Film Fest Gent 2026: Tips for finding accommodation in Ghent without breaking your budget

Autumn is gently settling over Flanders, and with it returns one of the most highly anticipated cultural events of the year. From October 7 to 18, 2026, the 53rd edition of the Film Fest Gent will roll out its red carpets and light up its giant screens to celebrate the 7th art. This year, the excitement is at its peak with the highly anticipated screening of the opening film, Coward, directed by local prodigy Lukas Dhont. But while the program is dreamy, the logistics can quickly become a nightmare for festival-goers. Finding accommodation in Ghent during this period is often an uphill battle. Hotels are booked out months in advance and prices skyrocket. At Roomlala, we know how frustrating it is to have to cut into your cinema budget to pay for an overpriced night. That is why we offer you an alternative that is economical, welcoming, and perfectly legal: a homestay. Discover how to fully enjoy the festival while living like a true Ghent local, without any nasty surprises or compromises on the quality of your stay.

The excitement of the 2026 Film Fest Gent and the challenge of accommodation in Ghent

An essential event for European cinema lovers

Every year in October, the peaceful medieval city of Ghent transforms into a true international cinema capital. The Film Fest Gent is not just a festival; it is an institution that attracts tens of thousands of fans, directors, actors, and film score composers from all over the world. For this 53rd edition, scheduled for October 7 to 18, 2026, the lineup promises to be more spectacular than ever, with a special focus on Belgian and international talent.

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The festival's opening with Coward by Lukas Dhont is a powerful symbol. The Ghent-born director, already a multiple award winner, is playing on home turf, which is generating unprecedented enthusiasm among the local public and foreign visitors. The city's streets will vibrate to the rhythm of screenings, masterclasses, film music concerts (the famous World Soundtrack Awards), and the gala evenings that have made the event so renowned.

However, this massive influx of visitors radically changes the city's dynamic. Historic cinemas like Kinepolis, Studio Skoop, Sphinx Cinema, and the Vooruit Arts Centre become the epicenters of bustling activity. While this festive atmosphere is exceptional to experience, it creates a major challenge for anyone wishing to attend over several days: finding a place to sleep.

Indeed, Ghent, although very touristy, has limited hotel capacity for an event of this scale. As soon as the official dates are announced, bookings pour in, turning the search for accommodation into a real race against time. This is where planning ahead becomes crucial for any festival-goer who wants to enjoy the event stress-free.

Skyrocketing prices and hotel saturation

The law of supply and demand hits the Ghent accommodation sector hard during October. With thousands of cinephiles looking for a place to stay simultaneously, the traditional hotel market quickly reaches saturation. Standard hotel rooms, usually affordable, see their rates double or even triple as the festival dates approach.

It is not uncommon to see basic rooms easily exceed the 200 to 250 euro per night mark—a huge budget for film students, young professionals, or even families passionate about the 7th art. This price inflation discourages many visitors who, lacking the means, are forced to shorten their stay or opt for accommodation on the outskirts, far from the buzz of the festival.

Furthermore, this saturation does not only concern luxury hotels or international chains. Youth hostels and small, traditional bed & breakfasts are also snapped up months in advance. For those who leave it to the last minute, options are often reduced to overpriced accommodation or exhausting daily commutes from other Belgian cities like Brussels or Antwerp.

Given this reality, it is imperative to rethink how you travel and where you stay. Finding accommodation in Ghent during the festival requires thinking outside the box. This is exactly where short-term homestay rentals reveal their full potential, offering a welcome safety valve in the face of the overheated hotel market.

Homestay in Ghent: the economical and authentic solution

Mastering your festival budget from A to Z

Faced with the soaring prices of traditional hotels, a homestay in Ghent is the smartest alternative for protecting your wallet. By renting a room directly from a private individual, you eliminate the structure and staff costs inherent in hotels, which translates into much lower rates, even during peak tourist periods.

Let's take a concrete example: while a hotel night in the center of Ghent will easily cost you more than 200 euros during the 2026 Film Fest Gent, a comfortable homestay room via Roomlala can be found for between 50 and 80 euros per night. This drastic difference allows you to reallocate your budget to what really matters: buying festival passes, tickets for masterclasses, or discovering local cuisine.

The economic advantage doesn't stop at the price of the night. By staying with a host, you often have access to their kitchen. Being able to prepare your own breakfast or cook a quick meal between two cinema sessions represents a substantial saving on your dining budget. No more obligation to eat out for lunch and dinner!

At Roomlala, we find that travelers who opt for this arrangement often extend their stay. Rather than coming for just a quick weekend, the savings made allow them to stay for four or five days, to soak up the atmosphere of the Ghent film festival including accommodation, and not miss any important screenings. It is a real win-win strategy for your wallet and your cultural experience.

Living the Ghent film festival like a real local

Beyond the purely financial aspect, choosing a homestay is a choice for authenticity. The people of Ghent are known for their hospitality, open-mindedness, and love of culture. By sharing their roof, you are not just renting a bed; you are treating yourself to a total immersion in the local lifestyle, far from the sterility of some hotel rooms.

