Which place is cheaper, Bruges or Kos?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Kos and Bruges can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.
Kos is a cultural, party-hard, and vibrant island. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. It's also popular because of the nightlife, food, and scuba diving and snorkeling.
Bruges is a charming, historic, and cultural city. It's considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. It also has that perfectly quaint feel that is like no other place. Other reasons to visit include food, shopping, and museums.
Visitors will usually find more to do in Kos than Bruges, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Kos is better known for its museums, food, nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, and hiking, while Bruges is more popular for its historical sights and quaint atmosphere. Bruges is more touristy than Kos and is known for its scenic old town, charming streets, local chocolate, and unique Christmas market. Kos is well known for its sandy beaches and crystal clear blue water. Also, Kos is famous for Asklepieion Archeological Site.
Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Bruges and Kos. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.
Kos is very popular for its historical sights. Also, Bruges is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its sights and museums.
With plenty of landmarks, attractions, and museums, Kos has many famous sights for visitors. The small island is packed with archaeological sites and interesting history. Famous places worth visiting include the ruins of Asklepion, the ancient Agora, Roman Odeon, Neratzia Castle, and so many more!
Bruges offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. The city is filled with charming hidden corners as well as notable landmarks. The main square is Bruges' Markt which is where you'll find the the Belfry Tower. Other must-see sights include the Historium, Groeninge Museum, the Town Hall, and Brugse Vrije Museum.
Kos is very popular for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Bruges is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its local cuisine and restaurants.
Eat your way through Kos, as it has many local or world renowned restaurants to choose from. The cuisine relies heavily on locally harvested ingredients with many dishes featuring cheese, seafood, vegetables, olive oil, and potatoes. The dishes are influenced by Italian and Turkish cuisines and common dishes include moussaka, souvlaki and tzatziki. Popular seafood options are prawns, squid, lobster and octopus. A great way to enjoy a sampling of local dishes is to visit an ouzeri, which is a Greek taverna that serves mezza style meals with small dishes that you can share.
With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Bruges makes for a great culinary experience. From its world class breweries to its famous chocolate shops, there is plenty to eat and drink around town. In the old town prices can be a bit high, but the dishes and atmosphere are great. Popular local dishes include Belgian waffles, fries, mussels, and beef stew.
Kos is great for its evening party scene. Also, Bruges is not as popular, but is still a nice city for nightlife.
Many people head to Kos for the nightlife scene. For such a small island you'll find a huge party scene during the peak summer months. There are almost nightly parties, beach raves, and late night clubs throughout the summer months. The bars and clubs are mostly concentrated around a couple of streets in the center of Kos Town, but Kardamena is also a lively party area. It's popular with British tourists who head here for the all-night clubs.
There's a variety of activities in the evening in Bruges. It's famous for its beer and breweries, so you'll find a number of places to gather in the evening. There is a lack of nightclubs, so if dancing and partying hard is your style, then this may not be your place. The vibes are generally chill and relaxed at night. Most places are concentrated around old town or near Kuipersstraat or Zilverstraat.
Kos is a good destination for its luxury resorts. However, Bruges is not a resort destination.
Kos has a few great resort options. It's a smaller island and there aren't as many resorts here as there are on some of the larger Greek islands. Some of the best resort areas include Lamp and Psalidi to the northwest, Tigaki on the west coast (a good option for families), as well as Mastihari and Marmari which both have relaxed atmospheres. The younger crowd often hangs out around Kardemena on the east coast.
Bruges is not a resort destination.
Kos is very popular for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Bruges is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.
People travel from around the world to go scuba diving and snorkeling in Kos. There are countless snorkeling sports around the island where you can immerse yourself in the undersea world. Popular snorkeling areas include Camel Beach and Limnionas Beach. Make sure you understand the water conditions before heading into the water.
Bruges is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.
Kos is very popular for the beach. However, Bruges is not a beach destination.
Kos offers stunning beaches that attract visitors from around the world. The island is famous for its beautiful beaches, many of which are sandy with various shades of color. There are touristy beaches with plenty of amenities as well as less frequented beaches that offer a quieter and more remote atmosphere. Some of the most visited beaches on the island include Agios Stefanos, Kardamena, Kefalos and Lambi while some of the more peaceful areas are Cavo Paradiso and Helona Beach.
Bruges is not a beach destination.
Bruges is very popular for its historic old town. However, Kos does not have a historic old town.
Bruges has a world-famous historical area. The old town is the main attraction, with its quaint cobblestone streets and beautiful brick architecture.
Kos does not have a historic old town.
Kos is a good destination for hiking. However, Bruges is not a hiking destination.
Kos offers some nice hiking trails. This is a great walking island with a number of easy walks or hikes that take you along the coastline or through interesting landscapes.
Bruges is not a hiking destination.
Shoppers can find a variety of notable stores in both Kos and Bruges.
Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Kos. There are a number of traditional items that you can pick up while you're in town. Fun souvenirs include jewelry, leather items, and perfumes.
Bruges offers some nice shopping areas. The city offers plenty of shopping, whether you're looking for souvenirs, trendy European brands, or local items. It's more geared towards tourists than locals, and you want find the same diversity that you get in some of the larger nearby cities, but you'll find unique lace items and other local goods in the old town. The streets around Markt Square, Steenstraat, Geld Monstraat, and Jakobstraat are the main shopping areas.
Both Kos and Bruges are notable to visit with kids.
Kos is a family-friendly island. It's comparable to other Greek islands when it comes to kids' activities. Kos Town can get a bit lively at night so if you want to avoid the party crowds, then those areas are easily avoided. Popular activities include exploring ancient ruins, going to the Kos Archaeological Museum, visiting The Castle of the Knights, and of course, hanging out at the beach. One of the best family-friendly resort areas is Tigaki along the west coast.
You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Bruges. Kids will enjoy sampling the unique chocolate around town, eating their fill of waffles, and getting their energy out in the park or at a local playground. There are also canal boat tours and horse drawn carriage rides that are fun for the whole family.
Both Kos and Bruges are very good destinations for a couple's getaway.
Kos makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. This small island offers beautiful beaches and plenty of ancient ruins to explore. Kos Town is where you'll find the liveliest atmosphere but for some of the best resorts you'll want to stay in one of the resort suburbs like Lampi or Psalidi.
Couples visit Bruges frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. This romantic city has amazing restaurants, charming streets, and impressive architecture. Couples will enjoy exploring the canals by boat or taking a horse drawn carriage ride through the old town. There are also a number of cute bed and breakfasts where you can stay.
Kos and Bruges are both very good destinations for backpackers.
Kos is very popular with the backpacker crowd. It's a small island but has a few hostels and a variety of apartments available for rent. Despite its small size, there are areas where you'll want to have a car if you wish to explore, but if you stay in town you'll find getting around fairly easy. The island attracts its share of young travelers and you'll find plenty of people to hang out with.
Bruges is a great island to visit for backpackers. There are a few good hostels around town. The city sees its share of tourists, but many arrive as part of tours or river boat cruises. If you stay in a hostel, you shouldn't have trouble meeting other young travelers though. There are also plenty of well known breweries where you can gather with friends.
Kos is great for times when you don't have a car. Also, Bruges is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its public transit.
Many visitors use the public transit system in Kos. Buses connect many of the tourist destinations including beaches, cultural sights, are resort areas.
Bruges has a few public transit options. There is a bus system that connects the train station to the old town. Otherwise, the city is best explored on foot.
Bruges is very popular for its walkability. Also, Kos is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its high level of walkability.
It's very easy to get around on foot in Bruges. The train station is a short walk from the old town but the city is very walkable and best explored on foot.
Kos is a very walkable island. It's small size means it's possible to explore parts of the island on foot or bicycle. There are some beautiful walks on the island, but some areas will require a car or bus.
For even more information, also check out Is Kos Worth Visiting? and Is Bruges Worth Visiting?.
Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Kos and Bruges. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Kos than in Bruges. Usually, 2-5 days is a good amount of time for Kos, and 1-3 days is enough time in Bruges.
Families should spend more time in Kos than Bruges. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Kos, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.
Couples should spend more time in Kos than Bruges. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Kos that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.
Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Kos than Bruges if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Kos.
Many travelers enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping when visiting the destination of Kos. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.
With nightlife and food around the historic destination of Bruges, there's plenty to do. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. So, one day is just the right amount of time to spend here. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.
Kos is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.
Many people visit Bruges for a weekend. With food and shopping around the cultural city of Bruges, there's plenty to do. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. Because of this, a weekend is usually enough time for a trip here.
It's hard to know how much time to spend in Kos. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. Most people come for the beaches. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.
The destination of Bruges offers shopping and museums. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. It offers something for everyone. Five days is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips.
Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the beautiful destination of Kos. This island offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.
Bruges, a popular city, is full of activities for travelers. Visiting the old town is also a must. Your budget might influence how long you stay. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from Athens, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Greece, The Best Cultural Tours in Belgium, and The Best Luxury Tours to Belgium.
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Kos is €134, while the average daily cost in Bruges is €123. 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 Kos and Bruges in more detail.
Looking for a hotel in Kos or Bruges? 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.
Also for Kos, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Bruges:
Also for Bruges, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
Prices for flights to both Bruges and Kos 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.
For Kos, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Bruges:
For Bruges, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
For Kos, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
For Bruges, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Bruges.
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Kos:
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Bruges:
When comparing the travel costs between Kos and Bruges, we can see that Kos 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.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Kos Expensive? and Is Bruges Expensive?.
Bruges has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Kos. When comparing the sizes of Kos and Bruges, 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.