Hi, I am going to be going to Belgium for about 2 1/2 weeks. I am planning on trying to see about as much of this country as possible. I was wondering if anyone had any info. on public transportation through out Belgium. I would like to start out in Brussels, then Brugge, Antwerp, Ghent, and maybe Luxenburg. Do they offer passes that cover all transportation ie(trains, rail, and busses). I would appriciate any info anyone has. I just bought some travel guides but would love some further help. Thanks
Posted by
Danville, VT
12040 posts
Here's a website that will help you with transit questions:
Trains link all of the cities you mentioned. However, the rail network doesn't service most of the smaller towns or countryside. You can usually find a bus or tram though. The national rail offers a "B-excursion" pass for both train and certain bus routes, but the rules are rather complex, and unfortunately, only written in Dutch and French.
Posted by
Frankfurt am Main, Germany
2779 posts
2 1/2 weeks in Belgium alone? Wow, you're gonna see absolutely every brick in the country ;-)... Belgium is the only country in the world whose coastline (from the French-Belgian to the Belgian-Dutch border) can be experienced by tram. The tram ride is just over an hour if I remember right and it really shows you ALL of the Belgian coast. You might even find parts of it on youtube or other websites... You can easily include the Mosel river valley (Germany) as a day trip from Belgium - and I highly recommend a short visit to Aachen, capital of Europe 1200 years ago under Carl the Great (Charlemagne). The cathedral and central square is quite worthwhile and Aachen is right in the tri-country zone of Germany, Belgium and the Netherlands.
Posted by
Las Vegas, NV, USA
190 posts
A couple of years ago, my daughter and I spent a week in Belgium, basing ourselves out of Brussels. We took the train everywhere, with a few bus connections. Very easy travel; everyone being very helpful, etc.
If we did it again, I would want to be based out of Bruges for part of the time - 'cause Bruges is so wonderful. But the train connections were easiest/quickest/most frequent out of Brussels.
Posted by
OP
Falls Church, VA, USA
11 posts
Thank you all so much for your help. I can't wait for my trip. It's either going to be in October of this year or in April of next year. Any suggestions on which is the better time to go.
Posted by
Frankfurt am Main, Germany
2779 posts
October! Octobers in Europe tend to me mild, dry and sunny (cold at night). Aprils usually are wet, grey, mixed, everything... well, OK, today it was sunny and we hit the 80s... but that could be the total opposite tomorrow...
Posted by
Danville, VT
12040 posts
Hmmm... I'm leaving for Belgium tomorrow. Should I wait for October? Nah....
Posted by
OP
Falls Church, VA, USA
11 posts
October it is!!!! Please keep the info coming. Everyone has been so great with their suggestions. I'm seriously thinking of day a day trip to the Mosel valley.
PS Tom please let us know how your trip to Belgium went.
Posted by
Frankfurt am Main, Germany
2779 posts
As I said: Right now the weather in Central Europe is excellent!! Sunny, bright, warm, nice... Enjoy!