Should you visit Brussels or Rome?
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the prices of travel for Brussels and Rome. 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.
Rome
Rome is the capital and largest city in Italy. It is also a common entry point for most visitors flying into the country. Rome has been a center of power, culture, and religion for the last millenium, making it one of the most famous and popular destinations in not only Europe, but the world. The influence of the Roman Empire can be seen across continents.
Which city is cheaper, Rome 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 Rome is €131. 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 Rome 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.
The average price for accommodation for two people in Rome is €134. 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 €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.
In Rome travelers spend around €37 a day on food. You can save money by choosing casual restaurants or food stalls, or you can spend plenty more by dining in nicer restaurants at every meal.
-
Food
Meals for one day
Brussels €31
Rome €37
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 Rome
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Rome:
-
Casual Lunch (for Two)
€14
-
4 Ice Cream Sandwiches
€2.99
-
Cafe e doce
€4.00
-
Pizza (Fast Food)
€2.65
-
Sitdown Lunch (for Two)
€32
-
Cheese and bread
€10
-
Espresso
€2.00
-
Dinner
€58
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Rome
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Rome.
-
Tours from Home: Pizza Cooking Class with Italian Chefs:
$15
-
Interactive Cooking Experiences with Renowned Chefs All Over the World (in EST):
$22
-
Live from Tagliatelle & Chicken Fricassee Online Cooking Class:
$23
-
Gelato Cooking Class:
$33
-
Virtual Cooking Class: Carbonara, Amatriciana, Pesto & "pasta al dente":
$40
-
5-Course Lunch or Dinner with Roman Jewish Dishes:
$44
-
Street Food Tour with Local Guide:
$44
-
Rome by Night: Bike Tour with Pizza:
$45
-
1.5-Hour Campo de' Fiori to Jewish Quarter Food Tour:
$48
-
2.5-Hour Self-Guided Food Tour in Trastevere:
$48
-
Private Italian dinner in Rome with a selection of local wines:
$51
-
Bitemojo Self Guided Food Tour Artisian Rome:
$55
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.
While taxis and private drivers typically cost much more than public transportation, people usually spend around €17 per day to get around in Rome.
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:
-
Airport Transfer Charleroi To Bruges:
$411
-
Airport Transfer Charleroi To Brussels:
$179
-
Airport transfers from Brussels to Zaventem Brussels airport by luxury car:
$85
-
Brussels Airport Departure Transfer (Brussels Hotels to Brussels Airport):
$81
-
Brussels Airport Transfers : Brussels City to Airport BRU in Business Car:
$79
-
Brussels Airport Transfers : Brussels to Airport BRU in Luxury Van:
$79
-
Brussels City all area to Brussels Airport BRU - Private Airport transfer 1-3pax:
$60
-
Brussels City all area to Brussels Airport BRU - Private Airport transfer 1-7pax:
$60
-
Brussels Departure Private Transfers from Brussels City to Brussels Airport BRU:
$87
-
Brussels Departure Private Transfers from Brussels City to Brussels Airport BRU:
$83
-
Brussels Private Transfer from Brussels city centre to Brussels Airport (BRU):
$108
-
Brussels Private Transfer from Brussels city centre to Brussels Charleroi Airport (CRL):
$263
Typical Local Transportation prices in Rome
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Rome:
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Rome
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Rome:
-
1-Way Private Transfer from Rome to Fiumicino Airport:
$72
-
1-Way Transfer from Rome Hotels to Airports FCO and CPO:
$18
-
59/5000 Transfer from Rome to Sorrento with stop in Pompeii:
$622
-
A Secret Way to the Sistine Chapel Private Tour-transfers included:
$475
-
Accessible Transportation in Rome Civitavecchia or Airport transfer:
$162
-
Airport Transfert Roma:
$93
-
Airport transfer:
$100
-
Airport transfer from hotel in Rome:
$20
-
All Rome in One Day Special Private Tour - Skip the Line, Guide, Lunch, Transfer:
$588
-
Ancient Ostia Ruins, private transfer:
$597
-
Ancient Ostia Ruins, private transfer:
$637
-
Assisi & Orvieto, one day, private transfer:
$1,244
Is it cheaper to fly into Brussels or Rome?
Prices for flights to both Rome 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.
Activities, things to do, and other forms of entertainment usually cost around €29 per person, per day in Rome. This cost includes the price of admission tickets to attractions and museums as well as daily tours.
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 Rome
Here are a few typical costs in Rome for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
-
Rome Museum Vaticano (for 2)
€69
-
Coliseum Tickets (for Two)
€33
-
Roma Pass
€30
-
Hop on Hop Off Bus (All Day)
€20
-
Segway Tour
€75
Tours and Activities in Rome
Here are a few actual costs in Rome for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
-
Highlights of Rome Free Walking Tour:
$3.58
-
35-Minute Rome Pantheon Audio Guide Tour:
$5.71
-
A day as a citizen of ancient Rome - live virtual experience:
$6.22
-
Ticket for Pantheon with Audioguide + City APP:
$6.22
-
Tours from Home: Essential Rome, The Iconic Piazzas:
$10
-
Tours from Home: Colosseum & Gladiators:
$10
-
Leonardo da Vinci Exhibition Entrance Ticket:
$10
-
Ticket to Piazza Navona Undergrounds Stadium of Domitian:
$11
-
Rome Pantheon: 35-Minute Audio Guide Tour:
$11
-
Ancient Rome Virtual Guided Tour (Times in EST):
$11
-
Self-guided Virtual Tour of Colosseum: The Highlights:
$11
-
Vatican City: Leonardo Da Vinci Exhibition Ticket:
$11
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.
While the amount that someone spends on alcohol while visiting Rome may vary from person to person, on average a person spends €15 per day on alcoholic beverages.
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 Rome
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Rome:
-
Bottle of Wine
€6.50
-
Pint of Beer
€6.34
-
Beer
€10
Sample the Local Flavors in Rome
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Rome:
-
3.5-Hour Castelli Romani Wine Tasting Tour:
$50
-
Roman Countryside Vineyards and Wine Tasting:
$67
-
4-Hour Food and Wine Tasting Tour:
$69
-
Campo De' Fiori Market and Trevi Food & Wine Tour:
$90
-
4-Hour Food and Wine Tasting Tour:
$91
-
Private Rome Food & Wine Tour with Aperitif on Private Roof Top Terrance:
$100
-
Colosseum Fast Track and Wine Tasting Day Tour:
$119
-
Wine Tour Experience from Rome factory Giglio:
$123
-
Small-Group Food and Wine Tour with Pickup:
$131
-
Lunch, Diner and wine tasting in a shaby chic italian restaurant in Rome:
$135
-
From Frascati 3-Hour Private Wine Tasting Tour:
$147
-
Wine Tasting in Frascati from Rome:
$160
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Brussels and Rome, we can see that Rome 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 Rome would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Rome than you might in Brussels.
Related Articles for Brussels
Related Articles for Rome
