Budget Travel Ideas in Brussels

Brussels is not only the capital city of Belgium, but also the capital of the European Union. As well as housing the E.U., Brussels displays it's diversity by being a city with 2 official languages - Dutch and French. Since Brussels is such a popular destination amongst tourists world-wide, good deals for the budget traveler are abundant.

Getting There

Although a multi-airline search engine will often give you some of the best prices, there are still a few tips that, if followed, can save you hundreds of dollars. First, if you can avoid it, try not to fly around holidays. This choice alone can save you hundreds. Second, try flying out Tuesday-Thursday. Since many people want to travel on the weekends, even something so small can make a significant price difference. Brussels is a special location for the budget flier because you can get to the city from London via the Channel Tunnel. There are many places online that you can find cheap tickets to London, so this may also be a wise decision. Eurostar are the trains that service the Tunnel Channel.

What to Do

The Brussels Card is an excellent and affordable way to see the attractions of the city while saving money on numerous activities and sites. The card starts at around $23 for a 24 hour pass and goes all the way to a 72 hour pass that is priced at $46. All of Brussels' public transport is included (metro, train, bus), as well as over 30 museums and discounts on many other things. Sites such as Autoworld Brussels, the Museum of Musical Instruments and the Natural Sciences Museum of Belgium have a free entrance fee with this card. Many restaurants, bars and cafes will also give you discounts, as will some fashion stores and candy shops.

Where to Stay

One of the cheapest hostels you will find in Brussels is the Génération Europe Youth Hostel, with beds starting at around $27 per person per night. At this price, you will be in a dorm-style bed with 7 other beds, likely occupied by other travelers. It is a 15 minute walk to the major sites. The 2GO4 Hostel boasts of being the only hostel in the downtown area of Brussels. Dorm beds start at around $30 per person per night in a 14-bed mixed-gender dorm. Rooms in this hostel are spacious and the design is modern, yet simple.