Walking around Brussels

The best way to see Brussels is by foot. Start in the Grand Place and make your way in any direction to a new, interesting neighborhood. Stop in the tourist information center in the Grand Place for maps and suggested walking tours. Or, visit their web site.

Trams, Metro, and Buses in Brussels

It's easy to navigate Brussels by tram, bus, or metro train. A ticket, which you can use for all three modes of transport, costs €1.50 if purchased in advance at a kiosk or station booth (€2 if bought on the train or bus). Make sure to get your ticket time-stamped when you're ready to use it. It's always cheaper to buy in bulk: a five-journey ticket is €6.70; ten journeys costs €11. A day-pass will run you €4. Tickets can be purchased at metro and tram station kiosks, or from bus drivers and tram operators.

Trams run above ground north to south, while buses visit most stops in central Brussels before heading to the outer-lying suburbs. Metro lines run east to west underground and cover more territory than the trams. Maps and timetables are available at most train stations. You can also visit the Brussels Tourism Bureau in the Hotel de Ville on the Grand Place for information.

All transportation services, except for weekend night buses, run from 6 a.m. to midnight.

Another option to consider: The weekend night bus

Night buses are available on Fridays and Saturdays only, from 12:20 a.m. to 3 a.m.. Information is available from MIVB/STIB lines. A ticket costs €3 (ten journeys for €21). There are 20 bus lines, though most run from De Brouckere station in the city center and to other major Brussels stations before heading out to the suburbs. A different night bus connects Rogier station to Gare du Midi.

Bicycles in Brussels

Another great way to see the city is by renting some wheels (two, that is) and zooming around for a day or two. Pro Velo, the city bike program runs from April to October and provides bikes for €3 an hour or at a rate of €12 for a full day.

Otherwise, CycloCity has the most locations in Brussels (23), so after paying for your ride in full, you can hop on and drop off at any number of major spots. A short-duration bike ticket costs €0.5 for a half hour and €1 for each additional hour. The card functions like a personal meter and is valid for one week. Check their web site for details.

Taxis in Brussels

Taxis are available at designated spots throughout the city, most notably in front of the Bourse and at Place de Brouckere. Unfortunately, they aren't cheap. Inside city center, taxis are €1.23 per kilometer plus a fixed charge of €2.40 (€4.40 at night.) Waiting time in a taxi is €23 per hour, though most companies will charge less than this for trips to the airport.