Belgium is a very densely populated country, which means that every city, including Brussels, has excellent public transport. City residents prefer to travel by public transport rather than suffer in traffic jams and spend a lot of time searching for a free parking space. The population of Brussels and its suburbs is only 2 million people, but all types of public transport are represented here: metro, buses, tram network, commuter train network and many train stations in different areas of the city. In this guide article about public transport in Brussels, I will try to explain as clearly as possible how to use Brussels transport, how much it costs and where you can buy tickets.

Official website of Brussels public transport

Public Intercommunaux Transport Company of Brussels (Société des Transports Intercommunaux Bruxellois) in abbreviated form it is called STIB or in Dutch MIVB.

The company serves the Brussels Metropolitan (4 lines, 56 km); tram network (17 routes, 217 km), city bus network (52 routes, 440 km), 1 elevator (related to the city's public transport). Some tram and bus routes extend beyond Brussels.

The official website of the company Stib-mivb.be contains all the latest information about public transport in Brussels: fares, travel benefits, where to buy tickets, metro, tram and trolleybus maps, transport schedules, news and route planner. Thanks to this planner, you will be able to plot a route from point A to point B, you will be shown information on how to best get there, where to make a transfer and the exact departure and arrival times of the required routes.

Cost of travel in Brussels

If you plan to use public transport in Brussels intensively, you will need to purchase a card to travel MOBIB card for €5. The card is valid for 5 years. There is a named and unnamed card. You will need to load tickets onto this card.

• Ticket for 1 trip(Single fare JUMP): €2.10. This ticket can be purchased with a MOBIB or MOBIB Basic card, or as a separate ticket. The ticket is valid for 1 trip within 60 minutes after the 1st validation (composting). The ticket is not valid on the Brussels Airport section.
• Ticket for 2 trips(Return trip JUMP): €4.20. The terms of purchase and validity period are the same as for the previous ticket. This type of ticket entitles you to 2 trips. Moreover, the 2nd trip must be made within 24 hours after the 1st ticket validation.
• 24 hour pass(Jump 24H): €7.50, can be loaded onto a MOBIB or MOBIB Basic card.
• 48 hour pass(Jump 48H): €14.00, can be loaded onto a MOBIB or MOBIB Basic card.
• 72 hour pass(Jump 72H): €18.00, can be loaded onto a MOBIB or MOBIB Basic card.
• Ticket for 5 trips(5 Journeys): €8.00, can be loaded onto a MOBIB or MOBIB Basic card.
• Ticket for 10 trips(10 Journeys JUMP): €14.00, can be loaded onto a MOBIB or MOBIB Basic card.
• Airport ticket(BUS Airport For 1 journey): €4.50, ticket purchased from a machine.
• Airport ticket(BUS Airport For 1 journey): €6.00, ticket purchased from the driver.
• 10 tickets from the airport(BUS Airport For 10 journeys): €32.00. All tickets from the airport are valid only in the transport of a state company.
• 1 month travel card for a company STIB-MIVB: €49.00
• Travel card for 1 year for a company STIB-MIVB: €499.00
• 1 month airport pass(Airport Line): €60.00
• Travel for people aged 65+: free, you need to issue a MOBIB card for €5.
• Travel for children under 6 years old: Free when accompanied by an adult.

Where can I top up my MOBIB or MOBIB Basic cards?

• Go Easy;
• 340 GO ticket machines (GO vending machines);
• 14 Kiosks (14 KIOSK);
• 6 BOOTIK;
• SHOP stores(official sales outlets).

How to use the ticket? There are validators (electronic composters) installed in buses, trams, metro and railway stations, so you need to punch a ticket before traveling on public transport. Even if you have a travel card, you are still required to punch your ticket every time before traveling on public transport, otherwise you will face a fine. By the way, entrance to the metro at some stations is through turnstiles, only they are installed at some metro stations in the central part of Brussels.

Validating a ticket is very simple: you need to bring your travel card to the validator, it will scan it, validate it, and if everything went well, you will hear a sound signal, the green light will light up and the √ icon will appear.

Fine for traveling without a ticket. Please note that public transport uses controllers. When contacting you, you must present a validated, valid ticket. If you have a damaged ticket, purchased the wrong type of ticket, or forgot to validate it, you will be issued a fine. The fine for traveling without a ticket is €107.

Brussels metro

I will give some information about the Brussels metro, which is one of the most important types of transport in the city.

