Busworld Europe (Brussels) • 09-14 October 2021 - BEST PRACTICES Accommodation

   

Please use the official website to book your room. This website lists up various Frequently Asked Questions when looking into making accommodation arrangements during Busworld Europe (Brussels) 2021.

   

Brussels Booking Desk is the official housing service of Busworld Europe (Brussels), they can be found on the official website of Busworld Europe (Brussels) 2021.

   

Event Information

   

Saturday, October 09, 2021 - Thursday, October 14, 2021

BRUSSELS EXPO, Place de Belgique 1, Brussels, Belgium

More information can be found on the official Busworld Europe (Brussels) website.

Registration for the event is handled by a different vendor. Please see the registration page (/practical/tickets) of the event's website for further information or to log in to the registration system. For registration assistance call : +32 (08:00-18:00 CET)

Direct access to the registration page can be found here.

Event Information - Access/Transport

FREE Public Transport

Busworld Europe (Brussels) offers, in partnership with the City of Brussels, free metro, bus and tramway during exposition days with EVENT PASS.

More information can be found on the Busworld Europe (Brussels) website.

There is no direct public transport connection from Brussels Airport (BRU) to Busworld Europe (Brussels).

Brussels Expo / Busworld Europe (Brussels) can be reached by public transport, as follows :

STEP 1take the "Airport Express" (train), from "Brussels Airport-Zaventem" station to Brussels Midi (South) Station,

"Brussels Airport-Zaventem" station is located on level "-1" of the airport terminal, at a small distance from the arrivals hall (2nd floor) and the departures hall (3rd floor).

Expected travel time to Brussels' Centra(a)l Station : 17 minutes.

Tickets can be advanced purchased, on the belgianrail.be website. To buy a ticket enter "Brussels Airport" as point of departure or destination on the booking page and select "Standard ticket". You will then be directed to a secure environment to finalise your purchase.

STEP 2take the "metro"at Brussels Midi (South) Station,

Brussels Expo / Busworld Europe (Brussels) can be accessed directly from Brussels Midi Station by metro : metro station "Midi/Zuid" to "Heysel/Heizel" - line 6 (blue). See Metro Map below.

Ticket offices and travel information: in the main concourse and next to the international platforms.

More information and FAQ's about Brussels Airport (BRU) can be found here.

More information can be found on the Brussels Midi Station website.

There is no prearrangement from Charleroi Airport to Brussels (Midi Station).

The "Brussels City Shuttle" is the easiest way to travel to Brussels (Midi Station) from the airport (CRL). The bus times are scheduled to fit in with the flight times and they start running at 3.30am. There is a bus every 30 minutes. Travel time is about 60 minutes, one way, by bus. To get the best price, you can buy your ticket online in advance.

From the drop-off location at Brussels (Midi Station), you need to access Busworld Europe (Brussels) by metro, metro station "Midi/Zuid" to "Heysel/Heizel" - line 6 (blue). See Metro Map below.

More information can be found on the website of Charleroi Airport website.

International trains arrive at different platforms: 1 – 2 (Eurostar trains), 3 to 6 (Thalys, TGV® and ICE trains).

Busworld Europe (Brussels) can be accessed directly from Brussels Midi Station by metro : metro station "Midi/Zuid" to "Heysel/Heizel" - line 6 (blue). See Metro Map below.

Ticket offices and travel information: in the main concourse and next to the international platforms

Check-in terminal and procedure varies from destination to destination.

More information can be found on the Brussels Midi Station website.

Grand Place (Central) / Place Rogier (North)

Take the train to conveniently travel from Brussels Airport to Brussels' city center. "Brussels Airport-Zaventem" station is located on level "-1" of the airport terminal, at a small distance from the arrivals hall (2nd floor) and the departures hall (3rd floor).

Expected travel time to Brussels' Centra(a)l Station : 17 minutes.

Tickets can be advanced purchased, on the belgianrail.be website. To buy a ticket enter "Brussels Airport" as point of departure or destination on the booking page and select "Standard ticket". You will then be directed to a secure environment to finalise your purchase.

Schuman

The "Airport Line" is a 30-minute express service between Brussels Airport and the European quarter (Schuman), at a stone's throw from the uptown shops.

