Practical information
• Passport & Visa
All visitors must be in possession of an identity card or a passport that is valid for at least 3 months after their intended departure date.
• Languages
Belgium has three officiaI languages: French, Dutch and German. French predominates in the south, Dutch in the north. Brussels is bi-lingual (85 % French, 15 % Dutch). German is spoken along parts of Belgium’s eastern border.
• Money
Currency The Euro is the currency of Belgium. For more info visit www.ecb.int, and for conversion rate visit www.oanda.com. Cash points Cash points are widely available. Foreign exchange facilities can be found in the airports, railway stations and in larger cities.
• Tipping
Guaranteed to be different wherever you go! It is not expected in cafes, restaurants or hotels, as an amount is included in the bill. Of course, if the service has been particularly good, an additional tip doesn’t go amiss. It is normal to round up taxi fares to provide a small tip.
• Telephone
International roaming will enable your mobile to work in Belgium. Speak to your network provider before travel! Public telephones (cash, card and credit card) are widely available. Phone cards are available from post offices, news agents and supermarkets. Calling Belgium from abroad, dial 0032 and remove the first ’0’ from the Belgian number.
• Arriving by train
220V a/c. Plugs are 2 pin so some countries need an adaptor.
Belgium has a dense rail network. Brussels Midi/Zuid is the main interchange for international services : Eurostar and TGV (Thalys) connections. More information : • Belgian Railways (SNCB/NMBS) : www.b-rail.be • Eurostar : www.eurostar.com • Thalys : www.thalys.com
• Time
Belgium is GMT + 1 in winter and GMT + 2 in summer.
• Electricity
• Shopping
Generally, shops are open Monday to Saturday, from 10 am to 6 or 7 pm. Souvenir shops are often open on Sundays too. Bakeries, cake shops and flea markets are also open on Sunday mornings.
• Health
Best to get an E111 form, which will cover you for emergency health care. Travel insurance is always recommended. Pharmacies are open weekdays from 9 am to 6 pm. At night and at weekends at least one local chemist will be open. Addresses will be displayed in the window of every chemist’s shop.
• Arriving by air
Arrival at Zaventem Airport Trains and taxis to city centre which is just 20 minutes/12 km away. Flight info : www.brusselsairport.be Arrival at regional airports either Liège or Charleroi Mainly low-cost carriers Trains, buses and taxis to most cities in Belgium. Flight info : www.liegeairport.be www.charleroi-airport.com
• Transport & travel
Distances travel time between Brussels & other cities CITY AMSTERDAM BERLIN COPENHAGUE DUBLIN DÜSSELDORF LILLE LISBON 2 LONDON LUXEMBOURG MADRID 1 PARIS ROME 1 STOCKHOLM 1
KM 210 780 920 940 370 120 100 390 221 546 300 548 800
TRAIN 2.40 9.30 14.00 – 3.00 0.40 16.00 1.55 1.50 15.00 1.25 17.00 23.00
CITY
KM
TRAIN
ANTWERPEN ARLON BRUGGE CHARLEROI GENT LEUVEN LIEGE MARCHE-EN-FAMENNE MECHELEN MONS NAMUR TOURNAI SPA WATERLOO
46 187 97 60 54 30 98 120 32 70 63 107 134 24
0.44 2.24 0.57 0.56 0.32 0.27 0.59 1.30 0.21 0.46 0.59 1.04 1.59 0.19
practical information
AIR 0.45 1.40 1.30 1.30 0.50 0.40 2.45 1.00 0.45 2.30 0.55 2.10 2.15
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