By Car, Brussels

I (as always in Europe) arrived to Brussels by my car. I didn't know a city. I had only quite good map with one-way streets marked. Hmm... my map was a little too big to use it inside a car while driving haha. Traffic was heavy (a hell in morning rush hours 7.30 - 9.00 am!) and a little difficult for me especially that my target was difficult to find out, hehe it was any FREE parking lot possibly not very far from a downtown/center. So, surely I got lost a few times. Finally I found my parking lot at the back of Palace of Justice (not so close to Grand Place :-).

I can't recommend you driving to Brussels unless you are an experienced driver with a good guide on passenger seat and you like driving. Or park your car at Bruhl (Expo) and take the subway (suggestion of my friend Paul - Pavlik_NL - thank you :-).
Otherwise better get there by train or plane.
Check your train: European Timetable
Bon voyage :-)))


From my VT-friend bart_warreyn from Brussels:
I have never heard of Bruhl, this must be a misunderstanding. The Expo is in the Heysel-area in the Northwestern part of Brussels (close to where I live) where you can also see the Atomium. There is a big parking site here and you can get to the city easily by subway. More of these parkings exist at Roodebeek (East Brussels), Delta (Southeast) and Erasme (West) (all connected to the centre by subway).
Thank you very much for your explanations.

Brussels traffic and the direction signs really drove me mad! It took me nearly an hour to get out of the city. It is just increadible! How do others find their way on time?

I am sorry to say that but for me Belgians and road signs really don't go together ...

Starting from Flanders to the Capital of Belgium - via the Euroroad E40 during the week - is asking for problems - patience and time ! Aalst and Ternat - the bottlenecks - everyday - than you better take the railway (NMBS) - if they are not on strike !!
Passing Ternat and the last pumpstation "Texaco" - drive left to the center - via "Koekelberg" and drive into the famous unhealthy tunnels - this in order to get into the center! It is a shame for the Brussels environment policy !

Belgium and Brussels is easily reached by car. From Frankfurt it is about 3 - 4 hours ride.

The last time I left Frankfurt (city center) at round about 4.30pm and was already in Brussels at 8pm. I guess that was really fast cause my friend was a bit suprised. She expected me to arrive later ...

Renting a car from Midi station was convenient for me, as I had taken the train in directly from Amsterdam.... but returning the car can be tricky. Please note that the rental area is on -4 in the parking garage - a wrong turn gets you on the first floor, and there's nowhere to go from there but the exit.... stay to the extreme left and follow the signs!

I've been there with my own car but I cannot recommend you to do the same. Traffic is hell in the centre. Either you get there by train or plane or you leave your car in the outskirt and take the public transport.

I drove to brussels. This picture is from me driving to Belgiam, another time in winter, 2000. This is on the Belgian AutoRoute.
Walk, you can see a lot in the downtown area by walking. We never ventured out of that area though (for fear of getting lost)

HERE I SHALL GIVE YOU SOME NAMES AND TELEPHONE NUMBERS IN CASE OF EMERGENCY.......

Touring Secours tel. 233 22 11

RACB tel. 736 59 59

V.A.B. tel. 219 28 80