The bus station is located on level "0" or one floor down from the arrivals hall at the airport. Centrally located on the bus station there are three platforms each with its specific use. All MIVB/STIB buses depart from platform C.

Before boarding the bus you can purchase a ticket at one of the GO ticket machines located on platform C of the bus station or inside the airport.

More information can be found on the website of STIB/MIVB (Public Transport Company) website.

Others

More information on all others mains of transport from and to Brussels Airport - Zaventem (BRU)the can be found on the Brussels Airport website.

Brussels is served by several public transport companies. The STIB serves the Brussels region with buses, trams and metros while the SNCB provides train connections across Belgium. Click here for more information about public transport.

Taxis are also widely available in the centre of Brussels and are charged by meter at a fixed rate.

A pdf version of the metro map can be downloaded on the website of the city of Brussels.

Making a "DIY"-reservation or why not ? (doing it yourself)

  • waste valuable time ?

  • researching hotel options in an unfamiliar city is both difficult and time consuming, diverting attention from your daily duties.

versus

  • save time and headhache !

  • we work directly with you to understand your needs. By using our extensive knowledge of the local hotel market and over 20 years of experience we are able to present you the best suitable hotel options available.

  • no insider pricing knowledge ?

  • when booking online, or as a stand-alone entity there is often no room for negotiation, and a lack of insider knowlegde prevents you from knowing wether you have the best deal possible.

versus

  • experienced negotiators !

  • our hotel industry knowledge and long running relationships, allow us to negotiate competetive pricing directly with the hotel management working with your quality and budget requirements.

  • changes cause problems ?

  • cancellations and modifications can be costly, and there is often no guarantee when dealing with hotel directly to remedy concerns.

versus

  • no worries if plans change !

  • we will act as your liaison with the local hotellier from start to finish, so if you have last minute modifications or cancellations, you can count on us to secure the best possible resolution.

Making a Reservation (Booking Process)

Busworld Europe (Brussels) 2021 has appointed Brussels Booking Desk as official housing service during Busworld Europe (Brussels) 2021. Brussels Booking Desk has selected a wide selection of certified hotels and certified aparthotels in the immediate proximity of - and/or with an easy connection through the local dense public transport network to - Brussels Expo (the venue).

For security reasons we recommend you to use the secured reservation platform such as available on the Busworld Europe (Brussels) website or through the "Book NOW !" button on this website.

At the end of the reservation process you will instantly receive an online confirmation of your hotel reservation including all reservation data.

The reservation platform is operated in compliance with the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS).

Of course, you should not hesitate to reach out to the Brussels Booking Desk for any kind of assistance, via telephone and/or via email.

We understand travelling by group isn’t always as straight forward as making an individual room reservation. Customized guidance is welcome. Accordingly we highly recommend you to reach out to one of our experts with your room requirements : daily room inventory, budget expectations, desired comfort level, … so we can get you forward you that accommodation solution based on your requirements, your needs.

An email confirmation is sent to you after you have completed the reservation process. You should receive the confirmation email within 15 minutes after you have completed the reservation process. You should check your spam or junk mail folder in your email to make sure your confirmation email was not blocked.

If you completed the reservation process and did not received a confirmation please do reach out to the Brussels Booking Desk.

No, we do not charge any fees at all.

Please reach out to the Brussels Booking Desk we will assist you further, through our call center, with your hotel reservation.

Brussels Booking Desk can be reached during office days (Monday till Friday), from 08:30 till 18:30 CET(Central European Time) on +32 25 52 00 07.

Not to worry. Please reach out to the Brussels Booking Desk we will assist you further, through our call center, with your hotel reservation.

Throughout the booking process, your credit card details are requested to confirm your reservation with the hotel, on your behalf. Your credit card may be checked (pre-authorised) to ensure that it is valid and/or that sufficient funds are available by the hotel. After the check, the full amount will be available to you again. In some cases, your credit card details will be used to process the payment for the reservation at the time of reservation. Your credit card will only be charged in accordance with the terms and conditions such as made available throughout the booking process and detailed on your received confirmation at the end of the booking process.

What is a pre-authorisation?

