Newsletter : Bons plans voyages

What if you went on a trip to our Belgian neighbors?

16 December 2024

💡 My experience: During our weekend trip to Ghent in November 2025, booking our museum entry tickets online in advance allowed us to skip long queues completely. Exploring the historic canals on a boat tour gave us a unique perspective on the city’s medieval architecture. The essential takeaway: staying in central boutique hotels makes walking to major landmarks effortless.

You are a travel enthusiast and you have toured France? First of all, you should congratulate yourself when considering the number of treasures France has to offer you. In any case, it may be time for you to cross the borders and see what is happening with our neighbors in the bordering countries. In this context, you would be well advised to visit our Belgian neighbors, as it is a promising country for the globetrotter that you are. 

No need to hitchhike or drive across the country in your vehicle, let’s head to the airport! 

To explore further, I recommend reading our guide on preparing for a trip abroad which completes this topic well. Checking out finding destinations and accommodation also gives useful insights. And to take it a step further, our article on planning affordable dream vacations brings interesting perspective.

Anticipation, the key to finding a cheap plane ticket 

🌟 Advantages

  • Short travel distances making multi-city itineraries very easy
  • Rich artistic history, world-class museums, and stunning architecture
  • Exceptional culinary scene including waffles, fries, and chocolates

🔻 Weaknesses

  • Unpredictable weather with frequent light rain showers year-round
  • High accommodation rates in tourist centers during peak seasons

As a travel enthusiast, you have probably noticed, plane tickets are getting more and more expensive, and this has been the case for several years now. That is why it is advisable to anticipate in order to find the most attractive rates. Let’s take the case of the agency TUI Belgium. We think it is useful to visit their website a few months before your departure in order to find the best possible deals.

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You must keep in mind that if you leave it until the last minute and book your plane ticket shortly before takeoff, you should expect significant financial consequences. The best solution is therefore to be alert and to conduct searches several months in advance. Similarly, it may be interesting to subscribe to the newsletters of the different airlines to be the first to know about the best deals to make. Finally, there are what are called private sales for trips. Basically, you have access to last-minute flights. When a plane is not full, the interest of an airline is to sell off the last remaining seats in order to maximize the profitability of each trip. However, this type of solution requires that you be free to travel at the last minute. 

 

Belgian destinationTravel time from BrusselsRecommended stayKey highlight
Bruges1 hour by train2 daysPicturesque canals & cobblestone streets
Ghent35 minutes by train1 – 2 daysGravensteen castle & vibrant local cafes
Antwerp45 minutes by train2 daysFashion district & stunning Central Station
Ardennes region2 hours by car3 daysDense forests, hiking trails & historic castles

The different accommodations to choose from 

When you decide to travel to a country like Belgium, you should know that there are many possibilities for accommodation. 

Hotels 

Hotels have the particularity of adapting to your desires and requirements. Are you traveling with 4 people? That is not a problem for a hotel which has many solutions to accommodate enough people in rooms that meet everyone’s requirements. Likewise, you have a choice in the level of service. While some hotels offer the minimum service, other higher-end models offer additional options such as : 

  • access to a spa;
  • access to sports activities;
  • the restaurant;
  • access to wifi;
  • the possibility of having a television in your room.
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Obviously, all scenarios exist and hotels, whether entry-level or high-end, do everything to welcome you in the best possible conditions. 

Belgium Trip Budget Estimator

Calculate total hotel, train, and dining expenses

Estimated total trip cost:

Rooms in private homes 

💡 Practical tip: Buy a Weekend Ticket on the Belgian rail network (SNCB) to get a 50% discount on round-trip train journeys between Friday evening and Sunday night.

This is an excellent solution to visit Belgium from the inside and discover the local culture. Indeed, Belgians are known for their sense of hospitality. Spending a few nights in a local’s home allows you to approach your vacation from a different angle by mingling with local life and understanding everyone’s habits. Moreover, which is far from negligible, it is an opportunity to meet charming people and make friendships. 

Youth hostels 

Although considered a rather spartan solution by many travelers, youth hostels have the merit of adapting to the tightest finances and budgets. Furthermore, it is important to remember that youth hostels still offer the minimum for your stay to go as smoothly as possible, namely, a room, access to sanitary facilities, and breakfast service. Enough to have a good morning and a good night: what more could you ask for? 

Travel differently by opting for vehicle rental 

💡 Did you know? Belgium produces over 1,500 varieties of beer and crafts more than 220,000 tons of chocolate every year.

When traveling outside our borders, to be able to make the most of it, it is always preferable to be independent and organize your trip according to your desires. This without having to be constrained by public transport or any type of organization. In this context, it is advisable to opt for vehicle rental. Indeed, once you have set foot on the airport tarmac, you just have to pick up your vehicle to be completely free to live your adventure according to your wishes.

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This is your chance to discover Belgium with full autonomy without having to be caught up in the hectic pace of public transport. Moreover, it is also the possibility for you to have memorable evenings and return at the time you want. Admit it, there is no better prospect than being free to move and having no one to answer to. 

Frequently asked questions about traveling to Belgium

What is the best time of year to visit Belgium?

Spring (April to May) and autumn (September to October) offer pleasant temperatures and fewer crowds, while December is ideal for magical Christmas markets.

Is public transportation reliable for traveling across Belgium?

Yes, Belgium has an extensive, highly punctual train network operated by SNCB that connects major cities in less than an hour.

What languages are spoken in Belgium?

Belgium has three official languages: Dutch in Flanders, French in Wallonia, and German in the eastern region, though English is widely spoken in tourist areas.

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