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{{infobox Country|country = Belgium|map = <map lat='50.53' lng='4.44' zoom='7' view='0' width='360' height='310' country='Belgium' />|language = Dutch, French, German|capital = [[Brussels]]|pop = 11,007,020|currency = Euro (€)|hitch = <rating country='be' />|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. Not only the language is divided[[Brussels]], but also the culturecountry and European capital, which also reflects the has a bilingual status. In Flanders most people's attitude on hitchhikingwill be able to help you out easily in English. While hitchhiking In French speaking Belgium English is usually very easy in quite a bit less commonly spoken, but on the north - like in the [[Netherlands]], it whole people will be much more difficult able to help you out (but not impossibleespecially younger people) in the south - like in [[France]].

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 country, getting a ride out of the entrance country is usually just as easy. The country has one of the main highways (such spots 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.

Belgium has a very high density The best places to start are the roundabouts near the entrance of gas stations and service areas on the motorways. This makes it easier to find onemain highways (such spots can be found very easily in [[Oostende]], [[Liège]], but also leads to less traffic on a single service area[[Louvain-la-Neuve]] and [[Namur]]).

Useful tipBelgium has a very high density of 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 approach drivers in their native language. Although there is no specific way to be sure of telling what language a driver speaks, some solutions are: Free use * quickly say 'Hi' in both Dutch (dag) or French (bonjour)* check up the sticker of Internet PC's the car retailer to notice in every city library.what part of the country it has been bought* introduce yourself as a foreigner

==Cities==Useful tip: Free use of Internet PC's in many city libraries.* [[Antwerpen]]* [[Bruges|Bruges (BruggeUseful tip: Most petrol stations in Belgium are open 24/7, the staff is friendly and you can have a nap during the night, if you end up on the road. However, Brügge)]]* [[Brussels]]* [[Gent]]* [[Liège|Liège (Luikbe careful since the traffic is high all night long, Lüttich)]]* [[Namur]]* [[Louvain-la-Neuve]]many people stop and some can be drunk.

==Useful links==* The [http://nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lijst_van_Belgische_autosnelwegen List It is common practice to use the E-numbers for motorways, instead of highways A-numbers like in Belgium, most countries. Even on the Dutch Wikipedia] contains useful information (even road signs you don't read Dutch)will only find E-numbers.

* [[CategoryAntwerpen]] (French:Belgium''Anvers'', Dutch: ''Antwerpen'', German: ''Anwerpen'')* [[Bruges|Brugge]] (French: ''Bruges'', Dutch: ''Brugge'', German: ''Brügge'')* [[Gent]] (French: ''Gand'', Dutch: ''Gent'', German: ''Gent'')*[[Hasselt]] (''idem'')* [[CategoryLeuven]] (French:Europe''Louvain'', Dutch: ''Leuven'', German: ''Löwen'')* [[Oostende]](French: ''Ostende'', Dutch: ''Oostende'', German: ''Ostende'')

* [[lhLiège]] (French: ''Liège'', Dutch: ''Luik'', German: ''Lüttich'')* [[Charleroi]] (''idem'')* [[Namur]] (French: ''Namur'', Dutch: ''Namen'', German: ''Namur'')* [[Mons]] (French: ''Mons'', Dutch: ''Bergen'', German: ''Mons'')* [[Arlon]] (French:''Arlon'', Dutch: ''Aarlen'', German: ''Arlon'')* [[Louvain-la-Neuve]] (''idem'') == Food & Toilets ==The price of food on motorway services is very high, so try to stock up before leaving and note that very few motorway services have free toilets. The price (usually between EUR 0.30 and 0.70) sometimes includes a voucher that can be used in the restaurant. However, it is easy to jump over the barrier and use the toilet for free. The cheapest supermarkets in the country are ''Lidl'', ''Aldi'' and ''Colruyt'', and food bought in them will be significantly cheaper than on motorway services. ''Carrefour'' and ''Delhaize'' are more expensive options, but are extensively located downtown with longer opening hours (Often 20:00, but not all of them!) which will offer better prices than the convenience stores. Note that in Belgium most shops close at 18:00 and very few shops are open on Sundays. There are few free public toilets around, and you might even be charged in places like McD's. It is best to avoid the tourist areas when looking for a free toilet and 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 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''. 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. Also make sure you try out the beer. Belgians have the most and best types of beer in the world, and often it'll be cheaper then water or soda. == Personal Experiences == Pls add info == Nomadwiki & Trashwiki == {{nomadwiki}} [https://www.facebook.com/groups/467054706678994/ Facebook group Hitchhiking in Belgium and the Netherlands]  {{IsIn|Western Europe}}{{Template:Regions Belgium}}{{Highways BE}}  [[Category:Belgium| ]][[wikitravelCategory:BelgiumWestern Europe]] [[de:Belgien]][[es:Bélgica]][[fi:Belgia]][[fr:Belgique]][[cswikitr:BelgiumBelçika]]