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| Country Guide > Europe > Belgium |
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Travel - Internal Air As Belgium is such a small country, there are no internal flights. Bus services operate between Brussels airport to Antwerp, Ghent and Lige; see Travel – International section. Rail SNCB operates a dense railway network with regular trains on most lines. On the main lines there are more frequent trains. For more information contact SNCB (website: www.b-rail.be). Fares: First- and second-class, single and return tickets are available. However, a return ticket is double the single fare and is only valid on the day of issue. Children from six to 11 years pay half price. Discount travel: Weekend return fares are available from Friday (after 1900) to Sunday for the outward journey and on Saturday and Sunday for the return journey (on long holiday weekends, these periods are extended). A 50 per cent reduction card, valid for one month, is for sale. It entitles the holder to buy an unlimited number of half-price single tickets. Go Pass offers 10 second-class trips for persons aged under 26 and Multi Pass (valid for one day) offers one return trip between any two stations for a minimum of two people and a maximum of five. The Rail Pass offers two people 10 single trips within 1 year. The Golden Rail Pass offers six first-class single journeys, between any two stations, to people aged 60 and over. Enquire at Rail Europe (tel: (08705) 848 848) for further information. For information on timetables, routes and special passes contact Belgian National Railways (tel: (020) 7593 2332; fax: (020) 7593 2333; e-mail: belrail@aol.com; website: www.b-rail.be). Runabout tickets: The Five-day B-Tourrail ticket permits five days of unlimited travel within a period of 30 days on Belgian Rail. Principal stations in Belgium (and throughout Europe) are able to issue single and return tickets valid from the border to principal foreign stations (in conjunction with a Tourrail ticket). For details of Benelux Tourrail tickets, see the Travel – International section. The Euro Domino pass permits unlimited travel in any one European country for a period of three to eight days in any calendar month. Road There are many different brands of petrol available, and prices vary. Traffic drives on the right. Main towns are connected by toll-free motorways. It is compulsory for seat belts to be worn in the front and back of vehicles. Children under 12 are not permitted to travel in the front seat of a car. A warning triangle must be displayed at the scene of a breakdown or accident. It is compulsory to carry a fire extinguisher or first aid kit in all vehicles. The speed limit on motorways and dual carriageways is 120kph (75mph) with a minimum speed of 70kph (45 mph), on single carriageways outside built-up areas is 90kph (55mph), and in built-up areas is 50kph (31mph). Trams always have priority on roads. Bus: Extensive regional bus services are operated by the bus companies which publish regional timetables. There are long-distance stopping services between towns. Taxi: Plentiful in all towns. The tip is included in the final meter price. If there are no taxi stands, taxi companies may be telephoned for an extra charge of about 2.5. Car hire: Both self-drive and chauffeur-driven cars are available. The minimum age is 23 and the person must possess a valid full licence with at least one year of validity (and which will be required upon collection of the car). Documentation: A national driving licence is acceptable. EU nationals taking their own cars to Belgium must obtain a Green Card. The Green Card tops insurance cover up to the level of cover provided by the car owner’s domestic policy. Urban There is a good public transport system in all the major towns and cities, with underground, tram and bus services in Antwerp and Brussels, bus and tramways in Charleroi, Ghent and Ostend and bus systems elsewhere. There is a standard flat-fare system, with discounts for 5- and 10-journey multi-ride tickets. 1-day tickets and multi-mode tourist travelcards are also available. Travel times The following chart gives approximate travel times from Brussels (in hours and minutes) to other major cities and towns in Belgium and neighbouring countries.
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