Which place is cheaper, Cartagena or Brussels?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Brussels or Cartagena?
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 Brussels and Cartagena. 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: Brussels or Cartagena?
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.
Cartagena
The capital of the Bolivar Department of Colombia, Cartagena is one of the most visited cities in the country. It sits on Colombia's northern coast by the Caribbean Sea. It's a port city with a population of almost 900,000, making it the fifth largest city in Colombia. The city has a rich history and was the first Spanish colony on the American continent. It was also one of the first sanctuaries for freed African slaves in the Americas.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Cultural Tours in Belgium, The Best Luxury Tours to Belgium, The Best Adventure Tours to Colombia, and The Best Eco Tours in Colombia.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayBrussels €137Cartagena €44
The average daily cost (per person) in Brussels is €137, while the average daily cost in Cartagena is €44. 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 Brussels and Cartagena in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personBrussels €73Cartagena €25
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomBrussels €146Cartagena €50
Compare Hotels in Brussels and Cartagena
Looking for a hotel in Brussels or Cartagena? 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: Brussels Hotel Prices and Cartagena Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Brussels €17Cartagena €6.97
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Brussels
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Brussels are as follows:
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Subway Pass€4.50
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Atomium train ticket (2)€8.00
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Brussels
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Brussels:
- Brussels to Ostend Airport (OST) - Departure Private Transfer: $39
- 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: $151
- BRU Airport Transfer to Brussels City Center for 7 Pax: $129
- Brussels <-> transfer from or to Brussels Airport (BRU) by Van: $131
- Brussels Airport (BRU) To Amsterdam: VIP Transfer: $495
- Brussels Airport Departure Transfer (Brussels Hotels to Brussels Airport): $106
- Brussels Airport Transfer (BRU) <-> to or from Brussels (Sedan): $104
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cartagena
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cartagena:
- Private Transfer from Bocagrande to Port of Cartagena: $25
- 15. Transfer to SANTA MARTA from Cartagena Private or vice versa.: $290
- 18.Transfer (Rafael N-Hotel Decameron Baru Airport) or vice versa: $90
- 2. Transfer from the Airport to the Cartagena Hotel (or vice versa): $29
- 20. Transfer Rafael N. Airport-HOTEL LAS ISLAS-CALABLANCA: $142
- 8. Transfer to BARRANQUILLA from Cartagena Private or vice versa: $160
- Air Conditioning Bus transfer: $10
- Airport Hotel Transfer: $19
- Airport Transfer - Hotel Cartagena: $23
- Airport Transfer Hotel: $35
- Airport Transfers Cartagena: $38
- Arrival Private Transfer Cartagena Airport CTG to Cartagena City by Minivan: $92
Is it cheaper to fly into Brussels or Cartagena?
Prices for flights to both Cartagena and Brussels 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 dayBrussels €38Cartagena €9.13
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€4.60
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Dessert (Turkish Delights)€4.75
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Cheese€5.60
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Olives and Snacks€6.98
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Waffle€3.00
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
- Chocolate and Beer Food Tour of Brussels: $43
- 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: $138
- Market Tour and Cooking Lesson with a Belgian Gourmet Meal in a Brussels Home: $160
- Private Food Tour – 10 Tastings with Locals: $164
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cartagena
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Cartagena.
- Featured in NYTimes > Arepas and Dancing: Danceable Cooking Class in Cartagena: $32
- Cooking class of typical food at the beach and sunset view: $39
- Taste Cartagena Food tour: $40
- Street Food Tour in Cartagena: $42
- Guided Street Food Tour with Tastings: $44
- Local Flavors Food Tour with Native Chef: $50
- Cooking Class: Street food & Mojito making: $50
- Cruise by the Bay with Dinner and Wine: $55
- Private Dinner at a Local Chef's House in Cartagena: $58
- Cartagena Gourmet: Cooking Class with a View, Elegance & Flavor: $59
- Street food tour: $61
- 2 hours Sibarita Express Dinner: $63
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Brussels €23Cartagena €20
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: $3.23
- Historical Walking Tour: The Story of Brussels - by Legends: $3.26
- Free Tour of Brussels in Italian (with booking fee): $3.26
- BELvue Belgium History Museum Entry Ticket: $5.38
- 600 Years of History and Heritage: A Self-Guided Walking Tour of Leuven: $5.99
- A Self-Guided Tour of Brussels' Secret Places and Untold Stories: $5.99
- City Exploration Game and Tour on your Phone: $6.45
- City Exploration Game and Tour: $6.46
- Highlights Self-Guided Scavenger Hunt and Tour: $7.00
- Walking Tour with Audio Guide on App: $7.27
- Museum Halle Gate Entry Ticket: $7.53
- Brussels’ Noble Beginnings: An Upper Town Audio Tour: $7.99
Tours and Activities in Cartagena
Here are a few actual costs in Cartagena for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Emeralds Tour: $0.03
- Into the Walls of The City: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.99
- Cartagena de Indias: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.99
- Artists' Quarter Getsemani Self-guided Tour: $6.35
- Self-Guided Audio Tour - The Great Battle: Fort of San Felipe: $6.99
- Old Town Highlights Self-guided Tour: $8.50
- Tour the city on a rumba in a typical bus: $9.42
- Old Town & Getsemani Quarter Self-guided Tour: $9.58
- Self-Guided Audio Tour: Pirate Tales in Cartagena: $10
- Self-Guided Audio Tour - Legends of the Streets of Downtown : $10
- Self-Guided Audio Tour of Getsemaní Neighborhood: $10
- Self-Guided Audio Tour: The Rise of the Wall City Part II: $10
