A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Brisbane vs. Brussels for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Families

Should you visit Brisbane or Brussels?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Brisbane and Brussels can help you decide which place is right for you.

Brisbane

Brisbane is a relaxed, diverse, and cultural coastal city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. It's also known for shopping, museums, and nightlife. See Brisbane travel costs.

Brussels

Brussels is a authentic, colorful, and multicultural city. Visitors will also find so much to do here because it's a large city with many sights and attractions. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food. See Brussels travel costs.

Brisbane and Brussels: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Brisbane or Brussels?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Brussels. Although Brisbane and Brussels are roughly the same size, Brussels has more sights and attractions for tourists. Brussels is better known for its food, historical sights, shopping, and big city activities, while Brisbane is more popular for its nightlife, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, and hiking. Brisbane is well known for its sports culture, beautiful weather, and outdoor areas. Brussels is well known for its beautiful architecture, grand squares, diverse population, and delicious waffles. Also, Brussels is famous for La Grand Place (Grote Markt).

La Grand Place (Grote Markt)

How is Brisbane different from Brussels?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Brussels and Brisbane. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Brisbane or Brussels?

You'll find a number of high quality museums and attractions in both Brussels and Brisbane.

Many visitors head to Brisbane specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. The Cultural Centre is where you'll find many of the city's museums. It sits on the banks of the Brisbane River and is home to the State Library of Queensland, the Queensland Museum and Sciencentre, and Queensland Art Gallery & Gallery of Modern Art. This is also where you'll find the Queensland Performing Arts Centre. Also popular is the Brisbane Botanic Gardens and the Wheel of Brisbane.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Brussels can be an interesting and educational experience. Popular sights include Saint-Michel Cathedral, Place Royale, and the Belgian Royal Museum of Fine Arts. The city is filled with impressive architecture, fascinating art museums, and innovative science and technology museums.

Is the Food Better in Brisbane or Brussels? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Brussels is great for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Brisbane is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal city for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Brussels has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. While the city is most known for its waffles and fries, the diversity of dishes and international restaurant selection continues to grow. There are Lebanese, Japanese, and Indian restaurants among others. Popular local dishes include moules-frites, waterzooi (a stew), and stoemp (made with mashed potatoes and vegetables).

Brisbane offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. You'll find all of the standard eateries around town, with casual cafes, family-friendly restaurants, and some fine dining experiences to choose from.

Is Brisbane or Brussels Better for Nightlife?

Brisbane is well known for nightlife. Also, Brussels is still popular, but not quite as popular for nightlife and partying.

Brisbane is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. Fortitude Valley is the entertainment district in the city, and it really comes to life at night. There are also many venues that take advantage of the beautiful weather with outdoor and rooftop bars.

If you're looking for night time activities Brussels has a few options to choose from. The city's nightlife is quieter and more mellow than some other major cities around Europe. That doesn't mean there aren't plenty of dance clubs and bars where you can hang out. Keep your wits about you after the sun goes down as some areas are a bit rougher than others.

Is Brisbane or Brussels Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Brisbane is a good destination for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling. However, Brussels is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Grab a mask and fins and explore the underwater scenery in Brisbane. There are some good snorkeling and diving spots near the city. One of the best is the Tangalooma Wrecks off Moreton Island.

Brussels is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Brisbane or Brussels Better for Beaches?

Brisbane is well known for its beaches. However, Brussels is not a beach destination.

Many people visit Brisbane for it's beautiful beaches. For the best beaches, you'll want to take a day trip out of town, but there are also some nice beaches right by the city. About 30 minutes from town is family-friend Suttons Beach, or you can stay in the city center and check out the man-made Streets Beach. Shorncliffe Beach is another option that's less than a half hour from town.

Brussels is not a beach destination.

Is Brisbane or Brussels Better for its Old Town?

Brussels is great for its historic old town charm. However, Brisbane does not have a historic old town.

There is a nice variety of sights in the old town of Brussels. The old town in the city center is where you'll find the greatest concentration of historic sights. The area is surrounded by tree-lined boulevards and is easy to explore.

