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__TOC__ '''Brussels''' ( is the capital of [[France|FrenchBelgium]]: . Brussels is a very international city.  == Hitching in == If you do not encounter a driver that goes inside the city, but takes the Northern Ring around the city, you can ask them to pull off the motorway (E40) at Exit #7a/7b ''Bruxelles(Chaussee Romaine/Parc des Expositions/Tentoonstellingspark)''(basically, [[Netherlands|Dutch]]: the Atomium and Heysel Stadium area) or at Exit #8 ''Brussel(Wemmel)''. At both exits drivers can immediately rejoin the motorway at the sliproad opposite the exit. === East === If you do not encounter a driver that goes inside the city, [[Germany|German]] but instead takes the northern ring road around the city, you can ask them to pull off the motorway (E19) at junction 7a/7b ''Brüssel(Chaussee Romaine/Parc des Expositions/Tentoonstellingspark)''(basically, [[Poland|Polish]]: the Atomium and Heysel Stadium area) or at junction 8 ''Bruksela(Wemmel)''. At both exits, [[Latvia]]n: drivers can immediately rejoin the motorway from the slip road opposite the exit. From the exits, you simply have to walk towards the Expo park to take tram 23, 81, or 94; or Metro 6 from stations ''Koning Boudewijn'' or ''Heysel'Brisele'. Alternatively, you might also ask to be left at the service station on the E40 in Leuven, before the ring road around Brussels, with the idea of catching a local ride that would get you into town. This might be necessary if your driver goes up along the E19 to Antwerp, as there won't be any places for him to drop you off. === Northwest === If you arrive from the northwest (Gent) , you can ask to be dropped at the Services in Groot-Bijgaarden which is 2.5km before the capital ring of [[Belgium]] Brussels along the E40 from where you can walk to Zellik and catch bus 213 or 214 to the [[Europe]]an capital. Brussels is centre, or try to hitch a very international cityride into town. While still walking around in  If your ride only takes the western ring road (E19), (from Gent or the center south), you might can ask to be able dropped off at Junction 16 on the E19, from where it is walking distance to spot some cars the metro 1b stations ''Eddy Merckx'' or ''Ceria''. === South === If you coming in from other countriesthe south and the driver is heading to the east of Brussels, ask to be dropped off at Delta. For instance, when  If the driver is heading to [[Paris]]the west of Brussels, check the French numberplates with 75 or 90-something ask to be dropped off at E19 junction at Drogenbos. It comes right after Ruisbroek service station (Paris Total). Walk five minutes and its suburbs)you’ll be at the beginning of tram line 4 going to the centre.

2Take train S10 from ''Brussels Noord'' station to ''Berchem Ste-Agathe'' station. Head south towards the Carrefour hypermarket and go through it's car park toward the Baselix Shopping Centre and the main road Keizer Karellaan. Here you will find two petrol stations (Shell and Lukoil). Stay there as people fill up with petrol for going to e. Take g. Gent]or Bruges. Just ask people. 1O minutes walk Alternative way : take bus 213 or 214 from bus-stop ''Brussel Rogier'' and get off at ''Sint-Agatha-Berchem Marg.v.Oostenrijk'', and then walk 300m west until you reach the petrol stations. Or walk 5 km from Rogier metro heading west on the main road R20.

 Take tram 82 from the Gare du Midi in direction of ''Berchem'' until the stop ''Berchem Shopping''. From there turn left and walk up the Av. Charles Quint for about 200 meters and you are at the beginning of the E40 in the direction of Gent. Just hitch after the traffic lights, where there is space for a car to pull over behind you. The circulation is dense but cars can easily pull over and get back on the road quite safely. You can also reach this spot by the following the directions in Option 1 and then continue walking 400m west along the main road R20. This spot was last successfully used on August 22nd, 2010. 

