in hostels used to be a bargain, their prices have now aligned with those of hotel rooms.

In Belgium's larger cities (Brussels, Antwerp, Ghent, and Liège), hotel prices tend to dip slightly on weekends, particularly on Sunday nights.

8. Explore flea markets for unique and affordable treasures

Budget-minded travelers will relish the opportunity to sift through Belgium's lively flea markets. They offer a treasure trove of distinctive items beyond typical souvenirs: think Art Nouveau lamps, Bruges lace handkerchiefs, original Tintin comic books, or even some forgotten designer clothes at a fraction of their original price.

The excitement of the search is part of the experience. In Brussels' bustling Marolles neighborhood, the flea market at Place du Jeu-de-Balle operates every morning.

In Ghent, the Vrijdagmarkt is held every Friday, featuring a diverse selection, from fresh produce and flowers to vintage treasures and handmade crafts. Belgium's oldest market, the Marché de la Batte in Liège, also includes a flea market section and is open every Sunday.

9. Take advantage of self-guided tours

Thanks to the efforts of tourism offices, there are numerous free self-guided tours available, highlighting not just the main attractions (like in Tournai) but also themed experiences such as Brussels' famous comic-book murals route, romantic spots in Bruges, or Mechelen’s 'Road to Heavy Metal', featuring a complimentary audio guide focused on the city’s carillon heritage.

Looking for more? The free Totemus app offers gamified walks (scavenger hunts!) with various routes, primarily in Brussels and Wallonia. These journeys delve into diverse topics, from tracing the lives of the Brontë sisters in Brussels to exploring Namur's citadel or the industrial history of Charleroi.

Totemus incorporates riddles and quizzes based on your environment to lead you to the next clue and, ultimately, the coveted totem at the end of the hunt.

10. Enjoy free museum visits

Museum visits can be pricey, with entry fees soaring to €20. Fortunately, there are ways to save. Start by taking advantage of free museums. For instance, if you're curious about the EU, both the Parlamentarium and the House of European History offer free admission.

Are you an art enthusiast? The Musée Antoine Wiertz and Musée Meunier, both part of the Brussels Fine Arts Museums, offer free admission.

In Brussels and Wallonia, most museums allow free entry on the first Sunday of each month, though this practice has been discontinued in Flanders.

If you plan to visit three or more museums, consider the MuseumPass, which offers access to 235 museums nationwide for just €59.