• Subway opening date: 1976
• Today there is 4 Lines (1, 2, 5, 6)
• Metro length: 39.9 km
• Number of stations: 59
• Maximum train speed: 72 km/h
• The Brussels metro is predominantly underground.
• Metro operating hours: approximately from 05:30 to 00:05. The operating hours of different lines are different, and the metro operating hours on weekends and weekdays are different.
• Subway intervals: 5-20 minutes depending on the time of day and day of the week. On weekdays, peak times have the shortest intervals for rolling stock.
• Subway entrance carried out through turnstiles. The travel ticket must be presented to the red reader in front of the turnstiles.

Description of metro lines.

• Line 1: route from Gare de l’Ouest/Weststation to Stockel/Stokkel station in the east of the city. The line is automated, the rolling stock is controlled automatically without the participation of drivers.
• Line 2: ring line with Simonis key station.
• Line 5: from Erasme/Erasmus station to Herrmann-Debroux station. The line is automated, the rolling stock is controlled automatically without the participation of drivers.
• Line 6: route from Roi Baudouin/Koning Boudouijn station to Simonis.

Below on the Brussels metro map you can easily see interchange stations between lines, stations where train stations are located, and where you can change to tram routes. From the metro you can go to 6 stations in Brussels. The metro in Brussels is not confusing, and using it is the same as in other cities around the world.

Brussels tram

The Brussels tram system is an important part of Brussels' public transport. It is the 16th largest tram system in the world with a passenger turnover of more than 130 million people per year, which was put into operation at the end of the 19th century (1869). The length of the tram line is 141.1 km. Number of stops: 291 . Today the tram network consists of 17 routes, which cover the entire city.

The Brussels tram system also has a number of interesting features, for example, some tram sections are underground, and you can transfer to the metro (premetro trams), there are trams traveling on dedicated lanes.

Tram routes employ rolling stock from different eras: from old PCC series trams to modern low-floor Tram 4000, created on the Bombardier platform. There are 396 trams in total.

At tram stops route numbers and schedules are indicated. Some stops are equipped with an electronic display that displays the arrival time of the next tram. Entry and exit is carried out through any door; to open the door you need to press a button.

Tram schedule: approximately from 5:00 to 1:00, operating times vary for each tram line; On weekends and holidays the tram runs on a different schedule. Tram intervals: from 4 to 20 minutes.

On the Brussels tram map you can see all the tram lines of the city and you can understand which tram is convenient to get to attractions or to the desired station.

Buses in Brussels

Brussels bus routes are laid where there is no possibility of organizing metro or tram traffic. The bus route network was launched in 1907 and today consists of 50 day and 11 night routes. Daytime routes operate from approximately 5 a.m. to midnight, with intervals ranging from 10 to 30 minutes. Night buses operate on Fridays and Saturdays from 0:15 to 3:00 on main routes with intervals of 30 minutes.

Bus stops, like tram stops, are equipped with schedules and route numbers.

If you suddenly do not have a ticket for travel, you can purchase one from the driver. True, you won’t be given change for banknotes over 5 Euros.

Railway transport

Brussels is one of the main railway hubs in Belgium, so it is not surprising that the city has at least 6 stations. Brussels Main Railway Station (Bruxelles-Central); Brussels South (Brussels-Zuid) and Brussels North (Brussels-Noord) are the main stations of the capital.

High-speed international trains mainly arrive at the central station, because the station consists of only 3 platforms. The Northern Station is noticeably larger and has 12 platforms from which both regional trains to the northern part of the country and some high-speed trains depart. The South Station also has 12 platforms from which both regional trains and international high-speed trains depart, for example TGV to Nice, Thalys to Paris, ICE to Frankfurt.

Tickets and train schedules can be found on the official website of the Belgian railways: Belgianrail.

Brussels airports

Brussels served 2 international airports.

• Brussels' main airport, Brussel-Nationaal, with a passenger turnover of 25 million people per year, is located 15 km northeast of the center of Brussels. In the article “” we tell you step by step how and how long you can get to the city.
• Brussels-Charleroi International Airport is the city's second most important airport with a passenger turnover of 7 million people, located 60 km south of Brussels. In the article “” we describe in as much detail as possible what and how you can get to Brussels.

Car rental in Brussels

Do you like independent travel and your route in Belgium goes beyond Brussels? Then you will need a car. For example, by car you can quickly visit key Belgian cities in 2-3 days: Antwerp, Bruges, Ghent, the seaside resort of Ostend, Dinan, Leuven.

Renting a car in Belgium will help you save a lot on transport, because... Trains and public transport in the country are quite expensive. The world's main car rental companies operate in Belgium: Europcar, Alamo, Sixt, Avis. You can compare prices for renting a car on their website, where you can also book a car. Rental prices start from €15 per day for the simplest manual car.

