Belgium

Belgium is compact, so you can see a lot without rushing if you plan smartly. Brussels, Bruges, Ghent, and Antwerp make a great introduction and are all under two hours apart by train. For a short trip (3–4 days), base yourself in Brussels or Ghent and use day trips to explore; for a week, add nights in Bruges or Antwerp.

Train connections are frequent and reliable, and major stations like Bruxelles-Midi/Brussel-Zuid, Brugge, Gent-Sint-Pieters, and Antwerpen-Centraal are easy to navigate. Buying tickets at the station is straightforward, but check off-peak and weekend deals, which can be cheaper. If you’re arriving by air, Brussels Airport has a direct train station under the terminal.

Use the trip planning tools in Hello to map out your days by city: one day for Brussels’ Grand-Place and European Quarter, one for Bruges’ canals and belfry, another for Ghent’s castle and riverside cafés. Because distances are short, factor in time for spontaneous detours—like hopping off in Leuven or Mechelen for an afternoon. Save your key hotel, train, and museum info in Hello so everything is in one place instead of scattered across emails and screenshots.

Belgium is one of the easiest countries in Europe to get around without a car. Trains link almost every city and many towns, usually at least once an hour. Aim to arrive at stations 15–20 minutes before departure to find your platform and grab a snack. Validate paper tickets if required, and keep digital tickets handy for onboard checks.

Within cities, trams and buses are efficient. In Brussels, look for STIB/MIVB; in Flanders, De Lijn; in Wallonia, TEC. You can usually buy tickets at machines or via local apps, but contactless bank cards are increasingly accepted. If you plan lots of trips in a day, day passes often work out cheaper.

To navigate all this smoothly, activate a Hello eSIM before you land so your phone connects as soon as you touch down—no hunting for airport Wi‑Fi or local SIM shops. With reliable data, you can:

• Use map apps to check real-time delays and platform changes.
• Compare routes (train vs tram vs walking) on the go.
• Translate signs and announcements when needed.

Taxis and rideshares exist but are pricey compared to public transport, so reserve them for late nights or when you’re carrying heavy luggage.

Belgian food is hearty, indulgent, and perfect for days spent walking cobbled streets. Start with frites (fries) from a street-side frituur, topped with sauces like andalouse or samurai. Try moules-frites (mussels with fries) in season, typically costing around 20–28 EUR (roughly 22–30 USD) in sit-down restaurants. In cooler months, look for carbonade flamande, a slow-cooked beef stew made with beer.

Waffles come in two main styles: Brussels waffles, light and rectangular, often with powdered sugar or fruit; and Liège waffles, denser with caramelized sugar, best eaten plain and warm from a stand. For dessert or gifts, step into chocolatiers in Brussels, Bruges, or Antwerp—buy by the piece to sample widely instead of committing to big boxes.

Belgium is also a paradise for beer lovers. Seek out Trappist and abbey beers, or visit traditional brown cafés in cities like Ghent and Leuven. Beer menus can be huge, so don’t hesitate to ask staff for recommendations based on what you usually enjoy.

If you’re traveling with others, use Hello’s expense splitting to divide restaurant bills and bar tabs fairly. Pair that with budget tracking in Euros to keep an eye on how much you’re spending on those tempting extra rounds and chocolate stops.

Belgium uses the Euro (EUR), and most places accept cards, including contactless payments, though it’s wise to keep 20–40 EUR (about 22–44 USD) in cash for small cafés, markets, and public toilets. Expect a mid-range meal to cost 18–25 EUR per person, a coffee 3–4 EUR, and local beer in a bar 4–6 EUR. Museum tickets typically sit around 10–15 EUR.

Tipping is modest; service is usually included in restaurant prices. Rounding up the bill or leaving an extra 5–10% for excellent service is appreciated but not mandatory. In bars, it’s common just to round up to the nearest Euro.

To keep your finances organized, use Hello’s budget tracking feature to log spending in Euros by category (food, transport, activities). This helps you adjust quickly if you’re splurging on chocolate or souvenirs. When traveling with companions, Hello’s expense splitting can track who paid for what—train tickets, Airbnb, rental bikes—so you don’t have to balance a messy spreadsheet later.

Plug sockets are type E, with 230 V voltage, so bring an adapter if needed. Tap water is safe to drink, which helps stretch your budget. Belgium is generally safe, but in busy stations or around popular squares like Brussels’ Grand‑Place, keep valuables secure and avoid keeping your phone in a back pocket.