A–Z Travel Tips
A
Accommodation (see also Youth hostels and Budgeting for your trip)
Hotels are rated from one to five stars, based on their facilities, a rating indicated on a blue badge on the hotel’s front door. The number of stars is not always a reliable guide to a hotel’s quality. Some four-star hotels may have certain facilities yet still be unpleasant, while hotels further down the scale don’t offer those facilities yet can be delightful. At the bottom end of the scale, below one star, are two letter-ratings: H for plain hotels and O for hotels that meet only the minimum legal standards. Serviced apartments and bed and breakfast accommodations are also available.
The high season is generally May to September, plus the Easter, Christmas and New Year holidays. Brussels has many business-oriented hotels that are generally busiest on weekdays from autumn to spring. Outside of the high season and at times when business and convention travel is slow, hotels are likely to offer steep discounts. Bruges, a popular tourist destination, is particularly busy in the summer months and at weekends.
The Brussels tourist office can make same-day reservations for you if you arrive without a booking. There is also a central reservations service for hotels in Belgium, Flex Appart; tel: 0-495 240 276; www.flexappart.be) or Custom Services (www.customservices.be).
Do you have a single/ double room? Avez-vous une chambre pour une/deux personnes? Hebt u een eenpersoonskamer/tweepersoonskamer?
with bath/shower? avec bain/douche met een bad/douche
What’s the rate per night? Quel est le prix pour une nuit? Hoeveel kost het per nacht?
Airport
Brussels Airport (BRU; tel: 0900-70000 in Belgium, +32-2-753 7753 from outside the country; www.brusselsairport.be) is the major international airport for all of Belgium. It lies 14km (9 miles) northeast of the city. There are frequent scheduled flights from other European cities, and many cities in the US and around the world.
Trains link the airport with the city centre 5.30am–12.30am (www.belgianrail.be). Departures are up to every 15 minutes. The journey time to Brussels-Nord is 15–20 minutes, and the fare is €9. These trains stop at the city’s Gare du Nord, Gare Centrale and Gare du Midi stations, so it’s helpful to know which station is nearest to your hotel. STIB Airport Line buses 12 and 21 run to the European District in Brussels. Bus 12 departs Mon–Fri until 8pm, while the service on route 21 operates Mon–Fri after 8pm and Sat–Sun; tickets cost €4.50, or €6 if bought on the bus (www.stib-mivb.be). De Lijn buses 272 and 471 depart hourly to Gare du Nord rail station; tickets cost €2 (or €3 if bought on the bus). Official taxis are black with yellow stickers. A taxi ride to the city centre takes about 25 minutes and costs about €45. Some taxis offer reduced-price return fares – look for a sticker in the corner of the windshield with a white aeroplane on an orange background.
Low-cost airlines, such as Ryanair and WizzAir, fly to Brussels South Charleloi Airport (CRL; tel: 0902-02490 in Belgium, +32-78-152722 from outside the country; www.brussels-charleroi-airport.com), based in Charleloi, 60km (37 miles) south of the city.
There’s a shuttle bus service between the Charleloi airport and the main Brussels railway station (Gare du Midi). The bus ride takes one hour, and vehicles leave every 30 minutes. You can buy your ticket at the terminal, onboard (when travelling from Brussels) or on-line (www.brussels-city-shuttle.com), which is the least expensive option. There are also nine shuttle buses per day leaving for Ghent and Bruges (www.flibco.com). Taxis are available outside the passenger terminal.
Where can I get a taxi? Où puis-je trouver un taxi? Waar kan ik een taxi nemen?
How much is it to Brussels city centre? Combien coûte la course jusqu’au centre de Bruxelles? Hoeveel kost het naar het centrum van Brussel?
Does this bus go to Brussels? Ce bus va-t-il à Bruxelles? Gaat deze bus naar Brussel?
B
Bicycle hire
Getting around Brussels by bike is not recommended for anyone other than experienced, fit, nimble and stout-hearted cyclists. The city itself has a number of deceptive gradients and busy, aggressive traffic. Pro Velo offers bicycle hire and guided cycling tours of the city (rue de Londres 15; tel: 02-502 7355; www.provelo.org). A less arduous option is an electric bike tour (tel: 02-850 6090; http://onceinbrussels.be).