When you rent a car, you will have typical costs: fuel and parking. Gasoline and diesel in Belgium cost an average of €1.39. In city centers, paid parking will cost approximately €2.6 per hour. Road travel in Belgium is free.

I think you don't need to explain that a taxi is the most convenient form of transport, but due to high salaries in Belgium it is very expensive. These are the prices for taxis in Brussels: boarding from 6:00 to 22:00 - €2.40; from 22:00 to 6:00 - €4.4; the cost of travel 1 km is €1.8 in the city, €2.7 outside the city; waiting (idling in traffic jams) - €30. When driving at a speed below 20 km/h, €0.5 per minute is automatically added to your bill. Taxis can be taken at special stands and called by phone.

Do you need to get to another city or airport at a certain time with a 100% guarantee? Then you can in a reliable Russian company. The fare will be fixed, the driver will meet you at the specified address at the appointed time and take you and your luggage comfortably.

Capital of Belgium

Like any European country, Belgium is famous for its unusual and sometimes strange rules, which for tourists can become a real obstacle to a normal vacation. The cultural differences between the Belgians and other European residents are quite noticeable, so it is better to discuss in advance those things that are unacceptable in Belgian society. There are not many general rules that limit the behavior of a guest in Belgium.

Confuse languages

The language issue in Belgium is a sore subject for a number of regions. The state, formed as a disputed colony of France and Holland, has a very scattered map of languages ​​for each land. For example, in Flanders worth contacting people only in Dutch, or, as a last resort - in German. IN Wallonia on the contrary, you should communicate with people only in French. There are frequent cases when even waiters in restaurants in Flanders refuse to serve customers who speak French; here this is considered an everyday occurrence.

Rent a car

The narrow streets of Belgium's ancient cities are absolutely not designed to withstand heavy traffic. Traffic jams are common here, so rent a car strongly not recommended. The country has a developed network of electric trains for traveling between cities, and within the city it is best to travel by bicycle or by metro, if we are talking about a large city. In addition, in Belgium they regularly raise fines for illegal parking, which will be another argument against motor transport.

Forgetting documents when leaving the hotel

There is an unspoken rule among Belgian police officers to check every foreign tourist in the city. This verification consists of simply presenting a passport to identify the person. A tourist or tourist group can be approached at any time of the day or evening, there is no need to be afraid, the procedure takes no more than a couple of minutes. In order not to have to spend time in the police station, it is better always have with you passport or driver's license. Color copies of documents in Belgium are treated with caution.

Belgian Police

Take off shoes indoors

The tradition of Belgian etiquette is strange for our tourists - even in your own home, never don't take off your shoes. For those who stay indoors for a long time, there may be special lightweight shoes or an analogue of indoor slippers, but walking barefoot around the apartment, especially when visiting, is considered the height of indecency. Guests of Belgian hotels should also know this - the idea of ​​heating in guest houses in winter is very relative; out of habit, some tourists freeze and start unjustified scandals with the management.

Litter

If in Germany fines for even the most insignificant offenses seem huge to Russian tourists, then even more unpleasant experiences await them in Belgium. There is a differentiated system of fines for street pollution. So, for throwing away a cigarette butt or chewing gum, you will have to pay 60 euros. The fine for throwing a plastic bottle or any other non-degradable waste can reach 150 euros. But, even despite such penalties, some Belgian cities are not particularly clean streets.

Garbage bins in Belgium

Drink Belgian beer

It may sound strange, but famous Belgian beers pay for themselves only through export sales. The Belgians themselves are ambivalent about the foamy drink. On the one hand, in every city in Belgium you can see famous beer vans- a kind of small bars on wheels. On the other hand, among the local population, the main consumers of beer and visitors to such establishments are people far from the intelligentsia, therefore respectable Belgians prefer to drink wine in cafes and small cozy restaurants, but not beer.

Belgian beer

Carry a weapon

Relatively recently in Belgium forbidden wearing any type of firearm. This was connected with a number of incidents where innocent people suffered. Belgian law includes any means of self-defense as firearms, including pneumatic ones, as well as antique and collectible pistols, shotguns, rifles and muskets. Even to take a purchased gift gun out of the store, you will have to have a certificate certified at the police station.

Smoking in restaurants

Another recent ban in Belgium was smoking in public places, in particular - in cafes and restaurants. The fine for this is still fixed - 150 euros, but there are often cases when the management of the establishment forces the violator to pay a more impressive amount. This is due to the fact that if, due to an oversight by the staff in a cafe or restaurant, someone lights a cigarette, then the owner of the establishment will have to pay to the treasury 1,500 euros. A cigarette butt thrown from the window of any house is estimated by local authorities at 675 euros.

