Belgium - Tips for travelling with public transport.

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Before I started to share with you guys some tips about transporation in Belgium, I had to admit that from the very beginning I din't intend to visit Belgium. For me, Belgium was kind of a small, half French and half Dutch country.

However, after HIen, she has visited Brussels for two times, she recommended me about Belgium. I started to research a little about this country and I found it was quite interesting so in the early of February, I decided to visit Brussels.

Brussels - the capital of Belgium, is home to the most eminent European political authorities, colourful cities and green plants. From Brussels, it only takes a few hours, with not too long distances travelling by bus, train or even walking, to other famous European lands such as Paris, Amsterdam or even Geneva.

Brussels, an ancient city with 17th and 18th century houses, retains its pristine beauty as it did hundreds of years ago. The strongest impression for the Asians, when I first came here, was the tranquillity and peace of the city. The long streets were without a shadow, the only rows of cars on both sides of the road. Very occasionally see a person hurry walking on the street.

In the style of my Vietnamese countryside a little bit, I would stay " after 3 hours sitting on the plane flew to Brussels Airport", from here I took the train arrived at the Midi station of Brussels, Belgium. I hurried to pick up the luggage and asked the way to take my friend house- Sister Hoa, Hoa is my mother's former student, she married a Belgian husband. That area will be at Hoa's house in the suburbs so Metro system does not come but have to go tram. This Belgian Tram is like a train in Hanoi in the old days... so it's slow & crowded. Finally, I went home, bathed, on Facebook...

Hoa's house is close to the tram station so it is easy to walk out. Buy a ticket 2 Euro is a turn but I cheat... go for the first time do not swipe the card but for the second time to swipe... so it is calculated to cost only 1 euro.

I have travelled extensively and I find that Belgium tourism is perhaps one of the easiest and most enjoyable experiences of my life in terms of transportation, because Belgium is a very small country and has many places to explore. Imagine if the four most popular spots in Belgium are Brussels, Brugges, Antwerp, Ghent, the distance between the two longest points is Brussels and Brugges take only 1 hour by train. So I can travel around Belgium in 1-2 days, which is very suitable for those who have "fast train" schedule, that is less time but want to go as much. where better.

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More than that, I will tell you a secret, the secret is the size of Belgium, the country is small, the cities are close to where travel in Belgium is super convenient anymore. In addition, Belgium is in the developed transport sector because of the UK, France, the Netherlands or Germany, so Belgium does not need to develop an international ship system but only domestic ones. Too many international ships, TGV, Thalys or Eurostar are already running through Belgium. See also Cruise Shipment Experiences in Europe to better understand shipping lines in Europe. Here I am referring to the abuse of vehicles that can be used in Belgium and travel between Belgium and other countries. If travelling in Belgium is a fast, cheap and convenient means of transport, travelling between Belgium and other countries you can use both international and aircraft.

I go to Belgium by plane!

Before booking flights to Belgium, I learned that there are a number of international airports that I can consider when travelling, such as Brussels Airport (main) and Brussels South Charleroi Airport (sub) in Brussels, Antwerp Airport (mainly used for business flights) and even Amsterdam Schiphol Airport, which has direct and easy access to Belgian cities.

At first, I tried to reach the airportt in Amsterdam, because it is a large airport with many trips so the ability to buy cheap tickets is extremely high. Then I would take the bus from Amsterdam to Brussels.

But finally I bought a cheap flight of 35 euros from Barcelona to Brussels, to Brussels Airport, it is only 25 minutes away from the city, with a € 5. 10 train ticket,

However, I can also use the bus line 12 or 21 to get to the city center, a fare of € 3 if purchased in a vending machine and € 5 if purchased one the bus.

In the opposite case, if you go to Ryanair you will arrive at Brussels South Charleroi Airport, 50km from the city center. Only one shuttle bus costs € 13 a way. If you go to other cities, you can buy a bus and train combo at the vending machines at Charleroi Sud train station near Charleroi Airport. Prices will be cheaper.

During my stay in Belgium, in addition to Brussels I have a Belgian inland ship to visit Brugge!

I strongly advise everyone that if you travel inland in Belgium, it is best to take a train only, since the train is the most common and widespread means of Belgium, and the Belgian ship is also very different from that of other European countries.. The best thing is that when buying a train ticket in Belgium I do not have to headache my mind about the ticket early, always scared fare tickets are lost all remaining expensive tickets. Tickets in Belgium are always fixed, but also cheaper, the most popular route in Belgium, such as the Brussels-Bruges route, with only € 15. Fast forward to domestic Belgium only as simple as: the train, not the ticket, but just look for promotional tickets, that's it.

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To find out and buy tickets online at NMBS web site. Ticket and pass types (multiple ticket purchases or unlimited day passes) in Belgium:

Regular tickets regardless of age

• Standard ticket: Normal fare as listed and can be combined with other promotions. Tickets are usually popular in Brussels such as Brussels to Antwerp for € 7. 5, and Bruges for € 15.
• Key card: If you only travel in a shorter area, purchase this ticket under the 10 € package.
• Rail Pass: Buy 10 regular tickets for just € 7, 60 € each trip, for any distance for nearly one year.
• 10-Journey Card: Tickets between two fixed points of 10 turns, the fare depends on the distance between the two train stations of your choice. But tourists probably do not care much because this ticket is more suitable for native people.

Tickets for people under the age of 26

Too many incentives for young people, so if you are young you must rush strongly to travel and benefit from the following promotional fare:

• Go Pass 1: Single ticket, but only € 6 / ticket, 2nd class seat.
• Go Pass 10: You get more discount when you buy 10 tickets at a time, cost only € 51. This ticket has lines for you to fill in the information on board such as name, date, station, so you can let others use the same.
• Go Unlimited: Always release the brakes for € 12 per week or € 25 per month, applicable from 1 July to 31 August, details you see here: Go Unlimited.

Tickets for the elderly over the age of 65

Also priced at € 6 / ticket with 2nd class seats, € 13 / ticket with first class seats.

These types of promotional coupons include: These tickets are accompanied by regular tickets and you have the opportunity to discount more than the regular fare. When you order online to select the type of ticket you remember to check the time you order is not what you promote.

Weekend ticket

50% discount if you go on weekends anywhere in Belgium, usually available in the summer months of July, August.

Tickets go to the Belgian border

The border areas between Belgium and neighbouring countries, especially the Netherlands are very cough. It's not the kind of relationship where each and every one of you lives in harmony, the house can be located in both countries, the borderline is very clear but peace is not there. dispute. Ticket prices are sometimes very cheap depending on the city you want to go, such as Roosendaal, Maastricht - Netherlands, Lille - France, Aachen - Germany or Luxembourgh.

Anyway, I am not clear 100% about which tickets can be bought online or which tickets can be bought at the counter, so check the NMBS web site for details of which tickets can be purchased online. at the counter. Remember that if you board the train without a ticket, you will have to buy additional tickets and be fined up to € 200. Going to Belgium or going to a large group of people to buy 10 tickets, no matter how large or small, is better than the 26, and tickets are not required for one person only.

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