Page 326 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Belgium & Luxembourg

324  SUR VIV AL GUIDE

Getting Around Belgium the front if there are other seats
and Luxembourg available. Drink-driving is illegal
and is heavily penalized. Mobile
phones are not permitted while
Both Belgium and Luxembourg have very effective and driving, but the use of “hands
reasonably priced public transport, with rail and bus services free” equipment is allowed. In
reaching just about every place of interest. In Belgium, the places with tram networks,
rail system is the most extensive, complemented by the bus visitors need to keep a sharp
lookout for trams, and always
services; in Luxembourg, the rail sys tem is more limited, but a give way to them.
comprehensive bus network fills the gaps. Railways are run with Most roads in Belgium are
great efficiency and with the kind of pride that produces ticket- clearly marked to give priority
collectors who can help passengers in three languages. However, to the main road, but where
driving is the easiest way to see the countries at leisure. junctions are not so marked,
drivers coming from the right
(and turning to the right) may
pull onto the main road without
By Car stopping. This is most often seen
Traffic jams can be a problem in city side streets.
in the big cities, but beyond
them, driving becomes much
less enervating. The motorways Parking
are fast, well maintained, well lit In many towns, it is possible
at night and toll-free. Signposting to park right in the city centre,
is generally good, but the sometimes in the central square
tendency of many municipal itself, although signs may ban
authorities to make their town- this on market days. There are
centres traffic-free can produce usually plenty of paying car
labyrinthine one-way systems parks close by. Street parking
that are only comprehensible often requires paying at a coin-
to those with local knowledge. Cars and taxis threading their way through operated metre. In many towns,
Breakdowns in Belgium are the main streets of Brussels especially in Flanders, street-
handled by one of three parking is free, but time-limited:
motoring organizations – A full licence from the EU, US, a clock-like cardboard parking
Touring Club de Belgique, Royal Canada, Australia, New Zealand disk (available at a newsagent)
Automobile Club de Belgique or South Africa is acceptable, is placed on the dashboard,
and Vlaamse Automobilistenbond as is an International Driving showing time of arrival. Blue
(in Flanders). Luxembourg has Licence. The licence must be signs with a rather obscure clock
the Automobile Club de carried while driving. It is also image indicate where this rule is
Luxembourg. Major rental essential to have at least third- in force, but many do not actually
agencies, including Avis, Budget, party insurance, and better to show the length of time allowed
Europcar and Hertz, operate in have comprehensive insurance for parking. This may vary from
both countries. Vehicles can be (Green Card). Visitors are 30 minutes to 2 hours – it is best
rented by anyone who is at least expected to carry a first-aid kit, a to ask to be sure.
21 years of age (in some cases reflective jacket and a warning
23 or 25), has a year’s driving triangle: national stickers must
experience and a credit card. It be displayed. Drivers of UK cars By Train
is usually cheaper to book a car need to make sure that their Belgian National Railways are
before leaving home. headlights are adjusted for run by the Société Nationale des
Before starting out, it is advisable driving on the right. Safety belts Chemins de Fer Belges (SNCB),
to get a full breakdown insurance are obligatory and children known in Dutch as the Nationale
cover, including damage excess; under 12 are not allowed to sit in Maatschappij der Belgische
this can be very expensive if
bought when picking up the car.

Rules of the Road
Traffic in Luxembourg and
Belgium drives on the right.
Speed limits are 50 kph (30 mph)
in built-up areas, 120 kph (75
mph) on motorways and dual-
carriageways, and 90 kph (55
mph) on other national roads. A taxi parked by the curb in Luxembourg City

324-325_EW_Belgium.indd 324 18/10/16 3:03 pm
Eyewitness Travel LAYERS PRINTED:
Practical template “UK” LAYER
(Source v1.7)
Date 5th March 2013
Size 125mm x 217mm