10 Days in Belgium for Two: A Real Budget Breakdown (Part 2)

Let's talk numbers. Two travelers, 10 days, four cities, zero cabs. Our total came out to $170 per day for both of us, and I'm going to walk you through exactly how we spent it.

Before we get into the city breakdowns, the single best money decision we made was the train pass. At the time of our trip, Belgium offered a commuter pass you could share between two travelers, covering a full week of train travel for $100 USD total. That's not per person. That's $50 each for a week of getting around one of Western Europe's most well-connected countries. If you're planning a Belgium trip and wondering how to get around without a car, this is your answer.

Day 1: Brussels (Arrival Day)

I flew in solo and was meeting a friend arriving on the Eurostar, which meant I had several hours to fill before she landed. I did something most travelers don't think to do: I booked a day use hotel room.

Day use hotels are common in Europe and genuinely underutilized by American travelers. You're not paying for a full night. You're paying for a few hours to shower, rest, and recharge in a real room. I paid $80 USD for 8 hours at a hotel directly across from Brussels Central train station. After 20 hours of travel, it was the right call. Once my friend arrived, we grabbed our bags and headed straight to our first real stop: Bruges.

Days 2 and 3: Bruges

Bruges is the kind of city that makes people emotional and I completely understand why. We stayed at Hotel Bla Bla, which is centrally located and exactly what you want for a Bruges base.

The Frite Museum is a must, and not in the way travel blogs say everything is a must. It's genuinely fun, it covers the full history of Belgian frites, and yes, there's a tasting at the end. The canal boat tour is the other non-negotiable. It reorients you to the city and the pace of it is perfect for settling in.

For food, we kept it simple and cheap. Kebab shops, frite stands, and Le Trappiste for beer, which is a cave bar and one of the cooler spots I've been to in Europe. For chocolate, Dumon Chocolatier is the one. Skip the big tourist shops and go there.

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

Days 4 through 6: Antwerp

A quick train ride and we were in Antwerp, which I think is Belgium's most underrated city. We stayed at City Box Antwerp, a compact and affordable option that kept us close to everything.

Het Steen is worth your time, and the Diamond District is worth a walk through even if you're not buying anything. The secondhand shopping scene here genuinely surprised me. Think US thrift store prices from the early 2000s, but with Levi's, Birkenstock, and quality European pieces. Set aside a few hours for it.

For food, Takumi Ramen was our go-to and it was excellent. Antwerp has strong ramen culture, which you might not expect, but don't skip it.

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

Days 7 and 8: Lier

Lier is 20 minutes by train from Antwerp and it was the most pleasant surprise of the whole trip. We stayed at Hotel Florent and spent our time walking the cobblestone streets, following the river trail that loops around the city, and eating and drinking more than we probably should have.

The Stadsmuseum is hands-on in a way you don't expect from a small city museum. You can actually touch and interact with the exhibits, which makes it genuinely great for families. The Zimmer Tower is worth a stop, especially if you grab a beer at one of the spots nearby and take your time with it.

A few practical notes for Lier: it is predominantly Flemish speaking, so have Google Translate ready and use it without embarrassment. Also, stop into Stadshuis, the city center building, and pick up the tourism coupon booklet. We used it and it saved us a few euros across meals and activities.

Recommended spots: Cafe Refuge, De Zimmer, Red Spoon Bistro. We also drank a lot of local beer in Lier, which is reflected in the total.

Total for 2 nights, all activities and food in Lier: $412

Days 9 and 10: Back to Brussels

We ended where we started, which felt right. Brussels has a different energy at the end of a trip than it does on arrival day. We stayed near Grote Markt to keep ourselves close to food, nightlife, and transit.

The Comic Strip Center is worth a half day. EU Parliament is worth visiting if you're at all curious about how European governance actually works, and if you time it right you may catch a market on the plaza with champagne and small bites, which happened to us and was a highlight. Manneken Pis is smaller than you expect, but you have to see it. The Atomium is worth it for the views and the sheer strangeness of the structure.

For food: waffles at Galet, frites from any stand, and beers at Delirium, which has one of the largest beer selections in the world and the line to prove it.

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

The Full Trip Total

Day use hotel on arrival: $80 Bruges (2 nights): $405 Antwerp (2 nights): $273 Lier (2 nights): $412 Brussels (2 nights): $541 Train pass for two, full week: $100

Grand total for two travelers, 10 days: approximately $1,811, or right at $170 per day for both of us.

Belgium is genuinely one of the most accessible and affordable destinations in Western Europe when you plan it right. The train system does the heavy lifting, the food is incredible at every price point, and the cities are different enough from each other that the trip never gets repetitive. If you missed Part 1 covering what to see and do in each city, start there before you build your itinerary.

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