Vespa
Established Member
First of all thanks for all who have contributed to my requests for information and advice prior to my trip.
I've have booked good rated hostel for 6 nights near Brussels Midi as it's a convenient location, just as well as there's road works round the area and the area is a bit dodgy already which would put most tourists off if it's their first visit and would feel intimidated, my sixth sense was alert to any potential issues and ready to face down any potential bother, there's heavy police presence and various down and outs round the station with clear drugs and alcoholic issues, saw one police officer confront a shoplifter inside a store and frog marched him to the till to pay for the products, the Belgian police don't mess about.
>The next day once I've sussed out the area and walked to the Groot Markt where there is a Belgian beer festival where of course I sampled the famous strong Belgian beer as you do
>The next day I brought a Mobib basic card and loaded it with one day travel, the transport map is a little cluttered and it's interesting to find that heavy rail metro runs above or below the underground premetro tram which is an interesting concept, I took the tram to wherever it took me so I can learn about it in practice, it took some hard riding to cover as much as possible so I travelled terminus to terminus with occasional route swapping such as route 92, 97, 4, 3, 51, 6 and used the bus to go from one terminus to the next if neccessary.
>Rode the metro as well, very quick and rapid some rolling stocks are clearly ageing and due for replacement.
>Was dissapointed to find 44 route still partially closed so decided not to visit the tram museum as there would be no rides on vintage cars
>82 Drogenbois route is partially cut back and while walking along past the terminus noticed overhead wires have been cut down and some tracks cut up and missing, is it bring repaired or abandonment by stealth ?
>Used the tram to get the Belgian Military museum, they accepted my British military ID card and gave me a discount, speaking French helped no doubt. The museum took me all day to go through, I was also particularly interested in the revolution of 1830
> Unfortunately the Royal Palace is closed and other attractions is curtailed.
Once the route 44 with tram museum reopens and Royal Palace is receiving visitors again I will make a return visit.
In conclusion once the road works have finished and maybe clear up the area it will create a better first impression of the city, some parts of it is quite rough, once you start going further East and North the general ambience is much better.
The public transport infrastructure is impressive, in depth with some duplications with very frequent turn up and go, there's a mix of old and new trams running.
This trip is really more of a recce, I will be more prepared and come back in 2026 hopefully all the road and track works will be complete by then, Royal Palace opened up etc.
When I get a good signal I can put up some photos.
I've have booked good rated hostel for 6 nights near Brussels Midi as it's a convenient location, just as well as there's road works round the area and the area is a bit dodgy already which would put most tourists off if it's their first visit and would feel intimidated, my sixth sense was alert to any potential issues and ready to face down any potential bother, there's heavy police presence and various down and outs round the station with clear drugs and alcoholic issues, saw one police officer confront a shoplifter inside a store and frog marched him to the till to pay for the products, the Belgian police don't mess about.
>The next day once I've sussed out the area and walked to the Groot Markt where there is a Belgian beer festival where of course I sampled the famous strong Belgian beer as you do
>The next day I brought a Mobib basic card and loaded it with one day travel, the transport map is a little cluttered and it's interesting to find that heavy rail metro runs above or below the underground premetro tram which is an interesting concept, I took the tram to wherever it took me so I can learn about it in practice, it took some hard riding to cover as much as possible so I travelled terminus to terminus with occasional route swapping such as route 92, 97, 4, 3, 51, 6 and used the bus to go from one terminus to the next if neccessary.
>Rode the metro as well, very quick and rapid some rolling stocks are clearly ageing and due for replacement.
>Was dissapointed to find 44 route still partially closed so decided not to visit the tram museum as there would be no rides on vintage cars
>82 Drogenbois route is partially cut back and while walking along past the terminus noticed overhead wires have been cut down and some tracks cut up and missing, is it bring repaired or abandonment by stealth ?
>Used the tram to get the Belgian Military museum, they accepted my British military ID card and gave me a discount, speaking French helped no doubt. The museum took me all day to go through, I was also particularly interested in the revolution of 1830
> Unfortunately the Royal Palace is closed and other attractions is curtailed.
Once the route 44 with tram museum reopens and Royal Palace is receiving visitors again I will make a return visit.
In conclusion once the road works have finished and maybe clear up the area it will create a better first impression of the city, some parts of it is quite rough, once you start going further East and North the general ambience is much better.
The public transport infrastructure is impressive, in depth with some duplications with very frequent turn up and go, there's a mix of old and new trams running.
This trip is really more of a recce, I will be more prepared and come back in 2026 hopefully all the road and track works will be complete by then, Royal Palace opened up etc.
When I get a good signal I can put up some photos.
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