Belgium on a Budget

Hey there, intrepid explorers! Get ready to embark on an epic 10-day adventure through Belgium, a country that's more than just waffles and chocolate (although those are pretty awesome too). I’ll drop city totals throughout, follow along as you discover how I spent $170 per day (total for two travelers)!

My favorite aspect of this trip was using all forms of public transit the entire time- no cabs, Uber, or cars. The train system allows you (at time of publishing) to purchase a commuter pass and share it with your traveling buddy making the total for a week of train trips $100 USD.

Grab your travel pack, and let's dive into a budget-friendly itinerary where you'll be laughing, eating, and traveling through some of Belgium's finest cities by train!

Day 1: Arrive in Brussels - Start your journey in the vibrant capital city. Take a stroll through the Grand Place, gobble down some delicious street waffles, and marvel at the awe-inspiring architecture. Find a cozy budget-friendly hotel to rest your weary traveler's head for the night.

I arrived in Belgium and was meeting a friend coming in on the Eurostar so I checked into a hotel for the day to shower and rest after 20 hours of travel. Day use hotels are incredibly common, though often overlooked. A regular hotel chain will offer day use for travelers to have a safe spot to rest and recharge for long layovers and the in between. I spent $80 USD to have 8 hours in a hotel across the street from Brussels Central train station. For my trip, I chose to prioritize rest in this moment and then meet my friend to hop our train onto our first full stop in Bruges.

Day 2-3: Delight in Bruges - Next stop, the fairytale city of Bruges. Enjoy scenic canal boat rides, get lost in the maze of medieval streets, Find the Frite Museum (because who can resist a museum dedicated to fries?) and indulge in heavenly Belgian chocolates at my favorite- Dumon Chocolatier. Stay at budget-friendly accommodations that don't skimp on charm and are in the heart of the city.

Stay: Hotel Bla Bla

See: Frite Museum and canal boat tour

Eat: Kebab, and any frite shop. Drink at Le Trappiste beer cave.

Total for 2 nights hotel, activities and food in Bruges: $405

Day 4-6: Uncover Antwerp's Gems - Hop on a quick train and make your way to the sparkling city of Antwerp. Explore the historic Old Town, marvel at breathtaking diamond displays, and savor local beers at cozy bars that won't drain your wallet. Antwerp is also home to incredible second hand shopping, think US thrift store prices circa 2000- Levi’s, Birkenstock, and more.

Stay: City Box Antwerp

See: Het Steen and the Diamond District

Eat: Takumi Ramen

Total for 2 nights hotel, activities and food in Antwerp: $273

Day 7-8: Explore Lier - Hop on a short 20 minute train and head to the charming city of Lier. Spend your time wandering through picturesque cobblestone streets, tree lined side streets and river front trail around the city. Take a break to view the Zimmer tower while having a beer and broodj (a traditional Belgian sandwich). If you’re traveling with kids, the Stadsmeseum has incredible hands on exhibites geared toward family friendly experiences- and when I say hands on I mean you can touch, experience and play at this museum. Lier is the most darling city, and you’ll want to have your Google translate at the ready as it is a predominantly Flemish speaking region. Pro tip: stop into Stadshuis, the city center, and grab a tourism coupon booklet to use while you’re in town.

Stay: Hotel Florent

See: Zimmer Tower, Stadsmuseum

Eat: Cafe Refuge, De Zimmer, Red Spoon Bistro

Total for 2 nights hotel, activities and food in Lier: $412 (we drank a lot of local beer in Lier)

Day 9-10: Back to Brussels - Return to the buzzing heart of Brussels for your grand finale. Visit the quirky Comic Strip Center, sample street food delights like frites and waffles (again, because they're just too good to resist), and perhaps even catch a lively street performance in the bustling city squares. Pop over to the EU campus and visit parliament, if you’re lucky you’ll find a lovely market to grab some champagne and small bites. Stay near the Grote Markt to be close to it all- food, nightlife and public transport.

Stay;

See: EU Parliament, Manneken Pis, Atomium

Eat: Waffles at Galet, frites anywhere and beers at Delirium

Total for 2 nights hotel, activities and food in Brussels: $541

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