Belgium's location at the centre of Western Europe means transport links are generally good. Here is our guide to the main domestic and international services.

Belgium generally has good transport links

CITY TRANSPORT

Belgium has an excellent public transport network which is cheap and efficient. One if its strengths is its integrated train, tram, metro and bus system which makes it easy to make connections.

Antwerp

The public transport system in Antwerp is run by De Lijn and is based on trams and buses, with an underground tramline running through the city and under the Schelde River.

Multiple-ride or season tickets can be bought at De Lijn booths, in some newsagents, banks and at railway stations.

Single tickets can be bought from the driver, though this is the most expensive way of travelling.

De Lijn Antwerpen 
070 220 200 
www.delijn.be

Brussels

The Brussels city public transport is run by MIVB-STIB, while bus transport outside the centre is run by De Lijn in Flanders and TEC in Wallonia. Tickets are not interchangeable between the companies.

In Brussels centre, you can buy multiple ride or season tickets from MIVB-STIB ticket offices at the metro station or from special booths around the city.

Single tickets only can be bought from bus or tram drivers. Multiple-ride tickets can be bought for five or 10 journeys — and like single-journey tickets — must be time stamped in the orange boxes.

Once stamped, you can travel anywhere within an hour, on bus, tram or metro, but remember to stamp your ticket at each change.

MIVB-STIB 
02 515 2000
www.stib.irisnet.be

De Lijn
070 220 200
www.delijn.be

TEC
04 361 9444
www.infotec.be

Ghent
  
De Lijn (Oost-Vlaanderen) 
070 220 200
www.delijn.be
 
Liège

TEC Liège  
04 361 94 44  
www.tec-liege-verviers.be

TRAINS

Domestic Trains

The dense train network in Belgium is state-owned and operated by SNCB/NMBS. 
For the most part it is efficient and inexpensive. Booking is best done before boarding; it is possible to buy a ticket from the guard but they are at full-price.  Be aware that ticket offices are often busy so give yourself plenty of time.  Alternatively, you can now print your own ticket from the web site.  Make sure you get all the details correct as they are not transferable and must be supported by showing ID to the guard.  There are various ways of reducing costs such as a B-rail pass, and return travel at the weekend is much cheaper.

SNCB/NMBS Domestic
02 555 25 55

www.b-rail.be

International Trains

Belgium is truly the railway crossroads of Europe, with trains coming into Brussels from all over Europe.  

International Trains

Thalys links Belgium with France, Germany and the Netherlands

Brussels Gare du Midi is the terminus for the Eurostar coming from London and Lille, French TGV trains and the joint Belgian-Dutch-owned Thalys, which between them connect France, Holland and Germany.  Alternatively, you can take conventional EuroCity trains to most European cities.  Bookings for the high-speed train services can be made online at the Belgian railway web site.

If you want to drive to England, it's just a short journey to Calais for the Eurostar shuttle service. 

Alternatively, you can take conventional EuroCity trains to most European cities. Bookings for the high-speed train services can be made online at the Belgian railway website.

If you want to drive to England, it's just a short journey to Calais for the Eurostar shuttle service. 

NMBS-SNCB International 
02 528 2828
www.b-rail.be

Eurostar 
02 528 2828 
www.eurostar.com

TGV
02 528 2828
www.tgv.com

Thalys
02 528 2828
www.thalys.com

AIRPORTS

The country's main international airport is Brussels Airport, Zaventum.  Charleroi, also know as Brussels South, is used mainly by Ryanair. There are small provincial airports in Antwerp and Liège used mostly by city-hopper planes.

Antwerp

Antwerp airport is just 2 km from the city centre and is close to Antwerp Berchem rail station.  There are daily flights to London, Manchester, Rotterdam, Jersey and Milan.

Antwerp International Airport
03 285 6500
www.antwerpairport.be

Brussels

Public transport from Brussels Airport is either by train or bus.  The Airport Express runs four times an hour at peak times, dropping to twice-hourly on Sundays and bank holidays. 

Ryanair uses Charleroi

A taxi ride in to town is reasonably quick, but expensive at around EUR 40.   A number 12 express bus runs every 30 minutes between the airport and Rond Point Schuman.

From Brussels South Charleroi, Ryanair has a bus for each flight which takes around an hour to get to Brussels.  Drop-off point is Gare du Midi. Alternatively you can travel to Charleroi by train and use the shuttle bus service to the airport.  Taxis are an expensive option, costing around EUR80.

Brussels Airport, Zaventem 
02 753 3913
Flight information 0900 70000
www.brusselsairport.be

Brussels South Charleroi Airport 
071 25 1211
www.charleroi-airport.com

Liège

Liège Airport mainly offers holiday destination flights.  By public transport you can reach the airport by train (Liège Guillemins) and then taxi, or by TEC bus 53 or 85

Liège Airport
04 234 8411
www.liegeairport.com

TAXIS

In general, you cannot hail a taxi on the street. They wait at special ranks or can be called by phone to come and get you.

All taxis are metered and have different tariffs according to whether you are in the city centre or the outskirts.

All information, including the driver number, should be clearly displayed inside the taxi and often hangs at the back of the front passenger seat. Tips are included in the meter price.

Antwerp

Antwerp Taxi 
03 238 3838

Brussels

Brussels Region Taxi Information
02 204 1404

Taxi Verts and Taxi Orange
02 349 4949 
www.taxisverts.be

Taxis Bleus 
02 268 0000 
www.taxisbleus.be

Ghent

V-Tax N.V. 
09 225 2525
09 222 22 22

Liège

Noveltax 
04 252 5252

Updated September 2007

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Subject: Belgian transport system