Come visit without warning

The Belgians cannot be called hospitable people, if only because, according to local customs, the guest must warn about his arrival For two weeks. Of course. Few people follow this rule in modern society, but an unexpected guest can easily remain on the street, even with the best intentions.

Talk about politics

The topic of politics in the capital of the European Union, Brussels, is a taboo subject for most people, since every day they receive a huge amount of information on this topic from a variety of sources. Another topic that no need to raise, is the royal family of Belgium.

Pay in cash everywhere

Throughout Belgium there are restrictions on one-time cash payments means. This is done to control the income of the population, but the rule also applies to tourists. It is best to pay with bank cards so as not to attract the attention of pickpockets.

Look critically at passers-by

More advice than a strict rule. The Belgians have a very specific sense of style; the everyday clothes of even respectable people can be wrinkled or too bright. It is best to turn a blind eye to this, so that the local public does not upset a pleasant vacation with unpredictable scandals.

You can freely travel to Germany, the Netherlands, France, Luxembourg and even the UK via the English Channel Tunnel. The excellent geographical location has made it possible to develop almost all types of transport, with the exception of domestic airlines, but the small area of ​​the country does not need them.

Railway connection

Trains are considered a widespread form of public transport in Belgium - the highest speed transport in all of Europe. Railways are laid in almost all populated areas; their length is about 34 thousand kilometers. Tourists can travel around the entire country by train in just 3 hours, and to get from any remote area to the capital will take about 1.5-2 hours.

All domestic trains are divided into three types: intercity (these trains make stops only in large cities), interregional and regular daytime trains. Ticket prices vary, mainly depending on the distance of the trip. There is a good discount system, which depends on the number of trips and the age of the passenger. Pensioners enjoy the biggest discounts.

Traveling around the country by train is not only pleasant, but also economical, since you can get off at any stop, walk around the city, enjoy the amazing beauty of the area, and move on without buying a new ticket. At every station in the state you can use luggage storage services, and the stations themselves are always very clean and comfortable. Friendly and polite inspectors will always try to solve any problem that arises.

Buses, trolleybuses and metro

The bus forms the basis of public transport in Belgium. It is better to use the bus for suburban and regional trips. The main carriers are De Lijn and TEC. Each city has its own tariffs, but you can purchase travel tickets depending on the type of trip. A single ticket costs 1.4 euros, a day ticket costs 3.8 euros, and a night ticket costs 3 euros. You can also purchase a three-day (9 euros), five-day (12 euros) and ten-day (15 euros) pass. You can purchase one type of ticket for all types of public transport.

In the capital, the main bus stations are located near the Southern and Northern railway stations. Public transport starts running from 5.30 am to 00.30 am. On Fridays and Saturdays, night buses from city centers to surrounding areas run until 3 am.

You can also ride trolleybuses in many cities in Belgium. For example, there are 18 tram lines, the length of which is about 133.5 kilometers. On weekdays and on weekends, trolleybuses operate in the same way as buses. In rare cases, route schedules may change. The scheduled interval of trolleybuses reaches 10-20 minutes. In large cities, such as and, the metro network also operates from 5.30 am to 00.30 am. Underground trains run every 10 minutes, and every 5 minutes in the evenings and on weekends.

Car rental and taxi

In Belgium you can apply for it without any problems, given that fuel is many times cheaper than in other countries. To do this, you will need an international driver's license, passport and credit card. The cost of this service starts from 60 euros, depending on which rental company you contact. As for parking, it is better to leave cars in paid parking lots. If the car is parked on the sidewalk or side of the road, it is possible that a tow truck will pick it up. Parking is usually more expensive closer to city centers. A car can stay in red and green zones for no more than 2 hours, and in orange zones for no more than 4 hours. In large cities, underground parking is available. Bicycle rental is also very popular among tourists. You can rent a bicycle in any city.

Another type of accessible transport in Belgium is a taxi. About 800 companies operate in Brussels alone. The work of all private companies is monitored by the Ministry of Transport, which has established uniform prices for all services involved in transporting people. The minimum cost of the trip is 1.15 euros per 1 km. At night, the fare increases by 25%, and tips are usually included in the total amount. All cars are equipped with meters, taxi colors are white or black with a red sign on the roof.

Water transport

Belgium has an excellent water communication system. The country is famous for the largest port in the whole world - Antwerp, through which about 80% of the total cargo turnover of Belgium flows. The main seaports are also located in and. Tourists can also travel between cities by water. The Waterbus water bus has recently begun operating in Brussels, running twice a week (Tuesday, Thursday). This passenger boat can accommodate up to 90 people. This pleasure costs 2 euros. For a boat trip along rivers and canals, you can rent a boat for about 7 euros; a discount applies to students (4 euros).

