Capital of Belgium

Like any European country, Belgium is famous for its unusual and sometimes strange rules, which for tourists can become a real obstacle to a normal vacation. The cultural differences between the Belgians and other European residents are quite noticeable, so it is better to discuss in advance those things that are unacceptable in Belgian society. General rules There are not so many that restrict the behavior of a guest in Belgium.

Confuse languages

The language issue in Belgium is a sore subject for a number of regions. The state, formed as a disputed colony of France and Holland, has a very scattered map of languages ​​for each land. For example, in Flanders worth contacting people only in Dutch, or, as a last resort - to German. IN Wallonia on the contrary, you should communicate with people only in French. There are frequent cases when even waiters in restaurants in Flanders refuse to serve customers who speak French; here this is considered an everyday occurrence.

Rent a car

The narrow streets of Belgium's ancient cities are absolutely not designed to withstand heavy traffic. Traffic jams are common here, so rent a car strongly not recommended. The country has a developed network of electric trains for traveling between cities, and within the city it is best to travel by bicycle or by metro, if we are talking about a large city. In addition, in Belgium they regularly raise fines for illegal parking, which will be another argument against motor transport.

Forgetting documents when leaving the hotel

There is an unspoken rule among Belgian police officers to check everyone foreign tourist in the city. This verification consists of simply presenting a passport to identify the person. A tourist or tourist group can be approached at any time of the day or evening, there is no need to be afraid, the procedure takes no more than a couple of minutes. In order not to have to spend time in the police station, it is better always have with you passport or driver's license. Color copies of documents in Belgium are treated with caution.

Belgian Police

Take off shoes indoors

The tradition of Belgian etiquette is strange for our tourists - even in your own home, never don't take off your shoes. For those who stay indoors for a long time, there may be special lightweight shoes or an analogue of indoor slippers, but walking barefoot around the apartment, especially when visiting, is considered the height of indecency. Guests of Belgian hotels should also know this - the idea of ​​heating in guest houses in winter is very relative; out of habit, some tourists freeze and start unjustified scandals with the management.

Litter

If in Germany fines for even the most insignificant offenses seem Russian tourists huge, then even more unpleasant experiences await them in Belgium. There is a differentiated system of fines for street pollution. So, for throwing away a cigarette butt or chewing gum, you will have to pay 60 euros. The fine for throwing a plastic bottle or any other non-degradable waste can reach 150 euros. But, even despite such penalties, some Belgian cities are not particularly clean streets.

Garbage bins in Belgium

Drink Belgian beer

It may sound strange, but famous Belgian beers pay for themselves only through export sales. The Belgians themselves are ambivalent about the foamy drink. On the one hand, in every city in Belgium you can see famous beer vans- a kind of small bars on wheels. On the other hand, among local population The main consumers of beer and visitors to such establishments are people far from the intelligentsia, therefore respectable Belgians prefer to drink wine in cafes and small cozy restaurants, but not beer.

Belgian beer

Carry a weapon

Relatively recently in Belgium forbidden wearing any type of firearm. This was connected with a number of incidents where innocent people suffered. Belgian law includes any means of self-defense as firearms, including pneumatic ones, as well as antique and collectible pistols, shotguns, rifles and muskets. Even to take a purchased gift gun out of the store, you will have to have a certificate certified at the police station.

Smoking in restaurants

Another recent ban in Belgium was smoking in in public places , in particular - in cafes and restaurants. The fine for this is still fixed - 150 euros, but there are often cases when the management of the establishment forces the violator to pay a more impressive amount. This is due to the fact that if, due to an oversight by the staff in a cafe or restaurant, someone lights a cigarette, then the owner of the establishment will have to pay to the treasury 1,500 euros. A cigarette butt thrown from the window of any house is assessed local authorities V 675 euros.

Come visit without warning

The Belgians cannot be called hospitable people, if only because, according to local customs, the guest must warn about his arrival For two weeks. Of course. Few people follow this rule in modern society, but an unexpected guest can easily remain on the street, even with the best intentions.

Talk about politics

The topic of politics in the capital of the European Union, Brussels, is a taboo subject for most people, since every day they receive a huge amount of information on this topic from a variety of sources. Another topic that no need to raise, is the royal family of Belgium.

