Transportation in Brussels

Metro, Buses & Trams

Public transport in Brussels is well-developed but may be confusing for first-timers. The network includes 4 metro lines (#1, 2, 5, and 6), 17 or 18 tram lines, and 49 or 55 bus lines. Each line is identified by a number. The pre-metro lines are part of the tram network and are not separately numbered as metro lines.

The entire network is managed by the STIB/MIVB, a semi-public company founded in 1954. Tickets for the metro, tram, and bus are the same and valid for any mode of transport, allowing for unlimited changes within one hour. A single ticket costs 2.10 € when bought at a machine and 2.60 € when bought at sales points. Tickets can be validated using contactless payment or a MOBIB card. More information is available on the STIB/MVIB's official website.

Rental Bicycles

In 2009, a partnership between the Brussels-Capital region and JCDecaux introduced the Villo! bike-sharing system with over 180 stations around the city, providing 2,500 bicycles for automated rental 24/7. Users can purchase a weekly or yearly subscription card with their credit card and rent a bike, returning it to any Villo! station. Stations are about 400 meters apart.

A one-week card costs 7 €, while an annual card is 30 €. Bikes can also be rented hourly, with a minimum fee of 1.5 € for the first half hour. The next half-hour costs 0.5 €, the second hour 1 ?, and so on. More information is available on the Villo! website.