Major city · Belgium
Aalst
Give Aalst one day, not a night: 30 min by train from Ghent, 33 from Brussels, and the Grote Markt, belfry and carnival museum fill an afternoon.
Aalst is a working East Flanders town of about 86,000 between Ghent and Brussels, best known for its UNESCO belfry and its three-day Carnival. The old centre is compact and walkable, the museums are free or cheap, and the train station sits in the middle of town. Most travellers see it as a half-day or day trip from Ghent or Brussels rather than a base.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- EUR
- Best months
- Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct
- avoid Nov–Feb (grey and wet), except Carnival in Feb
- Airports
- BRU · CRL
- Nights
- 0–1
Rules in force · 8Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window…
- Europe ↗Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window, counted across all 29 Schengen states together — not per country; the Entry/Exit System now logs each crossing, so an overstay is detected automatically.
- Europe ↗On the first Schengen entry since EES began, non-EU travellers give four fingerprints and a face photo at the border instead of a passport stamp; there is nothing to apply for or pay in advance.
- Benelux ↗Dutch and Belgian police can ask anyone to show identification (in the Netherlands from age 14): carry the original passport or EU ID card — a photocopy is not accepted.
- Benelux ↗Tap-in fares, Dutch and Belgian domestic tickets and Luxembourg's free transport all stop at the border: buy an international ticket for cross-border legs, or you will be fined on board.
- Belgium ↗Belgium is in the EU and the Schengen area; the EU Entry/Exit System applies to non-EU visitors. Check the official EU and Belgian sources for your passport.
- Belgium ↗Cities have different names in Dutch and French (Antwerpen/Anvers, Gent/Gand, Brugge/Bruges, Luik/Liège); check both on tickets and signs.
- Belgium ↗Brussels, Antwerp and Ghent have low-emission zones; if you drive, check that the car is registered or allowed before entering.
- Belgium ↗Belgian unions call national action days that stop trains, trams and flights; check SNCB and your airline two days before any travel day.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Aalst101 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Aalst, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the euro (EUR).Belgium-wide
- SIM or eSIMProximus, Orange Belgium and Telenet/BASE; prepaid SIMs need ID registration.Belgium-wide
- Tap waterTap water is safe, though many Belgians drink bottled; restaurants rarely serve free tap water.Belgium-wide
- TippingRestaurant: Service included; add 5–10% for good service if you like.Belgium-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets C/E. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Belgium-wide
- SafetyAalst is a calm, ordinary Belgian town and feels safe by day and evening.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsOften paid (€0.50–1 (≈ US$1–2)) in stations and some cafés; carry coins.Belgium-wide
- Emergency numbers101 police · 112 fire and ambulance · 1733 Out-of-hours doctor (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysMany museums close on Mondays; Bruges' museums close Monday; shops close Sunday outside tourist areas.Belgium-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportBRU Brussels Airport (Train to Brussels, then a direct train to Aalst; about 1 h 15 min door to door).
- Getting aroundThe centre is small enough to walk: Grote Markt to the station is about 10 minutes, and to the béguinage about 12.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Coffee€2.50–4 (≈ US$3–5)
- Sit-down mealMain course in a brasserie€16–26 (≈ US$19–35)
- Street or quick mealLunch, soup or a sandwich€8–15 (≈ US$10–18)
- Beerdraught in a café / bottle at a shop€3–5 (≈ US$4–6)€1.50–2.50 (≈ US$2–3)
- Metro or bus rideCity bus ride (De Lijn)€2.50–3 (≈ US$3–4)
- Museum or sight ticketMuseum entry ('t Gasthuys)Free
- Budget bedHostel or budget single, a night, per person€30 (≈ US$35)
- Mid-range bedHotel double room, a night, per room€110 (≈ US$130)
- High-end bedHotel double room, a night, per room€180 (≈ US$250)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget €45 (≈ US$55) · Mid €80 (≈ US$95) · High €150 (≈ US$180)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- BRU Brussels Airport (Train to Brussels, then a direct train to Aalst; about 1 h 15 min door to door) · CRL Brussels South Charleroi (Bus or train to Brussels first, then onward to Aalst; allow 2 h+)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
Feb
Avoid
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
Mar
not flagged
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
Apr
Best
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
May
Best
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
Jun
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Jul
not flagged
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Aug
not flagged
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Sep
Best
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Oct
Best
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
Nov
Avoid
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
Dec
Avoid
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
Best: Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct. Avoid: Nov–Feb. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)), coolest Jan (1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C) low), wettest Jan (19 rain days), driest Jun (14). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Aalst: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
19 rd
Feb
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
16 rd
Mar
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
17 rd
Apr
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
15 rd
May
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
15 rd
Jun
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
14 rd
Jul
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
14 rd
Aug
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
14 rd
Sep
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
15 rd
Oct
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
17 rd
Nov
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
18 rd
Dec
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
19 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
The centre is small enough to walk: Grote Markt to the station is about 10 minutes, and to the béguinage about 12. De Lijn buses cover the outer districts and neighbouring towns; local city buses are useful only if you sleep outside the ring. Trains from Aalst station run direct to Brussels and Ghent.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: About 30 min by train
Direct train from Aalst station
The natural pairing: Aalst in the morning, Ghent for the afternoon and evening.