Pay in cash everywhere

Throughout Belgium there are restrictions on one-time cash payments means. This is done to control the income of the population, but the rule also applies to tourists. It's best to pay bank cards so as not to attract the attention of pickpockets.

Look critically at passers-by

More advice than a strict rule. The Belgians have a very specific sense of style; the everyday clothes of even respectable people can be wrinkled or too bright. It is best to turn a blind eye to this, so that the local public does not upset a pleasant vacation with unpredictable scandals.

The main attractions of Belgium can be seen in a couple of days. High-speed trains reach Brussels from Paris, London or Amsterdam in less than a couple of hours. A day is enough to explore Brussels. It will take another couple of days to explore Bruges, Ostend, Antwerp and Ghent.

Express trains depart every hour; you can visit three countries in one day. Leave Amsterdam in the morning, spend the day in Brussels, and go to Paris for the night.

Be Belgian

  • The weather in Belgium is changeable. We recommend taking warm clothes and an umbrella with you. You can also check the weather via webcams.
  • To feel like a Belgian villager, we recommend renting a house in the middle of nowhere. The house will have all the amenities, and in the fresh air you can ride a bike, ride a horse, or walk.
  • Sunday is a day off in Belgium. Only grocery stores and large shopping centers are open.

Transport

Communication

  • Do not comment on the actions of the royal family and public policy Belgium.
  • Belgians do not take off their shoes indoors.
  • It is customary to shake hands with girls just like men. It is not customary to take heavy bags from a woman. A group of guys and girls, where the last ones carry a case of beer - this is normal.

Food


Smoking

  • Smoking is prohibited in public places, except for restaurants with outdoor terraces. If there is an ashtray on the table, smoking is allowed.
  • The fine for throwing a cigarette butt past the ballot box is 50 €. Beer can or bottle - 150 €.

Electricity

Mains voltage in Belgium (230 V)

Reviews

To Antwerp for a diamond I decided to go to Belgium to buy a 1-carat diamond. Who bought it? What I have found out so far: 1. Do not buy in stores near the station 2. Find a dealer with a good reputation in advance, arrange for the required stone and an appointment. Usually in Antwerp Diamond club 3. That the certificate must be GIA. Others may differ for the worse. I figured out how to look online and how to read this certificate 4. That almost no one works on Saturday and in August (and I go in August) 5. I figured out the characteristics (carat, cut, clarity, color) and that excellent cut is extremely important. What I haven’t found out yet: 1. Dealers generally quote the price according to Rappaport’s guide. But how to bargain? In the same rappaport there is RapNet Prices, which shows discounts on real purchases from the price in the guide. from 27% to 40% for the stone I need. And on American sites the prices are significantly lower. 2. What should you look for and how to check a diamond? Idealoscope? 3. How do you know that the diamond for which the GIA certificate is presented is the one indicated in the certificate? How to determine the authenticity of a certificate. 4. How to check the reputation of a dealer.

Belgian Railways

Belgium can be called the transport hub of Europe. Rail transport is the most convenient way to travel not only in Belgium, but also in neighboring countries: from Brussels you can travel to France, the Netherlands, Germany and even the UK (via the Channel Tunnel).

There are three train stations in Brussels:
1. Nord (North) is located in modern area 10-12 minutes walk from the Old Town.
2. Centraal (Center) 5 minutes from Grand Place.
3. Zuid (South) aka Midi (Midi) 12 minutes from the center.
Trains pass through all three stations, so you can take the train wherever is most convenient for you.

Train timetables hang at train stations on large sheets of paper, white and yellow color, where the type of train, departure time, all stops indicating the time of departure from them and the platform number (last column) are indicated. There are also icons indicating whether the train has a buffet, whether bicycles can be carried on the train, etc. The decoding of the symbols is at the bottom of the schedule, there are also weekends on which trains do not operate (usually the Christmas holidays). Attention: the schedule is different on weekdays and weekends.

Trains in Belgium are divided into several types:
. intercity IR (InterRegional), stopping only in large and medium-sized cities,
. interregional IC (InterСity) are high-quality high speed trains,
. regional - R, which make many stops and take longer, but are cheaper.
High-speed trains run quite frequently (at least one train per hour). There are no overnight domestic trains in Belgium.