When you make a reservation, there may be instances where the hotel will contact your credit (or debit) card company to confirm that the card you are using is valid and hasn’t been reported lost or stolen. At this time, they may also check to see if the card has enough money to cover the transaction. This is communicated in the form of a pre-authorisation of the full amount of your reservation.

The hotel, however, will not proceed with the charge. The time at which your card will be charged will depend on the terms and conditions linked to your reservation.

Brussels Booking Desk reservation platform uses a secured connection for your reservation, with ‘Secure Socket Layer’ (SSL) technology and respects the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS).

Your personal data and credit card details are encrypted.

Difficult, in exchange for guaranteed availability hotels require all reservations to be guaranteed by credit card upon reservation. A limited selection of hotels does accept a full prepayment upon reservation (due to be received within 10 days after reservation) till close to arrival.

For more information, please reach out to the Brussels Booking Desk we will assist you further, through our call center, with your hotel reservation.

Making a Reservation (Reservation Details)

The displayed ‘room rate’ or ‘price per stay’ are including the bedroom rental, VAT (6%) and service.

Breakfast is excluded, unless mentioned differently.

City tax is excluded.

Rates vary per night, to be sure you have the best available rates, at the proposed terms and conditions.

To avoid any misleading communication such as "rates as of ... " and/or "any surprises" at the end of the booking process the reservation platform mentions the rate per stay. The daily rate will be detailed in the reservation confirmation you will receive at the end of the booking process.

No reservation fee due.

VAT (6%) on accommodation is included.

The city tax is excluded, charged as a supplement

Yes.

The city tax is excluded, charged as a supplement : 4,24.- Euro per room, per night, vat (6%) included, for the hotels within the Brussels Capital Region.

The city tax at Brussels Airport varies from 6,00.- Euro per room, per night to 10,00.- Euro per room, per night,vat (6%) included.

The exact city tax charges are visual throughout the booking process, and detailed on the online confirmation you will receive upon reservation.

You have the possibility to book a single occupied or a double occupied room. Double occupied rooms could be either a double or a twin room, which can be detailed throughout the booking process.

A single occupied room contains at least one single bed, mostly a large bed wide enough for a large adult.

A double occupied room contains one double bed. Occasionally it can contain two single beds made up as one double bed. Suitable for one or two people.

A twin room contains two single beds in the same room. Suitable for two people.

Only a few hotels offer suitable triple rooms for adults. If required we prefer you to contact our call centre or to add, upon reservation, a ‘special request’.

Possible supplement applies.

Set-up varies. Possible set-ups are : three single beds, one of which may be a pull down or roll away bed, or one double and one single bed in the same room. Suitable for three people.

Brussels Booking Desk can be reached during office days (Monday till Friday), from 08:30 till 18:30 CET(Central European Time) on +32 25 52 00 07.

As disabilities varies and related needs are variable, we suggest you to contact our customer service in order to provide you with the best available solution meeting your unique requirements.

Brussels Booking Desk can be reached during office days (Monday till Friday), from 08:30 till 18:30 CET(Central European Time) on +32 25 52 00 07.

Nowadays most hotels committed themselves to create a smoke-free environment for their guests. Accordingly we overall propose non-smoking rooms only. If you want to have a smoking room please add a ‘special request’ to your room reservation. If ‘smoking rooms’ are available, the hotel will do their utmost to respect your requirements.

All requests are at the discretion of the hotel (e.g., high floor, 2 beds, early check-in, etc). While the hotel will generally do everything in its power to honor requests, requests cannot be guaranteed until check-in unless specifically described in your room type.

Making a Reservation (Payment)

Upon reservation you received a detailed confirmation, including the payment policy, part of the terms and conditions related to your confirmed reservation.

Unless agreed differently the concerned individual traveller(s) will have to pay at the hotel.

The hotel is responsible for charging your credit card, either upon arrival or during the check-out at the hotel. However exceptions occurs, these are clearly staed in your confirmation, and payment policy part of the terms and conditions.

If no prepayment is due before arrival, it might occur that the hotel take a pre-authorisation or a test payment from the credit card provided upon confirmation ('your card') of your hotel reservation prior to your actual stay. This is a temporary hold, that is used to validate your card and guarantee your booking. Unlike a real charge, this pre-authorisation or test payment will be returned to your card.

What is a pre-authorisation?

