Getting there & Getting around

Getting there

Brussels Airport(formerly known as Zaventem) is 14km (9mi) northeast of Brussels. Many international airlines fly here, but more fly into other European cities, so, depending on where you're coming from, it may be better to fly into Paris, London, Frankfurt or Amsterdam and train or bus it to Brussels. Departure tax is usually included in ticket prices. Belgium is so small that there are no internal flights between cities. A train station on the airport's lowest level (-1) runs the Airport City Express shuttle train between the airport and Brussels' three main train stations: Gare du Nord, Gare du Midi and Gare Centrale. The latter is a five-minute walk from the Grand Place. You can also catch a taxi from outside the arrivals hall - official taxis have a yellow and blue 'Taxi' sign.

Brussels is well connected with most other European and Belgian cities. Gare du Midi is the main train station for international connections: the Eurostar and Thalys fast trains stop here. Euroline's main bus depot is next to Gare du Nord, where you can book buses between Brussels and the rest of Europe, Scandinavia and the UK. Buses aren't necessarily the cheapest option, however, so shop around. Driving is always an option - Belgium's motorway system is excellent - but beware of impatient and aggressive local drivers! Cycling from other parts of Belgium is possible, but you will need to be intrepid if you take to the roads in Brussels - the city doesn't have many cycle paths. There are a variety of ferry options, direct from the UK or via Calais in France.

Getting around

Brussels' modern and efficient public transportation system includes the metro, trams, premetro (trams that go underground for part of their journey) and buses, all run by the Société des Transports Intercommunaux de Bruxelles (STIB in French, MIVB in Flemish). Tickets are available at metro stations, STIB kiosks, some newsagents and on buses and trams. You can purchase single-trip tickets, five/ten-journey tickets or day passes. Metro stations are marked by rectangular signs with a white 'M' on a blue background. Tram and bus stops have red and white signs. There's no central hub for buses, so you'll want to pick up the STIB's free transportation map. Premetro trams run mainly between Gare du Nord and Gare du Midi. Trains are of minimal use within Brussels for visitors, except for getting to the airport. There are car rental companies at Gare du Midi, Brussels airport and around the city; the latter offer the cheapest prices. Driving in Brussels is not for the lily-livered - think aggressive drivers, potholes, cut-throat traffic loops and parking hassles. Taxis are metered and expensive; the tax and tips are figured into the meter price. Generally, you'll find taxis at all three major train stations, around the Grand Place and at place Stéphanie on Ave Louise. You can also call for a taxi from anywhere in the city.