Antwerp · Backpacking

The Hostelling International hostel at Bogaardeplein 1, right in the old centre: 162 beds in 2, 4 and 6-bed en-suite rooms, breakfast included, a bar and parking for 60 bikes. Book by phone or email if the online payment page is playing up.

A De Lijn day ticket covers 24 hours on every tram and bus for €9 (€4.50 for ages 6–11, under-6s free with an adult). Buy it in the app or at a machine, not on board. Separately, DeWaterbus city zone between Steenplein and Sint-Anna costs €1 either way and takes bikes free.

The Sint-Annatunnel, the 1933 pedestrian tunnel from Sint-Jansvliet to Linkeroever, is free and open around the clock, wooden escalators included. It is the cheapest way to get the postcard view of the skyline, which is from the far bank looking back.

Visit Antwerp's pass is €45 for 24 hours, €55 for 48 and €65 for 72, covering 16 museums, four churches, three attractions and De Lijn travel, each venue once. With MAS at €12 and Chocolate Nation at €19.90, it only pays if you are doing three or more paid sites a day.

Fixed costs you can plan on: €9 for the De Lijn day ticket, €1 for a waterbus crossing, €12 for the MAS galleries (€8 at 18–25, free under 18) and nothing at all for the Sint-Annatunnel, the MAS rooftop or Park Spoor Noord. Your bed and your beer are the variables.