When you make a reservation, there may be instances where the hotel will contact your credit (or debit) card company to confirm that the card you are using is valid and hasn’t been reported lost or stolen. At this time, they may also check to see if the card has enough money to cover the transaction. This is communicated in the form of a pre-authorisation of the full amount of your reservation.

The hotel, however, will not proceed with the charge. The time at which your card will be charged will depend on the terms and conditions linked to your reservation.

Yes, hotels usually accept you to pay at the hotel with a different credit card or in cash. To avoid any confusion we advise you to confirm this upon arrival, during check-in at the hotel.

Some of the hotels do accept you to make a deposit payment, or a full prepayment, via credit card or via wire transfer. Some hotels do not, especially during fair periods.

If you prefer to make a deposit payment, or a full prepayment, please do add it to the 'special remarks' during the booking process, and/or reach out to the hotel and/or Brussels Booking Desk.

To avoid any possible confusion upon arrival at the hotel, we recommend you to get a written confirmation.

As the payment is made by the hotel, the hotel will be the party providing you a detailed invoice (including all VAT details).

If you require a copy of the invoice, after your stay, the hotel is due to be contacted. The Brussels Booking Desk does no edit any invoices.

Existing Reservation - Modify or Cancel

Upon reservation you received a detailed confirmation, including the terms and conditions related to your confirmed reservation. With respect of these terms and conditions you can modify your reservation by returning the email confirmation with your modification request. Modifications are only considered as valid if approved in writing by the hotel and/or the Brussels Booking Desk.

More details in the provided detailed confirmation upon reservation.

Upon reservation you received a detailed confirmation, including the terms and conditions related to your confirmed reservation. With respect of these terms and conditions you can cancel your reservation by returning the email confirmation with your cancellation request or by using the cancellation button at the end of your confirmation. Cancellations are only considered as valid if approved in writing by the hotel and/or the Brussels Booking Desk.

More details in the provided detailed confirmation upon reservation.

Yes, you can ! All reservation data are made available to the concerned hotel upon reservation, in full transparency. Of course, to avoid any miscommunication possible, we recommend you to keep the Brussels Booking Desk copied in your writing to the hotel. Mind that modification and/or cancellations are only considered as valid if approved in writing by the hotel and/or the Brussels Booking Desk.

With respect of the terms and conditions detailed in your confirmation, you can cancel your reservation by returning the email confirmation with your cancellation request or by using the cancellation button at the end of your confirmation. Cancellations are only considered as valid if approved in writing by the hotel and/or the Brussels Booking Desk.

Possible cancellation fees are deducted from the provided credit card upon reservation, by the hotel (not by the Brussels Booking Desk).

No additional administration fees will be charged nor by the hotel nor by the Brussels Booking Desk.

The abovementioned can vary for reservations part of the larger group(ed) reservation.

To avoid any miscommunication possible, we recommend you to go through the person who made your hotel reservation.

Rates and conditions can vary from individually made hotel room reservations.

In general the Brussels Booking Desk does not offer the possibility to confirm any room reservation at "non-refundable" (“non-modifiable”) conditions, exceptions occur (advertised clearly throughout the reservation process).

Although "non-refundable" room reservations might be "more advantageously" priced, with the smallest modifications, these kind of terms and conditions can become very expensive, as often occurring with “non-modifiable” : any modification, any cancellation, from the confirmation date on to the actual stay, is charged the full price.

As modifications and/or cancellation regularly occur while travelling for business we prefer not to advertise such conditions.

Offical Hotels

The Brussels Booking Desk is the non-profit housing service linked to visit.brussels - Brussels Convention Bureau, created by the majority of the Brussels' hotels united in the Brussels Hotels Association (BHA), supported by Brussels Enterprises Commerce and Industry (BECI).

It is a free service. No fees dues.

Busworld Europe (Brussels) 2021 has appointed Brussels Booking Desk as official housing service during Busworld Europe (Brussels).

Brussels Booking Desk has selected a wide selection of certified hotels and certified aparthotels in the immediate proximity of - and/or with an easy connection through the local dense public transport network to - Brussels Expo (the venue).

Preferential rates and flexible cancellation policy have been negotiated on behalf of the Busworld Europe (Brussels) in order to facilitate booking decision making.

