PRACTICAL INFORMATION
Transport and travel
Arrival by air
Brussels Airport (www.brusselsairport.be)
Brussels Airport is 14 km from the city centre. Trains run to the Gare du Nord, Gare Centrale and Gare du Midi
every 20 minutes.
Journey time: approx. 30 minutes. Fare: 2.80 €
Airport info flights:
Tel. +32 (0)2 753 77 53 (from abroad) or Tel. 0900 /70 000 (0.45 €/min.),
E-mail: info@brusselsairport.be
Arrival by train
Gare de Bruxelles Midi/Station Brussel-Zuid
Brussels has several main stations and a dense rail network with regular trains and attractive fares. Brussels Midi is
the main interchange for international services, particularly TGV (Thalys) and Eurostar.
Information about driving in Belgium
Speed limits:
Built-up areas: 50 km/h and 30 km/h zones, other roads: 90 km/h and 70 km/h zones; Motorways: 120 km/h.
Breakdown services: Touring Secours (Tel. +32 (0)70 344 777) or RACB (Tel. +32 (0)78 152 000).
Other details:
Motorways are toll-free. Seat-belts must be worn by both front and rear passengers.
Maximum permitted blood alcohol level: 0.5 grams per litre.
Depending on the region, road signs are either in French, Dutch or both (Brussels).
Priority: drivers must give way to priority vehicles (trams, buses, ambulances) or to vehicles coming from the right,
except when the road they are driving on has priority.
Taxis
Average fare per km: 1.23 € (within Brussels); 2.46 € (trips outside the 19 Brussels boroughs).
Pick-up charge: 2.40 € during the day; 4.40 € at night. The fare is displayed on the meter and includes service.
Tips are left at your discretion. Per hour waiting charge: 23.00 €. City centre to/from airport: average fare
33.50 € Special rates offered by some taxi firms.
Public transport
Metro, tram and bus:
Brussels public transport is operated by: STIB/MIVB
Passenger information:
Tel. + 0900/ 10 310 (0,45 €/min, weekdays 8a.m. to 7p.m., Saturday 8a.m. to 4p.m)
www.stib.be
Free map available at Metro stations or from Tourism Information Brussels - TIB
Signposts:
Metro stations are identified by the following sign:
Tram and bus stops are identified by a red and white sign (all stops are request stops: hold your arm out to signal
to an approaching bus to stop).
Buying tickets:
Available from Metro stations, STIB/ MIVB offices, selected newsagents (10-journey card),
tourist information centres (one-day travel card).
Fares:
Single ticket: 1.50 €; 5-journey card: 6.70 €; 10-journey card: 10.50 €;
one-day travel card (valid to midnight; valid for 2 persons on Saturday, Sunday and public holidays): 4.00 €;
one-day group travel card (max. 5 pers.): 6.70 €, Airport Line Ticket: 3.00 €.
Practical tips
Entry formalities for foreign tourists for stays of less than 3 months: European Union and Swiss nationals: identity card.
Other nationals: valid passport
Currency and foreign exchange:
(market rates in October 2006) 1 € = 0.6739 GBP 1 € = 1.2714 USD 1 € = 149.47
JPY 1 € = 1.4230 CAD
Tips and service:
Cinemas/hotels/restaurants: In the case of usherette service, tip 0.50 €. Hotels: service included.
Restaurants: service (16%) and VAT are included (tip for exceptional service only).
Cloakroom attendant ±1.25 to 2.50 €/ person.
Public toilets: 0.25 to 0.50 €.
Phone:
Public call boxes with coins or a phone card (Telecard on sale at post offices, news-stands, stations).
Credit card phones available at certain tourist sites.
Official public holidays:
1 January, Easter Monday, 1 May, Ascension Day, Whit Monday, National Holiday (21/7), 15 August, 1 November,
11 November (Armistice Day), 25 December (Christmas).
Emergency services:
• Ambulance/Fire: 100
• Federal Police: 101
• European emergency & assistance: 112 Other out-of-hours services: listed in
newspapers and displayed in windows of pharmacies.