Budgeting for your trip
Here are a few sample prices to help with your budgeting.
Getting to Belgium. Many carriers, such as BA, BMI, Virgin Express and Aer Lingus, fly to Belgium from the UK and Ireland, and fares vary widely. Ryanair one-way fares to Brussels-Charleroi average £20–40 (€15–45) and can easily go higher.
Of the other options, going by bus from London is likely to be the cheapest. By train, Eurostar from London to Brussels offers good excursion and advance-purchase deals, as does the Channel Tunnel car-transporter. The cost of going by ferry to Zeebrugge or Ostend varies depending on the route, whether travelling as a foot passenger or with a car, and whether a cabin is desired. For a foot passenger, the price for a Hull–Zeebrugge return journey is approximately £230.
Accommodation. For a double room with bathroom and breakfast, you can pay less than €50, but for reasonable comfort and facilities, €75–100 is a more realistic starting point; a mid-range hotel will cost €100–250; and expensive hotels €250–500.
Eating out. You can eat well in many restaurants for less than €30 per person for a three-course meal without wine, but, a more reasonable starting point would be €40–50; in mid-range establishments, expect to pay €50–75; and in expensive restaurants, above €80.
Museums. Public museums charge €6–10 for adult admission. Privately owned attractions may cost about €20. Often, there are reduced rates for children, senior citizens and students. The Brussels Card offers free entry to 39 museums (24 hours €26; 48 hours €34; 72 hours €42; www.visit.brussels/en) and also reduced entry prices to many attractions and for an additional fee a public transport pass (see Tourist information).
Public transport. Tickets for one journey (interchangeable between buses, trams and metro) cost €2.50 (€2.10 when purchased on board, €2 with a MOBIB card). If you have a Brussels Card and a STIB ticket, you can use all STIB buses, trams or metro lines around the Brussels region for 24, 48 or 72 hours. (For more information, click here).
C
Car hire
With a city centre as compact as that in Brussels, and a well-organised public transport system, there is little need for a car. If you wish to explore the countryside, hiring a vehicle for a couple of days frees you from public transport schedules. All the major car-hire firms are represented in the city.
Your national driver’s licence will be accepted, provided you have held it for at least a year. Minimum age limits for hiring vary between 20 and 25 years depending on the company and the size of your hire vehicle. Collision Damage Waiver is available, but expensive. Expect to pay about €100 per day for a small car.
Most major international firms have desks at Brussels Airport Arrivals Lounge, and offices around the city, and can be contacted for reservations as follows:
Avis: tel: 02-722 5831; www.avis.be.
Budget: tel: 02-720 0944; www.budget.be.
Hertz: tel: 02-720 6044 3201; www.hertz.be.
Europcar: tel: 02-721 0592; www.europcar.be.
Climate
Brussels and the west of Belgium generally have warm, wet summers and cool, wet winters. In summer, there may be as many as seven hours of sunshine per day, with temperatures above 27°C (80°F); however, showers are always a possibility. Winter temperatures drop, but rarely fall below freezing. Rain can be expected just about every day.
Clothing
In summer, the weather can be pleasantly hot, and trousers, T-shirts, shirts and shorts will certainly be useful. However, do not forget to pack a warmer layer, in case there is a cold spell, and a rainproof outer layer. On most evenings you will require a jacket to walk around. In winter, pack warm clothing in addition to a waterproof layer. Don’t forget comfortable shoes for sightseeing.
Crime and safety (see also Emergencies and Police)
Belgium’s current overall National Terrorism Threat Level indicates that a threat of terrorist attack still exists. In June 2017, there was a failed terrorist attack at Brussels central train station. In March 2016, terrorist attacks at Brussels National Airport (Zaventem) and at Maalbeek metro station in central Brussels killed 32 people and injured more than 300. Exercise particular caution around locations known to be possible terrorist targets. Monitor the news and other sources for changes to local conditions
Serious crime also exists and is to an extent a growing problem in some cities, including Brussels and Antwerp. Violent offences are rare, but drugs-related muggings and other crimes are increasing. After dark, stay alert if you are in metro and railway stations, or red-light areas; avoid deserted and poorly lit areas and stay out of city centre parks.
