How much does it cost to travel to Bruges?
You should plan to spend around $134 (€123) per day on your vacation in Bruges. This is the average daily price based on the expenses of other visitors.
Past travelers have spent, on average for one day:
- $56 (€52) on meals
- $18 (€17) on local transportation
- $128 (€118) on hotels
A one week trip to Bruges for two people costs, on average, $1,873 (€1,729). This includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.
All of these average travel prices have been collected from other travelers to help you plan your own travel budget.
Independent Travel
Traveling Independently to Bruges has many benefits including affordabilty, freedom, flexibility, and the opportunity to control your own experiences.
All of the travel costs below are based on the experiences of other independent travelers.
Is Bruges expensive to visit?
Prices in Bruges are reasonable and comparable to your average travel destination. Hotels, food, and sightseeing are generally within normal price ranges.
Within Europe, which is known to be an expensive region, Bruges is a moderately priced destination compared to other places. The overall cost of travel here is fair for the region and comparable to Toledo or Koblenz.
For more details, and to find out if it's within your travel budget, see Is Bruges Expensive?
How much money do I need for a trip to Bruges?
The average Bruges trip cost is broken down by category here for independent travelers. All of these Bruges travel prices are calculated from the budgets of real travelers.
|
Category
|
Cost
|
|
Accommodation 1
(Double Occupancy)
|
€118
($128)
|
|
Local Transportation 1
|
€17
($18)
|
|
Food 2
|
€52
($56)
|
|
Entertainment 1
|
€15
($16)
|
|
Alcohol 2
|
€5 -
16
($6 - 18)
|
Accommodation Budget in Bruges
Calculated from travelers like you
The average price paid for one person for accommodation in Bruges is $64 (€59). For two people sharing a typical double-occupancy hotel room, the average price paid for a hotel room in Bruges is $128 (€118). This cost is from the reported spending of actual travelers.
Looking for a hotel in Bruges? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options.
Transportation Budget in Bruges
Calculated from travelers like you
-
The cost of a taxi ride in Bruges is significantly more than public transportation. On average, past travelers have spent $18 (€17) per person, per day, on local transportation in Bruges.
-
Transportation1
Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
$18
€17
How much does it cost to go to Bruges? Naturally, it depends on the dates. We recommend Kayak because they can find the best deals across all airlines.
The price of renting a car in Bruges will depends on dates, the type of car, the location, and your age. We recommend Kayak because they can find the best deals across all car rental companies.
Typical prices for Transportation in Bruges are listed below. These actual costs are from real travelers and can give you an idea of the prices in Bruges, but your costs will vary based on your travel style and the place where the purchase was made.
-
Five Day Bus Pass
€15
-
Bike Rental for Day
€8.00
Food Budget in Bruges
Calculated from travelers like you
-
While meal prices in Bruges can vary, the average cost of food in Bruges is $56 (€52) per day. Based on the spending habits of previous travelers, when dining out an average meal in Bruges should cost around $22 (€21) per person. Breakfast prices are usually a little cheaper than lunch or dinner. The price of food in sit-down restaurants in Bruges is often higher than fast food prices or street food prices.
-
Food2
Meals for one day
$56
€52
Typical prices for Food in Bruges are listed below. These actual costs are from real travelers and can give you an idea of the prices in Bruges, but your costs will vary based on your travel style and the place where the purchase was made.
-
Cup of Tea
€2.00
-
Sandwich for Lunch
€3.25
Entertainment Budget in Bruges
Calculated from travelers like you
-
Entertainment and activities in Bruges typically cost an average of $16 (€15) per person, per day based on the spending of previous travelers. This includes fees paid for admission tickets to museums and attractions, day tours, and other sightseeing expenses.
-
Entertainment1
Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
$16
€15
Typical prices for Entertainment in Bruges are listed below. These actual costs are from real travelers and can give you an idea of the prices in Bruges, but your costs will vary based on your travel style and the place where the purchase was made.
Alcohol Budget in Bruges
Calculated from travelers like you
-
The average person spends about $12 (€11) on alcoholic beverages in Bruges per day. The more you spend on alcohol, the more fun you might be having despite your higher budget.
