Which place is cheaper, Brussels or Ankara?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Ankara or Brussels?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Ankara and Brussels. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.
Where Should I go: Ankara or Brussels?
Ankara
Located at the heart of Turkey near Central Anatolia, Ankara is the capital city and second largest city in the country after Istanbul. Formerly known for its long-haired goats and textiles, the city has since developed into a metropolitan mix of modern cultures with historic landmarks.
Brussels
Brussels is the capital of Belgium and also the sight of the headquarters of the European Union. Generally speaking, it's an expensive city that sees a good amount of travelers. It is also a highly political city that has an air of importance and power. It's an incredibly international city, with people from all over the world flocking to it due to its political, economical, and cultural significance.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Turkey, The Best Luxury Tours to Turkey, The Best Cultural Tours in Belgium, and The Best Luxury Tours to Belgium.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayAnkara $116Brussels $148
The average daily cost (per person) in Ankara is $116, while the average daily cost in Brussels is $148. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Ankara and Brussels in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personAnkara $57Brussels $79
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomAnkara $114Brussels $158
Compare Hotels in Ankara and Brussels
Looking for a hotel in Ankara or Brussels? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.
Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.
Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Ankara Hotel Prices and Brussels Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Ankara $37Brussels $18
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Ankara
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Ankara:
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Metro Ride$0.04
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Short Taxi Ride$0.15
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Ankara
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Ankara:
- Ankara City Center (Cankaya,Kizilay) Hotels to Ankara Esenboga Airport transfers: $76
- Ankara Esenboga Airport transfers to Ankara City Center (Cankaya,Kizilay) Hotels: $71
- Ankara Esenboğa Airport From/To City Center Private Transfer: $64
- Ankara Private Departure Transfer from City hotels to Airport: $60
- Ankara Private Transfer from central Ankara hotels to Ankara Airport (ESB): $109
- Private Transfer from Ankara Esenboga Airport (ESB) to Central Ankara: $109
- Private Transfers Ankara City or Esenboga Airport to/from Beypazari Town: $185
- Private Transfers Ankara City or Esenboga Airport to/from Gordion Ancient City: $185
- Private Transfers Ankara City or Esenboga Airport to/from Kizilcahamam Town: $185
- Private Transfers Between Ankara Esenboga Airport - Ankara City Centre: $75
- Private transfer: Ankara Airport (ESB) to Ankara: $39
- Private transfer: Ankara to Ankara Airport (ESB): $39
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Brussels
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Brussels are as follows:
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Subway Pass$4.87
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Atomium train ticket (2)$8.67
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Brussels
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Brussels:
- Airport Transfer: Brussels to Airport BRU by Business Car: $82
- Airport Transfer: Brussels to Brussels Airport BRU by Luxury Van: $86
- Airport transfers from Brussels to Zaventem Brussels airport by luxury car: $74
- Arrival Private Transfer Brussels Train Station to Brussels by Luxury Car or Van: $68
- Arrival Transfer from Brussels Train Station to Brussels by Sedan: $64
- BRU Airport Transfer to Brussels City Center for 3 Pax: $149
- BRU Airport Transfer to Brussels City Center for 7 Pax: $128
- Brussels <-> transfer from or to Brussels Airport (BRU) by Van: $129
- Brussels Airport (BRU) To Amsterdam: VIP Transfer: $490
- Brussels Airport Departure Transfer (Brussels Hotels to Brussels Airport): $106
- Brussels Airport Transfer (BRU) <-> to or from Brussels (Sedan): $103
- Brussels Airport: Transfer to/from Gent Sint Pieters Station: $11
Is it cheaper to fly into Ankara or Brussels?
Prices for flights to both Brussels and Ankara change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.
Food
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Food Meals for one dayAnkara $32Brussels $41
Typical Food Prices in Ankara
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Ankara:
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A Quick Lunch$0.36
Typical Food Prices in Brussels
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Brussels:
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Ice Cream & Macaroons$4.98
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Dessert (Turkish Delights)$5.15
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Cheese$6.07
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Olives and Snacks$7.56
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Waffle$3.25
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Brussels
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Brussels.
- Hard Rock Cafe with Set Menu for Lunch or Dinner: $28
- Hard Rock Cafe Brussels with Set Lunch or Dinner : $29
- City Center Guided Food Tour with Tastings: $61
- Food Tour in Brussels - Do Eat Better Experience: $106
- Brussels Walking Food Tour With Secret Food Tours: $130
- Secret Food Tours Brussels: $136
- Market Tour and Cooking Lesson with a Belgian Gourmet Meal in a Brussels Home: $160
- Private Food Tour – 10 Tastings with Locals: $162
- Brussels Private Custom Food Tour with a Local Foodie : $190
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Ankara $34Brussels $25
Typical Entertainment Prices in Ankara
Here are a few typical costs in Ankara for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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Underground City$0.25
Tours and Activities in Ankara
Here are a few actual costs in Ankara for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Family-Friendly Smartphone Walking Tour: $6.00
- Quick Tour, Essentials of Ankara: $6.00
- Inns and Baths City Sightseeing Mobile Audio Guide: $6.00
- Private Walking tour With A Guide (Private Tour): $32
- Ankara : Private Walking Tour With A Guide ( Private Tour ) : $33
- Private Tour with a Local: $37
- Ankara : Highlights Walking Tour: $48
- Istanbul: Half-Day Tour with Topkapi Palace: $145
- Istanbul: Golden Horn & Bosphorus Day Cruise: $165
- İstanbul: Full-Day Tour with Grand Bazaar: $180
- Half Day Private Tour in Ankara: $215
- Ankara Private Walking Tour with a Professional Guide: $218
Tours and Activities in Brussels
Here are a few actual costs in Brussels for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- First Discovery Walk and Reading Walking Tour: $3.20
- Evening Tour: The Dark Side of Brussels: $3.25
- Free Tour of Brussels in Italian (with booking fee): $3.25
- BELvue Belgium History Museum Entry Ticket: $5.33
- A Self-Guided Tour of Brussels' Secret Places and Untold Stories: $5.99
- City Exploration Game and Tour on your Phone: $6.38
- City Exploration Game and Tour: $6.39
- Highlights Self-Guided Scavenger Hunt and Tour: $6.93
- Museum Halle Gate Entry Ticket: $7.46
- Walking Tour with Audio Guide on App: $7.99
- Brussels’ Noble Beginnings: An Upper Town Audio Tour: $7.99
- A Self-Guided Tour of Medieval to Modern Times: $7.99
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayAnkara $15Brussels $14
Typical Alcohol Prices in Brussels
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Brussels are as follows:
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Bottle of Wine$11
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Beer$6.50
Sample the Local Flavors in Brussels
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Brussels:
- Pub Crawl and Nightlife Party Experience: $18
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Ankara and Brussels, we can see that Brussels is more expensive. And not only is Ankara much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Ankara would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Ankara and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Brussels would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Brussels than you might in Ankara.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Ankara Expensive? and Is Brussels Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Ankara or Brussels?
Ankara has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Brussels. When comparing the sizes of Ankara and Brussels, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.
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.