ON THE GO
Traveling by plane
There is no domestic air traffic. Express buses run from Brussels Airport to Antwerp, Ghent and Liège (Luik / Liège). An airport bus runs between Antwerp (city) and Brussels Airport, the journey is free for some passengers (see Travel – International).
On the way by car / bus
Belgium has one of the most efficient motorway networks in Europe, free of charge and illuminated over long distances at night. Unleaded petrol (sans plomb / loodvrij) is available at every petrol station.
Automobile club: Royal Automobile Club de Belgique asbl, 53 Rue d’Arlon, B-1040 Brussels. Tel: (02) 287 09 11. (Internet: www.racb.com).
Roadside assistance: Touring Secours, Tel: (070) 34 47 77 (only within Belgium).
Emergency call: 112 (ambulance / fire brigade / police).
Bus: The bus company TEC (Internet: www.tec-wl.be) is responsible for local transport in Brussels and Wallonia, De Lijn (Internet:www.delijn.be) is responsible for Flanders. The regional bus network is excellent, and timetables are available from TEC sales outlets. Intercity buses run between numerous cities. Apart from the airport buses, there are no express bus routes.
Taxi: The tip is already included in the fare. Rental cars with and without a chauffeur are available.
Documents: The national driver’s license is sufficient. For nationals of EU and EFTA countries, the license plate is used as proof of insurance. Nevertheless, EU and EFTA citizens are recommended to use the International Green Insurance Cardtake with you in order to benefit from full insurance cover in the event of any damage. Otherwise, the statutory minimum liability insurance coverage applies. The green card can also make it easier to record accidents.
Traffic regulations:
seat belts must be worn for the driver and all other car occupants.
Children under the age of 12 cannot sit in the front seat if there is space in the back seat.
A warning triangle must be carried.
It is mandatory for drivers to wear fluorescent safety vests if they leave their vehicle outside of built-up areas and are on the road – which is the case in the event of a breakdown or accident.
Blood alcohol limit: If you are caught at the wheel with 0.5 â?? ° and more, you have to lose your driving license for at least 6 hours.
Rail vehicles and public transport buses always have right of way.
Hitchhikers are not allowed on motorways and driveways.
Speed limits:
within built-up areas: 30 km / h or 50 km / h,
country roads: 90 km / h,
motorways: 120 km / h.
Traveling in the city
All larger cities have a dense local transport network. There are trams and metros, buses and taxis in Brussels and Antwerp; Bus lines and / or tram lines in all other cities. Uniform tariff, the collective tickets (5 or 10 trips) are inexpensive. There are also day and tourist cards.
In Brussels, the entrance to every metro station is marked with a white M on a blue background. The ticket must be validated when entering the paying area, which is marked by a red line on the floor. The Jumpticket allows you to use public transport in Brussels. It is available for 1, 5 and 10 single trips, each valid for one hour.
On the go by train
According to youremailverifier, Belgium has one of the densest rail networks in the world, trains of the Belgian Railways SNCB (Internet: www.b-rail.be) usually run every hour, more often on the main lines. Seat reservations are unnecessary in domestic traffic. There are free timetables at every train station. Children aged 6-11 travel free under certain conditions, children under 6 travel free if they do not occupy their own seat and with their own seat at half price. At many train stations, visitors can rent bicycles or tandems on a daily basis. A list of these stations and further information is available from the Belgian Railways, Im Hauptbahnhof / Goldgasse 2, D-50668 Cologne. Tel: (0221) 13 49 82.
Note on rail travel
Fare reductions:
Inexpensive weekend tickets are valid for the return journey from Friday (from 7:01 p.m.) to Sunday of the same weekend and offer a 50% reduction in 1st and 2nd class.
A 50% card grants a 50% discount when purchasing tickets for 1st and 2nd class. A new validity stamp must be purchased every year.
The Go Pass offers 10 2nd class tickets for people between the ages of 6 and 25. It is valid for one year and is transferable.
With the Rail Pass you can make 10 single journeys within a year. The Rail Pass is valid for one year and is transferable.
The key card allows 10 short trips within a certain zone. It is valid for 6 months and is transferable.
The seniors ticket is available for people aged 65 and over (upon presentation of ID). The senior citizen’s ticket is only valid on domestic trains, during the main season only on weekdays (from 9:01 a.m.) and for a return journey in 2nd class.
A zone ticket entitles you to unlimited rail travel within 2 hours and within a tariff zone. It is available for 1st and 2nd class.
Network cards entitle you to unlimited travel on the entire Belgian route network. They are valid within the country’s borders and can be combined with Deutsche Bahn AG tickets. At the main train stations in Belgium (and at other European main train stations) you can buy tickets that are only valid from the border stations (in conjunction with the network card).
Benelux 5-day round trip ticket (Benelux Tourrail): entitles you to any number of trips on the Belgian, Dutch and Luxembourg rail networks on 5 days within a period of one month. Only available at major Belgian train stations. (There are also weekend discounts for individuals and groups within the Benelux countries.)
Information on timetables, routes and special offers can be obtained from the Belgian Railways (SNCB) (Tel: (+32) (02) 528 28 28. Internet: http://www.b-rail.be/).
Train tickets are a lot cheaper in Belgium than in Germany.