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Belgium boasts a very dense traffic network, both in terms of public
transport (train, bus, tram, metro) and for private travel a dense network of
roads. There are no motorway tolls in Belgum yet, although the idea has been
mooted
Airports and air traffic
The following airports handle international traffic: the national airport of Brussels-Zaventem, Charleroi-Brussels-South, Liège, Ostend, Antwerp-Deurne. There is generally a mix of scheduled flights, charters and low-cost carriers.
There are also three seaports in Belgium: Antwerp, Ghent and Zeebrugge. The
Belgian seaports are enjoying a busy trade: during the first half of 2004, the
number of ships which entered our Belgian ports rose from 28 720 to 28 887
compared with the same period the previous year. At the same time, during the
same period, the total volume of goods handled rose by 3.5%.
The rail sector also has good high-speed (TGV) links. Paris-Charles de Gaulle
and Amsterdam-Schiphol airports are readily accessible (in about an hour and a
half from Brussels-Midi by through train). There are also links with Germany and
the United Kingdom (Eurostar).
Public transport has a well-developed infrastructure, with trains, buses,
trams and taxis, the regularity of travel times and the density of the network.
Almost all routes have at least an hourly service between 6 a.m. and midnight on
weekdays.
Commuter travel is often (mostly) paid for by the employer.
By train
These are still organised by Belgian National Railways (SNCB/NMBS). Only
goods transport has several operators. Single tickets are always sold for
passenger travel. If you buy a return ticket, you pay the price of two one-way
tickets. A host of concession fares are available for young people and senior
citizens, as well as favourably priced 10-journey tickets, weekend fares, etc.
There are first and second-class carriages. Stations also have automatic ticket
machines. In smaller unmanned stations you must obtain a ticket from the
conductor before travelling. Departure times are listed in chronological order
on the boards. There are special announcement boards for weekend trains, and the
larger stations have arrivals boards.
Several cities such as Antwerp, Brussels, Gent and Charleroi have trams. It
is cheaper to buy a carnet of tickets from, for example, newsagents. On trams
and buses you can also buy a one-way ticket from the driver.
Bus
Almost all routes are operated by De Lijn in Flanders, STIB/MIVB in Brussels
and the Tec in Wallonia. Tickets are purchased from the driver. However, it is
cheaper to buy tickets in advance at larger stations and, for example,
newsagents.
Taxi
You can discuss the approximate cost of a journey in advance, but the actual price is determined by the taximeter. You can phone for a taxi or take one at a taxi rank. It is not normal to flag down a taxi in the street.
Text last edited on: 05/2009
Source: European Union
© European Communities, 1995-2009
Reproduction is authorised.
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