Page 175 - (DK Eyewitness) Top 10 Travel Guide - Brussels Bruges Ghent & Antwerp

PR A C TIC AL INFORM A TION  173

Banking and Communications be found online at bric.brussels.
There are almost no large
Along with an array of banks and exchange bureaux in Internet cafés, though in and
Brussels, there are hundreds of 24-hour cashpoints located around Boulevard Anspach in
around the city, and international credit and debit cards are particular are phone shops and
widely accepted. The postal system is efficient and the city corner stores that have a few
com puters with Internet access.
is especially big on Wi-Fi, pioneering free Wi-fi hotspots
throughout the main tourist areas. As the capital of Europe,
Brussels is a multilingual media hub; all aspects of publishing Newspapers, TV
and Radio
and broadcasting are available whatever your language.
International editions of British
and American daily newspapers
Banks and Bureaux Credit Cards and English-language magazines
de Change American Express, Diners Club, are sold at newsstands and at
Most banks in Brussels are open MasterCard and Visa are widely bookshops such as Waterstones
weekdays from 9am to 1pm and accepted in Brussels, although it is and Sterling Books.
2 to 4pm; some open late on wise to check in advance if Belgium has one of the
Friday until 4:30 or 5pm, and a booking a hotel or restaurant. world’s most advanced cable TV
few on Saturday mornings. Most hotels will accept a credit networks, with access to more
Banks often offer very card booking, and the cardholder than 40 channels, including
competitive exchange rates, may be asked for a credit card both BBC 1 and 2, CNN and Arte.
and most will happily serve imprint at check-in. Check first in Classical music radio stations
non-clients. Many transactions shops and supermarkets whether include Musique 3 (91.2 FM) and
(especially money transfers) they take credit cards, as some will Radio Klara (89.5 FM). Internet radio
are liable to banking fees, so only accept cards issued by stations, such as StarRadio (www.
ask in advance what these Belgian banks, most notably the star-radio.net), offer pop music, as
rates might be. Most banks popular Mister Cash card. well as news and chat in English.
will be able to cash traveller’s
cheques with the signatory’s
passport or other form of ATMs
photographic identification. Almost all bank branches have
Visitors are also usually able to 24-hour cashpoint facilities.
exchange foreign currency, Most ATMs will accept a wide
again with valid ID. You will find range of credit or debit cards
that many bank attendants including Cirrus, Plus, Maestro
speak good English. and Star cards as well as those
There is a 24-hour automated from MasterCard and Visa.
exchange machine at Grand
Place 7, while in the streets A magazine stand
around the square, there are Post and Communications
several bureaux de change that Brussels’ central post office, DIRECTORY
are open until 7pm or later. 1 Boulevard Anspach, is open
Some of these charge no from 8:30am to 6pm Monday to Lost Credit Cards
commission for exchanging Friday and 10am–4pm Saturday. American Express
cash, though it’s always worth Public payphones, run by Tel (02) 676 2121.
comparing prices between Belgacom, accept both coins
different bureaux. There are and telephone cards. Directory MasterCard
currency exchange booths at all enquiries can be contacted on Tel 0800 1 5096.
of the city’s major stations. 1307 or international directory Visa
enquiries on 1304. Tel 0800 1 8397.
The ability to use your mobile
phone in Belgium depends on Bookshops
your network; ask your provider Librairie Louis d’Or
whether this service is available Rue du Bailli 54.
to you before travelling. Map 2 D5. Tel (02) 640 6432.
Free Wi-Fi is available
throughout Brussels at bars, Sterling Books
cafés and hotels. A number Rue du Fossé-aux-Loups 23–25.
of places such as the Grand Map 2 D2. Tel (02) 223 6223.
Place, the Bourse and Place Waterstones
Flagey have been designated Boulevard Adolphe Max 71–75.
free Wi-Fi hotspots. A map of Map 2 D1. Tel (02) 219 2708.
Red Belgian postbox current hotspot locations can

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