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About Brussels

Time Zone

In Belgium, the standard time is CET (Central European Time, UTC + 1). Daylight saving time, which moves one hour ahead, is observed from the last Sunday in March to the last Sunday in October. To calculate the time difference with your city, click here.

Climate

In early June, Belgium’s weather is mild, with temperatures around 16-20°C (61-68°F). Some rain is possible, and warmer days can reach up to 25°C (77°F).

Language

The official language of the EGS Congress is English, interpretation service will not be provided.

Telephone and communications

The international dialing code for Belgium is +32. 
For international calls, dial 00 + national code + area code + personal number. 
Mobile phone network coverage is available across Belgium. 

Currency and bank services

The currency in Belgium is Euro. 
Banks are generally open from Monday to Friday, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. ATMs are available 24/7. 
Most banks are closed on weekends and public holidays. 
Currency exchange offices, banks, and cash machines are widely available throughout the city.

Electricity – plugs and adapters

In Belgium, the power plugs and sockets are of type C and E (two round prongs). The standard voltage is 230V and the standard frequency is 50Hz. 
If you’re using North American electrical appliances, you’ll need a transformer and an adapter. Adapters can be found in most hardware stores. 

How to arrive

The capital of Belgium, Brussels, is located in the central part of the country, in Western Europe. Due to its central location in Europe, the easiest way to get to the city is by air, rail, or road. 

By Plane

Brussels is served by two main airports: Brussels Airport (IATA Code: BRU) and Brussels South Charleroi Airport (IATA Code: CRL). 

Brussels Airport (BRU) is the primary international gateway, located about 12 km northeast of the city center in Zaventem. It is one of the busiest airports in Europe, offering a wide range of direct flights to major cities across Europe, North America, the Middle East, and Asia.  

  • BUS: The De Lijn and STIB Airport Line buses operate frequent services between the airport and central Brussels. The STIB Airport Line (Bus 12 & 21) provides a direct connection to the European Quarter. More details on routes, timetables, and fares can be found here: STIB Airport Line and De Lijn.
  • TRAIN: The Brussels Airport-Zaventem train station is directly beneath the terminal, offering frequent direct trains to Brussels Central Station in about 20 minutes. More info and tickets: SNCB/NMBS.
  • TAXI: Taxis are available outside the arrivals hall. The average fare to central Brussels is €45-€50.  

Brussels South Charleroi Airport (CRL) is situated around 55 km south of Brussels, near Charleroi. It mainly serves budget and regional airlines, such as Ryanair and Wizz Air, providing a variety of low-cost connections across Europe and North Africa. 

  • BUS + TRAIN: TEC Bus A runs between Charleroi Airport and Charleroi-Sud Train Station, where travelers can take a train to Brussels Central Station. The total journey takes about 1 hour. More info: TEC and SNCB/NMBS. 
  • SHUTTLE BUS: A direct Flibco shuttle bus runs between Charleroi Airport and Brussels Midi Station in about 55 minutes. More details: Flibco. 
  • TAXI: Taxis are available outside the terminal, with fares to Brussels typically ranging from €90-€120. 

By train

Those traveling into Brussels from other cities in Belgium, neighboring countries, or beyond will arrive at one of the three main railway stations in central Brussels, which serve long-distance and intercity trains. These are: 

  • Brussels Midi (Zuid) – Main hub for international trains (Thalys, Eurostar, ICE) and domestic connections. 
  • Brussels Central – Serves national routes, ideal for reaching central Brussels. 
  • Brussels North – Handles domestic and some international trains. 

More info, tickets, and timetables: SNCB/NMBS. 

By Bus

Belgium has a well-developed public bus network, making it easy to travel from cities across the country and neighboring regions to Brussels city center. Both public and private bus operators provide extensive services on multiple routes. 

  • De Lijn operates regional and intercity bus services in Flanders, connecting cities like Antwerp, Ghent, and Leuven to Brussels. 
  • TEC runs bus services in Wallonia, linking cities such as Namur, Liège, and Charleroi to Brussels. 
  • FlixBus & BlaBlaCar Bus offer long-distance routes from Belgian and European cities, including Paris, Amsterdam, and Cologne, to Brussels. 

More information, timetables, and tickets: 

By Boat

Brussels is a key destination for cruise lines, often included in itineraries for passengers traveling through Northern Europe. The city is accessible via two main ports: the Port of Zeebrugge and the Port of Antwerp. 

Port of Zeebrugge 

  • Distance from Brussels city center: 90 kilometers 
  • Transport to Brussels city center: Train (direct connections via Belgian Railways) | Bus services 
  • Operators: P&O Ferries | DFDS Seaways | Stena Line 

Port of Antwerp 

  • Location: 42 kilometers North of Brussels 
  • Transport to Brussels: Train (direct connections via Belgian Railways) | Bus services | Taxi services 

Getting Around

Public transportation

Bus

Brussels has a well-organized bus network operated by STIB/MIVB, making it easy to get around the city. Buses generally run from 5:30 AM until midnight, with frequent services during peak hours. Ticket prices start at €2.10 when paid contactless or €2.60 for a paper ticket, with day passes and multi-trip options also available. You can find more details on fares and tickets here. 

Tram & Metro

Brussels has an efficient tram and metro system operated by STIB/MIVB, making it easy to get around the city quickly and comfortably. 

The tram network consists of 18 lines covering over 140 km, offering a reliable way to travel, especially to areas not served by the metro. Trams generally run from 5:30 AM to midnight, with a high frequency during peak hours. 

A single ticket costs €2.10 (contactless) or €2.60 (paper ticket), with options for day passes and multi-trip cards. For more details on routes, timetables, and fares, visit STIB/MIVB. 

Taxi

Brussels has around 1,300 taxis operating 24/7, making them a convenient option. Taxis can easily be found at designated taxi stands in busy areas like Gare du Midi, Place de Brouckère, and Schuman, or booked by phone or app. 

Some of the main taxi companies operating in Brussels are: 

  • Taxis Verts (+32 2 349 49 49) 
  • Taxis Bleus (+32 2 268 00 00) 
  • Unitax-Brussels (+32 2 725 25 25) 
  • Taxi Brussels (+32 488 61 11 72) 

Rides can also be booked through taxi apps or services like Uber, which operates in Brussels with licensed taxis. 

Tourist Cards

Brussels Card

Brussels offers convenient travel passes that allow unlimited access to trams, buses, and metro services operated by STIB/MIVB for a selected period. These passes are a practical solution for anyone needing frequent travel across the city, including connections to and from Brussels Airport (BRU). 

Available options: 

  • 1 day (24 hours) – €8.40 
  • 2 days (48 hours) – €15.50 
  • 3 days (72 hours) – €20.00 

Passes can be purchased at metro stations, STIB service points, GO vending machines, and through the STIB mobile app. More details can be found here. 

City map and tourist guides

Brussels has a lot to offer in terms of attractions, culture, and sightseeing. To start planning your visit, you can use the following Digital Tourist Guide, which provides recommendations on key places to explore: Best things to do in Brussels – Lonely Planet 

For a more tailored experience, “My Brussels Map” is an interactive tool that allows you to create, edit, and print a personalized map of the city. You can pin key locations, attractions, and points of interest to organize your visit efficiently. 
Start planning here: Brussels Interactive Map – Visit Brussels