Brisbane does not have a historic old town.

Is Brisbane or Brussels Better for Hiking?

Brisbane is a good destination for its hiking experiences. However, Brussels is not a hiking destination.

Brisbane offers some nice hiking trails. There are a number of hikes outside of town that you can enjoy as a day trip. Check out the Brisbane Valley Rail Trail, Keperra Bushland Reserve, or D'Aguilar National Park to the north of town. To the south is Toohey Forest Park, Springwood Conservation Park , and Venmans Bushland National Park.

Brussels is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Brisbane or Brussels?

Brussels is an amazing city to visit for its shopping areas. Also, Brisbane is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal city for shopping.

Many people travel to Brussels specifically to go shopping. Although it's famous for diamonds, the city also has many shopping streets where you can find designer brands, vintage shops, and other unique boutiques that are fun to explore.

Brisbane is an extremely popular place for shoppers. It's one of the most popular cities for retail therapy in Queensland. Queen Street Mall is an open air shopping mall and James Street is a favorite shopping street in town.

Is Brisbane or Brussels Better for Families?

You'll find high quality kid-friendly activities in either Brisbane or Brussels.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Brisbane. Kids will love a visit to the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary or White Ridge Farm. And, of course, you should take a ride on the iconic Wheel of Brisbane. If you're willing to head out of town you can visit the fun Tangalooma Island Resort. Streets Beach is also fun to visit.

Brussels is a very family-friendly place to visit. The city has a number of unique kid-friendly activities including a Mini-Europe Museum, a Comic Strip Museum, and Train World. The city is also a chocolate lover's dream with many factories and chocolate shops around town.

Is Brisbane or Brussels Better for Couples?

Brussels is great for couples. Also, Brisbane is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal city for romance.

Brussels is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. From beautiful buildings and museums to shopping, dining, and chocolate shops, there are plenty of romantic spots around town. There's a vibrant nightlife scene and many diverse restaurants that couples can enjoy exploring.

Brisbane is a nice destination for couples. The waterfront setting and romantic restaurants offer a nice getaway for couples. There are many outdoor spaces that are fun to explore as well.

Is Brisbane or Brussels Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

For backpackers, both Brisbane and Brussels are high quality places to visit.

Plenty of budget travelers and backpackers visit Brisbane. Many backpackers breeze through Brisbane in favor of other nearby destinations, but there are actually a number of hostels in town and some interesting things to do.

Backpackers come from all over to visit Brussels. The city has an active nightlife and a number of hostels that are great for backpackers, but do take note that some areas can get a bit rough at night, so make sure you understand where you are.

Is Brisbane or Brussels Better for Students?

For students, both Brisbane and Brussels are high quality places to visit.

Brisbane is very popular with students. Many students appreciate the local vibe, warm weather, and excellent education opportunities that the city offers.

Brussels is a great coastal city to visit as a student. The city has a number of universities that attract students from around the world. The multicultural setting is great for students of the world.

Is Brisbane or Brussels Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Brussels is an amazing city to visit for times when you don't have a car. Also, Brisbane is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal city for its public transit.

Public transit in Brussels is top-notch. Transit options include train, tram, metro, bus, and waterbuses.

Brisbane has a few public transit options. There are buses, trains, and ferries around town, but many people prefer to have their own vehicle. Ferries are the most fun and scenic way to get around.

Is Brisbane or Brussels a more walkable city?

Brisbane and Brussels are high quality when it comes to walkability.

Brisbane is a very walkable destination. There's a good network of paths that make parts of the city walkable.

Brussels is very walkable. If you stay in the historical area, it's easy to walk around and many boulevards are being converted to pedestrian areas.

For even more information, also check out Is Brisbane Worth Visiting? and Is Brussels Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Brussels or Brisbane?

How long in Brisbane or Brussels?

In either Brisbane or Brussels, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Brussels than Brisbane because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Brisbane, and 1-5 days is enough time in Brussels.

Couples should spend more time in Brussels than Brisbane. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Brussels that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

One day in Brisbane or Brussels?

