Belgium is perhaps one of the European countries where it is easier and more convenient public transport moving. One of the main reasons is its extensive and efficient network of trains, which makes it easy to navigate almost any of their cities.

Photography by Yoshimasa Niwa

Then I happened to summarize the features and options of the main means of transport that can be used if you travel to Belgium. As you can see if you plan ahead with something you can save lots of money. The prices shown in this article are updated to 2010.

Traveling to Belgium by plane:

The main airlines that connect Spain to Belgium are: Brussels Airlines, Iberia, Ryanair and Vueling. All of them but Ryanair (which flies to Charleroi), fly to Brussels International Airport, called Zaventem. From plant 1 of arriving at Zaventem terminal can take a train to take us to the 3 major railway stations in Brussels (Bruxelles Nord / Brussel Noord, Bruxelles Central / Brussel Centraal and Bruxelles Midi / Brussel LUID).

Travelling by train:

International Travel Trains arrive at the Gare du Midi. Depart from there high speed trains Thalys and Eurostar. Thalys travels from Brussels to Paris in 1h25m, 2h40m to Cologne, Amsterdam and Düsseldorf in 2h45m 3h. The Eurostar journey from Brussels to London takes 2h. You can check prices and timetables and eurostar.com thalys.com. As for the Belgian national railway network, it is one of the densest in the world. It works great, but is relatively expensive, so we recommend purchasing a bond. Schedules and prices for trips are available on the website www.b-rail.be Both Ghent and Louvain (Leuven) have a direct connection from the airport.

Photography by henribergius

Ghent: You can take the train at the airport in the direction of Gent Sint Pieters. There is one train per hour (Monday-Sunday) for almost 2 hours (Monday-Friday). The route is straightforward and can last from 56 minutes depending on the type of train. Price: 9.20 €.

Leuven: A train ride takes us in time of just over an hour (Monday-Friday) and hour (Monday-Sunday) whose journey takes 15 minutes and costs 3.30 €

Bruges: There is a train every half hour that connects the two cities. Tickets cost € 12.90 and journey time is one hour.

Antwerp / Mechelen: Take the train from the airport and made the change at the station Brussel Noord either direction Leuven Anvers / Antwerpen central. 4 trains per hour, travel time is 1 hour and costs 7.40 €. That same train in Mechelen (price: 4.50 €). Or take Expressbus Airlines Brussels to Antwerp (stop at Antwerp Central Station) www.brusselsairport.be / bus

Connecting Brussels (airport) to Brugge: This train is not direct and always makes a transfer. The journey takes approximately 1 hour and 20 minutes. The fare is € 13.5.

Bonds train to travel Belgium:

The most common bonds are the Formula Pass, which have a fixed price regardless of distance covered. They are divided into the following types:

GO PASS for children under 26 years. Valid for 1 year, no nominee is, you can share and consists of 10 single journeys between two Belgian stations, whatever.

RAIL PASS: For over 26 years. Valid for 1 year is not nominative and consists of 10 single journeys between two Belgian stations. It costs € 73 in 2nd class and 112 € in 1st class.

TICKET + 65: from 65, same conditions as in previous cases except that is to be used on weekdays from 9 am, while on weekends there is no curfew. Price of 5 €.

Children under 6 ride free, children aged between 6 and 12 in 2nd class travel for free. In both cases must be accompanied by an adult with a valid ticket.

Groups from 15 passengers, each passenger receives 50% or 70% reduction on normal rate depending on occupancy, and subject to reserve at least 12 working days in advance. Children under 12 do not ride free with this rate.

Weekend Ticket: If you buy on the web www.b-rail.be a roundtrip ticket to do during the weekend, starting on Friday after 19 h, we obtain 50% reduction in the normal rate.

VIA Ticket: Want to go eg from Brussels to Bruges, but stop in Ghent a few hours and then continue by train to Bruges? With the VIA ticket can download up to two seasons, and is cheaper than buying two single tickets.

Benelux Tourrail: This is a free ticket tour of the Benelux for 5 days (free choice). It is valid for one month, no distance limit and the price is 99 € up to 25 years, 139 € for over 26 years in 2nd class and 219 € for over 26 years in 1st class.

Bus, metro or tram in Brussels, Antwerp and Ghent

Brussels:

Purchased station or kiosk bought bus, metro, tram.
Travel Jump 10 € 12.3
1-day card € 4.5
Card group (max. 5 persons) 1 day 10 €
Jump 1 trip € 1.7 € 2
Travel Jump 5 € 7.3

Antwerp and Ghent:

Purchased in season or purchased from bus, metro, tram
Card 3 days 10 € 12 €
Card 5 days 15 € 18 €
Card 1 day for children 6-11 years 1.5 € 2 €
Travel Card 1 € 1.2 € 1.6
Card 1 day 5 € 6 €

Getting around by taxi:

Taxis are more expensive in Belgium than in Spain. The journey from the airport of Zaventem Brussels center can cost between 35 € and 40 €.

Travel by car:

Belgian motorways are free.

Photography by Michell Zappa

Enjoy your trip!