Trips to neighboring countries high-speed trains operate:
. Thalys, bound for France, the Netherlands and Germany. At the same time, it is better to purchase tickets for them in advance on the Internet: it’s cheaper. In addition, if you subscribe to the newsletter on the official website, you can successfully buy a ticket for the promotion.
. Eurostar which goes to the UK. However, do not forget that in case of such a trip you will also need a British visa, and when boarding the train you will have to wait at passport control.

Electric train doors open(both outside and inside) by pressing a button, or by pulling the handle towards you.

In train carriages there are luggage racks above the seats and special hooks for outerwear. Each chair has a waste bin. Often the carriages have a display with a running line, which shows the name of the next station and the final one. There is a toilet in each carriage (the light board shows whether it is occupied or not). Usually fast trains have a dining car or a buffet. Smoking is prohibited in the carriages.

Buy train tickets possible for any railway station(indicated by the letter “B” in a circle) at the ticket office, in vending machines or on the train from the cashier (this is more expensive).

The ticket is not tied to a specific train, place and time of departure, it shows only the date and destination, so the trip can be made at any time during the day. Tickets are punched on the platform or on the train after boarding.

Ticket prices depend depending on the distance, with a flexible system of discounts : depending on the number of trips, the number of passengers and their age ( cheaper tickets for young people under 26 years old and for pensioners over 65 years old).
A return ticket is cheaper than two one-way tickets.
Tickets on the weekend (Weekend Ticket) are 50% cheaper than on weekdays.
By default, the cashier will sell you a ticket for a second-class carriage, since the majority of people travel in second class, so if you want to travel in first, let us know.

Familiarization with train schedules and fares, as well as purchasing tickets possibly on the Belgian Railways website.

Train tickets for the convenience and economy of travel for tourists traveling around Belgium:
. Rail Pass - 10 trips for 76 euros in second class and 117 euros in first class;
. Go Pass 10 is 10 trips for young people under 26 years old for 51 euros.
They can be purchased both at ticket offices and from vending machines.

Luggage storage facilities at Belgian train stations one of the most convenient: by paying 4 euros, you get a ticket with a barcode, and no luggage weighing.

Buses in Belgium

In Belgium, buses are most often used only within the suburbs. For trips to big cities It is much faster and more convenient to use rail transport.

Getting around in the suburbs and surrounding region carried out by the following bus carriers: De Lijn and TEC.

ANDfrom Brussels to Amsterdam, Berlin, Frankfurt, Paris and London Buses run by the international carrier Eurolines. You can catch these buses at Brussels North Station (Nord), which is located in a modern area a 10-12 minute walk to the Old Town.

Traveling by bus takes longer than by train, but is cheaper :
. from Brussels to Paris the bus is coming from 3 hours 45 minutes to 4 hours 50 minutes, cost 21 euros;
. from Brussels to London 6 hours, cost 40 euros;
. from Brussels to Berlin 10 hours, cost 60 euros;
. from Brussels to Amsterdam 4 hours, cost 25 euros.


Car rental in Belgium

In Belgium it is comfortable to travel by car or rent a car. To travel short distances, especially within the city, it is convenient to rent a bicycle.

Information about automobiles can be found at the link.

Right-hand drive (steering wheel on the left).

The country has a modern and well-developed transport network. Net highways length: 152,256 km, highways: 1,763 km.

The country's road network is in excellent condition. The roads are free and well lit at night. A national driver's license is considered valid when driving your own car, and the national license plate must be displayed on the rear bumper.

The maximum permitted speed on the highway is 120 km/h, on national roads - 90 km/h, in populated areas- 50 km/h.

Last changes: 26.01.2013

Public transport

Urban transport in most Belgian cities consists of buses and trams. Brussels, in addition to them, has three more metro lines.

Last changes: 04.06.2010

Taxi

Taxis can be found everywhere.

Parking lots are located in front of train stations, on main squares, near theater exits, concert halls, in front of the main hotels, etc.

You can call a car by phone or catch it on the street.

Tips are included in the fare.

