💰 This page covers the street-level details of spending money in Ghent: card acceptance by area, how to pay for trams and canal boats, and what to budget for restaurants and museums. For Belgium-wide ATM tips, tipping norms, and exchange rate advice:
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Order EUR → CEI Currency ExchangeDo You Need Cash in Ghent?
Rarely. Ghent is one of Europe's most card-friendly cities. Restaurants, shops, museums, trams, and even small cafes accept contactless card payments. Belgium has extremely high card adoption, and Ghent is no exception. You can comfortably spend days here without touching a euro note. The only situations where cash might help are weekend market stalls and the occasional very small independent vendor.
Where You Might Need Cash
Weekend market stalls at Groentenmarkt and Sint-Michiels. Small flea market vendors. Public toilets (€0.50 coin). Tips for exceptional service (not expected but appreciated). Street performers along the Graslei. That is about it. Ghent runs on cards.
Where Cards Work Fine
All restaurants and cafes (Patershol, Graslei, Sint-Baafsplein). Museums (St. Bavo's Cathedral, Gravensteen, STAM). De Lijn trams and buses (contactless on board). Hotels and guesthouses. Shops along Veldstraat and Langemunt. Canal boat tours. Supermarkets (Delhaize, Carrefour, Colruyt). Train tickets at the station. Visa, Mastercard, and Maestro are accepted virtually everywhere.
Paying by Card in Ghent
Visa and Mastercard (including contactless) are accepted at nearly every business. Maestro and Bancontact (Belgium's domestic debit system) are universal. Amex has limited acceptance at smaller businesses. Contactless payments are the norm. Belgium was one of Europe's earliest adopters of card payments, and Ghent reflects this. Even parking meters and public toilets in some locations accept cards.
Graslei & Korenlei
The iconic medieval waterfront and Ghent's most photographed spot. Restaurants and bars lining both sides of the canal all accept cards. Canal boat operators accept cards (€9–12 per adult). Ice cream shops and waffle vendors take cards. A lovely area for an evening drink watching the sun set over the guild houses. Budget €5–15 per drink.
Patershol
A medieval neighborhood of narrow cobblestone lanes packed with restaurants. Restaurants range from traditional Flemish to international cuisine, and all accept cards. Reservations recommended for popular spots on weekends. Gravensteen Castle is nearby (€12 entry, card accepted). One of the best dining neighborhoods in Belgium. Budget €25–50 per person for dinner.
Sint-Baafsplein & Historic Center
St. Bavo's Cathedral houses the Ghent Altarpiece (€16 entry, card). The Belfry offers city views (€10, card). STAM City Museum is €12 (card). Shops along Veldstraat are all card-friendly. Cafes around the square accept cards. The main tourist hub with no card acceptance issues.
Sint-Pietersplein & University Area
The student quarter around Ghent University. Budget restaurants and bars offer great value and all take cards. Vooruit arts center has a popular cafe (card). Citadelpark is free to enter. A more local, less touristy area with excellent prices. Budget €10–20 for a meal. The best area for affordable eating in Ghent.
Weekend Markets
The Groentenmarkt (vegetable market) and Sint-Michiels flea market on weekends are the few places where cash can be useful. Most food stalls now accept cards, but some smaller flea market vendors prefer cash. Friday flower market at Kouter is card-friendly. Budget €10–30 in cash as backup for market visits.
ATMs in Ghent
For Belgium-wide ATM advice, see the Belgium guide. You rarely need cash in Ghent, but ATMs are easy to find. Veldstraat: KBC and BNP Paribas Fortis ATMs along the main shopping street. Gent-Sint-Pieters station: ATMs in the station hall. Sint-Baafsplein: ATMs near the cathedral. Belgian ATMs accept Visa, Mastercard, and Maestro. No local ATM fee, but your bank may charge a foreign withdrawal fee.
Paying for Trams, Trains & Bikes
De Lijn Trams & Buses
Ghent has an efficient tram network. Single ticket: €2.50 (tap your contactless card on board, or buy via the De Lijn app). Day pass: €7.50. Tram 1 runs from Gent-Sint-Pieters station through the historic center. The city center is compact enough to walk everywhere, so you may not need the tram at all. Card payment on board is seamless.
Trains
Gent-Sint-Pieters is the main station. Trains to Bruges take 25 minutes (€7.60). Brussels is 30 minutes (€10.30). Antwerp is 50 minutes (€12.40). Buy tickets at machines or counters (card accepted), or via the NMBS/SNCB app. Weekend returns are discounted. A Belgian rail pass offers savings for multiple trips.
