Money and payments
Tipping
Tipping in Belgium is not usually done as service charge is always included.
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Europe · Western EuropeOutline guideCountry in Northwestern Europe
Photo: EmDee, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
A low-lying country in the Benelux, Belgium (Dutch: België, French: Belgique, German: Belgien) sits at the crossroads of Western Europe. It marries the historical landmarks for which the continent is famous with spectacular modern architecture and rural idylls. Its capital, Brussels, is home to the headquarters of the European Union.
Answers to what travellers most often look up about Belgium.
Tipping
Tipping in Belgium is not usually done as service charge is always included.
German, French, Dutch
Belgium has three official languages at the federal level: Dutch, French and German. However, one will quickly notice that the Belgian versions of these languages possess a few idiosyncrasies:
It is no longer possible to buy anonymous prepaid SIM cards in Belgium as a result of new Belgian anti-terror legislation.
Mobile networks
Tap water is safe to drink throughout Belgium.
In the winter, like most other European countries, only influenza will cause you a considerable inconvenience. No inoculations are needed to enter or leave Belgium.
Giving tips in bars or restaurants is virtually unheard of, even in larger cities. Doing so shows that you were satisfied with the service given, but you are absolutely not obliged to do so.50 is considered generous.
Attractions, food, stays and travel essentials, with ratings, reviews, opening hours and directions.
Belgium's capital and the unofficial capital of the EU. Nice historic centre and several museums of interest. One of the most multicultural cities in Europe.
Belgium's second largest city, with a giant cathedral, medieval streets and artistic heritage, and a great place for fashion.
one of Europe's wealthiest cities in the 14th century, it is touristy yet still very authentic, medieval and quiet at night, with small guest houses and family businesses greatly outnumbering chain hotels.
once one of Europe's largest cities, now a perfect mixture of Antwerp and Bruges: a cosy city with canals, yet with rich history and lively student population.
a small city dominated by one of Europe's oldest universities. Beautiful historic centre and a lively nightlife.
second largest city of Wallonia, along a wide river, industrial cityscape with hiking and resorts in the nearby hills, it has a very strong, independent character and an exciting night-life.
a small medieval city with a nice historic district around the cathedral.
has had the extraordinary privilege of having two sites inscribed on the List and one event on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
a municipality with a rich industrial history on the outskirts of Brussels with many historical landmarks.
known for its proximity to the lush Sonian Forest, its parks, and royal summer residence.
known for the beer with the same name, risen to worldwide fame, but still produced in its abbey.
small city in a stunning natural setting, a popular spot for adventure sports such as canoeing and rock-climbing, best visited in winter
also called the "Tuscany of the north", is a green region west of Brussels, consisting of rolling hills, meadows, small villages and castles. Home of the Geuze beer and great for hiking, biking, and horse riding tours.
the hot water treatments of the spa town that gave its name to all spas in the world has drawn visitors for centuries.
destroyed during World War I, this former military stronghold is marked by memorials and cemeteries. The historic cities have long been rebuilt and are attractions regardless of their military heritage.
known for its market square (the largest in Belgium), its annual balloon festival and nearby scenery along the river Scheldt.
Places in Belgium on the World Heritage List.
Ancient and Primeval Beech Forests of the Carpathians and Other Regions of Europe
Listed 2007
Grand-Place
Listed 1998
Tournai Cathedral
Listed 2000
Stoclet Palace
Listed 2009
Belfries of Belgium and France
Listed 1999
The Architectural Work of Le Corbusier
Listed 2016
The Great Spa Towns of Europe
Listed 2021
Museum Plantin-Moretus
Listed 2005
lifts on the old Canal du Centre
Listed 1998
Neolithic flint mines of Spiennes
Listed 2000
Major Town Houses of the Architect Victor Horta
Listed 2000
Major Mining Sites of Wallonia
Listed 2012
List from Wikidata (CC0). Photos from Wikimedia Commons.
The northern, Dutch-speaking region of the country. It includes well known cities like Antwerp, Ghent and Bruges.
West Flanders, East Flanders, Antwerp, Flemish Brabant, Limburg
The country's bilingual capital region and the headquarters of the European Union as well as NATO.
The southern, French-speaking region, incorporating a small German speaking region in the east near the German border.
Public transport and paid services in Belgium.
By train
Most of Belgium is well connected by train, run by Belgian Railways (NMBS in Dutch and SNCB in French) with most of the main routes passing through Antwerp, Namur or Brussels.
By bus and tram
Buses cover the whole country, along with trams and metro in the big cities.g. FlixBus). However, this is much slower and only slightly cheaper than taking a train.
By car
Belgium has a dense network of modern toll-free motorways, but some secondary roads in Wallonia are poorly maintained.