Last changes: 04.06.2010

Aviation transport

There are no domestic airlines in Belgium, only private planes and helicopters fly.

Last changes: 04.06.2010

Railway transport

Belgium has a fairly extensive railway network. Total length railways- 3,233 km. Brussels is the country's main railway hub.

Trains are the most convenient way to travel around the country: you can get from Antwerp to Brussels in 40 minutes, to Ghent in half an hour, and to Bruges in 55 minutes.

The trains run exactly on schedule, are very comfortable and almost silent.

Last changes: 04.06.2010

Water transport

Water transport in Belgium it is very well developed, the rivers Rupel, Meuse and Scheldt are navigable due to their calm flow and high water. Ocean-going ships can even enter the deepened channel of the Rüpel. Pleasure boats and boats are available for tourists.

Last changes: 04.06.2010

Car rental

To rent you will need an international driver's license and a valid plastic card. The driver must be at least 21 years old.

You can also rent a bicycle - an ideal means of transportation around the city for medium and short distances.

Last changes: 04.06.2010

Useful

In cities, especially in their historical parts, the car should be parked only in paid parking lots, which are often relatively free. Parking on the side of the road or sidewalk, although found on every corner, is not recommended, since for a foreigner receiving a towed car in this case involves many bureaucratic formalities.

In total, the Belgian police distinguishes four categories of traffic violations. The most insignificant are parking in the wrong place, an unlocked car or a slightly open window (it is assumed that for your negligence the police will have to bear the costs of finding the thief or thief) - for this you will have to pay 50 euros. Running a yellow light, talking on a cell phone while driving, or failure to comply with priority rules at an intersection will cost you 100 euros. The driver will be charged 150 euros for running a red light, disobeying the police once, or driving in the dark with the headlights or side lights off. The broadest category of fines is the fourth. Here the size varies from 200 to 2750 euros. These fines can be incurred by turning around across the dividing line on a highway, for driving in the oncoming lane, or for overtaking on a turn. mountain road. Depending on the conditions in which a category 4 violation was committed, the police will set the amount of the fine, and in especially severe cases, take away the license.

Speed ​​violations stand out separately. For exceeding the speed limit by 10 kilometers per hour, you will have to pay 50 euros, and then for each kilometer per hour an additional 5-10 euros, depending on the type of road. If you drive on a motorway at a speed of more than 200 kilometers per hour in Belgium, you can lose your license.

Violations related to alcohol or drug intoxication also stand separately. There are practically no fines for drunk driving here, since there are no raids on the roads with sobriety tests. Meanwhile, in the event of any other violation or accident, the driver who drank more than the norm (the norm here is a bottle of beer or 150 grams of red wine) automatically becomes guilty of the incident, which is usually associated with very sensitive financial payments. Attempts to “negotiate” with a police officer will only aggravate the guilt - they are interpreted as a bribe, and they may well be followed by a prison sentence.

Transport in Belgium- the main topic of this article. What the country's transport system looks like and what nuances should be taken into account when planning a trip to Belgium. What traffic rules should a tourist motorist follow, features of public transport in Belgium, ticket prices and discounts. And also comparatively brief information about the country's main airports and features railway transport! For ease of orientation in the Belgian space, we also present detailed map highways of Belgium, indicating all more or less large cities.

Cars and highways in Belgium

Traveling around Belgium by car is the best way to see in detail the main attractions of this country. Moreover, you will only have to pay for rent and gasoline, and paid parking - roads in Belgium are still free. Unlike, say, the roads of Austria, where it is necessary even for a short transit through the territory of the country or the Czech Republic. Why, even in Germany they will soon introduce a tax for drivers for using the roads!

  • A national driving license when entering Belgium with your own car is valid, and the nationality of the car must also be indicated. It is not always possible to rent a car with such a license, so in this case it makes sense to also stock up on international licenses.

To rent a car you also need to have a passport, credit card(no cache - landlords always block a certain amount in the account in case of unforeseen complications). The maximum permitted speed in Belgium in populated areas is 50 km/h (in some - up to 30, with a sign), on national roads - 90 km/h, on highways - 120 km/h.

