Brussels on a budget: the all-in weekend
From which city and for how much, all-in.
Photo: Unsplash · images.unsplash.com/photo-1548092304-e0205cb0031bBrussels (BE) is one of our gems. Here's the estimated budget for 2 nights depending on your departure city, transport, lodging and on-site living included.
The budget from your departure city
- From Manchester ~£171–200 →
- From Birmingham ~£182–213 →
- From Edinburgh ~£202–237 →
- From Dublin ~242–284 € →
- From London ~£211–247 →
- From Chicago ~$488–572 →
- From Boston ~$502–589 →
- From New York ~$570–670 →
- From Atlanta ~$591–694 →
- From San Francisco ~$699–820 →
- From Los Angeles ~$707–831 →
- From Miami ~$774–908 →
- From Washington ~$918–1,078 →
What to do in Brussels?
The must-sees you shouldn't miss on the spot:
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Grand-Place
The listed Baroque square, ringed by ornate guild houses.
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Manneken-Pis
The city's iconic little fountain statue of a peeing boy.
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Atomium
The giant iron molecule left over from the 1958 World's Fair.
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Royal Museums of Fine Arts
Flemish masters alongside the dedicated Magritte Museum.
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Royal Saint-Hubert Galleries
The 19th-century covered arcade lined with chocolate shops.
Skip-the-line tickets and guided tours via our partners.
Best time to go
For Brussels, aim for May, June, July, August, September: nice weather and still-reasonable prices.
Frequently asked questions about Brussels
Is 2 days enough for Brussels?
Two days is enough to cover the essentials, since Brussels has a compact centre you can explore mostly on foot. You can fit in the Grand-Place, the Manneken-Pis, the Sablon and a waffle or fries stop, then use the second day for the museums or the Atomium. If you want a slower pace or day trips to Bruges or Ghent, you will feel a little rushed.
Is 3 days enough to see Brussels?
Three days is a comfortable amount of time for Brussels and lets you see the main sights without cramming. You can spend two days on the historic centre, the museums and neighbourhoods like Saint-Gilles or Ixelles, then use the third day for a budget-friendly train trip to nearby Bruges, Ghent or Antwerp. It is a good balance of city and day-trip time.
Is Brussels budget friendly?
Brussels is fairly budget-friendly for a Western European capital, especially compared to Paris or London. Many of its best experiences, like wandering the Grand-Place, admiring the architecture and browsing local markets, are free, and simple staples such as fries, waffles and beer stay affordable. Public transport and a few free-entry museum slots help keep costs reasonable.
How to do Brussels on a budget?
Walk the compact centre instead of paying for transport, and look out for museums that offer free or reduced entry on certain days. Eat where locals do (a fritkot for fries, bakeries for lunch) and pick a guesthouse or place slightly outside the tourist core to save on rooms. Booking your train and accommodation early usually gets you the cheapest fares.
How much money do I need for 4 days in Brussels?
Four days in Brussels can be done on a modest budget if you cook or grab casual meals, walk between sights and prioritise free attractions. A mid-range trip with restaurant dinners, museum tickets and a day trip will cost more, while splurging on hotels and nightlife pushes it higher. Your biggest levers are accommodation and how often you eat out, so plan those first.
What should you not miss in Brussels?
Do not miss the Grand-Place, one of Europe's most striking central squares, and the quirky Manneken-Pis nearby. Beyond that, the Atomium, the Art Nouveau streets around Saint-Gilles, the antiques market on the Sablon and a proper plate of fries or a fresh waffle round out the essentials. Most of these highlights cost little or nothing to enjoy.
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