Which is a better car service from Brussels airport to central Brussels - Uber, Bolt or taxi. I've read a number of complaints about airport taxi not taking credit cards or taking expensive routes. The complaints about Uber and Bolt seem to be having to walk to parking lot for pickup and sometimes surge pricing. I realize there's transit, but we'd prefer a car.
Posted by
Sydney, Australia
241 posts
I have caught a taxi before, and did so on my last trip (I returned in December last year). Most taxi drivers in Brussels prefer cash, indeed I experienced the same in Germany, although in the Netherlands I struck one who didn't want to deal with cash at all. I don't think it's a big ask to carry €100,00 for taxi fares and the odd spot where you don't want to pay by card.
I paid just under €40,00 for a trip from near Louise (Citadines Toison d'Or) to the airport. The route was direct and I had no quibbles.
Lavandula
Posted by
Arctophilia, Northamptonshire, England
36350 posts
there is a fast, frequent and very inexpensive train from right in the airport to the three main stations in Brussels including the Central station (Brussel-Centraal in Flemish, Bruxelles-Central in French) right next to the Grand Place. You can't get much more central than that.
I know you prefer a car, but in all the times I've been to Brussels I've never been let down by the train. And it really is that convenient and easy.
Posted by
OP
NYC, USA
133 posts
@lavandula Most of the complaints I've seen about taxis have been for rides from the airport. For some reason going to the airport by taxi seems to work better, at least based on what I've seen. Is your experience both from and to the airport?
@Nigel Please see the last sentence of my post 😀
Posted by
Sydney, Australia
241 posts
Hi Richard, no, not this last time. TBH mostly I take the train, but this last time I had a heavy bag and did not want to mess around with trying to drag a bag into the train door and up the stairs. I also took a cab from the station to the hotel when I arrived from Amsterdam by train. The connections are very good to my hotel but I did not want public transport.
I think something to note about taxis and the airport is that there can sometimes be unofficial taxis touting for business. The genuine ones are at a taxi rank outside. Official taxis are Taxis Verts, Taxis Bleus. I think you can even use a taxi fare finder and find out approximately how much your fare should cost. Also taxi drivers are very conscientious about making sure you are the right passenger for their taxi if you have ordered one and there are a few hotel guests waiting on their taxis at the same time. They also keep meticulous records about their fares, so there is no incentive to cheat people because someone inspects their records.
I guess you could also use some kind of transfer service but myself I have never done that.
Lavandula
Posted by
Arctophilia, Northamptonshire, England
36350 posts
I know you prefer a car, but in all the times I've been to Brussels I've never been let down by the train. And it really is that convenient and easy.
I can only give from my personal experience.
Whatever works best for you...