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|capital = [[Brussels]]
|pop = 10,584,534
|currency = Euro ( € )|hitch = {{good}} (''good'') to {{Very Good}} (''very good'')
}}
'''Belgium''' is a small country between [[France]], the [[Netherlands]], [[Germany]] and [[Luxembourg]]. 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 (Wallonia) and a tiny German speaking part in the East. [[Brussels]], the country and european Capital, has a bilingual status.
Hitch-hiking is usually easy within the country and to reach abroad. The country has one of the most dense road and motorway networks in Europe which can makes it slightly complex when trying to find a direct route to a destination. Still, hitching out of a city or moving from on-ramp to on-ramp is usually fairly simple.
== European Carpooling ''(Taxi Stop - Eurostop)'' ==
[http://www.taxistop.be Taxi Stop] is an agency that offers carpooling possibilities to drivers in destination or from [[Europe|european]] countries as well as passengers looking for a destination. The website is available in English (on the contrary of its [[Germany|german]] equivalent) but requires to create a free subscription account in matter to contact a driver or a passenger. Although the availability and destination listing does not require to log in. This service is called '''eurostop''' and has a set rule regarding the fees which is pretty simple: registration to the service is free of charge, a passenger is simply asked to pay 3€/100km to the driver once at destination.
== Public Transport ==
'''Buses/Tram:'''
* In Flanders (north), the public transport company is [http://www.delijn.be/ DeLijn] which complete the train services into the rural towns and inside the urbanised areas. It is possible to buy a 'LijnKaart' which saves you on the cost of local transport.
* In [[Brussels]], public transport are provided by the [http://www.stib.be/index.htm?guest_user=guest_en STIB/MIVB]. There again you can buy a 5 or 10 journeys ticket. Note that buying your ticket inside the bus/tram costs you more. More details will be added regarding Public Transport in [[Brussels]] on the city page itself.
* In Wallonia (south), the regional bus company is [http://www.infotec.be/index.aspx?PageId=631734023237830544&Language=english TEC]
== Food & Toilets ==
The food in the motorway services is margined relatively high, so it is always better to not have to buy any goods there. Also in many of these services, toilets are paid. The cheapest supermarket in the country are '''Lidl''', '''Aldi''' 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.
Toilets are usually paid in most places in town, and even in the most logic places to go for that (such as McDonalds). It is best to avoid the touristic areas when looking for a free toilet and aim at the less obvious places such as: Big Chain Hotel (Radisson...), Public buildings (Library and schools) and some cafes where you can use the toilet without being spot by the staff which might request you to pay a fee up to 50 cents.
{{IsIn|Europe}}
{{Template:Regions Belgium}}
[[Category:Belgium| ]]
[[es:Bélgica]]
[[fr:Belgique]]
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