Travel Information
Essential travel information for your stay.
Liège © visitbelgium.net
Weather
The best time to travel to Belgium is from May to September, with the peak vacation season in July and August. However, Belgium can also be charming in autumn and winter, especially during the Christmas season in the cities and when there is snowfall in the Ardennes. January to March is generally rather bleak. In summer, temperatures typically range between 20-30 degrees Celsius, in winter around 0-10 degrees Celsius.
Arrival
Airplane: The most important and largest airport is Brussels Airport, located in the center of the country. From Brussels, all destinations can be quickly reached by train or rental car.
Train: Belgium boasts the densest railway network in Europe. Trains run frequently to all corners of the country, with moderate ticket prices. The international connections are equally excellent, with the main train station being Bruxelles-Midi / Brussel-Zuid. In addition to regional and national trains, high-speed trains like TGV, Eurostar / Thalys, and ICE operate here. Travel times to Brussels are 2 hours from Amsterdam, 1:50 hours from Cologne, 3:15 hours from Luxembourg, 1:20 hours from Paris, and 2:20 hours from London.
Bus: Belgium is regularly and frequently served by many travel companies.
Car: Belgium, known for its illuminated motorways, has one of Europe’s densest motorway networks, and there are no tolls. Driving times to Brussels are 2 hours from Amsterdam, 2 hours from Cologne, 2:30 hours from Luxembourg, 3:30 hours from Paris, and 5:30 hours from London. Note: Brussels, Antwerp, and Ghent have environmental zones (LEZ) that require online registration (usually free of charge, depending on the car).
Ferries: There is a ferry connection between the United Kingdom and Belgium, from Kingston upon Hull to Zeebrugge. The French city of Calais, with its Eurotunnel and ferry port to Dover (UK), is only 50 kilometers from the Belgian border. The distance from Calais to Dover is just 40 kilometers. There are also ferry connections to Dunkirk, which is only 15 kilometers from the Belgian border.
Public Transport
Belgium’s cities have very well-developed public transport systems, including commuter trains, metros, trams, and buses.
Taxis are widely available, can be hailed on the street, found at taxi stands, or booked by phone. Additionally, various car rental companies offer app-based booking options.
Tourist Information
Visiting the official tourist information office in each city is highly recommended. They provide staff assistance, brochures, and often discounted combination tickets for public transport, museums, and other attractions.
Safety
The security level in Belgium is comparable to that of other Western European countries. Traditionally, Belgium is a friendly and safe country, particularly in smaller cities and rural areas. In medium-sized cities, petty crime such as pickpocketing is not uncommon, especially at train stations and in busy areas. In large and industrial cities, there are issues with migration, antisocial behaviour, gang and drug-related crime, Islamism and unrest.
Brussels:
These issues are most evident in the capital of the EU, where the contrast between lovely and rough areas is striking – sometimes just a few streets apart.
The city center of Brussels is extensive and lies within the “Pentagone” ring road. To the west, Downtown boasts the Grand Place along with vibrant shopping and nightlife areas. In the east, Uptown is characterized by museums, palaces, and upscale retail streets. Heading south toward Gare du Midi, the atmosphere changes: while the southeastern Marolles quarter is somewhat gritty but trendy, the southwestern area near the station becomes very unpleasant.
Around the Pentagone, the western section from Gare du Midi to Molenbeek and the northeastern section from Gare du Nord to Saint-Josse are particularly problematic.
Looking at the metropolitan region, one can generally say that the western part faces significant challenges, to a lesser extent also the north. The charm of good old Brussels is best preserved in the eastern and southern parts.
Antwerp:
In Antwerp, the second largest city, problems are less visible for tourists. The city feels maintained and welcoming, and the problem areas are not as centrally located. Within the motorway ring, only Borgerhout and Seefhoek, to the west and north of the central station, are worth mentioning. However, Antwerp has issues with drug gangs due to its enormous port, and their conflicts are sometimes openly carried out.
Charleroi:
Charleroi is a very interesting destination for people interested in industrial history, urban exploration, and urban art. However, the entire city appears run-down. You could say that this is the hallmark of Charleroi – and the reason why adventurous people travel to the city. Especially since a Dutch newspaper named Charleroi the ugliest city in the world.
Liège:
Liège, like Charleroi, is an old industrial city whose best days are long gone. Despite efforts in the form of impressive urban development projects, it is evident that the city is struggling, even in parts of the city center. The contrasts between lovely little streets with beautiful boutiques and cafés and run-down streets full of empty properties and cheap shops are impressive. Liège is fascinating and worth visiting, but do not expect a typical tourist destination.
Emergency Contacts
Police: 101
Card Stop: +32 78 170 170
Ambulance and Fire Brigade: 112
On-call Doctor: 1733
Pharmacies: pharmacie.be
Communication
Brussels is bilingual (French/Dutch), but English is also widely understood. In northern Belgium (Flanders), Dutch is spoken, and English and French proficiency is generally good. In southern Belgium (Wallonia), French is the main language, with weaker English and Dutch skills. In eastern Belgium, along the German border, there is a German-speaking region where French and reasonably good English are also spoken.
Opening Hours
Shops in Belgium are generally open from Monday to Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., often extended in urban shopping streets. On Sundays, some shops and boutiques (no large international chains) in tourist areas are open, as well as certain larger supermarkets.
Restaurants and bars have variable opening hours and are often closed or operate with reduced hours on Mondays and Tuesdays.
Museums usually open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (last entry). Most museums are closed on Mondays, with some closing on Tuesdays instead.
Currency and Payment
The currency in Belgium is the Euro. Foreign currencies are typically not accepted. EC and credit cards are widely accepted but confirm in advance.
Tipping
In restaurants, a 10% service charge is always included in the bill. Otherwise, a tip of around 10% is customary.
© visitbelgium.net
© visitbelgium.net
© visitbelgium.net
© visitbelgium.net
© visitbelgium.net
© visitbelgium.net