The cheapest way: from bus-stop ''Brussel Rogier'', take De Lijn bus 213 or 214 (direction Aalst) and get off at bus-stop ''Zellik Drie Koningen''. Cross over the street and walk back 50m in the direction from where the bus came to the roundabout. Turn into the first street to the right (Kerklaan) and walk 200m. Turn left into Theodoor Coppensstraat and walk ≈650m till you come to the junction with Louis De Bondstraat. Take a left here (south) and walk 400m until you reach a road on the right (Dilbeek Noord). Walk ≈300m and you will reach the service station. This spot works extremely well, but it takes some times to get there and it's also quite expensive: 2,40€ to get to Gare du Nord (blackriding the tram is easy but metro is hard) plus 3€ for the De Lijn bus (you enter the bus right at the front so you cannot blackride). Many people also take this route to go to [[Lille]] and [[Paris]], and there's probably more traffic on this road than on the option going towards Charleroi and Mons.

At the Drogenbos Motorway exit motorway junction, there is a [http://maps.google.be/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=nl&geocode=&q=stalle+prolongee&sll=50.792373,4.316597&sspn=0.045358,0.110378&g=drogenbos&ie=UTF8&ll=50.792468,4.304082&spn=0.001329,0.003449&t=h&z=18&iwloc=traffic light under the motorway bridge]. As cars need to wait to turn left to get on the highway, its possible to ask drivers to take you south, or to the [http://goo.gl/maps/fBvgQ=next petrol station on the motorway], which is 1.5 km further.

1. Take bus '''50''' (direction '''Lot''' station) to '''Gilson''' leaving from Brussels Gare du Midi/Zuidstation. This takes about 20 minutes. From here you can easily Walk southeast along Paul Gilsonlaan, then follow the road, alongside round onto Grote Baan to the massive shopping area, junction with Verlengde Stallestraat. Turn right (west) and walk ≈250m to the highwaytraffic light under the motorway. You will find yourself at Altogether the motorway exits with traffic lights in walk is ≈500m and takes five minutes.

2. Take Or take tram '''4''' ([http://m.stib.be/line.php?lang=fr&line=4&iti=1 STIB]) till the terminus ([http://maps.google.be/maps?q=stalle+prolongee&hl=nl&ll=50.795375,4.318566&spn=0.000895,0.001725&sll=50.792373,4.316597&sspn=0.045358,0.110378&t=h&hnear=Verlengde+Stallestraat,+Vlaams-Brabant&z=19 Stalle]), then walk further towards the motorway along Rue Prolongée de Stalle/Verlengde Stallesraat Stallestraat (with some massive shops) till you'll reach the motorway bridge with the traffic lights underneath the motorway bridge. [[Dante]] tried this spot  You can also leave tram 4 at the stop Egide van Ophem (2 stops before terminus). Here you just need to cross the street and you'll find yourself on a number DATS 24 petrol station. Depending on the time of timesthe day (best is around evening rush hour, and oftenas people are leaving Brussels), within less then half an hour, gets it can be easy or very easy to get a ride to the Ruisbroek service station. Make sure to talk directly state very clearly where you want to drivers with French number plates going towards Parisgo (Ruisbroek petrol station is on the “ring”) as many people go through it without knowing, for example if their destination is Waterloo.

To get directly on the Ruisbroek Petrol Station (which is located on the western part of the ring), you need to take bus '''50''' (direction '''Lot''' station) from Brussels Midi Station to '''Ruisbroek Voetbalplein'''. This takes about half an hour. From here you walk straight and turn the second to the left (into Hemelstraat) and follow this till the end. Go left into Broekweg and follow your way onto the petrol station. Another option is taking the local train from one of Brussels' railway stations (e.g. Centrale or Midi) to Ruisbroeck for 2,40€ (ticket at the machine). From there you can also walk (allow 30 min). EIther way, you biggest obstacle ist the ditch around the rest station which you have to traverse. It usually filled with water and can be a slippery thing. However, there is/was a tree trunk placed in the ditch which you can use to get to the other side. It's close to the petrol station. If you cross here you will also find a hole in the fence where you can pass through. 

Another option to go to the Internationalelaan/Boulevard International close to the motorway entrance. There is a lot of traffic and much space for cars to stop, even a [[petrol station hitchhiking|petrol station]] where you could ask people directly. To get there, take bus '''78''' from the Brussels '''Zuidstation/Gare du Midi''' in direction of '''Humanité''' and get out at the stop '''Bollinckx'''. Attention! The bus only runs every hour. [http://www.stib.be/horaires-dienstregeling.html?l=fr Schedule]Keep in mind that you are now in the middle of an industrial zone! 

