Which place is cheaper, Santo Domingo or Brussels?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Brussels or Santo Domingo?
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 Santo Domingo. 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 Santo Domingo?
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.
Santo Domingo
Santo Domingo, the capital of the Dominican Republic, is a vibrant city that seamlessly blends history, culture, and modernity. Known for being the oldest continuously inhabited European settlement in the Americas, Santo Domingo offers a wealth of experiences that cater to every type of traveler.
Traveling to Santo Domingo on a budget is entirely achievable with some strategic planning. Accommodations range from luxury hotels to budget-friendly hostels and guesthouses. The Zona Colonial, the historic district, offers several affordable lodging options that provide easy access to major attractions. Hostels offer comfortable accommodations and a chance to meet fellow travelers, too. Eating on a budget is also feasible in Santo Domingo. Local eateries, known as "comedores," serve traditional Dominican dishes at reasonable prices.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Belgium, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Belgium, The Best Adventure Tours to Dominican Republic, and The Best Adventure Tours to Dominican Republic.
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Brussels Prices
Belgium PricesSanto Domingo Prices
Dominican Republic Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayBrussels €165Santo Domingo €83
The average daily cost (per person) in Brussels is €165, while the average daily cost in Santo Domingo is €83. 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 Santo Domingo in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personBrussels €73Santo Domingo €33
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomBrussels €146Santo Domingo €66
Compare Hotels in Brussels and Santo Domingo
Looking for a hotel in Brussels or Santo Domingo? 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 Santo Domingo Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Brussels €17Santo Domingo €3.84
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 Airport (BRU) Transfer to Brussels/Ghent/Antwerp/Brugge: $35
- Brussels to Brussels Airport (BRU) - Departure Private Transfer: $76
- Brussels Shuttle Transfer <-> Mons (1 to 8 PLACES): $77
- Transfer Shuttle Brussels South Station <-> Mons (1-8 SEATS): $77
- Shuttle transfer Brussels Gare du Midi <-> Mons (1 to 8 PLACES): $77
- Brussels Private Transfer from Brussels city centre to Brussels Airport (BRU): $81
- Transfer Brussels Midi Station <-> Bruges (1 - 8 PL): $96
- Private Transfer: Brussels to Brussels Airport BRU by Luxury Van: $100
- Airport Transfer: Brussels to Brussels Airport BRU by Luxury Van: $102
- Brussels Airport Transfer (BRU) <-> to or from Brussels (Sedan): $114
- Private transfer from Brussels Airport <-> Brussels: $120
- Shuttle transfer Brussels <-> Lille (1 to 8 PLACES): $122
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Santo Domingo
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Santo Domingo:
- La Romana Airport (LRM) to Santo Domingo hotels - Arrival Private Transfer: $63
- Private Airport Transfer (SDQ) to Santo Domingo / Punta Cana: $11
- Private Santo Domingo Airport (SDQ) Transfers To Pedernales & Barahona Hotels: $160
- Private Transfer From La Romana Cruise Port to Las Americas Inter. Airport: $150
- Private Transfer From Las Americas Inter. Airport to La Romana Cruise Port: $150
- Private Transfer From Santo Domingo City to Resort Casa de Campo: $175
- Private Transfer Santo Domingo Airport SDQ to Santo Domingo Port: $55
- Private Transfer Santo Domingo Port to Santo Domingo Airport SDQ: $55
- Private Transfer between Santo Domingo Airport and Punta Cana: $155
- Private Transfer from Int Las Americas Airport (SDQ): $27
- Private Transfer from Las americas Airport to Punta Cana : $90
- Private Transfer from Santo Domingo Airport to Bayahibe: $105
Is it cheaper to fly into Brussels or Santo Domingo?
Prices for flights to both Santo Domingo 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 €66Santo Domingo €45
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.
- Experience Authentic Belgian Cuisine: Cooking Lesson and Meal with a Ghent Local: $99
- Brussels Food Tour with Full Meal & Drinks by Do Eat Better: $119
- Brussels Food Tour: 10 Tastings of Waffles, Beers, Fries & More: $133
- Market Tour and Cooking Lesson with a Belgian Gourmet Meal in a Brussels Home: $179
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Brussels €23Santo Domingo €12
Tours and Activities in Brussels
Here are a few actual costs in Brussels for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Brussels Hidden Delights A Self Guided Epicurean Adventure: $1.79
- Brussels Walking Tour with Guide plus PDF: $3.59
- Gastronomic Tour: A Taste of Brussels: $3.59
- The Most Complete Tour Of Brussels: $3.59
- Self Guided Tours Brussels With 100 Captivating Audio Stories: $3.59
- Free Tour of Brussels in English (with booking fee) : $3.59
- Historical Walking Tour: The Story of Brussels - by Legends: $3.59
- Brussels Old City’s Highlights Walking Tour: $4.81
- Brussels (EU Quarter) Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $5.81
- Brussels Land of Comics: Self-Guided Tour and Puzzle Quest: $6.00
- Leuven Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self Guided Tour: $6.45
- Brussels Brain Quest: Exploration Game and Tour: $6.60
Typical Entertainment Prices in Santo Domingo
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Santo Domingo are as follows:
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Snorkeling Tour€35
Tours and Activities in Santo Domingo
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Santo Domingo are as follows:
- Taínos 4D Experience Discover the Legacy of the Caribbean: $6.00
- Ron Barcelo Anejo Experience Factory Tour: $20
- Colonial Zone Bike Tour: $45
- Panoramic City Tour: $46
- Santo Domingo Small Group Walking Tour: Beer and Specialty Coffee: $59
- Iconic Highlights and historical Tour in Santo Domingo: $75
- Santo Domingo City Tour with Pickup Included From Santo Domingo: $75
- Half Day Santo Domingo Tour: Three Eyes Park to Colon Lighthouse: $80
- Full Day Tour to Santo Domingo from Punta Cana with Lunch: $80
- Santo Domingo Walking Tour for the Whole Family : $88
- Santo Domingo Cultural Tour: $89
- Full-Day Santo Domingo City Tour from Punta Cana: $89
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayBrussels €13Santo Domingo €6.31
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:
- Discovery of the La Senne Brewery: $31
- Beer & Chocolate Tasting in a Brewery-Distillery: $79
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Brussels and Santo Domingo, we can see that Brussels is more expensive. And not only is Santo Domingo much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Brussels is in Europe and Santo Domingo is in Caribbean Islands, 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 Santo Domingo would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Santo Domingo 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 Santo Domingo.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Brussels Expensive? and Is Santo Domingo Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Brussels or Santo Domingo?
Santo Domingo has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Brussels. When comparing the sizes of Brussels and Santo Domingo, 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.
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.