Getting There

By Plane

The country's main international airport, Brussels Airport (tel. 0900/70-000 in Belgium, or 02/753-77-53 from abroad; www.brusselsairport.be), is 11km (7 miles) northeast of the center city. The Airport City Express train service to Brussels's three main rail stations (Gare du Nord, Gare Centrale, and Gare du Midi) has departures every 20 minutes daily from 5:30am to 11:30pm, for a one-way fare of 2.90€ ($4.65). The ride to Gare Centrale takes around 18 minutes. Most airport trains have wide corridors and extra space for baggage.

The Airport Line bus no. 12 (express) or no. 21 depart from the airport about every half-hour to stops in the city; the fare is 3€ ($4.80) for a one-way ticket purchased before boarding the bus, and 4€ ($6.40) for one purchased onboard. De Lijn bus no. 471 connects the airport every half-hour with Brussels's Gare du Nord rail station; for 2€ ($3.20) for a ticket purchased pre boarding and 2.70€ ($4.30) for a ticket purchased onboard the bus.

Taxis that display an orange sticker depicting a white airplane offer reduced fares from the airport to the center city. Others charge about 35€ ($56), and some offer reduced rates for a reserved return journey (ask your driver for details). Go to the taxi stand and wait your turn. Be sure to use only licensed cabs.

By Train

High-speed Eurostar trains from London; Thalys from Paris, Amsterdam, and Cologne; TGV from France (not Paris); and ICE from Frankfurt zip into town from all points of the compass. The Brussels metropolitan area has three main rail stations: Gare Centrale, Carrefour de l'Europe; Gare du Midi, rue de France (the Eurostar, Thalys, TGV, and ICE terminal); and Gare du Nord, rue du Progrès. All three are served by Métro, tram, or bus lines, and have taxi stands outside. For train information and reservations, call tel. 02/528-28-28, or visit www.sncb.be.

Warning: Attracted by rich pickings from international travelers, bag snatchers roam the environs of Gare du Midi, and pickpockets work the interior. Do not travel to or depart from the station on foot if you can avoid so doing -- take a taxi or use public transportation; inside, keep a close eye on your possessions.

By Bus

Eurolines (tel. 02/274-13-50; www.eurolines.com) buses from London, Paris, Amsterdam, and other cities arrive at the bus station below Gare du Nord rail station.

By Car

Major expressways to Brussels are E19 from Amsterdam and Paris, and E40 from Bruges and Cologne. If possible, avoid driving the "hell on wheels" R0 Brussels ring road. And once you're settled at a hotel, do yourself a favor: Leave the car at a parking garage.