Brussels

Local Transport

The Brussels' public transport network, operated by STIB (website www.stib.irisnet.be), is made up of buses, trains, three metro lines and 15 tram lines which are known as the premétro when they run through tunnels near the city centre. This network is supplemented by buses operated by TEC and De Lijn (website www.delijn.be), respectively serving both the surrounding French and Flemmish speaking regions.

METRO, PREMETRO & TRAMS

The three métro lines include lines 1A and 1B which run on the same track between Beekkant and Merode and line 2 which connect with line 1A at Simonis and lines 1A and 1B at Arts-Loi.

The premétro offers a similar service to the métro but this system is made up of trams running through tunnels in the city centre which surface and run along the streets in the suburbs. The most useful pre-metro line runs from Gare du Nord through the city centre to Albert with transfer stations at Rogier, De Brouckere, Gare du Midi/Zuid Station and Porte de Hal/Hallepoort.

Stations for both the métro and premétro are indicated by a blue sign with a white M. The métro is not as busy as other European systems like those of London or Paris and trains and stations can get quite deserted as early as 10pm.

Trams are a good way to visit places in the suburbs, including the Atomium, the Museum voor Midden-Afrika as well as the good hitch-hiking spots. Trams are generally clean and comfortable and include the futuristic T2000 trams.

FARES

A single tickets are €1.50, although it is better value to pay for five or ten journeys at a time. A ten-ride ticket (une carte des dix trajets, s'il vous plaît) costs €10. A five-ride ticket is €6.50.

If you're planning to see a lot of Brussels in one day, you may like to invest in a one-day pass which costs €3.80.

Monthly passes cost €36 if you're aged 25 and older or €25.50 if you're younger than 25.