Belgium Travel Guide: Safety Tips in Belgium. Travel Safety Tips.
Traveling to Belgium is considered to be quite safe. As a highly developed country, it is largely free of violent crimes. The city of Brussels is generally known to be safe for residents, visitors and businessmen. However, as with any popular tourist destination, travelers to Belgium should be mindful of petty crimes such as pick pocketing, purse snatching and theft of some luggage. Stealing of laptops is also quite common, so travelers to Belgium should be vigilant of their surroundings and keep an eye and a hand on their things at all times. Theft is especially rampant at the bus terminals and train stations, where petty thieves have been known to loiter and take advantage of unsuspecting tourists.
Travelers should take basic common sense precautions when going on a trip and be mindful of Belgium travel safety tips. As a whole, the country of Belgium has a very low crime rate. Another plus in the favor of Belgium is that it is relatively free of terrorist attacks or activities, so travelers can feel safe from such threats. As a member country of the Schengen Agreement, Belgium has an open border policy with its neighbors, but this doesn’t detract from its overall safety.
The most likely place for pickpockets to hang out is in the three major train stations of the country. These are Gare du Nord on the north, Gare Central or the Central Station and the Gare du Midi or the South Station. The Zuidstation or the Gare du Midi or the Eurostar Terminal is of special concern because this is the primary international train station, making it especially attractive to thieves because of the number of travelers in the area. Never leave your belongings unattended, especially when lining up for a ticket, waiting for your train or even going to the bathroom. Your things may not be there anymore if you don’t keep an eye on them.
A basic Belgium travel safety tip to keep in mind is to hold your purse, bags and luggage at all times. Even letting go of your belongings for a brief period of time can lead you to have your things stolen from right under your nose. Many thieves often work in pairs so that one will be tasked to distract the victim, while the other one steals. A common modus operandi is for someone to get your attention by bumping into you or to ask for directions. While you are distracted, his accomplice may be stealthily stealing your belongings.
Be especially mindful of your stuff when you ride the train. Avoid using the overhead compartments to store your belongings. It’s better to keep it with you at all times and be sure to hold on to it. If you are taking the train from another country, avoid riding the last compartment. Many thieves often illegally get on the train through the last train compartment to steal the belongings of the tired travelers and then simply get out the same way.
Discretion is another basic Belgium travel safety tip you should remember. While it’s one thing to be friendly, it’s also another to be vigilant about giving away too much personal information that may place your safety at risk. It is all right to be friendly but if you do decide to engage in conversation with a stranger or with someone you think is a fellow travel, be discreet about your travel plans. You don’t want to tell a stranger what hotel you are staying in, if you are traveling alone and any other personal details about your trip to Belgium. While you are chatting away, hold your things and keep it on your person.
Another important Belgium travel safety tip that you should observe is to make copies of your travel documents, especially your passport. Leave the originals at the safety deposit box of the hotel where you are staying. This way, in case you lose your purse, you still have your travel documents with you or you can easily get it replaced since you have copies on hand. If you have to carry your passport with you keep it separate from your cash and credit cards. In fact it is advisable to keep these three most important things in separate in different bags or even separate pockets. It’s also a good idea to have a soft copy of your travel information, which you can download and print as needed. Have your reservation numbers and confirmation numbers available as well. Write the name and contact numbers of relatives at the back of your passport.
Before you head out on your tour for the day, take a few minutes to get the right directions and coordinates from your hotel concierge. Ask for an approximate cost of the taxi to your destination as well as how long the trip will take. This way, you won’t seem so lost when you go out. Highlight your route and try to find landmarks so you can easily find your way back to the hotel. Another Belgium travel safety tip is to avoid wearing too much jewelry while you go sightseeing. Leave your valuable jewelry at the hotel’s safety deposit box.
When walking back to your hotel at night, stay on well-lit areas or take the taxi for added safety. Stay away from small groups of men, who have been reported to steal hot-ticket items such as cell phones, digital cameras, expensive watches, wallets and MP3 players. Laptops and tablets are also hot ticket items.
