Before You Go...
 

Important security information for US passengers.

 

 

Airport and Transfers Information

Brussels International Airport

Located 8 miles (13 Km) northeast of the city center. IATA and ACI (Airport Councils International) voted Brussels Airport as Best European Airport 2005 in March of 2006.

Airport Train

The train station is located on the lower level of Brussels International Airport (-1 level). There is a train shuttle service from the airport to the North, South and Central stations of Brussels. The shuttle runs at least every 20 minutes and takes approximately 20 minutes. It operates between 5:30am - 12:20am from the airport and 4:45am - 11:10pm from the city. The cost is Euro 2,80 . Buy your ticket before getting on the train to avoid a surcharge fee.

Airport Taxis

Taxi service from the airport to the city center is approximately 30 Euro. Taxis are available 24 hours. Discount round-trip rates are available.

Group Transfers

Group transfers between Brussels Airport and Brussels city are offered by:

Modern Car

Coach Companies

Bus Transfers

In Brussels

In Antwerp

Airport Services

Located in the Arrival Hall: Information/help desks, Money Exchange, Post Office, Duty Free Shops, Car Rental, Cafes/Restaurants, Beauty Shop, Business Center, Religious Services, Train Information & Reservation, Travel Agency, ATM and luggage lockers.

Brussels South Charleroi Airport

Located 1 hour from Brussels, mainly for charter flights going from Brussels to Greece, Tunisia, etc.

Antwerp Airport

Located 1 hour from Brussels, flights to England, the Netherlands and Germany.

 

Area Codes & Calling

Calling Belgium from the US

Dial 011 + Country Code 32 + City Code:

Antwerp 3 Bruges 50 Ghent 9 Brussels 2
Leuven 16 Mechelen 15 Oostende 59 Zeebruges 50

The Golden Pages

To find a business number

The White Pages

To find a residence

Calling from Belgium

The United States: Dial 00-1-(area code)-phone number.

When calling a Belgian number within the country always dial (0) + city code + number.

For international information call 1304.

Pre-paid Calling Cards

Calling cards are available in post offices, train stations, book stores, newspaper stands, supermarkets, convenience stores and Belgacom Teleboutiques.

Public Phones

Take both coins and phone cards.

Public phone that display stickers showing flags of different countries can be used to make international calls with operator assistance.

 

Banking Hours
Banks are open Monday through Friday, 9:00am - 4:00pm and are closed on Saturdays, Sundays and Holidays. Some banks close for an hour during lunch.

 

Clothing

In summer bring lightweight, comfortable clothing, and a sweater or a jacket for the evening. During the winter bring warm clothes, and it is always a good idea to pack an umbrella and a rain coat.

 

Credit Cards & ATM
All major cards are accepted (Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Diners Club and Eurcard). ATM machines are available in all major cities.

ATM Machines - VISA

This ATM Locator pinpoints the exact location of ATM machines in Belgian cities.

 

Currency
Today's € Exchange Rate

EURO (Euro) €

Euro notes are issued in denominations of 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200 and 500 euros. Coins come in denominations of 1 & 2 Euro, and 5, 10, 20, 50, 1 and 2 cent pieces.

Foreign Exchange Offices

Many foreign exchange offices open on Sundays. Foreign exchange traffic is not regulated. There is no limit on the amount of foreign currency which may be brought in or out of the country.

 

Driving Information
A US driver's license is accepted if staying less then 90 days in the country.
Driving is done on the right-hand side of the road.
Speed limits
31mph (50km/h) in the city, 56mph (90km/h) outside the city, and 75mph (120km/h) on 4-lane highways.
There are no tolls on Belgian highways.
Front and rear seat belts must be worn at all times.
Children under 12 years of age are prohibited from sitting in the front seat.
Maximum blood alcohol level = 0.5g/l (1 glass of wine)

Mappy.be

Maps and detailed driving information in Belgium.

 

Duty Free Allowance (Flying into Belgium)

Check Allowances

Apply for US and Canadian citizens.

In the airport shops, passengers traveling to a final destination outside the European Union can enjoy Tax Free prices for all products, including alcohol and tobacco products.

Rules to Leave Europe
Rules to Re-Enter US

 

Electricity
A.C. 220 volts - 50 cycles. Plugs are of the round 2-pin type.

 

Entry Requirements

US and Canadian citizens need a valid passport. A visa is not required for stays of less than 90 days. Other nationalities should check with the Belgian Embassy or nearest Consulate Office for visa requirements.
 

Schengen visa requirements and application forms are available on www.diplobel.us.


Application can be mail to the Consulate Office of your jurisidiction, provided that the signature on the application form is notarized and that a prepaid self-addressed envelope is enclosed. Processing generally takes 3 to 5 days

Belgian Embassy - US
3330 Garfield Street
N.W. Washington, DC 20008

Tel: (202) 333-6900 - Fax: (202) 333-3079
Belgian Embassy - Canada
360 Albert Street, Suite 820
Ottawa, ONT, K1R 7X7

Tel: (613) 236-7267 - Fax: (613) 236-7882
Consulate Offices in US
Los Angeles
6100 Wilshire Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90048

Tel: (323) 857-1244 - Fax: (323) 936-2564
New York

1065 Avenue of the Americas

22nd Floor (entrance at 40th Street)

New York, NY 10018

Tel: (212) 586-5110 - Fax: (212) 582-9657

 

http://www.diplomatie.be/newyork/

newyork@diplobel.be

Consulate Offices in Canada
Montreal
999 Blvd. de Maisonneuve Ouest
Montreal, Quebec, H3A 3C8

Tel: (514) 849-7394 - Fax: (514) 844-3170
Toronto
2 Bloor Street, West
Box 88, Toronto, ONT, M4W 3E2

Tel: (416) 944-1424 - Fax: (416) 944-1421

The US Embassy

Located in Brussels.

The Passport Services Office

The US Department of State provides information and services to American citizens about how to obtain, replace or change a passport.

 

Guide Books
Lonely Planet Guide
Rough Guide Travel
Europe & Beyond - Rick Steves

Arthur Frommer's Budget Travel Online

> Antwerp

> Bruges

TimeOut Magazine (Brussels)

News Paper and Magazines

Major American weekly and newspapers are available in Belgium.

The Bulletin

A very useful weekly magazine, published every Thursday and filled with Belgian news, articles, information on special events, restaurants reviews and useful addresses.

 

 

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