Bus, tram, metro, Antwerp

The ANTWERP DIAMOND BUS is the ideal way to explorethe city without effort.You get on and off at any of the stops an unlimited number of times for 24 hours after first use. On presentation of your ticket you have discount in museums and other sights.However we explored the entire city on foot as it is quite compact

De Lijn is the transport company that is responsible for all the bus, tram and metro traffic in Flanders. Antwerp has an extensive network of these 3 transport means and it is also the easiest way to travel around in the city. The main bus station can be found at the Franklin Rooseveltplaats, at a walking distance of about 5 minutes from the train station Antwerp-Central. One can also find an information stand there where one can buy tickets or just more information. Be aware that there is almost always a long queue.

As for the fare prices: a single ticket costs €1.50, a day pass €6 and a 3-days pass €12. All the tickets can be bought on the bus, tram or metro. However, if one buys tickets in presale, then a 20% discount will be given. These presale-points can be found in the above information stand, the automats in the stations and some stops as well in most newspaper shops.

Remember to validate your ticket in the yellow machines every time you take the bus, tram or metro. When you take the bus or tram, you have to press the blue buttons before you can descend at the next stop. Because if no one presses it, the bus driver will assume that no one wants to get out at that particular stop. As for the metro, it almost always stop at every stop, but still do press as to be sure that the metro will stop.

For more information, please visit their site. The only downside is that it is only available in Dutch.

If you opt not to rent a car in Belgium, Antwerp is only about 30 miles (50 km) from Brussels or Ghent and you can get there via train.

Centraal Station is the largest and most centrally located train station in Antwerp and you can find train schedules here. There are direct trains from both Ghent and Brussels that take around 45 minutes, Bruges is around 70 minutes.

There are many and cheap flights to Brussels from any country in Europe.The best solution is taking a shuttle bus from the Brussels airport which departs every hour since 7 am until 11 pm.Antwerp is about 40 kms. and the journey takes 50 minutes.The bus stop is in De Keyserlei street near Central Station.Price 8 euros.

The best way to get around in Antwerp is by bus, tram or metro. Inside the city tram and metro are the fastest. If you want to go outside of the citycenter the bus is better. You can find the busstation on the Rooseveltplaats. It's also here that you'll find the Informationstand of 'De Lijn' (the public transportcompany) You can buy tickets here or just get information on the timetables or routes. Information on tram and metro are also availlable here.

Tickets:
- A single ticket: gives you free use of the whole net inside the citie for 1hour. It costs 1.50€ when bought on the bus, tram or metro.When you buy it at the presales-points (infostand, the automats in the metrostations or at a newspaperstore) it costs 0.80€. You have to validate the ticket in the yellow machines on the bus or tram.
- A daypass: you can use the hole net in Flanders (not in Brussels) for one day. It is 6€ (bought on the bus, tram or metro) and 5€ (at the presales-points) You also put it in the yellow machines to validate it . You have to do it every time you take a bus or tram even when you just switch on to another line.
- A 3-daypass or a 5-daypass This one is interresting if you stay longer than one day in Flanders. You can use the whole net in Flanders (not in Brussels) freely. You also have to validate the ticket every time you take a ride. A 3-daypass costs 10€ (presale) or 12€ (on the bus, tram or metro) and a5-daypass costs 15€ (presale) or 18€ (on the bus , tram or metro) You also put it in the yellow machines to validate it . You have to do it every time you take a bus or tram even when you just switch on to another line.

For more detailed information check teh website of ' De Lijn' (which is unfortunatly only in Dutch) or e-mail at the following adres.

The Diamond Tourist Bus takes in many of Antwerps sights and sounds and takes about 45 minutes for a round trip in 8 languages.
you are free to get on and off at set stopping points,but you will have to wait for another one to come by to continue on the tour from that point.
Currently the bus trip is 11 Euros per Adult
10 Euros for 65+ and students
and 6 Euros for children although it doesn't say what age?.
Your ticket is valid for 24 hours so if you wish your tour can be spread over 2 days.

Well Antwerp has a large and good network
of busses , trams and underground stations

A ticket cost you 1 euro and you can travel for
an hour. Even when you jump over for a
different line. (just put the ticket again in the
yellow machine)
If you did something wrong , it will make a lot
of noise and everybody will look at you. ;-)

A ticket for 10 rides cost you 7,5 euro. You
can buy them at machines in the
underground at some papershops and at the
store of 'de lijn'. The local company at the
franklin Rooseveltplaats. This is also the
place where all the busses gather together
for the regional transport.

I'm sorry we don't have plans like they have in
paris or in London. But just ask the belgians.
They are mostly very helpfull and we do
speak our languages.

Taxis are quit expensive and the first tram is
riding about 5 or 6 in the morning (depends
which one) and the last one around midnight
or later. And then there are nightbusses.
(very low frequency and hard to find out were
they are going - but just choose a hotel in the
center)

In Antwerp, the tram/metro stops are provided by the schedule boxes like you see on this picture.
It shows the tracks, time left and a couple of stops until the place you are about.
It also shows, indicated with a red (moving) light where the tram is at the moment so you can see how long you will have to wait.

Very helpful it is when you have to catch a tram you will be able to see if you have to run or if you still have plenty of time left. It sure made me catch my tram in time on several occasions because I knew I had to run!