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayBrussels €13Cartagena €8.56
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€10
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Beer€6.00
Sample the Local Flavors in Brussels
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Brussels:
- Brussels Pub Crawl - Nightlife & Party Experience: $17
- Pub Crawl and Nightlife Party Experience: $18
Sample the Local Flavors in Cartagena
Also in Cartagena, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Pub Crawl with Dancing Lessons and Free Shots: $19
- Cartagena's Best Pub Crawl all included!: $23
- Cartagena Pub Crawl: Let's Party & Matching in Getsemaní: $24
- Pub Crawl Only Locals Have Fun In The Walled City: $35
- Nightlife Pub crawl in Cartagena: $72
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Brussels and Cartagena, we can see that Brussels is more expensive. And not only is Cartagena much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Brussels is in Europe and Cartagena is in South America, 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 Cartagena would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Cartagena 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 Cartagena.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Brussels Expensive? and Is Cartagena Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Brussels or Cartagena?
Brussels has a larger population, and is about 7% larger than the population of Cartagena. When comparing the sizes of Brussels and Cartagena, 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 Brussels or Cartagena?
Brussels has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Cartagena experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Brussels or Cartagena in the Summer?
Both Cartagena and Brussels are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Brussels for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Plenty of visitors come to Cartagena because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In the summer, Brussels is much colder than Cartagena. Typically, the summer temperatures in Brussels in July average around 18°C (65°F), and Cartagena averages at about 29°C (84°F).
It's quite sunny in Cartagena. Brussels usually receives less sunshine than Cartagena during summer. Brussels gets 186 hours of sunny skies, while Cartagena receives 207 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Brussels usually receives more rain than Cartagena. Brussels gets 75 mm (3 in) of rain, while Cartagena receives 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyBrussels 18°C (65°F)Cartagena 29°C (84°F)
Should I visit Brussels or Cartagena in the Autumn?
Both Cartagena and Brussels during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Brussels in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Cartagena year-round.
In October, Brussels is generally much colder than Cartagena. Daily temperatures in Brussels average around 12°C (54°F), and Cartagena fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
In the autumn, Brussels often gets less sunshine than Cartagena. Brussels gets 114 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Cartagena receives 175 hours of full sun.
Cartagena gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Brussels usually gets less rain in October than Cartagena. Brussels gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Cartagena receives 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberBrussels 12°C (54°F)Cartagena 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Brussels or Cartagena in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Brussels and Cartagena. Most visitors come to Brussels for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Cartagena attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Brussels can be very cold during winter. Brussels is much colder than Cartagena in the winter. The daily temperature in Brussels averages around 3°C (38°F) in January, and Cartagena fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Cartagena this time of the year. Brussels usually receives less sunshine than Cartagena during winter. Brussels gets 49 hours of sunny skies, while Cartagena receives 278 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Brussels usually receives more rain than Cartagena. Brussels gets 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Cartagena receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryBrussels 3°C (38°F)Cartagena 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Brussels or Cartagena in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Brussels as well as Cartagena. The spring months attract visitors to Brussels because of the activities around the city. The warm climate attracts visitors to Cartagena throughout the year.
In the spring, Brussels is much colder than Cartagena. Typically, the spring temperatures in Brussels in April average around 10°C (49°F), and Cartagena averages at about 28°C (82°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Cartagena. In the spring, Brussels often gets less sunshine than Cartagena. Brussels gets 147 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Cartagena receives 209 hours of full sun.
Brussels usually gets more rain in April than Cartagena. Brussels gets 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Cartagena receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilBrussels 10°C (49°F)Cartagena 28°C (82°F)
Typical Weather for Cartagena and Brussels
| Brussels | Cartagena | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 3°C (38°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Feb | 4°C (39°F) | 53 mm (2.1 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Mar | 6°C (43°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Apr | 10°C (49°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| May | 14°C (57°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| Jun | 17°C (62°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Jul | 18°C (65°F) | 75 mm (3 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) |
| Aug | 18°C (65°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Sep | 16°C (60°F) | 59 mm (2.3 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Oct | 12°C (54°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) |
| Nov | 7°C (45°F) | 76 mm (3 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) |
| Dec | 4°C (40°F) | 76 mm (3 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
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.