Comparison · Brussels vs Paris · Belgium / France
Brussels vs Paris
Two great trips, different strengths. Here is how they compare on the things that decide it.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Francisco Conde Sánchez, CC BY-SA 3.0
Quick answer
Choose Brussels for Grand-Place and Manneken Pis; choose Paris for Eiffel Tower and Louvre. Brussels is generally less expensive, and the two are about 264 km apart.
Key facts
- Distance apart
- 264 km
- Less expensive
- Brussels
- Best time for Brussels
- May–June and September
- Best time for Paris
- April–June and September–October
Side by side
| Brussels | Paris | |
|---|---|---|
| Country | Belgium | France |
| Known for | Grand-Place, Manneken Pis and Atomium | Eiffel Tower, Louvre and Café culture |
| Best time to visit | May–June and September | April–June and September–October |
| Ideal stay | 3 days | 4 days |
| Mid-range budget per day | $170–$300 | $200–$350 |
| Cost level | Moderately priced | Expensive |
| Warmest month | July, 24°C (75°F) | July, 25°C (77°F) |
| Coldest month | January, 6°C (43°F) | January, 7°C (45°F) |
| Free sights in our guide | 10 | 8 |
| Day trips in our guide | 7 | 7 |
| Beaches | — | — |
| Airports | BRU, CRL | CDG, ORY, BVA |
Which one is right for you?
Choose Brussels for…
Grand-Place and Manneken Pis. Belgium's capital pairs one of Europe's grandest squares, the Grand-Place, with the Art Nouveau townhouses of Victor Horta, the Magritte Museum and the Atomium. The compact Lower Town around the Grand-Place and Sainte-Catherine is walkable, while the Upper…
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Choose Paris for…
Eiffel Tower and Louvre. Paris packs the Louvre, the Musée d'Orsay, Notre-Dame and the Eiffel Tower into a compact city of 20 arrondissements spiralling out from the Seine. Most first-time visitors base themselves in the central 1st–7th arrondissements and get around on foot and by…
Top sights compared
| # | Brussels | Paris |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Grand-Place | Eiffel Tower |
| 2 | Manneken Pis | Louvre Museum |
| 3 | Atomium | Musée d'Orsay |
| 4 | Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium | Notre-Dame Cathedral |
| 5 | Magritte Museum | Sainte-Chapelle |
Food compared
| Brussels | Paris |
|---|---|
| Moules-frites | Croissant and pain au chocolat |
| Belgian frites | Baguette tradition |
| Brussels and Liège waffles | Steak frites |
| Flemish beef stew | Croque-monsieur |
Which is cheaper?
Brussels is usually the less expensive of the two: a mid-range day costs about $170–$300 per person there, against $200–$350 in Paris (AMZBooking estimates, excluding flights). Brussels on a budget.
Can you visit both?
Yes. Brussels and Paris are about 264 km apart, so they combine well in one trip: allow 3 days in Brussels and 4 in Paris.
Questions travellers ask
+Is Brussels or Paris cheaper?
Brussels is usually less expensive: about $170–$300 a day mid-range against $200–$350 (estimates).
+Is Brussels or Paris better for a first trip?
Pick Brussels for Grand-Place and Manneken Pis, or Paris for Eiffel Tower and Louvre.
+How far is Brussels from Paris?
About 264 km in a straight line.