Should you visit Brussels or Barcelona?
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the prices of travel for Brussels and Barcelona. 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. So, let's dig into it.
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.
Barcelona
Barcelona is the second largest city in Spain with a population of over 1.5 million people. It's also the capital of Catalonia and is located on the northeastern part of the Mediterranean coast. Barcelona is one of the country's most popular travel destinations because of its rich history, interesting architecture, and vibrant culture. Barcelona hosted the 1992 Summer Olympic games and that had a strong influence over tourism in the area. Many different neighborhoods were renovated and rebuilt. Modern design became the norm in many parts of the city, although there is still an old city feel and many efforts at preservation.
Which city is cheaper, Barcelona or Brussels?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Brussels is €97, while the average daily cost in Barcelona is €122. 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 city. Below is a breakdown of travel costs for Brussels and Barcelona in more detail.
Accommodation
Accommodation prices vary by location and style, but travelers pay on average about €108 for a double occupancy room in Brussels.
The average price for accommodation for two people in Barcelona is €148. This is for two people sharing a typical double occupancy hotel room.
Food
The price of a meal in Brussels can vary widely. However, the average price for food per day is €25 per person, and a typical meal will cost around €10 based on the spending of previous visitors. Less expensive dining options can be found by eating street food or at fast food restaurants.
The price of a meal in Barcelona can vary widely. However, the average price for food per day is €27 per person, and a typical meal will cost around €11 based on the spending of previous visitors. Less expensive dining options can be found by eating street food or at fast food restaurants.
-
Food
Meals for one day
Brussels €25
Barcelona €27
Typical Food prices in Brussels
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Brussels:
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Brussels
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Brussels.
-
Classic Belgian cooking class and lunch:
$79
-
Your Private Tailored Belgian Food Tour with a Local:
$93
-
Cooking Lesson and Gourmet Belgian-Inspired Meal with a Local in Brussels:
$115
-
Private Brussels Food Tour (walking lunch or dinner):
$373
Typical Food prices in Barcelona
Some typical examples of dining costs in Barcelona are as follows:
-
Hot Cocoa & Churro
€4.15
-
Sandwich
€1.70
-
Baguette & Horchata
€3.80
-
Tapas on the beach
€8.28
-
Gelatto
€2.50
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Barcelona
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Barcelona.
-
Live from Potato Gnocchi Online Cooking Class:
$23
-
Live from Barcelona to China: Potato Gnocchi Online Cooking Class:
$23
-
Barcelona organic dinner in a beautiful rooftop garden:
$35
-
Interactive Spanish Cooking Experience in Barcelona:
$49
-
Hands-on Brunch Cooking Class with Bottomless Mimosas!:
$50
-
Born district food tour and tasting in Barcelona:
$51
-
Barcelona Street Food Tour: Local Market & Gothic Quarter with Expert Guide:
$52
-
Street Food Tour & Gothic Quater Sightseeing with Local Expert:
$52
-
Flamenco Show and Optional Dinner at a Tablao:
$52
-
Bus and Walking Tour with Dinner:
$58
-
Tasty Barcelona Street Food Tour With Local Market Visit:
$59
-
Skip the Line: Flamenco Show and Dinner Ticket:
$62
Local Transportation
The cost of a taxi ride in Brussels is significantly more than public transportation. On average, past travelers have spent €13 per person, per day, on local transportation in Brussels.
The cost of a taxi ride in Barcelona is significantly more than public transportation. On average, past travelers have spent €15 per person, per day, on local transportation in Barcelona.
Typical Local Transportation prices in Brussels
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Brussels are as follows:
-
Subway Pass
€4.50
-
Atomium train ticket (2)
€8.00
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Brussels
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Brussels:
-
Private Airport Transfer: from Brussels to Brussels Airport (BRU):
$25
-
Private Departure Transfer from Brussels City Center to Brussels Airport (BRU):
$32
-
Private Departure Transfer: Brussels Hotel to Brussels Railway Station:
$46
-
Private Business Transfer from Brussels Hotel to Brussels Airport (BRU):
$49
-
Private Airport Transfer: Brussels to Charleroi Airport (CRL):
$55
-
Private Airport Transfer: Brussels to Brussels Airport (BRU):
$56
-
Departure Private Transfer from Brussels to Brussels Airport in Business Car:
$57
-
Brussels City all area to Brussels Airport BRU - Private Airport transfer 1-7pax:
$60
-
Brussels City all area to Brussels Airport BRU - Private Airport transfer 1-3pax:
$60
-
Brussels Shuttle Transfer Charleroi Airport (1 to 8 PLACES):
$62
-
Private Airport Transfer: Charleroi Airport (CRL) to Brussels:
$63
-
Taxi transfert Brussels city Brussels Airport:
$65
Typical Local Transportation prices in Barcelona
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Barcelona are as follows:
-
10 Trip Metro Ticket
€7.80
-
Airport Bus
€5.00
-
Metro
€2.10
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Barcelona
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Barcelona:
-
Airport Transfer:
$127
-
Airport Transfers:
$20
-
Airport, Port cruise & Hotel Transfers:
$81
-
Ancient winery of vermouth, Tarragona & Reus: private Round-Trip Transfer:
$311
-
Arrival Private Transfer Barcelona City or Airport to Andorra by Business Car:
$445
-
Arrival Private Transfer Barcelona Port to Barcelona City by Business Car:
$57
-
Arrival Private Transfer Luxury Van Barcelona Port to Barcelona City:
$70
-
Arrival Private Transfers from Barcelona Cruise Port to Bacelona City:
$88
-
Barcelona - Salou private transfer:
$198
-
Barcelona Airport (BCN) to Cruise Port - Arrival Private Car Transfer:
$46
-
Barcelona Airport (BCN) to Cruise Port - Arrival Private Van Transfer:
$32
-
Barcelona Airport (BCN) to Cruise Port - Round-Trip Private Car Transfer:
$92
Entertainment
Entertainment and activities in Brussels typically cost an average of €12 per person, per day. This includes fees paid for admission tickets to museums and attractions, day tours, and other sightseeing expenses.