To minimise the risk of becoming a victim, take a few precautions. Do not carry large amounts of cash or valuables with you. Leave your valuables in the hotel safe. Carry all cash and credit cards in secure pockets. Keep handbags shut and carry them close to your body. Do not leave anything in your hire car, if you have one – crime involving vehicles is one of the most common crimes in the city. When walking back to your hotel at night, choose well-lit streets to reach your destination. It’s also advisable to park your car in an area that is well lit.
D
DRIVING (see also Car hire)
To take your car into Belgium, you’ll need:
an international driver’s licence or your own driver’s licence (held for at least one year),
car-registration papers,
Green Card (this does not provide cover, but is internationally recognised proof that you have insurance; though not obligatory for EU countries, it’s still useful, especially in case of an accident),
a fire extinguisher and a red warning triangle and reflective jacket in case of breakdown,
a national identity sticker for your car,
for right-hand-drive vehicles, headlight adapters to prevent the lights dazzling other drivers.
Driving conditions. Drive on the right, and pass on the left. Although you may wish to drive between towns and cities, it is ill-advised to drive within the big cities themselves. Driving is invariably aggressive, and there are complex one-way systems and intersections to negotiate, along with (in some cities) trams, which you are not allowed to overtake and to which you must give way.
Seat belts must be worn by both driver and passengers. The use of dipped headlights is mandatory after dusk and in poor visibility. There are stiff penalties for driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs, and for speeding. Some offences require payment of fines on the spot, with the offender’s car impounded until payment is received.
Drivers should normally give way to traffic approaching from the right. A yellow diamond-shaped sign with a white border indicates that drivers on main roads have right of way; if the sign has a diagonal line through it, drivers give way to traffic entering from the right.
Motorways. Belgium’s motorway (autoroute/snelweg) network is excellent, but it and the city ring roads, especially those of Brussels and Antwerp, can get congested at peak times. Other main roads are relatively free of traffic and weekday travelling is usually smooth. Belgium’s accident record, however, is one of the worst in Europe.
Speed limits. On motorways, the limit is 120km/h (74mph); on other main roads it is 90km/h (55mph). In residential areas the speed limit is 50km/h (31mph). In all cases, lower limits may be indicated.
Are we on the right road for…? Est-ce la bonne route pour…? Zijn wij op de juiste weg naar…?
Parking. There is limited street parking in city centres. Car and coach parks exist in the centres, or in the case of pedestrian-friendly towns such as Bruges, around the perimeter of the centre.
Breakdowns. Belgium’s two main motoring organisations are the Touring Club de Belgique and the Royal Automobile Club de Belgique. These have reciprocal arrangements with other national motoring organisations and should be able to help you if you are a member of your own national organisation. In case of breakdown, call Touring Secours/Wegenhulp, (tel: 070-344777; www.touring.be).
Fuel and oil: petrol stations are plentiful.
There’s been an accident. Il y a eu un accident. Er is een ongeval gebeurd.
My car has broken down. Ma voiture est en panne. Mijn wagen is kapot.
E
Electricity
Belgium operates on 230 (220–240 volts), 50Hz AC, requiring standard two-pin round continental plugs.
Embassies, Consulates and High Commissions
Australia: avenue des Arts 56, Brussels, tel: 02-286 0500, www.belgium.embassy.gov.au.
Ireland: chaussée d’Etterbeek 180, Brussels, tel: 02-282 3400, www.dfa.ie/irish-embassy/belgium.
New Zealand: avenue des Nerviens 9–31, Brussels, tel: 02-512 1040, https://www.mfat.govt.nz/en/countries-and-regions/europe/belgium.
South Africa: rue Montoyer 17–19, Brussels, tel: 02-285 4400, www.southafrica.be.
UK: avenue d’Auderghem 10, Brussels, tel: 02-287 6211, www.gov.uk/government/world/belgium.
EMERGENCIES (see also Crime and safety and Police)
Police 101
Ambulance 100
Fire 100
General emergency telephone number 112
G
Gay and lesbian travellers
The vibrant gay and lesbian scene in Brussels is centred mainly in the Lower Town around rue du Marché-au-Charbon and rue des Riches-Claires. For information on Brussels and Wallonia, contact Tels Quels (rue Haute 48, Brussels; tel: 02-512 4587; www.telsquels.be), and La Maison Arc-en-Ciel (rue du Marché-au-Charbon 42, Brussels; tel: 02-503 5990; www.rainbowhouse.be). In Flanders, contact Holebifoon (tel: 09-223 6929; www.holebifoon.be). The age of consent for gay men is 16.
