Make it a trip · Brussels, Belgium
What Brussels costs
once you land
Real prices, from the airport ride to a room for the night, each with where we found it. Checked October 2026, around Grand Place and the city centre.
Prices as the source quoted them.
Dorm bed, three cheap meals, getting around, a coffee, two beers and water.
Arriving
-
Visa free for 90 days in Schengen Fixed
For AU, NZ, GB, US, CA, SG passports.
No fee yet. The €20 ETIAS travel authorisation has no confirmed start date and was not required at the time of writing. Hotels add a small city tax per night.
Sources: Deep Arrival, ETIAS 2026 (2026-10), Schengen Traveler, ETIAS launch date (2026)
Free -
Train from Brussels Airport to the city centre Many reports
Second class. Includes the airport station supplement. Keep the ticket for the exit gates.
Source: UNICA Days, practical info for participants (2026-01)
€11.20 Book an airport pickup -
EU citizens, ID card is enough Fixed
For IE, NL, DE, FR passports.
Free movement within the EU.
Source: Deep Arrival, ETIAS 2026 (2026-10)
Free
Getting around
-
STIB metro, tram or bus ride Fixed
Since 1 February 2026. Tap a bank card at the reader.
Sources: VRT News, STIB fare rise February 2026 (2026-01), Migaku, STIB transit guide (2026-05)
€2.40 -
STIB contactless daily cap Many reports
Tap a bank card; after four journeys in a day the rest are free.
Source: Migaku, STIB transit guide (2026-05)
€8.50
Eating and drinking
-
Lunch menu at a cheap restaurant Many reports
Source: LivingCost, Brussels (2026-06)
US$21 -
US$13.70
-
Dinner for two at a restaurant Many reports
Source: LivingCost, Brussels (2026-06)
US$80 -
Cappuccino Many reports
Source: LivingCost, Brussels (2026-06)
US$4.40 -
Beer at a pub, half a litre Many reports
Source: LivingCost, Brussels (2026-06)
US$5.60
At the supermarket
-
Water, 1 litre Many reports
Source: LivingCost, Brussels (2026-06)
US$0.80 -
Coca-Cola at a restaurant, half a litre Many reports
Source: LivingCost, Brussels (2026-06)
US$3.40 -
Beer from a shop, half a litre Many reports
Source: LivingCost, Brussels (2026-06)
US$2.60
Doing
-
Atomium Fixed
Adult. Includes the Design Museum. Tickets sold at the on site office; the top sphere is temporarily closed.
Source: Atomium, prices (2026)
€17 Get tickets
Sleeping, per night
-
Hostel dorm bed Range
Middle half of 15 central hostels on Hostelworld, 30 Oct 2026. The cheapest bed was 17 EUR. Weekends and peak season cost more.
Source: Hostelworld, Brussels hostels (2026-10)
€22 to €31 Find a hostel
Prices change. Fixed fees come from official or widely reported figures; ranges are what travellers and operators report for 2026. Some links are affiliate links: they never change what you pay. How we make money.
Want the flight to match? Exit Row tells you when fares to Brussels from your city drop well below the usual price.
Start 14-day free trial