Entertainment and activities in Barcelona typically cost an average of €27 per person, per day. This includes fees paid for admission tickets to museums and attractions, day tours, and other sightseeing expenses.
Tours and Activities in Brussels
Here are a few actual costs in Brussels for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
-
Brussels Autoworld Museum Entrance Ticket:
$15
-
Brussels Atomium Admission Ticket:
$19
-
Pick Up from your Hotel in Brussels to Departure point Brussels City Tours:
$22
-
Self-Guided Interactive Place Saint Catherine Tour:
$26
-
The Best Of Brussels Walking Tour:
$54
-
Artistic Bruges on a Private Tour with a local:
$75
-
2-Hours Private Sightseeing Trip in Brussels:
$83
-
Private And Personalized Experience: See Brussels With A Local:
$84
-
Politics Experience With A Local Host:
$84
-
Private 2-Hour Sightseeing Tour in Brussels:
$84
-
Touristic highlights of Bruges on a Half Day (4 Hours) Private Tour with a local:
$93
-
Experience the best of Bruges on a Private Tour with Boat Ride with a local:
$93
Typical Entertainment prices in Barcelona
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Barcelona are as follows:
Tours and Activities in Barcelona
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Barcelona are as follows:
-
A Culinary Audio Tour of El Born by VoiceMap:
$5.50
-
Museu de la Xocolata Tickets:
$7.16
-
Private Barcelona Ghost Tour: Gothic Quarter Exploration Game:
$7.45
-
Museu de la Xocolata Admission Ticket:
$7.46
-
Gaudi House Museum Skip-the-Line Ticket:
$8.95
-
Barcelona Port Traditional Boat Tour:
$9.16
-
Guided Tour of Requesens Palace:
$9.54
-
Guided Tour of Barcelona's Royal Academy of Sciences & Arts:
$9.54
-
Skip the Line: History Museum of Catalonia & Rooftop Access Ticket:
$9.95
-
Skip the Line: Human Bodies - Entrance to the exhibition Ticket:
$9.95
-
Skip the Line: Erotic Museum of Barcelona Admission Ticket with free souvenir:
$9.95
-
Guided Tour at Barcelona's Royal Academy of Sciences and Arts:
$10
Alcohol
While the amount that someone spends on alcohol while visiting Brussels may vary from person to person, on average a person spends €9.36 per day on alcoholic beverages.
The average person spends about €14 on alcoholic beverages in Barcelona per day. The more you spend on alcohol, the more fun you might be having despite your higher budget.
Typical Alcohol prices in Brussels
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Brussels are as follows:
-
Bottle of Wine
€10
-
Beer
€6.00
Sample the Local Flavors in Barcelona
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Barcelona:
-
Columbus Monument with Optional Wine Tasting:
$7.16
-
Estrella Damm Brewery Guided Tour with Tasting:
$9.54
-
Backpacker Pub Crawl:
$18
-
The Original Barcelona Pub Crawl:
$18
-
Barcelona Halloween Pub Crawl:
$18
-
Generation Pub Crawl in Barcelona:
$19
-
Barcelona Pub Crawl:
$20
-
Barcelona Wine Tasting: Catalan and Spanish Wines:
$21
-
Wine Tasting Experience in Barcelona:
$22
-
Opera Samfaina: Food and Wine Tasting Interactive Experience in Barcelona:
$26
-
Wine tasting & tapas:
$39
-
Barcelona Guided Local Wine Tasting Tour:
$44
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Brussels and Barcelona, we can see that Barcelona is more expensive. And not only is Brussels much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Brussels would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Brussels 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 Barcelona would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Barcelona than you might in Brussels.
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