Apps for booking a taxi or a ride in Belgium.
Finding apps for Belgium…
Other ways to travel:By thumb
Operators checked against their official websites in October 2026; services that have stopped running are not listed. Logos and Wikipedia links: Wikidata (CC0)
Choose an airport to see hotels, stations, taxi ranks and car rental desks around it.
Zaventem · International · BRU
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Calculated from climate averages: mild daytime highs and lower rainfall. It does not account for festivals, crowds or prices.
Average conditions in Brussels
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg. high | 5° | 7° | 10° | 15° | 19° | 22° | 24° | 23° | 20° | 15° | 10° | 6° |
| Avg. low | 0° | 0° | 2° | 5° | 8° | 12° | 14° | 13° | 10° | 7° | 4° | 1° |
| Rainfall (mm) | 69 | 60 | 55 | 38 | 59 | 63 | 75 | 79 | 55 | 63 | 69 | 78 |
| Humidity | 93% | 89% | 84% | 79% | 77% | 76% | 75% | 77% | 79% | 85% | 91% | 94% |
Choose your passport and destination to see whether you need a visa.
Budget
$80
Per person, per day
Mid-range
$225
Per person, per day
Luxury
$590
Per person, per day
| Budget | Mid-range | Luxury | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation | $40 | $125 | $340 |
| Food and drink | $20 | $50 | $120 |
| Local transport | $10 | $20 | $55 |
| Activities | $10 | $30 | $75 |
Estimate from World Bank price levels (2025). Actual costs vary by city and season. World Bank
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We do not label countries as safe or unsafe. Below is the official advice from two governments, with the date it was last updated. Always read the full advice before you travel.
US Department of State
Level 2 of 4Exercise increased caution
Exercise increased cautionin Belgium due to crime, terrorism, and unrest. Crime Petty crime is common, especially in popular tourist locations. Stay aware of your surroundings. Most crimes against foreigners are crimes of opportunity, like purse snatching and pickpocketing. Terrorism There is risk of terrorist violence, including terrorist attacks and other activity in Belgium. Visit the U.S. Department of State's country reports on terrorism to learn more. Unrest Large-scale, generally peaceful demonstrations related to the local political situation may occur. Demonstrations may disrupt transportation and other essential services. Review our Travel Guidance for Belgium to learn how to prepare for a safe trip.
UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
No advice against travel. Read the full advice before you go.
National strike action Strike action is an ongoing issue that can cause disruption. Monitor local news and check with your provider regarding potential delays and closures. Always check with your travel operator for the latest updates. Read more information about demonstrations and strikes on the Safety and security page. General strikes took place on 31 March, 29 April,14 October, 26 November, 15 December 2025, 12 March, 12 May, 9 and 12 October 2026. Strike action may be announced at short notice. Before you travel No travel can be guaranteed safe. Read all the advice in this guide. You may also find it helpful to: see general advice for women travellers read our guide on disability and travel abroad see general advice for LGBT+ travellers read about safety for solo and independent travel see advice on volunteering and adventure travel abroad Travel insurance If you choose to travel, research your destinations and get appropriate travel insurance. Insurance should cover your itinerary, planned activities and expenses in an emergency. About FCDO travel advice The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) provides advice about risks of travel to help you make informed decisions. Find out more about FCDO travel advice. Get travel advice updates Sign up to get email notifications when this advice is updated. Follow FCDO: travel advice on X travel advice on Facebook Travel Aware on Instagram
Stories, itineraries and practical advice for travelling in Belgium.
Travel tipsBelgium has one of the densest rail networks anywhere in the world. You can expect to travel Belgium by rail to be reasonably timely, fast and frequent, making rail travel in Belgium a convenient way to travel around…
Wikivoyage
Culture & historyThe Belfries of Belgium and France are a world heritage site. The site comprises 56 belfries from Flanders and Wallonia in Belgium, and from far northern France.
Wikivoyage
ItinerariesStretching from Knokke to Adinkerke, the Kusttram (Dutch for "Coast Tram") makes it possible to travel almost the entire length of the Belgian coast by tram.
Wikivoyage
Travel tipsSo you've read all the stories about Antwerp being the diamond capital of the world and are wondering whether it really is cheaper to buy a diamond ring straight from the source rather than pay for all the…
Wikivoyage
ItinerariesAd's Path (Pad van Ad) is a hiking trail south of Leuven in Belgium that passes by a number of sculptures by artist Ad Wouters.
Wikivoyage
Culture & historyWorld War I, usually called the First World War in the Commonwealth and called The Great War in its time, was one of the largest armed conflicts in history.
Wikivoyage
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