In order to go to another country, it is better to book tickets in advance, it will be much cheaper. Thalys trains travel to neighboring countries. You can buy a promotional ticket on the company’s official website. To get to Paris you only need an hour and a half. Eurostar trains depart to Foggy Albion. To travel to the UK you must go through passport control upon landing.

All stations in the state are very clean and comfortable. The peculiarity of all Belgian train stations is the absence of large crowds of people. The reason is that the traffic is very intense - you don't have to wait long for your train.
Also, the friendliness of the controllers should be noted. They are polite and always have all the necessary information on railway traffic in the country.

Brussels is the country's main railway hub. There are three stations in the capital: North (Gare du Nord), Central (Gare du Centrale) and South (Gare du Midi).
The southern station is considered the main and largest station in the entire state. More than 1,000 trains pass through the station every day. Ticket offices are divided into two categories: for those who buy a ticket on the day of travel, and for those who book it in advance.
Here you can see not only passengers waiting for their transport. Many cafes, restaurants and shops attract different visitors here.

The station in the city of Namur is considered the second largest in passenger traffic in Belgium. It serves about 2,000 passengers every day. The 1883 building looks ancient only on the outside; inside, a grandiose transformation in high-tech style awaits you. Glass elevators and stairs, escalators seem to transport you into the future.
Another station that deserves attention is located in the city of Liège. Guillemins station was built quite recently, in 2009, but has already managed to become one of the main attractions of the city.

2. Buses

Buses form the basis of urban transport in Belgium. De Lijn and TEC are the main bus operators. Each city has its own tariffs. You can also purchase bus tickets, which are divided into single (1.4 EUR), day (3.8 EUR), night (3 EUR), three-day (9 EUR), five-day (12 EUR) and ten-day (15 EUR) ).

Cities such as Brussels and Antwerp have metro systems. You can use one type of ticket for all types of public transport. You can buy tickets on buses, at metro stations and at newsstands. You can also buy a BrusselsCard tourist pass. It is issued for three days, costs 30 EUR and includes not only unlimited travel on any public transport, but also free entry to some city attractions (museums, theaters, exhibitions).

The bus in Belgium is often used only for commuter travel. For longer distances, trains are chosen. Firstly, buses are not as accurate as trains and there are no refunds for delays, and secondly, this mode of transport is very slow for long journeys. For example, the road to Paris will take up to 4 hours.

In Brussels, the main bus stations are located near the North and South railway stations.
Buses start operating at 5.30 am and run until 11 pm; on Fridays and Saturdays there are night buses between the city center and the surrounding area until 2 am.

3. Taxi and car rental

Using taxi services in Belgium is not a problem. There are about 800 private companies operating in the capital alone. All companies are controlled by the Ministry of Transport. It sets uniform tariffs for all taxi services. The minimum fare is 1.15 EUR per 1 km. At night, the cost increases by 25%. Cars have meters. Tips are always included in the train fare.

Taxi ranks are located on main squares and city streets, near theaters and museums, some hotels and restaurants, and near train stations. You can also order a car by calling a taxi service. Taxis are painted white or black and have a red sign on the top of the car.

Belgium is an ideal country for traveling by car. Fuel is much cheaper than in other countries. The roads are free and considered among the best in Europe. In order to rent a car, you must have international and national rights. And also, a passport, paid insurance and a credit card. Car rental costs from 60 EUR. It is better to park your car in paid parking lots, since if you park it on the side of the road or sidewalk, there is a high probability that it will be picked up by a tow truck. The closer the distance to the city center, the more expensive parking will be. In red and green zones you can park a car for no longer than 2 hours, in orange zones - for 4. Payment is made at parking machines that issue coupons. Parking is free on weekends. In large cities there are also underground parking lots. Parking for the night costs on average 10-15 EUR. The most profitable parking in Brussels is located near the main train station, the cost is half a euro per hour.

There are very large fines for violating traffic rules, so it is better to drive carefully.
Also, in every city there is a bicycle rental, which is very popular among tourists. The cost of renting a bicycle for two hours is from 3 EUR.

4. Airports

The national airline of Belgium, Brussels Airlines, operates passenger flights to various cities in Europe, North America and even some countries in Africa.
Brussels International Airport is the main airport of the capital of Belgium. It is located just 10 minutes from the center of Brussels in Zaventem. The airport can be reached by bus, which runs every 15 minutes and costs 3 EUR. The city has another Charleroi airport (Charleroi Brussels-South), it is located in the northeast of the city.