Main
Line Trains - There are three main train
stations, Gare Du Midi (South Station), Gare Du Central
(Central Station-a five minute walk from Grand’
Place), and Gare Du Noir (Central North) which are
quite a convenient way to get around Brussels. Gare
Du Midi is the main train station with international
connections: the Eurostar and Thalys fast trains stop
here. Some International trains stop at Gare Du Midi
and Gare Du Central as well. Brussels is also connected
to other cities within Belgium such as Antwerp, Bruges,
Ghent, Leuven, Mechelen, Ostend Ypres, and Zaventrum
Airport.
Brussels Metro
The Brussels Métro started
in 1969 and now has three main lines with some metro
stations and tunnels are also used by trams. All the
stations are one layer below the street and can be
easily reached. See map below. These trains are a
great way to get around within Brussels – there
are several convenient Metro stops and you’re
sure to find one nearby wherever you are. Make sure
to bring a metro map or you can pick one up at any
of the Metro on main train stations. Tickets are inexpensive
and can be purchased at metro stations from a ticket
seller or ticket machines at metro stations. The cost
of a single ride is about €1.50, a ten ride ticket
is about €10 while a full day ticket is €3.80
(very useful for sightseers. At weekends slightly
different arrangements work for the one day ticket
so ask at your hotel or at the tourist office. You
will recognise the Metro stations by a big blue M
outside.
You can also use a Brussels Card
- you get free public transport and you can get into
to most museums for free. It's a three day card and
you get a a guide with it. This card also gets you
a 25% reduction for a mussels restaurant and on the
blue double decker buses. You can buy the Brussels
Card at tourist info offices, most hotels and also
at some museums. It costs about €30 - €35
for the three days and is well worth it if you are
going to several museums.
Buses and Trams
The trams of Brussels used to trundle along majestically
around the city but now have been replaced by sleek
new trams. There are 16 routes. There
are over 40 local bus routes so getting around Brussels
is never a problem.
Car
If you decide to drive, be aware that the drivers
in Brussels are speedsters and rarely
stop for pedestrians crossing streets. So if you are
footing it (which you will be once you get off the
metro) be careful and don’t expect traffic to
be hospitable to you. On the other hand, if you drive
– you can explore outer areas of Brussels and
the countryside of Brussels and other spots more freely
(though the train does take you to major Belgium cities
and some smaller ones). You must have your passport,
driving license, and vehicle registration documents.
In Brussels the ‘Right of Way” rule is
different and it’s important that you remember
this in order to avoid an accident. Cars coming out
of side roads sometimes have the right away –
not the main road. And then other times the main road
has the right away - just take care!
