Antwerp, Belgium is an under-appreciated city in Europe. Centrally located, it has easy access via train to Paris, London, Amsterdam, Luxembourg, and several locations in Germany. And it is a relatively inexpensive city, where English is spoken by almost everyone. And yes, you can visit Antwerp on the cheap.
Where to Stay
There are several cheap places to stay. The Etap Hotel by the train station is easy to find and convenient, especially if you arrive by train. Up to three adults can stay in the room for €49 per not, not including breakfast. Be warned: there is a double bed and a bunk, so if three are staying in the room, two will be sleeping together.
The best place to stay, especially for a longer stay, is at Budget Flats. As the name implies, this is a "flat," or studio apartment, complete with a functional kitchen. And they are cheap, only about €40 per night for two people. You can add a third bed to the room for another €10 per night. They are centrally located and allow you to cook in, which means you can eat on the cheap. There are lots of hostels in Antwerp, but since they cost about as much as Budget Flats per person, without the kitchen, why bother?
Other inexpensive hotels include the Seaman's House in the port area, though it is a bit of a hike away from the train station. Two people can stay for about €66. The Ibis Hotel is also a good buy, with prices starting at €89 for two people, without breakfast.
Where to Eat
If you are staying at Budget Flats, the cheapest thing to do is shop at supermarkets and eat in. There is a Carrefour Express about three minutes away from the flat (open on Sunday but closed on Thursday), which is adequate for most things you will need for a short stay. If you are there for a bit longer, there is an Aldi and Lidl grocery store nearby, as well as a Match and several Delhaize stores.
The student quarter, near the University of Antwerp, offers several cheap places to eat out. At the top of the list is Jean Pierre's (or JP's, as the locals say). You can get a sandwich, drink, chips, and dessert, often for less than €5. Near the Ossenmarkt, there are several cheap places to eat, where you can purchase pizza, kebabs, and frites ("French" fries). There are Panos sandwich shops all over Belgium and you can get a sandwich and a drink for under €5.
How to Get Around
The central part of Antwerp is fully accessible by foot. De Lijn tram/bus cards are the cheapest way to get around areas outside of central Antwerp. They are €9 each, available in machines in underground trams stops and the Rooseveltplaatz bus area, and are good for 10 rides.
What to See
The central, downtown area of Antwerp is very interesting, with lots of places to visit. We recommend getting a good guide, like Rick Steve's Snapshot Bruges and Brussels: With Antwerp and Ghent to plan your visit, as there are good walking tours in the book.
Cheap Travel Within Belgium
There are also train passes for you if you are under 26, called a "Go Pass," which you can purchase at the train station. You must fill in the date, the day, the departure city, and the arrival city before you get on the train These are €50 and good for 10 one-way trips to anywhere in Belgium. For example, five people could travel on one Go Pass to, say, De Panne on the French/Belgium border. Then take the tram, using your De Lijn card (or paying the tram operator in cash, less than €2 each) along the coast to to Oostende, a nice seaside city in Belgium. After you are through with Oostende, use your Go Pass for a train for Antwerp. For less than €60, five of you can travel all day and see a lot of Belgium.
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