Fast Facts

American Express-- The office at bd. du Souverain 100, 1000 Bruxelles (tel. 02/676-21-11; Métro: Horrmann-Debroux), is open Monday to Friday from 9am to 1pm and 2 to 5pm. Call ahead before visiting, because this is an administrative office only, out in the suburbs, and has limited services for visitors -- it does not cash traveler's checks, for instance.

Area Code-- The telephone area code for Brussels is 02. You need to dial the 02 area code both from inside Brussels and from elsewhere in Belgium. The country code for Belgium is 32. If you're phoning a Brussels number from the United States or from any other country, you don't dial the first 0 of the area code; you dial only 32-2.

ATMs-- You'll find many ATMs around town, identified by BANCONTACT and MISTER CASH signs. A convenient bank with an ATM is CBC, Grand-Place 5 (tel. 02/547-12-11; Métro: Gare Centrale), open Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm.

Babysitters-- Many hotels can provide reliable babysitting service. A student babysitting roster is maintained by U.L.B. Service, "Jobs," avenue P. Héger 22, 1000 Bruxelles (tel. 02/650-21-71).

Business Hours-- Banks are open Monday to Friday from 9am to 1pm and 2 to 4:30 or 5pm. Open hours for offices are Monday to Friday from 9 or 10am to 4 or 5pm. Most stores are open Monday to Saturday from 9 or 10am to 6 or 7pm; some stay open on Friday until 8 or 9pm.

Convention Centers-- RAI Convention Center, Europaplein (tel. 020/549-1212; Métro: RAI), in the south of the city, hosts events including the Home Interiors Fair, the Dutch Art and Antiques Fair, the Love & Marriage Fair, and the Car Show.

Currency Exchange-- Change your money at a bank as a first choice. Another good option is Thomas Cook, Grand-Place 4, Brussels (tel. 02/513-28-45). The Brussels office of American Express does not change American Express traveler's checks or handle any other cash transactions. The currency exchange offices (bureaux de change) at Brussels's three main rail stations -- Gare du Nord, Gare Centrale, and Gare du Midi -- also offer fair rates for cash and traveler's checks. The worst deals are at Brussels Airport, where exchange rates at all currency exchange offices in the Arrivals area are lousy, and at street currency exchange offices throughout the country, which often combine poor exchange rates with high commission charges -- but remember these are often open when the banks are closed.

Doctors & Dentists-- For 24-hour emergency medical service, call tel. 02/479-18-18; ask for an English-speaking doctor. For emergency dental care, call tel. 02/426-10-26.

Emergencies-- For police assistance, call tel. 101. For an ambulance or the fire department, call tel. 100.

Hospital-- The Cliniques Universitaires St-Luc, av. Hippocrate 10 (tel. 02/764-11-11; Métro: Alma), has an emergency department.

Internet Access-- In the city center, the large Internet center easyEverything, place de Brouckère 9-13 (tel. 02/211-08-20; www.easyeverything.com; Métro: De Brouckère), is open 24 hours a day; access begins at 2.50€ ($3.15).

Language-- Brussels is bilingual: French and Dutch (Flemish), though the majority of residents are French-speaking. Many Bruxellois are fluent in English, and almost all speak at least some. And unlike Parisians, most are happy to do so. Stores, restaurants, and hotels are usually staffed by at least one or two fluent English-speakers.

Laundry & Dry Cleaning-- Laundry chain Ipsomat has a branch at rue Blaes 193 (Métro: Louise), open daily 7am to 10pm. Dry-cleaning chain 5 à Sec, has a branch at rue du Marché-aux-Herbes 8 (Métro: Gare Centrale), open Monday to Friday 9am to 6pm. Both chains have branches around town; check the phone book for the one nearest your hotel.

Newspapers & Magazines-- For English-speaking visitors, the most useful publication is the weekly magazine the Bulletin, published each Thursday and filled with news, articles, information on special events, and useful addresses.

Pharmacies-- A pharmacy is called a pharmacie in French and an apotheek in Dutch. Regular pharmacy hours are Monday to Saturday 9am to 6pm (some close earlier on Sat). Try the centrally located Grande Pharmacie de Brouckère, Passage du Nord 10-12 (tel. 02/218-05-07; Métro: De Brouckère). All pharmacies have details of nearby all-night and Sunday pharmacies posted on the door.

Police-- In an emergency, call tel. 101. In nonurgent situations go to Brussels Central Police Station, rue du Marché-au-Charbon 30 (tel. 02/279-79-79). Many Brussels police officers have a poorly developed sense of public service, and a surly and unconcerned attitude to visitors' problems is not uncommon.

Post Office-- Most post offices are open Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm. The office at Centre Monnaie, place de la Monnaie (tel. 02/226-21-11; Métro: De Brouckère), is open Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm and Saturday from 9:30am to 3pm. The office at Gare du Midi, av. Fonsny 1E/F (tel. 02/538-33-98; Métro: Gare du Midi), is open 24 hours.

Restrooms-- Should you have a toilet emergency in Brussels, the very best address to find relief is at the Métropole hotel.

Safety-- Brussels is generally safe, but there is a growing trend of pickpocketing, theft from and of cars, and muggings in places such as Métro station foot tunnels. Don't overestimate the risk, but take sensible precautions, particularly in obvious circumstances such as on crowded Métro trains and when taking cash from an ATM at night.

Transit Info-- For information regarding tram, bus, and Métro service, call tel. 02/515-20-20.

Useful Phone Numbers-- The baggage office (tel. 02/753-68-20) in the Arrivals hall of Brussels National Airport can help if you have lost luggage or other property aboard an aircraft or in the airport. The bigger rail stations have lost-property offices as well; call tel. 02/555-25-25 if you lose something on a train. Property lost on the Métro, tram, or bus may be recovered from STIB, avenue de la Toison d'Or 15 (tel. 02/515-23-94). If you lose something in the street, try the local police station; many Belgians are honest enough to hand in property they've found.