Another option to take metro yellow line '''5''' (direction '''Érasme/Erasmus''') and get off at '''CERIA/COOVI'''. Walk Chaussée de Mons/Bergensesteenweg down south (you can ask people the direction of Ikea). Some 150 meters from the metro station you will see a bridge. Go down across the bridge, there you will see entrance (consisting of 3 lanes from 3 different directions) to the motorway in direction of Mons/Paris. 5 km further there will be a big '''Total''' petrol station called '''Ruisbroek''', there you will easily find a ride further to the south.

Although '''==== Option 5: Delta''' is mostly known as the best spot to get to Louvain-la-Neuve then Namur and Luxembourg along the E411, it can very well be suited to get on the E19 (Nivelles, Charleroi or Mons, then Paris, or even Lille). [[abyssin]] successfully hitchhiked from there 10+ times. If used properly, this option beats Drogenbos in many cases. Using a sign on this spot is mandatory as drivers are used to see hitchhikers going to LouvainSouth-la-Neuve (E411 rather than E19). After several trials, “'''Nivelles'''” proves to be the best thing to write on your sign (this is important). Unless your driver goes further, which is often the case, ask to be dropped at rest area of Nivelles 30 minutes from Brussels (the one with the Total petrol station and a restaurant that is built across the highwayEast).====

Although Delta is mostly known as the best spot to get to Louvain-la-Neuve then Namur and Luxembourg along the E411 (see below), it can very well be suited to get on the E19 (Nivelles, Charleroi or Mons, then Paris, or even Lille). Using a sign on this spot is mandatory as drivers are used to see hitchhikers going to Louvain-la-Neuve (E411 rather than E19). Unless your driver goes further, which is often the case, ask to be dropped at rest area of Nivelles 30 minutes from Brussels (the one with the Total petrol station and a restaurant that is built across the highway). The spot has direct access from the '''exit no. 4 of metro station Delta on line 5''' (15 minutes ride from the city center).

The E411 to Luxembourg is a recommended direction to head further South. This option should probably also be considered to go the South if you want to avoid [[Paris]]. Because petrol is a lot cheaper in Luxembourg you can easily find long rides at the petrol station in Luxembourg before the border.

One of the historically well-known places by local hitchhikers, '''Delta''' is on the way towards [[Louvain-La-Neuve]] (student town) and is situated right at the exit no. 4 of metro station Delta (15 minutes from the centre), next to the Delta bus depot. To get there, take '''metro line 5''' direction '''Herrmann-Debroux''', or '''bus 71 to Delta'''. It is common to bump into one or two other (student) hitchhikers there. There's a petrol station (Lukoil) next to the metro station where you won't wait more than five minutes on a Sunday morning if you say you're a student. Historical note: as Louvain-la-Neuve is a student town, and Delta is at the entrance of the motorway and next to the VUB/ULB (Brussels university), many students used to hitchhike that route.

To get to metro station '''Beaulieu''' in Ixelles, take '''line 5 direction Herrmann-Debroux'''. You will notice many cars stopping at traffic lights just before the station. This road connects with the motorway towards the South. Some hitchhiker got a lift in less than 2 minutes. There is a big service station 10 minutes down the road if needed for further lifts.  ====Option 3: Demey==== Take the metro to the station Demey and find a direct entrance to the highway right next to the station. There is a pavement, so you can hitchhike safely. === South towards [[Waterloo]] N5 ===

=== South towards [[Waterloo]] (local hitching) ===Public transport to the site of [[Waterloo]] battlefield are deficient, so hitchhiking could be a solution for those who wish to do a day excursion to that historic site. The best is to reach 'Ter Cameren Bos' (Bois de la Cambre) at the border between Ixelles and Ukkel [http://maps.google.be/?ie=UTF8&ll=50.811928,4.368154&spn=0.000717,0.001725&t=h&z=19 (Tram 94 - 23 - 24) and find a spot along the Chaussee de Waterloo] or by taking [http://maps.google.be/?ie=UTF8&ll=50.789497,4.374205&spn=0.000717,0.001725&t=h&z=19 Tram 92 till "Fort Jaco" terminus], and then walk to adjacent Chaussee de Waterloo to hh further south.