The coastal city of Brisbane offers museums and nightlife. Most people come for the beaches. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

Brussels is a big city with plenty to do. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

A weekend in Brisbane or Brussels?

Brisbane is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this coastal city makes for a great vacation. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Brisbane, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Brussels is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this city makes for a great vacation. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Brussels, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Brisbane or Brussels?

Brisbane is a popular choice for travelers. Five days is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Brussels is a popular choice for travelers. Five days here is typical. It's no surprise that shopping is why people visit. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Brussels, five days is sufficent for most. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A week in Brisbane or Brussels?

Brisbane is a great place to explore. It's also a great beach destination, too. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This coastal city offers something for everyone.

Brussels is a great place to explore. It's no surprise that shopping is why people visit. Visiting the old town is also a must. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This city offers something for everyone.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to Australia, The Best Adventure Tours to Australia, The Best Luxury Tours to Belgium, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Belgium.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Brisbane and Brussels, we can see that Brussels is more expensive. And not only is Brisbane much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Brisbane is in Pacific and Brussels is in Europe, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Brisbane would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Brisbane 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 Brisbane.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Brisbane Expensive? and Is Brussels Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Brisbane or Brussels?

Brussels has a larger population, and is about 6% larger than the population of Brisbane. When comparing the sizes of Brisbane 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.

When is the best time to visit Brisbane or Brussels?

Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. Brisbane is in the southern hemisphere and summer is in January and winter is in July, but Brussels has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].

Should I visit Brisbane or Brussels in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Brisbane as well as Brussels. Many visitors come to Brisbane in the summer for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences. Additionally, most visitors come to Brussels for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In the summer, Brisbane is a little warmer than Brussels. Typically, the summer temperatures in Brisbane in January average around 25°C (77°F), and Brussels averages at about 18°C (65°F)in July.

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Brisbane this time of the year. In the summer, Brisbane often gets more sunshine than Brusselsin July. Brisbane gets 256 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Brussels receives 186 hours of full sun.

Brisbane receives a lot of rain in the summer. Brisbane usually gets more rain in January than Brusselsin July. Brisbane gets 169 mm (6.7 in) of rain, while Brussels receives 75 mm (3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Brisbane or Brussels in the Autumn?

Both Brussels and Brisbane are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Brisbane for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, and the shopping scene during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Brussels because of the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

In April, Brisbane is generally much warmer than Brusselsin October. Daily temperatures in Brisbane average around 22°C (71°F), and Brussels fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Brisbane. Brisbane usually receives more sunshine than Brussels during autumn. Brisbane gets 214 hours of sunny skies, while Brussels receives 114 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It's quite rainy in Brisbane. In April, Brisbane usually receives more rain than Brusselsin October. Brisbane gets 112 mm (4.4 in) of rain, while Brussels receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Brisbane or Brussels in the Winter?

Both Brussels and Brisbane during the winter are popular places to visit. The winter months attract visitors to Brisbane because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Brussels this time of year.

It's quite cold in Brussels in the winter. Brisbane is much warmer than Brussels in the winter. The daily temperature in Brisbane averages around 15°C (59°F) in July, and Brussels fluctuates around 3°C (38°F)in January.

It's quite sunny in Brisbane. In the winter, Brisbane often gets more sunshine than Brusselsin January. Brisbane gets 226 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Brussels receives 49 hours of full sun.

Brisbane usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Brusselsin January. Brisbane gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Brussels receives 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Brisbane or Brussels in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Brisbane and Brussels. The beaches and the activities around the city are the main draw to Brisbane this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Brussels for the activities around the city.

In the spring, Brisbane is much warmer than Brussels. Typically, the spring temperatures in Brisbane in October average around 21°C (69°F), and Brussels averages at about 10°C (49°F)in April.

In Brisbane, it's very sunny this time of the year. Brisbane usually receives more sunshine than Brussels during spring. Brisbane gets 259 hours of sunny skies, while Brussels receives 147 hours of full sun in the spring.

In October, Brisbane usually receives more rain than Brusselsin April. Brisbane gets 93 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Brussels receives 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Brussels and Brisbane