By train. There is an easy... and other Antwerp, Belgium Transportation Tips

'Mode': TO,AROUND
Category: Train
Getting TO/AROUND: By train.
There is an easy access by train.
In the near future the TGV will pass here as well.
Several connections nearby the Central Station to bus, tram and pré-metro.
As long as the works on the TGV infrastructure are going on, not all trains will have their end stop at Central Station. Some will stop at Berchem Antwerpen where you can get on a train that goes 1 stop further to Antwerp.
different types of travelcards possible.
http://www.nmbs.be

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'Mode': TO,AROUND
Category: Bicycle
Getting TO/AROUND:
Although in many cities it is still dangerous to cycle, a lot has been done already by the governemt.
We have to be gratefull for all the efforts the 'Fietsersbond', an organisation I am member of, has done to put the authorities under pressure to take care about the safety for cyclers.
At a lot of places seperate cycling lanes (mostly pink coloured) are constructed.
The cyclers get more and more attention in traffic.
In the Flemish provinces are happenings each year to draw the attention upon 'our' problem.
This is a picture taken in Antwerp in May 1998 during the week of the 'weak traffic'.

The slogan attached at the end of the bicycle and that you unfortunatly can't read was: 'Beter éé kieke op ne vélo, dan tien ezels in een cabrio'.
well you need to understand a bit of Dutch to get the point hehehe
It means you better have one chick on the bicycles then 10 dudes in a cabrio `-) well donkeys I called them in fact LOL
I hope you won't notice who one of the chicks are `-)

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Website: http://www.fietsersbond.be/

'Mode': TO,AROUND
Category: Other
Getting TO/AROUND: Nicest way to get around is on feet.
However it is only nice to walk if the street is safe and nice.
Traffic that is too high speeding in rural area's, make it noisy and dangerous.
Crossing the street is hazardous.
Lucky the mentality of the people is changing and more and more people get aware of the importance to make the street a place for people and not only for traffic!
Lots of manifestations are held to put pressure upon the local and regional governement to take actions.

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'Mode': TO,AROUND
Category: Other
Getting TO/AROUND: All through Antwerp you can use the tram.
These ecological friendly transport takes you to the surrounding cities and communities.
Some of the trams drive on the surface but descent into the Pré-metro when entering the city.
The trams on this pictures are both driving from Mortsel to Antwerp.
Number 15 goes into the Pré-metro.
While his stop is now in Mortsel, within a few years it will be driving through this city and have its final stop at Boechout.
Pity it doesn't go to Lier already.
In the meantime you can take a bus going to Lier (295)
You can pay when you get up, but that is more expensive then when you by a ticket in a local store or in one of the automats in the pré-metro stations.
However, the moment you travel with 3 people or more, it is less expensive if you pay for a group then to use a ticketcard.
Kids under 12 travel free and Belgian seniors as well, they have a special card.
If you need to pay and you don't, you can risk a high penalty.

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'Mode': TO
Category: Train
Getting TO/AROUND: Well this is how you get to and leave Antwerp sometimes :-) by train!
After a good dinner with Helga (Helga67), Chiara (Pollon) and Aadil (and your humble reporter Irisbe-that-is-me) we all went to put Chiara on the right train to Oostende where she was going to meet up with Patricia (Funkymama)

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Website: http://www.nmbs.be

'Mode': AROUND
Category: Subway/Metro
Getting TO/AROUND: In Antwerp, the tram/metro stops are provided by the schedule boxes like you see on this picture.
It shows the tracks, time left and a couple of stops until the place you are about.
It also shows, indicated with a red (moving) light where the tram is at the moment so you can see how long you will have to wait.

Very helpful it is when you have to catch a tram you will be able to see if you have to run or if you still have plenty of time left. It sure made me catch my tram in time on several occasions because I knew I had to run!

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Website: http://www.delijn.be

'Mode': TO,AROUND
Category: Bus
Getting TO/AROUND: The company that runs the local bus and trams/metro is called DeLijn.
You recognize the metro stop by the sign: a turned cubus with DeLijn written all over it.

You have several ways to pay.
1. you pay a single trip: that is most costly
2. you use a 10 trip card; that is cheaper
3. you are with at least 3 persons, you buy a ticket for x-amount of persons much cheaper
4. you have a bus pass

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Website: http://www.delijn.be