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Brussels, Belgium » City Info » Travel Tips
Many tourists travel to the multicultural city of Brussels every year. Belgium's capital city offers an interesting variety of museums, events, historic centres, shops, markets and plenty of restaurants. It is not just famous for its landmarks but also for its local food items like Belgian chocolate, waffles, French fries and wide range of beers.
- Tipping
Generally, service charges and tips are included in the prices of the restaurant, hotel bills and included in the taxi fares. Additional tips can be given just to appreciate the good service or to round up the bill to a whole number. Tipping is not compulsory in Brussels but it is normally expected at a few famous tourist spots.
- Safety
Brussels is considered a safe city to travel to but its surrounding areas are prone to crime especially in the late hours of the night. Avoid displaying expensive items and do not get involved with a small gang roaming on the streets.
To explore the city at night it is always advisable to travel in a group especially in public spaces like using the metro or buses. In famous tourist areas, beware of pickpockets or bag snatchers particularly whilst asking for the directions of nearby attractions. Few places like Schaarbeek, North and Center Brussels should be avoided.
- Smoking
As other major cities of Europe, smoking is prohibited at airports and in public transportation such as buses, metro or railway. Many people prefer to smoke in Belgium so most of the restaurants or cafes offer a separate smoking zone for smokers. Cigarettes are freely available in the supermarkets, shops or newspaper stands.
- City Transport
Most of the public transportation is operated by the STIB (Société des Transports intercommunaux bruxellois). To get more details about the city transportation, free network maps are available at the metro stations and tourist offices. The best way to explore the city is to travel via the ground tram, which is also known as pré-métro. It is very efficient and is rarely affected by the city traffic.
There are also Brussels cards available to explore this most enthralling capital city of Belgium. This card offers unlimited travel on the metro, bus and tram network. As well as free entry to major museums, discounts in restaurants, bars, shops, tourist attractions and tours, and also for the Atomium. A free guidebook is also provided.
- When to Travel
Belgium is a typical sea-climate country and therefore a city like Brussels has a warm and pleasant atmosphere in the late spring months to autumn months. In the summer season, this city experiences warm long days along with the pleasing and mild nights. During the winter season, the weather is mild and heavy rainfall is expected. Mid winter can be a lot colder with snowfall and on an average only 3 hours of sunshine daily.
Best time to visit: May to October.
- Tourist Office
Brussels International - Tourism & Congress Town Hall of Brussels
Address: Grand-Place, 1000 Brussels
Tel.: + 32 (0)2 513 89 40
Fax: + 32 (0)2 513 83 20
Website: Visit Brussels
- Emergency Numbers
| Calling Code | +32 2 |
| Area Code | 02 |
| Fire / Emergency Medical | T 100 |
| Emergency | T 112 |
| Federal Police | T101 |
| Red Cross | T105 |
| Helpline | 02 648 40 14 |
| Information | |
| -International | T1304 |
| -National | T 1307 / 1234 |
- Important Phrases
| English | French | Dutch |
| Hello | Bonjour | Goeiedag |
| Good Morning | Bonsoir | Goedemorgen |
| Good Evening | Bonjour | Goeden avond |
| Good Night | Bonne nuit | Goedenacht |
| Thank you | Merci | Dank u wel |
| Please | S'il vous plait | Alstublieft |
| Excuse me | Excusez-moi | Neem mij niet kwalijk |
| Yes | Oui | Jawel |
| No | Non | Nee |
| Bye bye | Au revoir | Tot ziens |
| Can you help me? | Pouvez-vous m'aider? | Kunt u mij helpen? |
| I am sorry | Je suis désolé | Het spijt |
| I am looking for | Je cherche | Ik ben op zoek naar |
| Where is | Ou se trouve | Waar is |
| How much | Combien coute | Hoeveel kost |
| My name is | Je m'appelle | Ik heet / Mijn naam is |
| I am from | Je viens de | Ik ben van |
| I am lost | Je suis perdu | Ik ben verloren |
| French Fries with Mayonnaise, please | Une frite-mayonnaise, s'il vous plait | frietjes met mayonnaise, alstublieft |