This spot works perfectly during business hours'''Option 1.'''  Start hitching at the entrance of the Tunnel located at the gate of the Jubelpark/Parc du Cinquentenaire on the Blijde-Inkomstlaan/Avenue de la Joyeuse-Entrée on the side of the 'Rond-Point Schuman' (metro access 1A/1B direction Herrmann-Debroux/Stokkel). There is a street light and a side parking just at the entrance of the tunnel, but you may simply stand by the light with a sign and the traffic cars can immediately pull over to pick you. This hitching point is low an easy start to go to Leuven or Liege or possibly reach the Heverlee services in Leuven on Sundays the E40 or during holidays; note on the E314.  '''Option 2.'''  Another good option is to hitch at the red lights on the [http://maps.google.be/maps?f=q&hl=nl&geocode=&q=rue+du+belliard+10+,+bruxelles&sll=50.84508,4.369297&sspn=0.010351,0.026608&ie=UTF8&ll=50.844945,4.368825&spn=0.010704,0.026608&z=15&iwloc=addr Rue du Belliard]. It's a one way street with 4 lanes and most cars enter the tunnel at the end of the street that it goes onto the motorway towards Leuven, Liege and Aachen. Make sure to ask your driver if they go onto the motorway and go towards Leuven. The first petrol station on the motorway is right after the exit to Leuven. If your driver goes to Leuven he can miss his turn and still go to the town through the petrol station. Nearby public transportation to this second hitching spot are Metro station "Trone/Troon" and also possible several bus lines.  '''Option 3.'''  Get to premetro Station "Diamant". You can get there by taking the metro to Schuman (Direction 1/5 Stockel/Hermann-Debroux) and change then to bus 79 (direction Kraainem) or take tram no. 25 from Rogier in direction of Boondaal Station/Gare Boondael. Cross "Bld. Auguste Reyers" in eastern direction. Then walk to the spot on the small street, just after the traffic lights, that leads to the A3-motorway. There is plenty of space for cars to pull over.  '''Option 4.'''  The best way to catch a ride leave the city fast and in the right direction is going past the ring road. So, if you're ok to pay the public transport, take the [https://www.delijn.be/fr/lijnen/lijn/3/351/2 De Lijn bus 351] from the train station Brussels-North and stop at [[Antwerpen|Antwerphttp://www.openstreetmap.org/#map=15/50.8744/4.4931 Nossegem - Centrum]] from there too, but (it takes 30 minutes and cost 3 euros). Walk a few metres in the direction of the bus and you reach a big crossroad where the highway is announced. Follow the sign is required)and turn right to find a very comfortable point to hitchhike to Leuven or Liege

'''Option 35.''' Get to premetro Station "Diamant". You can get there by taking the metro to Schuman (Direction 1/5 Stockel/Hermann-Debroux) and change then to bus 79 (direction Kraainem) or take tram no. 25 from Rogier in direction of Boondaal Station/Gare Boondael. Cross "Bld. Auguste Reyers" in eastern direction. Then walk to the spot on the small street, just after the traffic lights, that leads to the A3-motorway. There is plenty of space for cars to pull over.

'''Option 4.''' The best way Stand by the roundabout next to leave the city fast and in the right direction is going past the ring road. So, if you're ok parking lot entrance to pay the public transportCora supermarket, take the [https://www.delijnin Woluwe.be/fr/lijnen/lijn/3/351/2 De Lijn bus 351] from From the train Roodebeek metro station Brussels-North and stop at [http://www.openstreetmap.org/#map=15/50.8744/4.4931 Nossegem - Centrum] (it takes 30 minutes and cost 3 euros). Walk a few metres in the direction of the , walk 15min or take bus and you reach a big crossroad where the highway is announced. Follow the sign and turn right 45 to find a very comfortable point to hitchhike to [[Leuven]] or [[Liège|Liege]]Gulledelle.

=== North towards [[Antwerpen|Antwerp]], [[Breda]], [[Rotterdam]], [[Utrecht]], [[Amsterdam]] A12 or {{E|19}} ===

You can also take the tram till Terminus "Esplanade". Go to your right and take the "Avenue de Meysse" up to the "Antwerpselaan". You should be going slightly downhill. Indeed, cross the Romeinsesteenweg. By now you should see the signs for Antwerp. Keep following the sings since a couple roads join further on. This will increase your chances'''Option 1.'''

