Changes

|pop = 1011,584007,534020|currency = Euro ( € )|hitch = {{good}} (<rating country='be'good'') to {{Very Good}} (''very good'')/>|BW = BE

'''Belgium''' is a small country between , clockwise from the North, the [[FranceNetherlands]], the [[NetherlandsGermany]], [[GermanyLuxembourg]] and [[LuxembourgFrance]]. It is a member state of the [[European Union]] as well as the [[Schengen Agreement]].The country is divided into a Dutch speaking part in the North ([[Flanders]]), and a French speaking part in the South (WalloniaWallonie) and a tiny German speaking part in the East . [[Brussels]], the country and european CapitalEuropean capital, has a bilingual status.__NOTOC__Hitch-hiking is usually easy within the country and In Flanders most people will be able to reach abroadhelp you out easily in English. The country has one of the most dense road and motorway networks in Europe which can makes it slightly complex when trying to find In French speaking Belgium English is quite a direct route to a destination. Stillbit less commonly spoken, hitching out of a city or moving from but on-ramp the whole people will be able to on-ramp is usually fairly simplehelp you out (especially younger people).

The best places Hitch-hiking in the country is in general fairly easy, and, due to start are the roundabouts near high number of foreigners working in the entrance country, getting a ride out of the main highways (such spots country is usually just as easy. The country has one of the most dense road and motorway networks in Europe which can be found very easily in [[Liège]]make it slightly complex when trying to find a direct route to a destination. Still, [[Louvainhitching out of a city or moving from on-laramp to on-Neuve]] and [[Namur]])ramp is usually fairly simple.<map lat='50.81461241998999' lng='4.41650390625' zoom='7' view='0' float='right' country='Belgium' />

The best places to start are the roundabouts near the entrance of the main highways (such spots can be found very easily in [[Oostende]], [[Liège]], [[Louvain-la-Neuve]] and [[Namur]]). Belgium has a very high density of gas petrol stations and service areas on the motorways. This makes it easier to find one, but also leads to less traffic on a single service area. Because of its bilingual status, it could be helpful to aboard a driver approach drivers in its their native language. Although there is no specific way to be sure of it beforehandtelling what language a driver speaks, the some solutions are:* To quickly say 'Hi' in both Dutch (dag) or French,(bonjour)* To check up the sticker of the car retailler retailer to notice in what part of the country it has been bought,* To introduce yourself as a foreigner,

== Main Cities ==[[ImageFile:NetherlandsHitchhiking-without-canoe-belgium-2013.jpg|thumb|right300px|200px|Leaving for Hitchhiking without a canoe, coming from the Post Hitchgathering 2013 in Houyet]]* [[Netherlands]]Brussels]](French: ''Bruxelles'', Dutch: ''Brussel'', German: ''Brüssel'') * [[Antwerpen]] (French: ''(Anvers'', Dutch: ''Antwerpen'', Antwerp)German: ''Anwerpen'')* [[Bruges|Brugge]] (French: ''Bruges'', Dutch: ''(Brugge'', German: ''Brügge)'')* [[BrusselsGent]] (French: ''Gand''(Bruxelles, Brussel)Dutch: ''* [[Gent]] ''(Gand, Ghent)German: ''Gent'')* [[LiègeHasselt]] (''(Luik, Lüttich)idem'')* [[NamurLeuven]]* [[(French: ''Louvain-la-Neuve]]'', Dutch: ''Leuven'', German: ''Löwen'')* [[LeuvenOostende]](French: ''Ostende'', Dutch: ''Oostende'', German: ''Ostende'')

== License plates ==* [[Liège]] (French: ''Liège'', Dutch: ''Luik'', German: ''Lüttich'')* [[Charleroi]] (''idem'')Belgian license plate do not contain information about where the car comes from. A Belgian license plate is assigned for life to the owner of a car. Usually the plates are white with yellow text. Cars owned by employees of institutes of the European Union in Brussels have a white plate with blue letters. When a Belgian replaces his car* [[Namur]] (French: ''Namur'', Dutch: ''Namen'', he will keep the same license plate number. Often the name and the city of the garage where the car was bought is indicated just under or at the left side of the license plate on the backside of the car. A license plate of an old timer starts with "O". German: ''Namur'')* [[Mons]] (French: ''Mons'', Dutch: ''Bergen'', German: ''Mons'')* [[Arlon]] (French: ''Arlon'', Dutch: ''Aarlen'', German: ''Arlon'')* [[Louvain-la-Neuve]] (''idem'')