Getting there
By air. Many airlines offer direct scheduled flights to Brussels Airport (for more information, click here). Brussels Airlines (tel: 0902 51600 in Belgium; www.brusselsairlines.com) is the main local carrier. British Airways (tel: 0844-493 0787 in the UK, 02-717 3217 in Belgium; www.britishairways.com) operates flights from several UK airports to Brussels. Flight time from London to Brussels is about one hour. Several other airlines operate flights from UK airports to Brussels. They include BMI (tel: 0330 333 7998 in the UK; in Belgium, tel: 02-588 0624; www.flybmi.com) and KLM (tel: 44 20 7660 0293 in the UK; in Belgium, tel: 02- 620 0220; www.klm.com). Aer Lingus (tel: 1880 800600 in Ireland; in Belgium, tel: 070-359901; www.aerlingus.com) has regular service to Brussels from Dublin and other Irish airports. Ryanair (tel: 0871-246 0000 in the UK; 1520 444 004 in Ireland, 0902-33600 in Belgium; www.ryanair.com) flies from Britain and Ireland to Charleroi, near Brussels.
By rail. A high-speed rail network, run by Belgian, Dutch, German and French companies, operates between various cities in these countries. For reservations in Belgium, tel: 070-66 77 88; www.thalys.com.
Eurostar operates train services from London to Brussels. There are frequent departures and the journey time is just under two hours. You must make a reservation. For UK Eurostar reservations, tel: 03448 224 777, in Brussels, tel: 02-400 6731; www.eurostar.com.
Belgian state railways (SNCB/NMBS) operates local services within Belgium along with international services (tel: 02-528 2828; www.belgianrail.be).
By bus. National Express operates bus services between all the major European cities and Brussels (tel: 0871-78181 in the UK for bookings; www.nationalexpress.com).
By boat. Car ferries sail daily to Zeebrugge in Belgium from Hull in the UK (P&O Ferries; tel: 44 1304 448888 in the UK, 02-808 5020 in Belgium; www.poferries.com).
Guides and tours
Brussels offers a plethora of walking tours to suit all interests. Guided walks in English for individuals and groups are organised by Arkadia (rue Namur 10; tel: 02-319 4560; www.arkadia.be), Brukselbinnenstebuiten (Hopstraat 47; tel: 02-218 3878; www.brukselbinnenstebuiten.be), and Bravo Discovery (rue du Couloir 5; tel: 470 60 35 05; www.bravodiscovery.com), who also chocolate- and beer-tasting tours. For city tours covering art, architecture and culture, try ARAU (boulevard Adolphe Max 55; tel: 02-219 3345; www.arau.org). Music-lovers can follow in the footsteps of Jacques Brel with the aid of an audio-guide available for hire from Editions Jacques Brel (www.jacquesbrel.be). Those who wish to combine exercise and sightseeing should enjoy Brussels Sightjogging (http://brusselssightjogging.com). But if you feel like taking a rest, Brussels by Water is a more relaxing option (bis quai des Péniches 2; tel: 02-203 6406; www.brusselsbywater.be).
Brussels City Tours (rue du Marché aux Herbes 82; tel: 02-513 7744; www.brussels-city-tours.com), Le Bus Bavard (rue des Thuyas 12; tel: 02-673 1835; www.busbavard.be) and CitySightseeing Brussels (www.citysightseeingbrussel.be) operate bus tours around the city.
Calèche or horse-drawn carriage tours of the city centre are most popular in summer. They usually cover the Grand-Place and its surroundings. A 30-minute ride with a coachman-cum-guide costs approximately €44 per carriage. Horse carriages can be found throughout the year at rue Charles Buls (Grand-Place).
H
Health and medical care
Belgium has a sophisticated health-care system, and many doctors speak English. Medical care is expensive, so ensure that you are insured against illness or accident. For minor treatments, you may have to pay first and reclaim the payment from your insurance company later. Citizens from other European countries can obtain free medical treatment if they carry a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC).
Most prescription drugs are available in Belgium along with a large range of over-the-counter medications. A pharmacy (pharmacie/apotheek), indicated by a green cross, will employ a qualified member of staff who will be able to advise you about treatments for minor ailments.
