Budget/Backpacker Travel Guide: Belgium

Accommodation

$20-45 per night

Dorm beds in hostels, budget guesthouses, shared bathrooms, basic amenities

Food & Dining

$15-35 per day

Local cafeterias, street food, supermarket groceries, self-catering, lunch specials at local spots

Transportation

$8-20 per day

Public buses, trams, walking, occasional regional trains, city day passes

Activities

$5-25 per day

Free walking tours, public parks, some museums, self-guided exploration, occasional paid attraction

Eat at local brasseries and cafeterias instead of tourist-focused restaurants (typically 40-60% cheaper)

Use public transportation day passes instead of individual tickets (usually 30-50% savings)

Visit museums on free admission days or buy city tourist cards for bundled discounts (20-40% savings on attractions)

Shop at local supermarkets and prepare some meals yourself (can reduce food costs by 50-70%)

Stay in accommodations outside city centers and commute in (typically 25-45% cheaper)

Book intercity trains in advance for significant discounts on standard fares (up to 60% savings)

Look for lunch menus at upscale restaurants instead of dinner (often 40-50% less expensive for similar quality)

Eating and drinking only in Grand Place and tourist squares (typically 100-150% markup over local areas)

Taking taxis for short distances instead of using excellent public transport (3-5x more expensive)

Not checking for city tourist cards that bundle attractions and transport (missing 20-35% potential savings)

Buying individual train tickets at stations instead of booking online in advance (can cost 40-80% more)