Your host will be your best ally for navigating the city during the festival. They can point out the best cycling shortcuts to reach Kinepolis from your neighborhood, recommend the best place to taste an authentic Waterzooi after a late screening, or tell you about the trendy bars where festival-goers and sometimes even directors gather to put the world to rights over a local beer.

Imagine the case of Thomas, a young French cinephile who came to attend the previous edition. By staying with a couple of culture-loving Ghent locals, he not only saved on his accommodation, but his hosts also lent him a bike for the duration of his stay and showed him alternative places not mentioned in tourist guides. It is this extra touch, this human exchange, that transforms a simple trip into a memorable and deeply enriching experience.

2026 Flemish regulations: what you need to know before booking your accommodation

The Logiesdecreet and the registration number requirement

While homestays are an excellent idea, it is crucial to stay informed about legal developments to avoid any nasty surprises. In Belgium, and particularly in Flanders, tourist rentals are strictly regulated by the accommodation decree, known as the Logiesdecreet. This law applies to all types of tourist accommodation, including private individuals who rent a single room in their primary residence.

In 2026, the Flemish authorities have significantly tightened their stance to combat illegal accommodation and guarantee traveler safety. From now on, every host has the absolute obligation to declare their activity to the official body Toerisme Vlaanderen. To obtain this valuable stamp of approval, the accommodation must meet strict standards, particularly in terms of fire safety (presence of fire extinguishers, compliant smoke detectors, clear evacuation plans).

Once these criteria are validated, the host receives an official registration number. The big news for 2026, which has been widely publicized since June, is the requirement for booking platforms to block and remove any listing that does not include this valid registration number. The Ghent municipalities have also been given the power to immediately close accommodation deemed illegal or dangerous.

At Roomlala, we take these guidelines very seriously to ensure your safety. We strongly advise you to check for this registration number on the listing before finalizing your booking. This will save you the stress of a last-minute cancellation by the authorities, a worst-case scenario during the festival period where finding a plan B would be almost impossible.

The impact of the new VAT on your budget

Another major legal and tax element has recently come into effect and deserves your full attention to accurately calculate your budget. Since March 1, 2026, the Value Added Tax (VAT) applicable to tourist accommodation in Belgium has undergone an important change, moving from 6% to 12%. This government measure aims to harmonize rates, but it has a direct impact on the final price paid by the consumer.

In concrete terms, this tax increase inevitably ripples through to travelers' bills, whether you book a traditional hotel or a room with a professional host subject to tax. For a stay of several nights, this 6 percentage point difference can represent a few extra tens of euros, a sum that could have been invested in your festival activities.

However, this is where renting from a non-professional private individual (someone who occasionally rents out a room in their own home without making it a business activity subject to VAT) becomes even more competitive. By choosing the right listings on Roomlala, you can often escape this tax inflation while remaining in a perfectly legal framework, provided the host complies with income thresholds and the aforementioned Logiesdecreet regulations.

Our practical tips for a successful festival film stay

Anticipate and verify your listing

As you will have gathered, the key to a successful 2026 Film Fest Gent lies in anticipation. Do not wait until the end of summer to start your search. As soon as you have your vacation dates or your tickets for the opening film Coward, start the quest for your homestay room. The best offers—those that combine an ideal location, an attractive price, and a welcoming host—often go six months in advance.

When searching on Roomlala, take the time to read the descriptions and reviews from previous travelers. A good host is often a host who communicates well. Do not hesitate to send them a message before booking to ask questions about the distance between their home and the main cinemas, or to verify the details of their Toerisme Vlaanderen registration number together.

Here is a short checklist to validate your ideal listing:

• Registration number: Present and visible on the listing (Logiesdecreet 2026 compliance).
• Location: Proximity to a tram line or feasibility of cycling.
• Flexibility: Ability to return home late at night after the evening screenings.
• Amenities: Access to the kitchen and Wi-Fi to organize your days.

Organizing on-site: transport and screening venues

Once your accommodation is secured, it is time to think about your logistics on-site. Ghent is a pioneering city in terms of soft mobility. Its city center is one of the largest pedestrian zones in Europe. Forget the car; it will be more of a burden than anything else, especially with traffic restrictions and the exorbitant price of underground parking.

The king of transport in Ghent is the bicycle. Most Ghent locals travel exclusively on two wheels. Ask your host if they can lend you one, or turn to local rental services like De Fietsambassade. Cycling along the illuminated canals in autumn to reach a movie screening is a poetic experience that perfectly fits the festival's atmosphere.

If you prefer public transport, the De Lijn network (trams and buses) is extremely well developed. Tram lines 1 and 2 will drop you off in the immediate vicinity of the main festival hubs. Consider buying a multi-day pass to save money. The Kinepolis, located a little further south of the historic center, is very easily accessible by tram from the Gent-Sint-Pieters or Gent-Dampoort train stations.

By following these tips, anticipating your booking, and choosing the friendliness of a homestay, you are guaranteed to have an unforgettable 53rd Film Fest Gent. You will keep your budget perfectly under control while discovering the true soul of this magnificent Flemish city. Enjoy the festival and the screenings, everyone!