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Brussels: City Card with STIB Public Transportation
From 50,00 €
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If you’re planning a trip to Brussels, you should consider purchasing the Brussels Card, a tourist pass that allows you to explore the city while saving money. With the Brussels Card, you can enjoy free entry to over 49 museums in the city, discounts at restaurants, pubs and attractions, plus unlimited free access to public transport as an optional add-on.
This type of card is ideal if you plan to visit numerous sites, as buying individual attraction tickets can become very expensive. With the Brussels Card, this won’t happen – you pay for the card once and then not only do you have all your expenses under control, but you also gain entry to your favourite museums!
There are numerous advantages to purchasing the Brussels Card. Among the most significant are skipping queues at the tills of the most famous attractions and saving on your budget. A total of 49 attractions are included in the card and these can be visited multiple times during its validity period. The Brussels Card allows users to visit permanent museum collections and most temporary exhibitions free of charge.
The benefits don’t end there, as you also receive vouchers and coupons that offer discounted rates for other tourist attractions, specific tours, and restaurants, bars and shops. For example, there are discounts for those wanting to tour the best breweries in the city or a guided visit to the Hôtel de Ville. Finally, you also receive an illustrated city guide with a Brussels map and a museum map.
The basic Brussels Card is a pass available for 24, 48 or 72 hours. The basic card offer does not include urban public transport or airport connections. You need to purchase the extra option “unlimited transport”.
The Atomium, one of Brussels’ most iconic attractions, is also not included in the basic card – it’s available as a separate paid option, which allows you direct access and skip-the-queue entry at the ticket office. Similarly, the Hop on Hop off tourist bus is not included in the basic package but can be added as an extra option when purchasing.
The Brussels Card can be purchased online before you travel and activated upon arrival in the city, or bought directly from the city tourist office. The card is available in 24, 48 or 72-hour versions from the moment of activation. The card is validated at your first entry to a museum or attraction included in the package and remains valid for the number of hours you purchased.
Note that validity is hour-based, not calendar day-based: if you activate a 24-hour Brussels Card at 10:00 am, it remains valid until 10:00 am the next day, regardless of midnight. The hours run consecutively from activation and cannot be paused.
Those who purchase the card online receive an email containing a Brussels Card link with a unique barcode. You can print the card or keep the PDF version on your smartphone. There’s also a Brussels Card app that lets you store a digital version of the card and check all included facilities and benefits. Simply show the card in digital format at the partner venue’s till when you want to visit.
Along with the card, you receive a booklet with discounts and promotions to use at attractions, bars and restaurants. To benefit from these, simply cut out the desired coupon and present it when using a discounted service or product. Alternatively, you can also show the digital version on your mobile phone screen or via the Brussels Card app.
The public transport ticket and Hop on Hop off service ticket are not included in the basic card and must be purchased as extra options. Be careful – the Brussels Card purchased with the unlimited transport option is not in itself a travel document: it must be converted into a ticket, known as an Event Pass, to use on transport. You can do this at one of the many GO ticket machines found at metro stations and major bus and tram stops. With the unlimited transport option, the STIB bus 12 from Zaventem airport to the city centre is also included; however, the Charleroi airport connection is not.
The transport card can also be valid for 24, 48 or 72 hours from first use on one of the included services. You don’t need to activate the museum Brussels Card and public transport card at the same time. This means you can activate the transport Event Pass even the day after visiting your first museum.
The cost of the Brussels Card depends on the type of card you want to purchase and its duration.
The basic card (without transport or Atomium) starts at around €41 for 24 hours, around €51 for 48 hours and around €57 for 72 hours. The unlimited transport option costs an additional €9 for 24 hours, €15 for 48 hours and €19 for 72 hours. The Atomium and Hop on Hop off options come with further supplements.
With the Brussels Card you can purchase the Event Pass, the option that allows you to travel free on public transport. This way you’ll avoid the stress of having to buy a travel ticket each time.
The Brussels Card without the transport option can be purchased for 24, 48 or 72 hours.
The Brussels Card is certainly worthwhile if you plan to visit most of the city’s attractions as it allows you to save money. In general, it’s worth purchasing the Brussels Card for adults and families travelling with children over 12 years old. At most museums and attractions, children up to 5 years old have free entry, whilst those aged 6 to 12 have free or discounted entry of up to 50% off. Many attractions also offer reduced rates for university students up to 25 years old.
City public transport is free for children up to 5 years old, whilst those aged 6 and over pay the full price for a travel ticket.
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