Belgium Travel Guide

Full Name

Kingdom of Belgium

Former Name

Capital City

Brussels

Government Type

Federal parliamentary democracy under a constitutional monarch.

Area Size

30,510 sq km 11,780 sq miles

Time Zone

UTC/GMT +1 hour

Climate

Belgium has temperate weather, warm in summer (May to September) and cool to cold in winter, with snow very likely.

Geography

Crossroads of Western Europe; majority of West European capitals within 1,000 km of Brussels, the seat of both the European Union and NATO.

Languages

Dutch (official) 60%, French (official) 40%, German (official) less than 1%, legally bilingual (Dutch and French)

Culture

Belgian cultural life has become concentrated within each cultural community, and a variety of barriers have made a shared cultural sphere less pronounced. There are no bilingual universities except the Royal Military Academy, no common media, and no single large cultural or scientific organisation in which both main communities are represented. Despite its divisions the region corresponding to today's Belgium has seen the flourishing of major artistic movements that have had tremendous influence on European art and culture.

History

Belgium became independent from the Netherlands in 1830 and was occupied by Germany during World Wars I and II. It has prospered in the past half century as a modern, technologically advanced European state and member of NATO and the EU. Tensions between the Dutch-speaking Flemings of the north and the French-speaking Walloons of the south have led in recent years to constitutional amendments granting these regions formal recognition and autonomy.

Travel Information

The main airline is Brussels Airlines. Brussels Zaventem (BRU) is 12km northeast of the city. The Airport City Express train connects all three main railway stations (Brussels North, Central and South) with the airport. The airport station is located on level one below the terminal. Other trains also depart frequently for the city and for destinations all over Belgium. Coaches depart from the airport bus station on ground level for major cities in Belgium, France and The Netherlands. Buses run regularly to and from the city and the bus station is located below the arrivals hall. Taxis are only available from outside the arrivals hall; all licensed taxis are recognisable by their yellow and blue licence emblems. A tip is generally included in taxi fares. Some hotels offer courtesy coaches.Facilities: Car parking, car hire, post office, banks, bureaux de change, bars, restaurants, duty-free shops, medical facilities, and conference and business facilities. Brussels South Charleroi (CRL) is 5km from Charleroi and 46km from Brussels. Airlines serving the airports include Ryanair. Buses depart every 30 minutes to Charleroi (journey time - 10 minutes). There are regular coaches and trains to Brussels. Facilities: Automatic money changer, car hire, cafe, business lounge and duty-free shop. P&O Ferries serves Zeebrugge from Hull with overnight sailings and Superfast Ferriesnly connects the same port with Rosyth, near Edinburgh. Transeuropa Ferries links Ramsgate with Ostend for passengers travelling with cars. Société Nationale des Chemins de Fer Belges (SNCB) , operates frequent day and night trains to destinations all over Europe. Trains à Grande Vitesse (TGV) operates between Belgium and France, departing from Brussels Midi station. Further high-speed trains are operated by Thalys, linking Brussels with Paris, Amsterdam and Cologne. Eurostar connects Brussels with Lille and London via the Channel Tunnel. Although frontier formalities between Belgium, France, Germany, Luxembourg and The Netherlands have now all but vanished, motorists should be prepared to stop when asked to do so by a customs official. Eurotunnel runs shuttle trains for vehicles between Folkestone in Kent, with direct road access from the M20, and Calais, with links to the A16/A26 motorway (Exit 13). All road vehicles are carried through the tunnel in shuttle trains running between the two terminals. Eurolines runs regular coach services from the UK to Belgium. Travellers can book a 15- or 30-day pass.

Accommodation

Belgium has a wide range of hotels from 5-star luxury to small family pensions and inns. The best international-class hotels are found in the cities.

Visa Requirements

Visas are not required by all nationals of the EU, Australia, Canada and USA for the following durations: nationals of EU countries who may stay for an unlimited period; Nationals of Australia, Canada and the USA for stays of no more than three months within a six-month period. Nationals not referred to above are advised to contact the embassy to check visa requirements. Passport valid for at least three months beyond length of stay required by all nationals of countries referred to above except: EU nationals holding a valid national ID card. EU nationals are only required to produce evidence of their EU nationality and identity in order to be admitted to any EU Member State. This evidence can take the form of a valid national passport or national identity card. Either is acceptable. Possession of a return ticket, any length of validity on their document, sufficient funds for the length of their proposed visit should not be imposed. Belgium is a signatory to the 1995 Schengen Agreement.

Getting Around

Société Nationale des Chemins de Fer Belges (SNCB) operates a comprehensive railway network with regular trains on most lines. Traffic drives on the right. Main towns are connected by toll-free motorways. Motorways are designated by a white ‘E' on green signs, other trunk roads by the prefix ‘N', and minor roads by a ‘P'. Extensive regional bus services are operated by the bus companies which publish regional timetables. The main operators are De Lijn in Flanders, and TEC in French-speaking Wallonia. There are long-distance stopping services between towns. Taxis are plentiful in all towns. The tip is included in the final meter price. If there are no taxi stands, taxi companies may be telephoned for an small extra charge. Both self-drive and chauffeur-driven cars are available. All the major car hire companies are present in Belgium. There is a good public transport system in all the major towns and cities, with underground, tram and bus services in Antwerp and Brussels, bus and tramways in Charleroi, Ghent and Ostend and bus systems elsewhere. There is a standard flat-fare system, with discounts for five- and 10-journey multi-ride tickets. One-day tickets and multi-mode tourist travelcards are also available.

Health & Safety

No vaccinations are required, besides an influenza vaccination if travelling from November though April. Medical facilities and care in Belgium are excellent but expensive so travellers are advised to take out medical insurance. UK citizens receive emergency medical care for a reduced cost, but should have a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), to qualify. Most visits to Belgium are trouble-free, but travellers should be wary of street crime in the cities, such as mugging and pickpocketing, particularly in Brussels at major railway stations and on public transport. Brussels is home to a number of international organisations, including EU and NATO, which could become the target of indiscriminate terrorist attacks.

National Holidays

1 Jan - New Year’s Day. 8 Apr - Easter. 9 Apr - Easter Monday. 1 May - Labour Day. 17 May - Ascension Day. 27 May - Pentecost. 28 May - Pentecost Monday. 21 Jul - Independence Day. 15 Aug - Assumption. 1 Nov - All Saints' Day. 11 Nov - Armistice Day. 25 Dec - Christmas Day.

Currency

Euro (EUR)

Electricity

230V 50Hz

Working Hours

Office hours: Mon-Fri 8.30am - 5.30pm.

Emergency Numbers

Ambulance: 100, Fire: 100, Police: 101