The Cliniques Universitaires St-Luc (avenue Hippocrate 10; tel: 02-764 1111; www.saintluc.be) has a casualty/emergency department.
Where’s the nearest pharmacy? Où est la pharmacie la plus proche? Waar is de dichtstbijzijnde apotheek?
I need a doctor/dentist/ a hospital. J’ai besoin d’un médecin/un dentiste/d’aller a l’hôpital. Ik heb een arts/tandarts/ziekenhuis nodig.
L
Language
About 60 percent of Belgians (mostly in the north of the country) speak Dutch (or Nederlands, as the language of Flanders and the Netherlands, is called). In Belgium, you will also hear it described as Vlaams – Flemish). In Wallonia (southern Belgium), most of the population speaks French. A small percentage of the population of the eastern part of the country speaks German.
Brussels itself is officially bilingual, with most people speaking French. You will find that many people in tourist situations speak English. The latter is, in fact, widely spoken, with many English-speaking expats living here. But do try using some French or Dutch, it really will be appreciated. The Berlitz Phrase Book and Dictionary for French and The Berlitz Phrase Book and Dictionary for Dutch cover most situations you are likely to encounter.
M
Media
Newspapers and magazines. English-language newspapers and magazines are widely available. Expensive hotels often have free copies of the International Herald Tribune, Financial Times and other international newspapers. An English-language weekly news and events magazine, The Bulletin, is available in Brussels and other large towns (www.thebulletin.be).
Radio and television. The BBC World Service and European-based American networks can be picked up easily. Many hotels have cable television with up to 30 channels.
Money
The unit of currency in Belgium is the euro (€), divided into 100 cents. Coins are €2, €1 and 50, 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1 cents. Banknotes are €500, €200, €100, €50, €20, €10 and €5 (the €500 and €200 notes are rarely if ever seen in normal circulation, and some small businesses may even be reluctant to accept €100 notes).
Exchange facilities. Generally, banks offer the best rates, followed by bureaux de change. Bureaux de change can be found at the airport, at each of Brussels’ main railway stations and on and around the Grand-Place. Travellers’ cheques can be cashed at these locations as long as you have your passport with you. There are currency-exchange machines at Brussels Airport which make transactions in several currencies. Cash machines (ATMs) called ‘Bancontact’ and ‘Mister Cash’, which accept non-Belgian cards, are widely available; the two Belgian brand names have been phased out in favour of the Maestro brand, but this makes no difference in practice.
Credit cards. Many hotels, restaurants and shops accept payment by international credit cards.
Can I pay by credit card? Puis-je payer par carte bancaire? Mag ik met mijn kredietkaart betalen?
I want to change some pounds/dollars Je voudrais changer des livres sterling/dollars. Ik wil graag een paar pond/dollar wisselen.
Can you cash a travellers cheque? Changez-vous les cheques de voyage? Kan ik geld voor mijn reis cheque krijgen?
Where’s the nearest bank/currency exchange office? Où est la banque/le bureau de change la/le plus proche? Waar is de dichtstbijzijnde bank/het dichtstbijzijnde wisselkantoor?
Is there a cash machine here? Y a-t-il un distributeur de billets? Is er hier ergens een geldautomaat?
How much is that? Combien coûte ceci? Hoeveel is dat?
O
Opening hours
Offices open from 8am or 9am until 5pm or 6pm Mon–Fri.
Shops are generally open from 10am to 6pm Mon–Sat, but tourist shops may stay open longer and open on Sun. Department stores are generally open until 8pm on Thu. Night-shops in the city, selling food, alcohol and other goods, are open until the early morning.
Banks are open Mon–Fri 9am–4 or 5pm, a few on Sat morning.
Museums are generally open Tue–Sat 10am–5 or 6pm, sometimes closing for one hour at lunchtime, usually between 1 and 2pm.
P
Police (see also Crime and safety and Emergencies)
The police (police/politie) can be reached on the emergency 101 telephone number. For less urgent police matters, go to Brussels Central Police Station (rue du Marché-au-Charbon 30, tel: 02-279 7711, near the Grand-Place).
