Trains: the backbone of Belgium
Belgium is small and dense, so the national railway SNCB/NMBS is usually the fastest way between cities. Brussels to Antwerp takes about 35-50 minutes, Brussels to Ghent around 30 minutes, and Brussels to Bruges roughly 1 hour. Trains run frequently from major hubs like Brussels-Midi/Zuid, Antwerpen-Centraal and Gent-Sint-Pieters.
- Buy tickets via the SNCB app, station machines, or counters
- A Standard Ticket is valid all day for that route on the day shown
- Under 26? Ask about the discounted Youth Ticket
- High-speed Thalys/Eurostar and ICE connect Brussels to Paris, Amsterdam and Cologne
City transport: metro, tram and bus
Each region has its own operator. In Brussels, STIB/MIVB runs the metro, trams and buses. In Flanders it is De Lijn (trams in Antwerp, the famous Kusttram coast line), and in Wallonia it is TEC.
- A single STIB journey is about 2.10 EUR; a day pass is around 7.50 EUR
- Tap a contactless card or buy a MOBIB card for repeat travel
- The Kusttram runs the entire 67 km coastline from De Panne to Knokke
Ride apps and taxis
Uber operates in Brussels and Antwerp, alongside Bolt and Heetch. Licensed taxis are reliable but pricier; book through apps like Taxi Verts in Brussels. Always confirm the meter is running.
Car rental and driving
You rarely need a car for cities, but it helps for the Ardennes or rural Flanders. Major firms (Hertz, Europcar, Sixt) operate at Brussels and Charleroi airports.
- Drive on the right; motorways are toll-free and well-lit
- City centers have Low Emission Zones (LEZ) in Brussels, Antwerp and Ghent - register your vehicle or risk fines
- Parking in centers is metered and expensive; use P+R lots on the edge
Cycling and intercity tips
Belgium is very bike-friendly; Villo! (Brussels) and Blue-bike (at stations) offer rentals. For intercity hops, Flixbus is a cheap coach alternative. Validate the exact day on rail tickets, and avoid Friday-evening peak crowds when possible.
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