The available hotel room inventory on the reservation platform are those available at the time of your request.

Hotel rooms offered through the Brussels Booking Desk at discounted event rates are limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis.

The hotels appearing on the reservation platform are all certified by the local government.

The available hotel room inventory on the reservation platform are those available at the time of your request.

Hotel rooms offered through the Brussels Booking Desk at discounted event rates are limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis.

It could be at the time of your request your preferred hotel is no longer available, availability at the discounted event rates are limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Please reach out to the Brussels Booking Desk we will assist you further, through our call center, with your hotel reservation. Availability at your preferred hotel will be double checked and/or an alternative solution will be provided, based on your expectations.

A few of the mandatory rules that hotels have to respect in order to protect consumers (you)

  • on-site responsible presence
  • strict respect of fire safety regulation
  • accessibility for disabled persons
  • implementation of health controls
  • official rating according to regional standards
  • transparant and exhaustive display of rates
  • control of all customers ID for security reasons
  • protection of customers reservation and data

Why do hotels use restrictions ?

Hotels do apply various restrictions during periods of high demand, especially when supply and demand are (perceived) out of balance.

Unlike any other industry a (the) hotel (industry) cannot produce more when demand is high, nor store the unsold inventory for when demand is increasing again and “additional stock” would be useful.

Accordingly hotels apply restrictions to “optimize” and/or to “maximize” the available “stock” in periods of high demand.

A “minimum length of stay” (MLS or MinLOS) is such a restriction.

The hotel applies such “minimum length of stay”-restriction to increase the occupancy on the so called “shoulder nights”, before and after, who are less demanded.

Hotel Fraud !

Note that Brussels Booking Desk is the only official hotel provider associated with Busworld Europe (Brussels). While other hotel resellers may contact you offering accommodations for your trip, they are not endorsed by or affiliated with the show. Beware that entering into financial agreements with non-endorsed companies can have costly consequences.

The Brussels Booking Desk is referenced on the official website of Busworld Europe (Brussels) : https://www.busworldeurope.org/practical/hotel, go to here to website.

Fraudulent companies repeatedly email exhibitors and visitors of Busworld Europe (Brussels) with room offers for the week of Busworld Europe (Brussels). Their website and/or emails mention Busworld Europe (Brussels), and even include the Busworld Europe (Brussels)-logo in the hopes of looking like an official or legitimate provider.

These groups promote attractive deals with local accommodation providers, but once payment has been received, the company disappears and can no longer be contacted by phone or email. Once the attendee contacts the hotel directly about their room, they realise the hotel has no record of them or their stay. Not only is their money gone, they must then scramble to find last-minute accommodation, which is rarely convenient to the venue.

This practice takes money directly from exhibitors and visitors of Busworld Europe (Brussels) and negatively impacts their Busworld Europe (Brussels) experience. Brussels Booking Desk and Busworld Europe (Brussels) do everything we can to stop these companies preying on exhibitors and visitors of Busworld Europe (Brussels), and we don’t want this to happen to you.

Book through our official housing partner of Busworld Europe (Brussels), namely the Brussels Booking Desk. Brussels Booking Desk has been working with Busworld Europe (Brussels) and the local hotel community to deliver consistently good, certified hotels to exhibitors and visitors of Busworld Europe (Brussels).

Do not only rely on the presence of the Busworld Europe (Brussels) name and logo on accommodation providers’ websites, as the Busworld Europe (Brussels) name and logo are being used unlawfully. The only accommodation company recommended by Busworld Europe (Brussels) and authorised to use the Busworld Europe (Brussels) name and logo is Brussels Booking Desk.

If using another supplier, thoroughly investigate all documentation regarding the company making the offer. Check carefully online to make sure they’re a reputable supplier with a history of satisfied, actual customers before sending any funds. Run the company’s URL through a ‘Who Is‘ lookup service to see where the website was registered and how long they’ve been in business. Most dishonest websites will show that they’ve only been operational for a short period of time (six months or less).

Use credit cards to guarantee your rooms, rather than wire transfers. If your supplier turns out to be fraudulent, credit cards typically offer some form of consumer protection, where wire transfers do not.

Visa Requirements

If you are a non-EU national travelling to Belgium, you will need a passport which is:

  • valid for at least 3 months after the date you leave; and

  • was issued within the previous 10 years.

