- Belgium Guide
- Cities
- Belgian Beer
- Belgian Chocolate
- Belgian Tradiions
- Cheap Brussels Hotels
- Family
- Famous Belgians
- Getting Around
- Getting There
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- Nightlife
- Outdoor Activities
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- Sport in Belgium
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- UNESCO World Heritage Sites
- Useful Phone Numbers
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- Top in Belgium
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Belgium is a small yet densely populated country with enormous demands for a well-connected transportation system so travelling around rarely poses a challenge. However as it is compact in size, travelling by air is very limited, if there are any available local flights at all. The only domestic flight that can be found is that of Brussels to Antwerp, and even then the locals hardly use it because it is cheaper to take other modes of transportation, especially the train. Moreover, the roads in Belgium are in good condition and signs are present and directions are easy to follow.
By train. This is the most recommended way to get around in Belgium, as the network is well-connected, the trains are modern and well-equipped and the fares are very reasonable when making inter-city trips. The railway lines are operated by NMBS, recognizable by the “B” logo in oval on the trains. It has a website (www.b-rail.be) where you can check for schedules, fares, maps and guides as well as any other useful information for your journey. Depending on where you are going, there are four types of train service: the Intercity trains (IC) which are the fastest, Inter-regional (IR), the Local (L) and the peak-hour (P) trains which are express commuter trains. If you’re also planning on making several train trips within a period, it’s practical to get a “Go Pass” which allows you to make 10 single 2nd class trips for €50. This is for travelers below 26 years of age, older people can avail of the “Rail Pass” (€73 for 2nd class or €112 for 1st). There is also the Key Card for short trips (€20 for 2nd class, €30 for first class), .
By bus. There are several bus operators throughout Belgium – the STIB/MIVB in Brussels (www.stib.irisnet.be), De Lijn in Flanders (www.delijn.be), TEC in Wallonia and outside Brussels (www.infotec.be) and SNCFL in Luxembourg (www.cfl.lu). These are local bus services, in Belgium there are no express intercity bus services. There may be regional bus services but they are usually servicing large cities. A ticket for a single trip costs about €1.60 or less on the average. There are also various travel cards or passes offered by the bus lines for frequent commuters.
By car or taxi. While the roads of Belgium are in good condition, those who are planning to drive their way around the country may need to consider a few things. Directional signs are mostly in the local language, especially outside bilingual Brussels. Names of places can be different in Dutch and French so either you need to be familiar with both, or have a handy translation book with your map to avoid confusion. Aside from this, there is also the confusing traffic rule of “Priority from the Right” – at intersections or road crossings, traffic from the right has the right of way. This holds true in most cases, except when there is a pole with an orange diamond sign which indicates that the right of way lies with the traffic that is already on the road. Add these conditions to the fact that many Belgian drivers are aggressive and “offensive” drivers (even known to disregard pedestrian crossing rules), you might want to reconsider getting a car rental. If you are confident about your driving skills and getting over the challenges of driving in Belgium, then equip yourself with a good road map and make sure you have ample insurance coverage for your car, as well as the number of a reliable 24-hour nationwide emergency road assistance.
Taxis are of course an expensive option but can be taken for short trips within the city. All taxi cars have the taximeter (€1.20-2.40 per kilometer), and unless you are going to a farther destination, drivers will generally use it. If there are no taxis in the taxi stands you can call for a pick up (€2.40 during the day and €4.20 at night).
By boat. This is just intended for long, leisurely cruises around the historic cities of Belgium. For visitors or those who would want to explore the canals of Belgium, there are two main operators: easyCruise Two (www.easycruise.com) makes a stop in Antwerp and Brussels in Belgium, and Rotterdam and Amsterdam in the Netherlands. There is a minimum stay of two nights on board for travelers. Another one is Hoseasons Holiday Abroad (www.hoseasons.co.uk) with one to two-week cruise trips around Flanders, with stops in Veurne, Ypres, Bruges, Kortrijk and Ghent. As this is a full-fledged cruise, prices are more expensive, from £550 to £825 per week.