Should you visit Lisbon or Brussels?
Should I visit Lisbon or Brussels? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Lisbon
Portugal's capital city of Lisbon continues to grow in popularity as a travel destination. The cultural scene has come to life in recent years and the city itself is stunningly beautiful. It sits on the edge of the Atlantic Ocean and is made up of hills that create a dramatic and scenic layout. The city has many white-bleached limestone buildings, narrow alleyways, and a laidback charm that appeals to visitors.
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.
Which city is cheaper, Brussels or Lisbon?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Lisbon is €105, while the average daily cost in Brussels is €109. 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 Lisbon and Brussels in more detail.
Accommodation
An average hotel room with basic furnishings costs about €94 in Lisbon For the most convenient locations and nicer amenities you can expect to pay a bit more.
Accommodation prices vary by location and style, but travelers pay on average about €116 for a double occupancy room in Brussels.
Local Transportation
Lisbon's transportation costs can vary by the type of transport chosen by visitors. Naturally, taxis and private drivers cost much more than public transportation options. On average, visitors spend €19 per person, per day on transportation in Lisbon.
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.
Typical Local Transportation prices in Lisbon
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Lisbon:
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Lisbon
Also for Lisbon, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
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Airport Private Transfer in Van to Caldas da Rainha or Óbidos or Fátima:
$165
-
Airport Private Transfer in Van to Cascais or Sintra or Estoril:
$68
-
Airport Private Transfer to Caldas da Rainha or Óbidos or Fátima:
$99
-
Airport Private Transfer to Cascais or Sintra or Estoril:
$27
-
Airport Private Transfer to Costa da Caparica or Almada:
$19
-
Airport Private Transfer to Ericeira or Torres Vedras:
$46
-
Airport Transfer:
$44
-
Airport Transfer Lisbon:
$54
-
Algarve Private Direct Transfer from Lisbon:
$760
-
Arrival Private Transfer Business Car Lisbon airport LIS to Lisbon City:
$38
-
Arrival Private Transfer Luxury Van Lisbon airport LIS to Lisbon City:
$49
-
Arrival Transfer at Family & Friends:
$19
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 Transfer to Outlet Roermond by luxury car from Brussels Roundtrip:
$317
-
private Transfer to Outlet Maasmechelen by luxury car from Brussels Roundtrip:
$267
-
VIP Transfer between Brussels Airport (BRU) and Antwerp:
$136
-
Transfer from Charleroi Airport (CRL) to Brussels city (any hotel or address):
$153
-
Transfer from Charleroi Airport (CRL) to Brussels city (any hotel or address):
$186
-
Transfer from Brussels city to BRU Airport with luxury Mercedes e class:
$77
-
Transfer from Brussels city (any hotel or address) to Paris:
$995
-
Transfer from Brussels city (any hotel or address) to Paris:
$829
-
Transfer from Brussels city (any hotel or address) to Luxembourg:
$763
-
Transfer from Brussels city (any hotel or address) to Luxembourg:
$657
-
Transfer from Brussels city (any hotel or address) to Amsterdam:
$657
-
Transfer from Brussels city (any hotel or address) to Amsterdam:
$763
Is it cheaper to fly into Lisbon or Brussels?
Prices for flights to both Brussels and Lisbon 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
In Lisbon travelers spend around €34 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.
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.