Take tram 3, 19, or 23 and get off at ''De Wand'Option 2.'or take tram 4 and get off at '' Take metro line #Esplanade'''6''' in direction of Koning Boudewijn/Roi Baudoin (and get off at Heyselthen turn right). Take Keizerin Charlottelaan/Avenue Impératrice Charlotte to Walk along the right in direction of Brussels Expo. Continue Avenue de Miramar (so don't go Meysse up to the atomium) and turn left at the end where Antwerpselaan, crossing Romeinsesteenweg. By now you will should see the highway A12 in front of yousigns for Antwerp. Take Keep following the next signs for a couple more roads further on. This will increase your chances when you hitch on Antwerpselaan and try to catch a car that would get onto the right and go under motorway at junction 2 of the bridgeA12. Start hitchhiking just after the bridge at the street on your left (Antwerpselaan)De Lijn busstop "Strombeek-Bever Nieuwelaan" is good, cars are going slow and have place to stop.

==== NATO ====The [http://maps.google.com/?q=nato,+brussels&ie=UTF8&hq=nato,&hnear=Brussels,+Belgium&ll=50.877674,4.42263&spn=0.004008,0.009645&z=17&iwloc=lyrftr:m,0x47c3dcd1ea2536c7:0xe8a6c0992aa12ff7,50.877511,4.421042 bus stop in front of the NATO] is pretty good for hitchhiking further than Antwerp, although there is more traffic at the parallel traffic lights. For hitchhiking to Holland, make a sign for the Antwerp/E19 and get off at the petrol station just before Antwerp: lots of Dutch cars / people here to ask for a ride. If someone takes you to Mechelen though, make sure they drop you of at Mechelen Noord motorway exit. Buses 12, 21 and 65 go to the Nato stop. You can get the number 65 from the Madou metro stop'''Option 2.'''

==== Airport ====Take an overpriced train or for a more normal price bus 12 or 21 metro 6 in the direction of ''Koning Boudewijn/Roi Baudoin'' and get off at ''Heysel''. Take Keizerin Charlottelaan/Avenue Impératrice Charlotte to the right in the direction of Brussels International AirportExpo. There are many exits Continue along Avenue de Miramar (so don't go to the atomium) and turn left at the airport. You can find one and start hitching from end where cars pay their parking-ticketyou will see highway A12 in front of you. A bit further down Take the road towards next to the motorway you'll find a Shell service station. Most cars here stay around right and go under the airport, but you may have luckbridge. A final suggestion is to keep on walking along Start hitchhiking just after the side-road until it joins with bridge at the motorway. Cars go relatively slow here and there is plenty of room for a vehicle to pull overstreet on your left (Antwerpselaan).

In order to get to the airport there are different options.# The fast but expensive (8,5€) direct train If you don't have any luck with finding a spot to stand you can try your chances at Brussels Airport from Bruxelles Midi, Central or Nord.# STIB/MIVB You can take bus #12 or #21 leaving from Place de Luxembourg (4€), be sure to check the timetable airport and keep then go to the traffic jams during rush hour in mind# De Lijn bus #272 or #471 leaving from Gare du Nord/Noordstation (normal ticket price around 2€)# Take "Départ" area. Go outside and you will see a normal priced train to Zaventem Station lot of cars drive by and walk 2 km to the airportdrop off people who are catching a plane. When you leave walk a bit into the station, take direction where the Vilvoordelaan straight till the second roundabout cars are going to (it's one-way traffic) you will find a good spot where you can stand and follow the road to where cars can stop for you. Use a sign, because probably most cars will move into Brussels airport (there is and only a pedestrian few will go to Antwerpen. This road next will lead to the highway)and also to the petrol station that is described at the section on Brussels Airport.