-
Alcohol2
Drinks for one day
$12
€11
Bruges On a Budget
Bruges, Belgium
Located in the northern part of Belgium, in Flanders, Bruges is one of the most charming and well preserved cities in Europe. With its stone streets and charming shops, it is a postcard perfect city that seems to have jumped out of the pages of a Disney fairytale. The city itself is quite compact, adding to the charm and making it easily walkable. Even given its old world charm, it manages to present a cosmopolitan air as well. There's an active nightlife, but during the day the historical city center is best enjoyed at a leisurely pace. You can take a carriage ride through the cobblestone streets or you can wander around on your own. Be sure to swing into some of the museums, cathedrals, and churches you'll see along the way. There are now shops everywhere that are designed to appeal to tourists. While some may be easy to walk by, it takes the strongest souls to ignore the chocolate shops you'll see on your way.
Some say Bruges has moved too much in the direction of tourism, giving it an almost Disney World like feel. The city has been cleaned up and renovated, and with the changes it's lost some of its authentic, down to earth, character. It's a balancing act for any city hoping to attract tourists without the feel that it is set up to attract tourists, and Bruges is still working out that balance.
Bruges weather is often cold and damp. Even during the summer months the daily maximum temperature often does not rise above 21 degrees Celsius. After October the temperatures can plunge and the winter is usually cold and damp. It rains throughout the year and if you visit during the summer, come prepared for wet weather.
Sights
Part of the appeal of Bruges is its charming atmosphere. The streets are lined with quaint, historic houses and you are never too far from a canal. The houses have been cleaned up, but despite their fresh appearance, they are still centuries old. Outside of the main touristy areas, there are more quiet neighborhoods such as St. Anna, where you can still feel like you're visiting some place "real".
Popular sights and attractions around town include the Groeninge Museum, the Basilica of the Holy Blood, Brewery De Halve Maan, Onze Lieve Vrouwkerk, Jerusalem Church, the Begijnhof, the Choco-Story Museum, DiamantMuseum, and the Friet Museum.
Neighborhoods
Some of the most notable neighborhoods in Bruges are Market Square and Burg, St. Anna, and St. Gilles. Around the Market Square and Burg area you'll find many of the city's main tourist attractions. Market Square is located right at the center of town and it is surrounded by the Belfry Tower, restaurants and cafes. To the east of the Market Square is the Burg. This is where many museums, chocolate shops, restaurants, and the town hall are located. This area is particularly popular with tourists.
St. Anna has many churches including the famous St. Anne's Church. The Jerusalem Church has beautiful stained glass windows. Other sights in the area include Bruges' Lace Center and the 18th century Sint-Janshuysmolen windmill. It's a pleasant walk to wander along the canal along Sint-Annarei as well as the cobblestoned streets.
St. Gilles is a short, five minute walk to the north of Market Square. This is a quiet area that is famous for St. Gilles Church, which dates back to the 15th century. This church has many old paintings and a beautiful pipe organ. There are many affordable accommodation options in the area as well.
Activities
Popular activities around town include climbing the 366 steps to the top of the Belfry Tower. This tower offers excellent, city wide views. There are also boat tours, horse drawn carriages and running trails around town. The Snow and Ice Sculpture Festival between November and January is also popular.
Food and Dining
Restaurants in Bruges are of variable quality, and unfortunately, many are overpriced and don't offer the best cuisine. A local specialty that is usually done quite well is the mussels and frites dish, which is usually served with mayonnaise. If you're looking for a decent option, you're best to avoid the Grote Markt and Burg Square areas, where tourists often fall victim to unfortunate scams. Many restaurants offer the table bread or side items under the implication that they are free, only to later charge a marked up price for these items. If you're looking for a good eating option stick to the side streets away from the majority of the tourist crowds. Also ask any local residents you may see as they will be eager to point you in the direction of their favorite restaurants.
Transportation
Walking is the easiest way to get around Bruges' historical center. It's small and compact enough that it makes a pleasant stroll. This is also the best way to take in the sights and the atmosphere. Buses are the only form of public transportation that is available within the city. The bus system is operated by the Flemish public transport company, De Lijn. You can also catch a taxi around the market area. Bicycles are available for rent and are a faster way to get around the city. Do watch out for the bumpy, cobblestoned streets though, which can be quite uncomfortable.
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We've been gathering travel costs from tens of thousands of actual travelers since 2010, and we use the data to calculate average daily travel costs for destinations around the world. We also systematically analyze the prices of hotels, hostels, and tours from travel providers such as Kayak, HostelWorld, TourRadar, Viator, and others. This combination of expenses from actual travelers, combined with pricing data from major travel companies, gives us a uniqe insight into the overall cost of travel for thousands of cities in countries around the world. You can see more here: How it Works.
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.