Overview in Brussels

Overview

The metro, trams, and buses operate as part of the same system and are run by the city's transport authority, STIB/MIVB (Société des Transports Intercommunaux de Bruxelles/Maatschappij voor het Intercommunaal Vervoer te Brussel). All three types of transport are clean and efficient, and a single "Jump" ticket, which can be used among all three systems in an hour-long time frame, costs EUR 1.50. The best buy is a 10-trip ticket, which costs EUR 10. Special tourist tickets are also a good value at EUR 3.80 for a one-day unlimited travel card; EUR 9 for three days; and EUR 12 for five days (weekdays only). You can purchase these tickets in any metro station or at newsstands. Single tickets can be purchased on the bus or on the tram. Children under six accompanied by an adult travel free. You need to validate your ticket in the orange machines on the bus or tram; in the metro, you validate your card at the orange machines in the station. Metro stations have bilingual names, such as Bourse/Beurs, and are marked by signs showing a white M on a blue background. Metro trains, buses, and trams run from around 5:30 AM until 12:30 AM. One bus, the number 71 from place de Brouckère to Delta, runs until 3 AM. Brussels is a relatively safe city, but it's wise to be cautious in remote metro stations late at night.

Detailed maps of the Brussels public transportation network are available in most metro stations and at the Tourist Information Brussels in the Grand'Place. You get a map free with a Tourist Passport (also available at the tourist office), which, for EUR 7.50, allows you a one-day transport card and discount admissions at museums.

Keep your eyes peeled for the public artworks in many of the city's metro stations. For instance, the Porte de Hal station has a three-story relief of skyscrapers with old-fashioned trams poking their noses out, while a huge futuristic city in rainbow hues brightens up the Montgomery station. You can get a preview at www.art-public.com/caid.