The [http://maps.google.com/?q=nato,+brussels&ie=UTF8&hq=nato,&hnear= Hitching in Brussels,+Belgium&ll=50.877674,4.42263&spn=0.004008,0.009645&z=17&iwloc=If you do not encounter a driver that goes inside lyrftr:m,0x47c3dcd1ea2536c7:0xe8a6c0992aa12ff7,50.877511,4.421042 bus stop in front of the NATO] is pretty good for hitchhiking further than Antwerp, although there is more traffic at the cityparallel traffic lights. For hitchhiking to Holland, but takes make a sign for the Northern Ring around Antwerp/E19 and get off at the citypetrol station just before Antwerp: lots of Dutch cars / people here to ask for a ride. If someone takes you to Mechelen though, make sure they drop you can ask them to pull off the of at Mechelen Noord motorway (E40) at '''Exit #7a/7b''' ''(Chaussee Romaine/Parc des Expositions/Tentoonstellingspark)'' (basicallyexit. Buses 12, 21 and 65 go to the Atomium and Heysel Stadium area) or at '''Exit #8''' ''(Wemmel)''Nato stop. At both exits drivers You can immediately rejoin the motorway at get the sliproad opposite number 65 from the exitMadou metro stop.

=== East ===If you arrive from the East, you might also ask to be left at the Services along the E40 in [[Leuven]], before arriving in Brussels, with the mean of catching a local ride that would get into town. This might be necessary if your driver goes up along the E19 to [[Antwerpen|Antwerp]], as there won't be any places for him to drop you off.''Airport'''

=== West Take an overpriced train or for a more normal price bus 12 or 21 to Brussels International Airport. There are many exits at the airport. You can find one and start hitching from where cars pay their parking- South ===If ticket. A bit further down the road towards the motorway you arrive from 'll find a Shell service station. Most cars here stay around the North-West ([[Gent]])airport, but you can ask may have luck. A final suggestion is to be dropped at keep on walking along the Services in Grootside-Bijgaarden which road until it joins with the motorway. Cars go relatively slow here and there is 2.5km before the ring plenty of Brussels along the E40room for a vehicle to pull over.

If your ride only takes In order to get to the Western Ring anyhow airport there are different options:<br>The fast but expensive (8,5€) direct train to Brussels Airport from Gent Bruxelles Midi, Central or Nord.<br>STIB/MIVB bus #12 or the south#21 leaving from Place de Luxembourg (4€), you can ask be sure to be left at check the Exit 16 timetable and gain keep the Metro 1btraffic jams during rush hour in mind<br>De Lijn bus #272 or #471 leaving from Gare du Nord/Noordstation (normal ticket price around 2€)<br>Take a normal priced train to Zaventem Station and walk 2 km to the airport. When you leave the station, stations 'Eddy Merckx' or 'Ceria' which are at footstepstake the Vilvoordelaan straight till the second roundabout and follow the road to Brussels airport (there is a pedestrian road next to the highway).

If the driver goes A relatively good spot in the North-West of Brusselscan be found around the corner of Parvis Notre Dame, ask to be dropped the Cathedral of Laeken. You can reach this by metro L6 towards Koning Boudewijn and get off at Drogenbos Bockstael Metro station. Turn left when you exitand go through Rue Leopold I, or just follow the pedestrian street-signs for the Cathedral. It comes right after Tram 94 also apparantly stops close to the rest area cathedral (Total petrol stationnot confirmed) of Ruisbroek. Walk five minutes and you’ll be at the beginning of tram line [http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=bockstael&sll=50.879901,4.358912&sspn=0.006025,0.013797&ie=UTF8&ll=50.878632,4.356237&spn=0.000753, which goes to the center0.001725&t=h&z=19 map].

== Public transport ==Checks on If your driver is not heading to your destination but goes to the metro system are not commonring, but it you can happen. Fines are over 100 euro for not carrying a ticketget out where the A12 starts. You also need tickets to enter and exit at will find some metro stationssmall spots around the roundabout that should work. If you have a phone connected to the internet you can check for controls on the website [http://wwwmaps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=bockstael&sll=50.879901,4.controlestib358912&sspn=0.be controlestib006025,0.be013797&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Bockstael,+Fransmanstraat,+Laken+1020+Brussel,+Brussel+Hoofdstedelijk+Gewest,+Belgium&ll=50.894358,4.357474&spn=0.006118,0.011952&z=16 map].

== Extra Nomadwiki & Trashwiki ==If you like to have a chat, free coffee or tea or free computer access, be sure to visit ''Use-it, Tourist Info For Young Travellers''.They also have a wide variety of free maps and the best tips what to do and where to hang out in Brussels. Check out: [www.use-it.be]{{nomadwiki}}