You may also need a short-stay visa (up to 90 days). Check if you need a visa at the Belgian embassy or consulate in your country.

Belgium is a signatory to the Schengen agreement. In general this means that if you have a visa for a country within the Schengen area, you may travel to other countries within Schengen as well. If you have a valid residence permit from one of those Schengen countries, it is the equivalent to a visa.

If you are an EU national or a national of Iceland, Liechtenstein or Norway, you do not need to show your national ID card or passport when you are travelling from one border-free Schengen EU country to another.

Even if you don't need a passport for border checks within the Schengen area, it is nevertheless highly recommended to always carry your passport or ID card with you as proof of your identity if needed for example on request by the police or airport authorities.

When travelling to or from a non-Schengen country you must show a valid ID or passport. Click here for more information.

My arrival, my stay

The hotel official arrival time (check-in) is 3PM (local time), the day of arrival.

In the event of an early arrival (before the official check-in time), it is recommended to pre-book, at the latest 72 hours prior to arrival, the night before the actual stay to guarantee an available room upon arrival.

Possible unexpected early arrivals will be provided a room upon availability, although an immediate availability cannot be guaranteed.

Especially during fair- and/or event periods we recommend you to contact the hotel directly, to inform the hotel about your expected arrival time.

The contact details can be found in your received confirmation.

The hotel rooms have to be vacant again by noon (local time), the day of departure. In the event of a late liberated room the hotel can apply charges up to one additional night.

A late check-out can only be arranged with the hotel and usually depends on availability at the time of your stay. You can ask about the possibility at reception upon arrival.

The full address, and directions, can be found on the detailed confirmation recevied at the end of the booking process.

Upon confirmation, you will receive a detailed confirmation including the full contact details of the hotel : address, telephone number(s) and email address(es).

In case you are not showing up at the date booked, “no-show”, you will be charged for the first night only or the entire stay booked, depending on the ‘cancellation policy’. Rooms are held until 10AM the day following the original arrival date. Afterwards the room will be offered as freely available, without prior notice.

In case of an early departure, the remaining night(s) may be charged by the hotel to you.

Safety & Security

However, while you are here we suggest you take the common sense precautions as you would when visiting any major city:

  • always remove your Congress pass upon leaving the venue

  • do not display large amounts of cash; carry only as much as you need

  • keep your personal belongings with you, both inside and outside the venue

  • when walking around the city, know how to get to your destination in advance so you appear confident in where you are going

  • be vigilant in crowds, restaurants and on public transportation; watch out for people creating distractions and diversions

Practicalities, my local experience

Brussels is officially a bilingual city (Dutch and French) and being an international hub, most people also speak good English. Delegates arriving from different countries and speaking different languages will have a good chance of being able to interact with locals and navigate their way around.

In general, office hours are from 9am to 5pm on weekdays and in some cases on Saturdays from 9am to 1pm.

Major banks are usually open from 9am to 4pm/5pm Monday to Friday and closed at weekends (some also close for lunch). Opening hours may vary at different branches.

Generally, shops and department stores open daily from 10am to 6pm Monday to Saturday. Most shops are closed on Sundays although there are exceptions.

Supermarket opening hours vary with most large stores closed on Sundays. Smaller convenience stores are often open later and some open on Sundays.

Local Belgium time is one (1) hour ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT +1).

The temperate climate in Belgium is characterised by relatively cool, wet summers and relatively mild, rainy winters. The weather in October can be unpredictable, so do check the forecast when deciding what to pack. You can check the daily weather forecasts while you are in Belgium here: www.meteo.be.

112 is the Europe-wide emergency number and you can dial it anytime of the day or night, free of charge from fixed and mobile phones, should you need to speak to the emergency services – police, ambulance or fire brigade.

Otherwise in Belgium you can dial 101 for the police or 100 for fire and ambulance services. Both of these numbers are free 24 hours a day from a landline, a public telephone or a mobile phone.

For more Belgium specific emergency contact numbers, click here.

Tap water in Brussels is safe to drink, although some people choose to drink filtered or bottled water due to the taste of the hard water.