By law, everyone needs to carry some sort of identification that you need to be able to present to the police when asked. Have your passport or a copy of it on hand. You will also need to present this if you need to get your currency changed into euros.
If you need some money changed into euros, it’s best to take care of this before you go to Belgium. If you need more, it’s better to have your money changed at the bank rather than at other establishments found at train stations and other tourist areas. The banks are able to give better exchange rates. At the same time, you don’t have to worry about getting counterfeit cash. Avoid carrying all your cash with you. If you carry a lot of coins with you, secure it in a coin purse rather than have it jingle as you walk. This will certainly call attention to your person and not in a positive way.
When you are out shopping, be mindful of your surroundings before you decide to take out your wallet. Rather than bringing out your wallet, count the money you need inside your purse and only bring out what you need. This is true when you use an ATM as well. Avoid purchasing bootleg or counterfeit items. While the prices may seem attractive to you, it is illegal to bring these back into the United States. You may end up having to pay stiff penalties and end up getting your purchases confiscated when you pass through customs.
Make sure that your driver’s license is valid if you are planning to drive while in Belgium. And when driving, be especially aware of your surroundings. This is especially true in Brussels. Keep your valuables out of sight, so placing your purse, luggage or laptop on the front passenger side of the vehicle is not a good idea. Some thieves scan the vehicles at stoplights and simply break open the window or open the door to steal things. As a safety precaution, make sure you drive with the doors locked and the windows rolled up.
Observe traffic laws while in Belgium. The right of way is given to those on the right side. Also, the maximum speed limit is 120 kilometers per hour on the highway. In many cities, the maximum driving speed is 50 kilometers per hour. In Brussels, it is only at 30 kilometers per hour.
Travelers will be pleased to know that Belgium is a very clean country even if it is densely populated. Food safety preparation procedures are strictly observed. Water is potable although it is a good idea to simply purchase a bottle of water when you go out to eat. Be sure that you are the one that breaks open the seal. If you plan to have some fun at a bar or go out drinking to enjoy some fine Belgian beers, just make sure you don’t drive after, as the legal alcohol limit for driving is .05 percent.
Belgium is known to have some of the richest and most delicious cuisines in Europe, as the food is heavily influenced by its German and French neighbors. If you have a sensitive constitution, bring some antacids with you to help treat an upset stomach from eating too much frites (potatoes fries), moules (mussels) and pralines. Waterzooi, a hearty and creamy Belgian stew, may be too rich for some constitutions, so take the necessary precautions when dining out.
If you are under some medication, bring the amount that you need with you for the duration of your trip to Belgium. You may not be able to get prescription refills while you are on tour. Keep these in their original containers. Also, don’t pack your prescription medication in your check in luggage. It’s better to have it in your hand carry or purse. If you decide to go out for the day, take your medication before you leave, or carry only what you need for the day and leave the rest in your hotel room. Another good Belgium travel safety tip to keep in mind is to wear a medical health bracelet, which indicates your blood type, any allergies especially to medication, as well as any medical condition you may have. This will make it easier for medical personnel and authorities to address your emergency medical needs.
Travelers should get travel health insurance when visiting Belgium and other member states of Europe. This way, if you have a medical emergency, you will have the means to pay for it. The medical facilities in Belgium are at par with its European neighbors. Do keep the receipts and pay with your credit card as much as possible. Familiarize yourself with any exclusions as well as the procedure on how to make a claim. Many health travel insurance policies work on a reimbursement basis that you will get as soon as you return from your trip. For those who want to use the free travel medical insurance built in with some major credit cards, be sure to familiarize yourself with the policy and terms before you head out to your destination.
It is against Belgian laws to bring in, carry and use illegal drugs and other controlled substances when you go to Belgium. Travelers will be subject to strict laws and penalties if caught.
These are some useful Belgium travel safety tips that you should observe. By familiarizing yourself with the country and observing basic common sense precautions, you can have a wonderful time during your visit to Belgium. It is possible to remain safe while enjoying the many sights that Belgium has to offer. Use our handy Travel Guide Belgium so that you have a convenient and accessible resource material during your stay in this beautiful European country.
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