== European Carpooling ''(Taxi Stop - Eurostop)'' Food & Toilets ==[http://www.taxistop.be Taxi Stop] The price of food on motorway services is an agency very high, so try to stock up before leaving and note that offers carpooling possibilities to drivers in destination or from [[Europe|european]] countries as well as passengers looking for a destinationvery few motorway services have free toilets. The website is available in English price (on the contrary of its [[Germany|german]] equivalentusually between EUR 0.30 and 0.70) but requires to create sometimes includes a free subscription account voucher that can be used in matter the restaurant. However, it is easy to contact a driver or a passengerjump over the barrier and use the toilet for free. Although The cheapest supermarkets in the availability country are ''Lidl'', ''Aldi'' and destination listing does not require to log ''Colruyt'', and food bought inthem will be significantly cheaper than on motorway services. This service is called ''Carrefour'' and 'eurostop'Delhaize'' and has a set rule regarding the fees which is pretty simpleare more expensive options, but are extensively located downtown with longer opening hours (Often 20: registration to the service is free 00, but not all of charge, a passenger is simply asked to pay 3€/100km to them!) which will offer better prices than the driver once convenience stores. Note that in Belgium most shops close at destination18:00 and very few shops are open on Sundays.

== Public Transport ==Public transport There are few free public toilets around, and you might even be charged in places like McD's. It is extensive best to avoid the tourist areas when looking for a free toilet and affordable aim at the less obvious places such as big chain hotels (Radisson...), public buildings (libraries and schools) and some cafés where you can use the toilet without being spotted by the staff who might request you to pay a certain point. fee up to 50 cents, although many will allow you to use the toilet if you ask them in English!

Belgium is famous for its ''frietkoten'Train'. These are small restaurants or stands that sell French fries (a Belgian dish mind you! Protip:Make sure you don't call them French fries, but just fries. Because some will lecture you about fries not being French.) and all sorts of snacks for relatively low prices. It's not very healthy, but for EUR 5 you can have quite a big meal which is bigger & cheaper then McD's. Every village has a frietkot, and every city has at least one in every neighborhood.

The Belgian train ([http://www.b-rail.be/main/E/index.php SNCB/NMBS] Company reaches all major cities with a regular serviceAlso make sure you try out the beer. On week end (from Friday after 19h until Sunday evening), Belgians have the return ticket is reduced most and best types of 50% which is good option for a week end evasion within the country. The Go-Pass/Rail-Pass is a 10 journeys ticket that allow you to go everywhere beer in the country (borders excluded). The Go-Pass cost 45€ (so 4world,5€/journey) and is for the -26, although if wou don't look too old you probably wonoften it't ll be asked to prove your age. The Rail-Pass cost on the other 69€. The Go-Pass is a good option to go from one side of the country to another. The Pass is valid for a year from the date of purchasecheaper then water or soda.

* In Wallonia (south), the regional bus company is [http://www.infotec.be/index.aspx?PageId=631734023237830544= Nomadwiki &LanguageTrashwiki ==english TEC]

The food in the motorway services is margined relatively high, so it is always better to not have to buy any goods there[https://www. Also in many of these services, toilets are paidfacebook. The cheapest supermarket com/groups/467054706678994/ Facebook group Hitchhiking in the country are '''Lidl''', '''Aldi''' Belgium and '''Colruyt''', many travelling goods can be obtain at a reduced price at those supermarket such as waffles and chocolate bars. '''GB''' and '''Delhaize''' are some more expensive options but are extensively located downtown with longer opening hours which will offer better prices than the night stores, note that in Belgium shops are not open later than 6pm.Netherlands]

== Useful links =={{IsIn|Western Europe}}<!-- * The [http{{Template://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_motorways_in_Belgium List of motorways in Regions Belgium] on wikipedia contains useful information. -->}}* [http://nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lijst_van_Belgische_autosnelwegen The Dutch Wikipedia] contains much more useful information than the English Wikipedia (even you don't read Dutch), with specific information about locations of gas stations, e.g. about the [http://nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/A13_%28Belgi%C3%AB%29 A13/E313].{{Highways BE}}

[[Category:Western Europe]]