While Belgium is a relatively low risk country for diseases, you are advised to visit your health professional at least 4 to 6 weeks before your trip to be up to date with vaccinations such as tetanus. For more information,click here.

The Belgian healthcare system is one of the best in Europe and treatment is fast and accessible. English is spoken by most public and private sector medical professionals.

If you are a European citizen, you can access healthcare using a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), which entitles you to state provided medical treatment during your visit.

If you are from outside Europe, you should ensure that your health or travel insurance covers you for accidents or emergencies abroad.

No vaccinations are required for visiting Belgium.

When travelling to Belgium, make sure you know what emergency healthcare you are entitled to, what medicines you can bring into the country, what to do in an emergency, and what travel insurance you will need.

An individual travel and health insurance is recommended.

The standard voltage in Belgium is 220-230V (standard frequency is 50 Hz). The plug/socket system is a two pin round pronged plug used across much of Europe (type E).

International dialling and WiFi/internet are widely available in Brussels. Local SIM cards can be purchased at convenience stores. Delegates wishing to use their mobile/cell phone should ensure that international roaming is enabled on their phone.

The International Dialling Code for Belgium is +(32).

The Euro (€) is the unit of currency used in Belgium. $1 US Dollar is approximately €0.82. Most foreign currencies and traveller’s cheques can be changed at banks and currency exchanges.

All major credit cards are widely accepted in Brussels and can be used to make cash withdrawals at banks and ATM machines. ATMs can be found at the airport and in the city (mainly in banks) and provide 24-hour cash withdrawal.

Value Added Tax (VAT) applies to most sales of goods and services in Belgium and is usually included in the prices displayed. The standard rate of VAT is 21%. Reduced rates of 6% and 12% apply to certain categories of goods and services such as books, food and drink.

Click here for more information on VAT rates and refunds

Tipping is not common in Belgium. A service charge is sometimes but not always included in restaurant, taxi and hairdresser bills.

You may consider leaving a few Euro or rounding up your bill, otherwise 10% is considered a good tip if you receive exceptional service. In more touristy places, you may find that you are 'expected' to tip more. You are under no obligation to do so.

Brussels offers a wide range of tourist attractions and engaging activities: art, architecture, fashion, history and the great outdoors- there are a number of pursuits to enjoy.

In addition to concerts, opera, orchestras and cinema, the capital of Europe also has a wide and eclectic collection of museums. There are approximately 89 museums endorsed by the tourism information bureau. From large, spacious and information-rich museums such as the Museum of Natural Sciences and the Museum of Fine Arts, to small, quaint interest-based museums such as the Belgian Beer Brewers museum or the Museum of Cocoa and Chocolate.

Outside of the capital, prestigious art cities such as Antwerp, Bergen, Bruges, Ghent and Liege, are worth a visit for their history and architecture. For those who enjoy walking, sports and the outdoors, head to the Ardennes, the green heart of Belgium. The Belgian coast is recommended for those who prefer the beach or enjoy cycling.

You can find more detailed information on the visit.brussels website.

Brussels boasts numerous cafés in which to enjoy a world-renowned Belgian beer and shops from Belgium’s artisan chocolatiers are to be found everywhere. Meanwhile, the city’s cultural diversity is reflected in the range of international cuisines found in Brussels, from African to Vietnamese and everything in between; international delegates will always find something to their taste.

For more information about restaurants and eating out go to brusselskitchen.com website.

Various FAQ's about Brussels Airport (BRU) in relation to 'reservation and tickets', 'check-in', 'baggage', 'travel documents', et cetera can be found here.

There are no restrictions on smoking in the street or in OPEN public places. However, you may not smoke in any ENCLOSED public place, including shopping malls, metro stations, cinemas and theatres, hotels, restaurants and cafés (unless in a dedicated smoking room).

Traffic travels on the right and streetcars always have the right of way. Many Belgian roads have heavily travelled bike lanes, so be careful.

To rent a car in Belgium, you must be at least 21 years old (age may vary by car category) and have held your license for 1 year. Drivers under the age of 25 may incur a young driver surcharge. Seatbelts are mandatory. Child seats are mandatory for children up to age 3 and children must be at least age 12 to sit in the front seat.

 
Wim

Wim Nicolaï

Managing Director

Brussels Booking Desk

Call +32 (0)25 52 00 07