Cycling
Ghent is extremely bike-friendly. Blue-bike rentals are available at the station (€4/day, requires registration). Private rental shops charge €12–18 per day (card accepted). Donkey Republic bike-share works via app (card). Cycling is the most Ghent way to get around, and the flat terrain makes it easy for everyone.
Tipping in Ghent
The Belgium guide covers general norms. Tipping is not expected in Belgium as service is included in prices. Restaurants: rounding up the bill or leaving €1–2 is a nice gesture but not required. Cafes: no tip expected. Taxis: round up to the nearest euro. Hotel porters: €1–2 per bag. If you do tip, cash is preferred but not essential.
Prices in Ghent
Ghent is slightly cheaper than Bruges for dining and comparable for accommodation. The student population keeps restaurant prices reasonable. Belgian beer culture means you can enjoy world-class brews at very fair prices. Museums are moderately priced by Western European standards.
| Item | Price (EUR) | Price (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Belgian beer (bar) | €3.50–6 | $3.80–6.50 |
| Flemish stew (stoofvlees) | €16–22 | $17.40–23.90 |
| Waffle from a stand | €3–6 | $3.25–6.50 |
| Canal boat tour | €9–12 | $9.80–13 |
| Ghent Altarpiece (St. Bavo's) | €16 | $17.40 |
| Gravensteen Castle entry | €12 | $13 |
| Tram single ticket | €2.50 | $2.70 |
| Train to Bruges | €7.60 | $8.25 |
| Mid-range dinner for two | €50–80 | $54–87 |
| Coffee at a cafe | €2.50–4 | $2.70–4.35 |
| Budget hotel (per night) | €80–130 | $87–141 |
| Bike rental (per day) | €12–18 | $13–19.50 |
USD estimates based on approximately €1 = $1.09. Rates fluctuate.
Day Trips from Ghent
Bruges (25 min by train)
Belgium's fairy-tale canal city. Train: €7.60 each way (card at the station). Bruges is similarly card-friendly. Entry fees: Belfry €14, Groeningemuseum €14 (all card). Budget €30–60 for a day trip including train, lunch, and one or two museums. Weekend return tickets are discounted.
Antwerp (50 min by train)
Belgium's diamond and fashion capital. Train: €12.40 each way. Antwerp is fully card-friendly. MAS Museum: free rooftop access. Cathedral of Our Lady: €12 (Rubens paintings). The diamond district near Central Station is fascinating to walk through. Budget €40–70 for a day trip.
Brussels (30 min by train)
The Belgian capital and EU headquarters. Train: €10.30 each way. The Grand Place is free to admire. Belgian chocolate shops in the Sablon area are card-friendly. Atomium: €16 (card). Brussels has the same excellent card acceptance as Ghent. Budget €40–80 for a day trip.
Ghent Quick Reference
| Destination | Cards? | Cash Needed? | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Restaurants & cafes | ✅ Cards accepted | No | Contactless everywhere |
| Museums | ✅ Cards accepted | No | St. Bavo's, Gravensteen, STAM |
| Trams & buses | ✅ Contactless on board | No | €2.50 per ride |
| Canal boats | ✅ Cards accepted | No | €9–12 per adult |
| Weekend markets | ✅ Mostly cards | €10–30 backup | Some flea market stalls cash |
| Shops (Veldstraat) | ✅ Cards accepted | No | Main shopping street |
| Supermarkets | ✅ Cards accepted | No | Delhaize, Carrefour |
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need cash in Ghent?
Rarely. Restaurants, shops, museums, and public transport all accept contactless cards. A few market stalls may prefer cash, but you can spend days in Ghent without euro notes.
How does public transport work?
De Lijn trams and buses cost €2.50 per ride (contactless card on board or via the app). A day pass is €7.50. The city center is compact enough to walk everywhere.
Is Ghent cheaper than Bruges?
Slightly. Ghent has more local, non-touristy restaurants with better value, especially in Patershol and the student areas. Both cities have the same excellent card acceptance.
Where are ATMs?
KBC, BNP Paribas Fortis, and Belfius ATMs are along Veldstraat, near Sint-Baafsplein, and at Gent-Sint-Pieters station. You rarely need one.
Can I use contactless payments everywhere?
Almost everywhere. Belgium has very high contactless adoption. Visa and Mastercard work widely. The few exceptions are some weekend market stalls and very small vendors.
How much does a canal boat tour cost?
€9–12 per adult for a 40-minute tour from the Graslei waterfront. Most operators accept cards. No reservation needed for most.
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