When moving to Brussels and starting a new job, you'll want to know a little bit about what transport options are on offer before deciding on a place to live. Generally speaking, the city has quite good public transport although Brussels does suffer from some terrible traffic during the day especially when the Council of Europe has a meeting.
It is straightforward to get around, though, and many different transport options are available depending on where you prefer to get around and where you're heading.
Public transport in Brussels
As Brussels' roads are very congested, the best way to get around is often by public transport, and buses, trams, and metros are the most common transport, although you could get a train within the city from one station to another. While buses are generally relatively quick as they have their own bus lanes, they sometimes get stuck in all the traffic. For instance, when the Council of Europe has a meeting, it is probably best to head to work early if your route passes Schuman as traffic grinds to a halt. Brussels also has many tram lines weaving their way around the city, and they're a great way to get around. It's almost impossible to use public transport in Brussels without taking a tram at some point or another. Metro is generally the quickest and most efficient way to move around the city, although many neighborhoods of Brussels don't have a metro line nearby. There are only four metro lines, partly because so many people use buses and trams in the city. Public transport runs from 5.30 am to just past midnight, and at the weekend, nocturnal buses run if you want to stay in the center past the last metros or trams. A monthly travel card costs 50 euros, giving you access to all public transport, and you can use it as much as you like. Many companies offer employees a travel card allowance as part of their contract. A single-ride ticket costs 2.10 euros outside the bus or tram and 2.50 euros on it.
Read also Getting around in Belgium
Bicycles in Brussels
Cycling is a popular pastime in Belgium, and every weekend, you'll see groups of colourfully-clad cyclists making their way around the Belgian countryside. Despite this, Brussels is not particularly bike-friendly, and you will find yourself competing for your space on the road with an endless stream of cars. As such, you should always wear high-visibility clothes and stick to the rules of the road. Brussels is also deceptively hilly; some routes are more pleasant and accessible than others. Things have improved somewhat for cyclists in recent years, and many people who bike to and from work wouldn't contemplate taking any other form of transport. It can, for instance, be the quickest way to get around the city when the roads are clogged.
Walking in Brussels
As Brussels isn't that large for a capital city, it is possible to walk to many places depending on where you live. The European Quarter, for instance, is easily within walking distance of the neighborhoods of Bruxellesville, Saint-Gilles, Etterbeek, and Schaerbeek. Although you can certainly walk from one part of the city to another, bringing an umbrella with you is a good idea since the weather in Brussels isn't always the nicest.
Cars in Brussels
While driving around Brussels from one point to another can take you next to no time during the evening, during the day, the city suffers from awful congestion as so many people pour into the capital to head to their jobs. It regularly ranks among the worst congested cities in Europe. However, it depends on your route and where you work to know if it makes sense to commute by car. As there are so many cars on the roads, parking can also be a problem and can turn a relatively short journey into a longer one as you drive around looking for a parking space. The number of people commuting to work by car is partly because Belgian companies often provide employees with a vehicle as part of their contract.
Shared mobility transport in Brussels
Nowadays, there are many different ways to get around Brussels regarding shared mobility transport. Various options were created to encourage people to get out of their cars and use other forms of transportation. As such, it is now common to see someone shooting by on an e-scooter, which, for shorter journeys, can be a lot quicker than going somewhere by car. If you want to cycle around Brussels, for example, but don't own a bike, then villo bikes are stationed all around the city for you to use. Just hop on one at the docking station nearest to you and drop it off at the one nearest to where you're going. E-scooters have also become very popular, and various companies operate apps that help you locate them around the city. Once you've completed your journey, you don't even have to return it to a docking station - leave it on the street, and someone else will use it before too long. While carpooling is still uncommon, it is growing in popularity as the city tries to get cars off the roads, and at websites like Carpool.be, you may find somewhere to share a ride. If you don't want to own a car in Brussels for all the associated costs that they bring, then Cambio and Zipcar are just two car-sharing companies with cars scattered all around the city for you to use when you want.
Taxis and Uber in Brussels
The most expensive way to get around is to take a taxi, but they are almost necessary late at night as you won't find much on public transport. In recent years, Uber has gained popularity, and lots of people now prefer it as it is cheaper than taking a taxi. The pick-up fare for a taxi during the day is 2.40 euros and 4.40 euros at night from 10 pm to 6 am. Within the capital, the fare is set at 1.80 euros per kilometer; outside the center, it will be €2.70 per kilometer.
Transport out of Brussels
Brussels is very well connected to the surrounding cities in Belgium, and the main train stations are Brussels Schuman, Brussels Luxembourg, Brussels North, Brussels South, and Brussels Central. While the trains are generally very well run, delays can occur as international trains are given priority over local ones. The Eurostar, for instance, stops at Brussels South and, from here, you reach London in just two hours. The city is also very well connected to the outside world, and the main airport of Zaventem is where most flights depart from, although Charleroi Airport, an hour away from Brussels in the south of the country, is where many cheaper flights depart from.
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