Brussels City Guide - Getting Around

The integrated bus, overground and underground (prémétro) tram and métro network is operated by Société des Transports Intercommunaux Bruxellois, known as STIB (tel: 0900 10310; website: www.stib.irisnet.be). The system operates daily 0600-2400. Although efficient and extremely clean, the network is not without its problems - plans to replace the underground trams with an extended métro system have yet to materialise. However, recent improvements include the addition of lifts for disabled passengers at Maelbeek, De Brouckère and Gare-Centrale stations. STIB information points are located at Porte de Namur, Rogier and Midi métro stations, as well as at the Anspach Shopping Centre, Rue de l'Evêque.

Above ground, the métro is identified by a sign bearing a white ‘M' on a blue background. Many stations display the works of local artists and métro seats are soft and comfortable - the service is pleasant even during rush hour (0730-0930 and 1600-1830). Métro lines 1A and1B form a giant ‘H' shape. Métro line IA runs northwest to southeast, from Roi Baudouin to Herrmann-Debroux. Line 1B runs southwest to northeast, from Erasmus to Stockel. Lines 1A and 1B join in the middle, running along the same lines from Beekhant to Merode, to serve the central part of the city. The incomplete circle of line 2, from Simonis to Clemenceau, follows the inner ring road underground. New vehicles were introduced on some routes in 2007.

Tram and bus stops are indicated by red and white signs respectively. The route number and destination are displayed on the front of the vehicle and all stops are request stops. Brussels' bright yellow and blue trams serve the city centre and suburbs. The trams reach their highest speeds underground - the prémétro runs south, underneath the heart of the city from Gare du Nord, stopping at Place de Brouckère and Bourse, and Bruxelles-Midi (Eurostar terminal). Some services run on to St-Gilles and Albert.

You can buy transport tickets at métro stations and many newsagents. The tourist reception desk at Rue du Marché-aux-Herbes 63, and the tourist information office at the Town Hall in Grand-Place sell day transport tickets (see below) and give out free maps of the network - also available at most métro stations. Tickets must be stamped at the métro ticket barrier, either prior to or upon boarding the bus or tram. You can also buy bus and overground tram tickets prior to upon boarding the vehicle (exact change is required for the latter). Once purchased, the ticket is valid for any form of public transport, including changes.

It is cheaper to buy a one-hour ticket (la carte d'une voyage) in advance. Buying 10 (hour-long) journey tickets (la carte Jump de 10 voyages) is cheaper still. Alternatively you can buy a one-day pass (la carte Jump d'un jour) which is valid for two people at weekends and holidays. A one-day group card (maximum five persons) is valid at weekends, holidays and after 0900 on weekdays. The discounted cards are generally not valid on the airport or NATO routes.

In addition to the STIB network, Belgian National Railways (see Getting There By Rail) local trains depart from Bruxelles-Chapelle, Bruxelles-Quartier Léopold, Bruxelles-Schuman and Bruxelles-Congrès, linking the inner city to the suburbs.

Autolux (tel: (02) 512 3123; website: www.taxisautolux.be) is the official taxi service in Brussels. These cars are marked with a blue and yellow plaque and travel from Brussels Airport to the required destination in the city. In central Brussels, taxis are available at centrally located ranks at the major railway stations and at the Bourse, Place de Brouckère and Porte de Namur. Alternatively, you can hire taxis by telephone via radio taxi companies. These include Taxis Verts and Taxis Orange (tel: (02) 349 4949; website: www.taxisverts.be) and Taxis Bleus (tel: (02) 268 0000; website: www.taxisbleus.be). A €1 or €2 tip is acceptable.

Although commuter traffic is heavy on the outskirts of Brussels during rush hour (0730-0930 and 1600-1830), the centre is relatively easy to negotiate, once the one-way system has been mastered. There is considerable ongoing work to reduce city centre traffic levels, including extensive pedestrianisation and traffic management schemes.

In addition to car parks located in the city centre, there is pay-and-display parking (accepting €0.10, €0.20, €0.50, €1 and €2 coins) in certain streets. The rules for use vary according to the time of day. There is also a large public car park under the Novotel Hotel, Rue de la Montagne. Street parking rates vary, and apply Monday to Saturday 0900-1300 and 1430-1900, with free street parking available on Sunday and holidays.

Car hire is available to drivers aged 23 years and over, on presentation of a passport or identity card and valid national driving licence, held for at least one year. All the major providers are present at Brussels Airport. Other locations throughout the city include Avis, Gare du Midi (tel: (02) 527 1705; website: www.avis.be), Budget, at the Bristol Stephanie Hotel, Avenue Louise 91 (tel: (02) 646 5130; website: www.budget.com), Europcar, Eurostar/Thalys Arrival Hall, Brussels Midi station, Avenue Fonsy 46 (tel: (02) 522 9573; website: www.europcar.com), and Hertz, at Bruxelles-Midi station (tel: (02) 524 3100; website: www.hertz.be).

Third Party Liability insurance should be covered by the hire rates, but you should always check this.

Pro Vélo, Rue de Londres 15 (tel: (02) 502 7355; website: www.provelo.org), offers bicycles for hire as well as guided themed tours.