Brussels, the Capital of Europe, is definitely the place to be. Conveniently located and interconnected with Europe’s most important metropoles, Brussels gathers a significant network of expertise and resources as Europe’s decision-making capital and is not the kind of place that you easily forget. The mixture of cultures, events, art and history are a few examples of what this city can really be proud of. Brussels has something for everyone, either you are the kind of person who wants to get lost in the slight streets of the busy historic center, doing your casual souvenir shopping or you just want to relax and enjoy a beer with friends at the Parc du Cinquantenaire.
Airports and arriving to Brussels
Brussels is connected to 2 international airports:
- Brussels Zaventem Airport (main airport)
- Brussels South Charleroi Airport.
Brussels Airport Zaventem
23 million passengers
✓ Direct flights from over 200 destinations
✓ 500 million European inhabitants to
reach us in less than 3 hours.
✓ 328 flights departing daily from
Brussels Airport
✓ 10 flights departing daily to Frankfurt, 9
to London and 12 to Madrid, the nearest big hubs.
Tel International: +32 2 753 77 53
Address:
Leopoldlaan
1930 Zaventem
Belgium
Connection with the city center by train, car, bus
Less than 15km from the city center (Grand Place), 20 minutes by taxi, 30 minutes by train
Brussels South Charleroi Airport
6 million passengers
✓ It welcomes low-cost companies and
proposes 100 destinations.
✓ Airport is located at 45 minutes from
Brussels city center.
✓ Shuttles every 30 minutes from/to
Brussels South Station.
Tel International: +32 (0)902 02 490 (1€/min)
Address:
Rue des Frères Wright 8
6041 Charleroi
Belgium
Connection with city center by: car, public transport (train and bus), shuttle bus, taxis and car rental
60km from city center (Grand Place), 50 minutes by taxi, 2 hours by train and bus, 45 minutes by shuttle bus to Brussels Midi Station.
main attractions
grand place
The Grand-Place is the central square of the City of Brussels. All over the world it is known for its decorative and aesthetic wealth. The Grand-Place is surrounded by the guild houses, the City Hall and the Maison du Roi.
Mont des Arts Gardens
Situated on the North-South axis that connects the lower, working-class part of the city with the upper, aristocratic part, the Mont des Arts has had quite an eventful history. The park created by Jules Vacherot at the request of Leopold II…
Manneken-Pis
This bronze statuette, created in the 17th century by J. Duquesnoy the elder, embodies the irreverent spirit of Brussels. Also known as “Little Julian”, due to confusion with another fountain, het Juliaensborreke, it was one of…
The Atomium
Renovated as a major national event between 2004 and 2006, the Atomium – which was not intended to survive Expo 58 for which it was the flagship construction – is today, with over 600,000 visitors per year…
Cinquantenaire Park
Royal Palace
Art & History Museum
Parlamentarium
Mini-Europe
Information about Transport in Brussels can also be found on the visit.brussels website.
Public Transport
The main public transport in Brussels is organized by STIB.
The network includes metro lines, which connect the eastern and western districts of the city. Pre-metro lines (trams in the tunnels) complete the metro service. Many metro lines also have above ground bus and tram connections.
You can buy your ticket in various metro stations, in the STIB information offices and also in many newsagents.
Timetable: 6 a.m. – midnight (consult the timetables shown at the stops).
- single ticket JUMP: 2,10€ (purchased outside vehicle) / 2,50 € (purchased inside vehicle)
- 1 ticket STIB/SNCB : 4,20€
- card for 5 journeys JUMP : 8,00€ (+ MOBIB basic = 5€)
- card for 10 journeys JUMP: 14,00 € (+ MOBIB basic = 5€)
- 1-day card JUMP : 7,50€
- airport line – bus 12/21 – one way ticket: 4,50 € (1 journey purchased outside vehicle) / 6,00 € (1 journey purchased inside vehicle)
- airport line – bus 12/21 – 10 days: 32,00€
- airport line – train : one way ticket 8,60€ – return ticket 17,20€
The “1-day card” may be used on STIB vehicles as much as you like and when you wish during the same day.
TEC and DE LIJN principally meet the requirements of commuters from the provinces coming into the city for work or shopping and returning home. Fares vary according to the length of the journey (the routes are divided into fare zones).
TEC: Tel 010 23 53 53
DE LIJN: info: Tel 070 220 200
During the weekend, nocturnal buses link the key part of the city until 3 a.m.
Taxis
Three elements make up the price of a taxi ride:
- the price per km (1,8 € or 2,70 € depending on whether the journey is inside or outside the 19 districts of Brussels)
- fixed charge: 2,40 € (4,40 € at night)
- the waiting time: 30,00 € per hour; certain companies charge reduced fares for journeys to the airport.
Tips and service are included in the price of the journey as shown on the meter, but a small extra tip is always well-received. For all complaints, first note the registration number of the taxi, its brand and colour.
Contact:
CCN – Service régional des Taxis et Limousines
Rue du Progrès 80 bte 1 • 1030 Brussels
T 0800/94 001
Bike renting
If you would like to explore Brussels and exercise at the same time, there are 3 different ways you can choose from:
Pro Velo
Tel: +32 (0)2 502 73 55
Villo
Rent a bike everywhere in the city! www.villo.be
Ride with Billy
Shared electric bikes you can pick up and drop off anywhere in Brussels. No docking stations. Your smartphone is the key. https://billy.bike
Waterbus
The Waterbus is a fun and alternative way to commute along Brussels. It’s a public transportation on the canal, which allows you to commute between Brussels, to Van Praet and Vilvoorde, an area experiencing a huge transformation. It navigates from May 1st till October 31. The Waterbus is an extension of the public transport, because there is a seamless connection between the canal shuttle stops and bus, tram and subway stop, which makes existing and new tourist attractions, shopping and residential zones, shopping malls and business centres. Your bikes will be also welcome on board.
www.waterbus.eu
TOURISM INFO DESK
For any kind of information regarding the city of Brussels, you can always contact the tourism info desk and convention bureau of Brussels, visit.brussels.
2-4 rue Royale – 1000 Brussels
+ 32 (0)2 513 89 40
tourist@visit.brussels