Post offices
Belgian postal services are speedy and reliable. The main post office is at the Centre Monnaie in place de la Monnaie. Belgian post boxes are red with a stylised bugle in relief on the side. Postal rates for standard postcards and letters up to 50g in weight are €1.07 or €1.17 within Europe, and €1.29 or €1.39 for all other destinations. Post offices are usually open Mon–Fri, between 8.30 or 9am and 6pm. Bruxelles Bogards (rue des Bogards 19) and Bruxelles De Brouckère (boulevard Anspach 15) are the main post offices in the city centre.
Public holidays
Belgium’s national holiday days are:
1 January New Year’s Day
1 May Labour Day
21 July National Day
15 August Assumption
1 November All Saints’ Day
11 November Armistice Day (1918)
25 December Christmas
Movable dates: Easter Monday, Ascension Day, Pentecost Monday.
T
Telephones
To call a number in Belgium from outside the country, first dial the international access code from the country you are in, followed by 32 (the country code for Belgium), and then the number minus the initial 0 of the area code. When making international calls from Belgium, dial 00 followed by the country code.
Roaming is possible on Belgium’s tri-band and quad-band enabled GSM mobile-phone network. Phones to rent and to purchase, without a carrier subsidy (which is not permitted in Belgium), are widely available from phone stores, as are prepaid SIM cards for using your own (unlocked) phone at Belgian rates. Bring an appropriate plug adapter and, if needed, a voltage transformer for charging your phone.
Time zones
Belgium is in the Central European Time zone, which is Greenwich Mean Time (GMT), or Universal Coordinated Time (UTC), plus one hour in winter and two hours in summer (between the end of March and the end of October, clocks are advanced one hour). Belgium is one hour ahead of the UK and Ireland, six hours ahead of US Eastern Standard Time (but note that Daylight Saving Time begins at different times in the US), and 10 hours behind eastern Australia.
New York London Belgium Jo’burg Sydney Auckland
6am 11am noon 1pm 10pm midnight
Tipping
Service is included in most bills, so tipping is not necessary. Nevertheless, tips are still appreciated (though not always expected) by some service personnel, particularly in places that cater to a large number of tourists. To tip as Belgians do, in restaurants, round up your bill to the nearest convenient amount or leave about 5 percent. Service is also included in taxi fare rates.
Toilets
In French-speaking areas of Belgium, toilets for females will generally be identified by the words Femmes or Mesdames, or their initial letter; toilets for men have Hommes or Messieurs. In Dutch-speaking areas, look for Damen and Heren. In Brussels, toilets may be indicated in both languages, or an appropriate image.
Tourist information
UK Belgian Tourist Office, Brussels & Wallonia, 217 Marsh Wall, London E14 9FJ, tel: 020-7537 1132, www.walloniabelgiumtourism.co.uk. Tourism Flanders-Brussels,1a Cavendish Square, London W1G 0LD, tel: 020-7307 7738, www.visitflanders.co.uk.
Brussels has its own tourist information office (VisitBrussels) at the Town Hall (Hôtel de Ville, Grand-Place; tel: 02-513 8940). There are additional offices at rue Royale 2 and at Station Europe, Place du Luxembourg. There are also offices of the Wallonia and Flanders regional tourist organisations: Office de Promotion du Tourisme de Wallonie et de Bruxelles (rue St-Bernard 30, Brussels; www.opt.be) and Toerisme Vlaanderen (rue du Marché-aux-Herbes 61, Brussels; www.visitflanders.com).
Tourist offices in towns outside Brussels include:
Bruges Toerisme Brugge/In&Uit Brugge, Information Office Concertgebouw, ’t Zand 34; Information office Markt, Markt 1; Information office Stationsplein, Stationsplein; tel: 050-444646; www.visitbruges.be.
Ghent Dienst Toerisme Gent/Infokantoor, Oude Vismijn, Sint-Veerleplein 5; tel: 09-266 5660; www.visitgent.be.
Antwerp Toerisme Antwerpen, Grote Markt 13 and Central Station, Koningin Astridplein; tel: 03-22 11333; www.antwerpen.be.