The fine is 10 euros even for exceeding 1 km/h, and another 10 euros for each subsequent km over the limit in the zone limited to 30 km/h (5 euros per 1 km in the rest). It’s cheaper to pay without discussing legality; if you choose a court and it admits you’re wrong, it’s more expensive. Exceeding 20 km/h will cost 150 euros, plus you can lose your license. Less than this figure will only result in a fine.

  • A seat belt is required; children under 12 years of age are prohibited from traveling in the front passenger seat. Children under 135 cm tall must be transported in a special seat. In poor visibility conditions, the rear fog lights must be turned on

According to Belgian traffic rules, the car must have a triangular warning sign (emergency) in case of breakdown, a fire extinguisher and a first aid kit, as well as a reflective vest for those who will be running around the car (in the dark).

  • At intersections you should always check for cars on the right, as Belgian (as well as Russian) rules give preference to those on the right. The permissible blood alcohol limit is 0.5 ppm. This is approximately a glass of wine or 0.33-0.5 liters of beer

In cities, it is best to park your car only in paid parking lots. This should not be done on the side of the road or sidewalk, as well as near public transport stops, because there is a very high risk that it will be taken to a parking lot for violators, and for a foreigner, receiving a towed car involves a lot of (unpleasant) bureaucratic formalities.

Airports in Belgium

Brussels International Airport International Airport) - located 15-20 minutes drive from the capital of the country, Brussels, in Zaventem. You can get from the airport to the city by bus, train ( Airport Express, runs 4 times per hour from 5.24 to 23.46) or taxi.

Daily passenger flights to various cities mainly in Europe, North America and even some (the Democratic Republic of the Congo, formerly known as Zaire, was a long-time Belgian colony) are operated by Belgium's national airline, Brussels Airlines.

  • There are four other regional airports in Belgium that are used by so-called low-cost carriers, charters and cargo flights. These are: Charleroi Brussels-South Airport, located approximately an hour's drive (by train) from Brussels, Antwerp international Airport(Antwerpen International Airport), just 2 kilometers from Antwerp, Ostende Airport or Ostend-Bruges International Airport, and Liege International Airport

Railways in Belgium

The railway network is quite extensive, its structure is very well thought out and efficient. Belgian trains are among the fastest in Europe. High speed trains TGVs are used for international passenger flights and also connect major cities in the country. Most intercity transport is carried out by trains labeled IC (intercity trains) and IR (high-speed trains).

  • In Belgium itself, for obvious reasons, there are no night and sleeper trains (even in Germany today they are trying to reduce them). The main railway hub of the country is the capital, Brussels. The city's main station is Brussel Midi.

Ticket prices are relatively high, but you can get some discounts (their size depends on the number of trips, the number of passengers and their age). If you plan to travel around Belgium a lot, you can purchase a EuroDomino Belgium travel pass, which costs €46 for three days of unlimited travel within a month. For each additional day – another 8 euros (there can only be 5 additional days in total).

  • For young people under the age of 26, the ticket price is 34 Euros for three days, for each additional day you need to pay an additional 5 Euros. There are also discounts for pensioners (65 years and older) - for them, any return ticket (within Belgium) will cost only 3 euros (information may be out of date - check)

Public transport

Public transport in Belgium consists mainly of buses and trams. IN big cities, such as Brussels and Antwerp, there is also a subway. In Brussels, these three modes of transport form a single system, efficient and reliable.

On all types passenger transport One type of ticket is used; you can purchase them on buses, newsstands, and at metro stations. There are several types of travel tickets.

A one-time ticket costs 1.4 euros (allows transfers along the way). There are tickets for 5 and 10 single trips. They will cost 6.5 euros and 9.8 euros respectively. Day ticket - will cost 3.8 euros (the ticket must be validated each time you enter the transport, even during transfers, which, however, is not considered a new trip). Tickets to night bus and for a bus to the airport - 3 euros.

  • They also sell tickets for 3 days, which must be used in a five-day period for 9 euros and for 5 days for a ten-day period for 12 euros (a “day” is taken to be 24 hours from the moment of composting). Another option is the three-day Brussels Card tourist pass. It costs 30 euros and includes unlimited travel on any type of transport and either free or discounted admission to museums and various city attractions.