Door to door: About 33 min by train
Direct train from Aalst station
Grand-Place and the museums; easy return the same day.
Dendermonde
cautionDoor to door: About 40–60 min
De Lijn bus or train via a change
Smaller centre; worth it only if you are already heading east.
Berlare
cautionDoor to door: About 30–40 min
De Lijn bus from Aalst
Village and water-recreation area; check bus times before you go.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Around the Grote Markt
Steps from the belfry, restaurants and pubs; the obvious choice if you stay one night.
Near the railway station
Best for an early train out; about a 10-min walk to the market square.
Keizersplein
Quiet 19th-century mansion street with a tree-lined middle; 5 min from the Grote Markt.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- €45–70 (≈ US$55–85) excl. bed
- Mid
- €70–120 (≈ US$85–140) excl. bed
- High
- €120 (≈ US$140)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Hotel double room1 × 1 night × €110 | €110 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × €80 | €160 |
| Train Ghent–Aalst, one way2 × €6 · check | €12 |
| Train Brussels–Aalst, one way2 × €7 · check | €14 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × €10 | €20 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | €32 |
| Trip total≈ €174 per person per day, bed included | €348≈ US$450 |
2026 estimate in euro; intercity train fares excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | €2.50–4 (≈ US$3–5) |
| Beer, draught in a café / bottle at a shop | €3–5 (≈ US$4–6) / €1.50–2.50 (≈ US$2–3) |
| Lunch, soup or a sandwich | €8–15 (≈ US$10–18) |
| Main course in a brasserie | €16–26 (≈ US$19–35) |
| Museum entry ('t Gasthuys) | Free |
| Belfry guided group tour | €60 (≈ US$70) per group, up to 20 people |
| City bus ride (De Lijn) | €2.50–3 (≈ US$3–4) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Carnival weekend (the Sunday to Tuesday before Ash Wednesday) fills every hotel and pub: book months ahead or avoid it.
- Many shops close on Sundays and public holidays; the centre can feel empty on a Sunday morning.
- The belfry interior is visitable only on a booked guided group tour, not on a walk-in ticket.
- Terlinden Castle itself is closed to the public; only the gardens are open.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 101
- Fire and ambulance
- 112
- Out-of-hours doctor
- 1733
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
AalstAalst
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
Naar dit adres, alstublieftTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police101
- Fire and ambulance112
- Out-of-hours doctor1733
Embassy
No embassies in Aalst; most are in Brussels, about 35 min by train.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Train Aalst → Ghent: about €6 (≈ US$7), 30 min
- Train Aalst → Brussels: about €7 (≈ US$9), 33 min
- Taxi Grote Markt → station: €8–12 (≈ US$10–14)
Say or show
- Hallo — Hello (HAH-loh)
- Dank u — Thank you (dahnk oo)
- Alstublieft — Please (AHL-stuh-bleeft)
- Hoeveel kost het? — How much is it? (hoo-VAYL kost ut)
- Kan ik met kaart betalen? — Can I pay by card? (kan ik met kart buh-TAH-lun)
- Waar is het toilet? — Where is the toilet? (vahr is ut twah-LET)
Tourist office: Hopmarkt 51, +32 53 72 38 80; hours M–F 09:00–17:00, Sa 10:00–17:00, Su and holidays 13:00–17:00.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Aalst. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct · avoid Nov–Feb (grey and wet), except Carnival in Feb · month by month →
- 2 airports and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for BRU and CRL: last train times field-checked, taxi fallback, overnight rung.
- Walking clusters with rescue anchors: Grote Markt and belfry, Oude Vismarkt and the museum, béguinage, Keizersplein.
- Place pages with verified cutoffs (belfry tours, 't Gasthuys, St Martin's) and eat pages with last orders.
- Carnival and hostile-arrival fixtures so gates A–D can go green.
Sources
- officialVisit Aalst (official tourism)
- officialCity of Aalst (official)
- officialAalst Carnival (official)
- officialDe Lijn (Flemish bus operator)
- secondaryWikivoyage: Aalst, revision 5240706 (CC BY-SA 4.0)