The Société de Transports Intercommunaux Bruxellois (STIB; tel: 070-232000, www.stib.be) runs metro, bus and tram services in the metropolitan area of Brussels. With one ticket you can transfer between trams, metro and buses for a period of one hour (you must re-validate your ticket with each change). STIB offices, metro stations and newsstands sell tickets. To buy a ticket from one of STIB’s GO ticket machines, select “EVENT PASS” and follow the instructions on the screen. You must validate your ticket every time you use it. There is an electronic public transport pass called the MOBIB available at BOOTIK counters at principal metro stations. A single MOBIB fare is €5, while a single ticket is €2.10 (or €2.50 if purchased on board); a five-journey ticket costs €8, and a 10-journey ticket costs €14 (MOBIB). A 24-hour Discover Brussels pass costs €7.50, a 48-hour pass costs €14, and a 72-hour pass costs €18. These passes permit travel to and from the airport on lines 12 and 21 and are available from tourist offices, in addition to the other sources above. Public transport operates from 6am to midnight, and a limited night bus service covers the hours between midnight and 6am.
Metro. Metro (subway/underground) stations are indicated by a sign with a white M on a blue background.
Trams and buses. A network of trams and buses operates to all parts of the city. Red-and-white signs indicate stops for both. Signal the driver to stop if you want to get on.
Taxis. Fares start at €4,98, then €1.94 per km (0.6 mile) within greater Brussels. Contact: Taxi Bleus, (tel: 02-268 0000; www.taxisbleus.be); or Taxis Verts (tel: 02-349 4949; www.taxisverts.be).
Trains. Belgian state railways (SNCB/NMBS; tel: 02-528 2828, www.belgianrail.be) operates services to Antwerp, Bruges and Ghent (and many other places). Excursion tickets include the cost of transport and the entrance fee for an attraction in certain areas.
Buses. For getting around outside the city, the bus is not as quick as the train, but for some destinations it is a more convenient option, and in some cases the only one. Walloon Brabant (mostly destinations south of Brussels) services are operated by TEC (tel: 010-235311; www.infotec.be); Flemish Brabant (mostly destinations north of Brussels) services are operated by De Lijn (tel: 070-220200; www.delijn.be).
Where can I get a taxi? Où puis-je trouver un taxi? Waar kan ik een taxi nemen?
What’s the fare to... ? Quel est le prix de la course pour…? Hoeveel kost een rit naar…?
When’s the next bus/ train to...? A quelle heure est le prochain bus/train pour…? Wanneer is de volgende bus/trein naar…?
I want a ticket to... Je voudrais un billet pour… Ik wil graag een kaart naar…
single/return aller-simple/aller-retour enkele reis/retour (also known as un direct/een direkt)
V
Visas and entry requirements
To enter Belgium for stays of up to three months, visitors from EU countries need only an identity card, or a passport if your country has no identity card. Citizens of most other countries, including Australia, New Zealand and South Africa, must be in possession of a valid passport, and in the case of some other countries, of a visa also. Residents of Europe and North America are not subject to health requirements; residents of other countries may be and should check with the local Belgian embassy or consulate before departure.
W
Websites
www.walloniabelgiumtourism.co.uk Tourist office website covering Wallonia and French-speaking Brussels for the UK and Ireland.
www.visitflanders.co.uk Tourist office website covering Flanders and Flemish-speaking Brussels for the UK and Ireland.
www.visitbelgium.com Tourist office website for the US and Canada.
www.visitbrussels.be Website of the Brussels tourist office.
www.antwerpen.be Antwerp city website with a section on tourism.
www.brugge.be Bruges city website with a section on tourism.
www.resto.be Comprehensive restaurants information.
Y
Youth hostels
The two national youth hostel associations are: Les Auberges de Jeunesse (rue de la Sablonnière 28, Brussels; tel: 02-219 5676; www.lesaubergesdejeunesse.be); and Vlaamse Jeugdherbergen (Beatrijslaan 72, Antwerp; tel: 03-232 7218; www.jeugdherbergen.be). Four good hostels are:
Auberge de Jeunesse Jacques Brel, rue de la Sablonnière 30, tel: 02-218 0187, www. lesaubergesdejeunesse.be. From €19.50 a night.
Génération Europe, rue de l’Eléphant 4, tel: 02-410 3858, www. lesaubergesdejeunesse.be. From €24 a night.
Jeugdherberg Breughel, rue du St-Esprit, tel: 02-511 0436, www.jeugdherbergen.be. From €21.70 a night.
Sleep Well, rue du Damier 23, tel: 02-218 5050, www.sleepwell.be. From €23 a night.