Should you visit Brussels or Lyon?
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the prices of travel for Brussels and Lyon. 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.
Lyon
Lyon, located within the region of Southeastern France, is France's third largest city in terms of population, with just over 500,000 inhabitants. This makes the city large, yet still small and personable enough to be explored properly in a short visit. Known as the gastronomic capital of Europe, your culinary needs are exceptionally well catered to here, and for those with historical and cultural interests, you will never be at a loss for new things to do and see.
Which city is cheaper, Lyon or Brussels?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Brussels is €109, while the average daily cost in Lyon is €100. 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 Lyon in more detail.
Accommodation
Accommodation prices vary by location and style, but travelers pay on average about €116 for a double occupancy room in Brussels.
A hotel room in Lyon is about €84 This assumes double occupancy and modest accommodations.
Food
The price of a meal in Brussels can vary widely. However, the average price for food per day is €31 per person, and a typical meal will cost around €12 based on the spending of previous visitors. Less expensive dining options can be found by eating street food or at fast food restaurants.
On average, meal and food prices in Lyon cost around €33 per person, per day. While this price can vary widely by location, the type of restaurant, and the amount of food ordered, a typical meal often costs around €13.
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Food
Meals for one day
Brussels €31
Lyon €33
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
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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 Lyon
Some typical examples of dining costs in Lyon are as follows:
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Lyon
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Lyon.
-
Lyon 2.5-Hour Dinner Cruise:
$67
-
Presqu'île Food Tour with a Local Guide:
$68
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Lyon Old Town Walking Guided Food Tour:
$68
-
Half-Day Gourmet Food Tour with Tastings:
$78
-
Lyon Old Town Half-Day Walking Food Tour with Local Specialties Tasting & Lunch:
$93
-
Old Town Food Tour:
$102
-
Secret Food Tour:
$107
-
Lyon Old Town Five Tasting Stops Walking Food Tour with Lunch:
$108
-
Lyon Quais Saint Antoine Private Gastronomic Food Tour:
$111
-
Private Tour: Secret Food Tours Lyon:
$137
-
Halles de Lyon Paul Bocuse Food Tour:
$217
-
Food tour in Lyon:
$258
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 average price of local transportation around Lyon is €14 per person, per day. As this average includes both taxis and public transport, keep in mind that the prices of private drivers and taxis are significantly more expensive than public transportation.
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 Lyon
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Lyon:
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Lyon
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Lyon:
-
Airport Lyon - private VIP transfer to Megève on Mercedes V-class:
$649
-
Airport Lyon - private VIP transfer to Morzine on Mercedes V-class:
$683
-
Airport Lyon - private VIP transfer to Tignes on Mercedes V-class:
$683
-
Airport Lyon - private VIP transfer to Val-d Isere on Mercedes V-class:
$702
-
Departure Private Transfer Lyon City to Lyon Airport LYS by Business Car:
$66
-
Departure Private Transfer Lyon City to Lyon Airport LYS by Luxury Van:
$87
-
Departure Private Transfers from Lyon City to Lyon Airport LYS in Business Car:
$95
-
Departure Private Transfers from Lyon City to Lyon Airport LYS in Luxury Van:
$103
-
Low Cost Private Transfer From Grenoble-Isère Airport to Lyon City - One Way:
$284
-
Low Cost Private Transfer From Lyon Saint-Exupéry Airport to Lyon City - One Way:
$124
-
Low Cost Private Transfer From Lyon-Bron Airport to Lyon City - One Way:
$65
-
Lyon Airport Transfers : Lyon City to Lyon Airport LYS in Business Car:
$98
Is it cheaper to fly into Brussels or Lyon?
Prices for flights to both Lyon 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.
Entertainment
Entertainment and activities in Brussels typically cost an average of €18 per person, per day. This includes fees paid for admission tickets to museums and attractions, day tours, and other sightseeing expenses.
Lyon's costs for entertainment, tickets, attractions, and tours will often cost around €16 per person, per day. This cost can vary widely by the type of activity, however, as this includes admission tickets, day tours, museums, and other things to do.
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 Lyon
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Lyon are as follows:
Tours and Activities in Lyon
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Lyon are as follows:
-
Lyon City Historic Neighborhoods Guided Walking Tour (English):
$3.82
-
Vieux Lyon Cultural & Historical Walking Guided Tour (English):
$3.82
-
Private Lyon Ghost Tour: Haunted City Center Exploration Game:
$8.70
-
1-Hour City Tram Audio-Guided Tour:
$9.22
-
Lyon Croix-Rousse City Tram Tour with Audio Guide:
$11
-
Haunted Lyon City Exploration Game & Tour:
$11
-
Lyon Museum of Cinema Miniature Admission Ticket:
$12
-
Storytelling Tour of Croix-Rousse:
$15
-
Guided Sightseeing Cruise:
$15
-
1-Hour Discovery Tour by Boat:
$17
-
Ticket to Mini World Lyon Museum:
$17
-
Lyon City Hop-on Hop-off Sightseeing Bus Tour:
$22
Alcohol
While the amount that someone spends on alcohol while visiting Brussels may vary from person to person, on average a person spends €10 per day on alcoholic beverages.
The average person spends about €19 on alcoholic beverages in Lyon 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
Typical Alcohol prices in Lyon
Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Lyon from other travelers:
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Drinks for 2
€6.80
-
Bottle of Wine
€15
Sample the Local Flavors in Lyon
Also in Lyon, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
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Beaujolais Segway Tour With Wine Tasting:
$52
-
Golden Stones Beaujolais Wine Tasting Trip from Lyon:
$101
-
Half-Day Vienne & Côte-Rotie Wine Tasting Tour:
$101
-
Half-Day Beaujolais Wine Tour from Lyon:
$101
-
Northern Rhône Valley Cheese & Wine Tasting Half Day Tour from Lyon:
$111
-
Lyon Old Town Food & Wine Tasting Tour including a Bouchon Lyonnais:
$112
-
The Original Syrah Wine Tour - Afternoon - Small Group Tour from Lyon:
$114
-
The Original Syrah Wine Tour - Morning - Small Group Tours from Lyon:
$114
-
Beaujolais Gourmet Wine Tour with Tastings from Lyon:
$123
-
Macon & Beaujolais Wine Tour - Full Day - Small Group Tour from Lyon:
$147
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Cotes du Rhone Wine Tour - Full Day - Small Group Tour from Lyon:
$153
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Beaujolais Region Vineyard Day Tour with Wine Tasting from Lyon:
$160
When comparing the travel costs between Brussels and Lyon, we can see that Brussels is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Europe, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.
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