-
Food
Meals for one day
Lisbon €34
Brussels €31
Typical Food prices in Lisbon
For Lisbon, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Lisbon
For Lisbon, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
-
Virtual Portuguese Cooking Lesson:
$31
-
Live Online Cooking Class from Pastel de Nata with Filipa:
$39
-
Bohemian dinner party on a beautiful rooftop near the coast:
$42
-
2-Hour Pastel de Nata Cooking Class:
$51
-
The magic of Pasteis de Nata cooking class in Lisbon:
$53
-
Bitemojo Self Guided Food Tour New To Lisbon:
$54
-
Withlocals Your Way: Lisbon Personalised Private Food Tour:
$56
-
Pastel de Nata Cooking Class with Local Baker:
$57
-
Private Groups: Pastel de Nata cooking class and tasting in Lisbon's pastry shop:
$57
-
Authentic Portuguese dinner with a local chef:
$58
-
Lisbon Food Tour:
$62
-
Lisbon Old Town Food Tour by Sitway:
$63
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
-
Private Food Tour – 10 Tastings with Locals:
$112
-
Cooking Lesson and Gourmet Belgian-Inspired Meal with a Local in Brussels:
$115
-
Private Brussels Food Tour (walking lunch or dinner):
$373
Entertainment
Sightseeing, admission tickets, things to do, and other entertainment expenses in Lisbon can vary widely by price. On average, visitors spend around €19 per person, per day on entertainment and sightseeing here.
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.
Tours and Activities in Lisbon
For Lisbon, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
-
Lisbon Downtown Tour - The Perfect Introduction to the City:
$1.24
-
Lisbon Historical Walking Tour:
$3.11
-
Sintra Myths and Legends Interpretative Center Entry Ticket:
$3.99
-
Contemporary Park of Nations Walking Audio Tour by VoiceMap:
$5.48
-
The Soul of Alfama Self-guided Audio Tour by VoiceMap Lisbon:
$5.99
-
Museu Coleção Berardo Admission Ticket:
$6.22
-
Skip the Line: Pilar 7 Bridge Experience Admission Ticket:
$6.22
-
Street Art Virtual Tour in Lisbon:
$6.22
-
Lisboa Story Centre: 1-Day Admission Ticket:
$7.41
-
Lisboa Story Centre Admission Ticket:
$8.09
-
Capuchos Convent Skip-the-Line Ticket:
$8.71
-
Calouste Gulbenkian Museum Admission Ticket:
$12
Tours and Activities in Brussels
Here are a few actual costs in Brussels for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
-
2-Hours Private Sightseeing Trip in Brussels:
$83
-
3 hours Private walking tour of Brussels with ParisRio Local guide:
$345
-
3-Day Rail Tour - Brussels to Bruges & Amsterdam (Return):
$683
-
5 Day Rail Tour - Belgium & The Netherlands:
$1,000
-
5-Day Rail Tour - Brussels, Bruges & Amsterdam:
$890
-
7 Day Rail Tour - Belgium & The Netherlands:
$1,207
-
7 Day Rail Tour - Bruges, Antwerp and Amsterdam (Brussels Return):
$1,166
-
Amsterdam Private City Tour from Brussels with licensed Guide and Limo Driver:
$683
-
Antwerp Private City Tour Half-Day From Brussels +Licensed Guide and Limo Driver:
$311
-
Antwerp Private Tour From Brussels:
$450
-
Artistic Bruges on a Private Tour with a local:
$75
-
BEST Brussels Sightseeing Tour Including View of the City from the Basilica Dome:
$386
Alcohol
Typically, people visiting Lisbon spend on average €14 on alcoholic beverages per person, per day.
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.
Sample the Local Flavors in Lisbon
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Lisbon:
-
1-Hour Portuguese Wine Tasting Session:
$22
-
3-Hour Portuguese History & Flavors Food & Wine Tour:
$30
-
Portuguese Wine Tasting and Cheese Lunch:
$56
-
Christ the King and Arrábida Small-Group Tour with Wine Tasting from Lisbon:
$58
-
Craft Beer, Port & Wine Tour:
$68
-
Food & Wine Tasting Walking Tour:
$75
-
Santuário Cristo Rei-Sesimbra-Castle Palmela-Bacalhoa Winery with wine tasting:
$81
-
Full-Day Évora Wine Tour:
$84
-
Wine Tasting in Lisbon:
$87
-
Private Van Tour Arrabida and Wine Tasting:
$89
-
Wine tasting Private Day Tour ARRABIDA:
$92
-
Van Private Tour Arrábida Wine Tour:
$96
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
Sample the Local Flavors in Brussels
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Brussels:
When comparing the travel costs between Lisbon and Brussels, 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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