How to pay for a bus in Belgium?

Every STIB bus, tram and metro station is equipped with a specific contactless payment device. This device supports any bank card with the contactless logo. For smartphones and smartwatches, compatible payment applications are Google Pay, Apple Pay, Fitbit Pay and Garmin Pay.

Can you use contactless in Belgium?

Travel carefree around Brussels with your bank card. Contactless payment is an everyday thing now: in the supermarket, at the bakery, at festivals... and that means on public transport too! That way, you don't have to carry paper tickets or your MOBIB card: your bank card is your ticket.

Can you pay by credit card on the bus?

Look for the contactless symbol on your credit or debit card to see if your card is contactless enabled. Then, board a bus with the contactless symbol and instead of paying with cash, simply tap your card or contactless-enabled device onto the reader and wait for the beep.

Can I buy a bus ticket in a bus?

You can buy public transport tickets at newsstands, Passenger Service Centres and ticket machines, which you will find on most buses, in the new trams, at underground stations and near stops.

Can you use the bus without a hop card?

You can pay for the bus, train and ferry using an AT HOP card. You need a HOP card or contactless payment method to pay for bus travel. Cash and debit cards (EFTPOS) are not accepted on buses. Load funds onto your HOP card before you travel, then 'tag on' when you board and 'tag off' when you exit.

How To Pay For Public Transport In Belgium? - Western Europe Explorer

Can I use my debit card to tap on a bus?

If your credit or debit card is 'contactless-enabled', you will see this logo on the front of your card. This means your credit or debit card is enabled for fare payment on transit. Just tap your contactless credit or debit card at the MRT fare gate or card reader on buses.

Can I use my credit card to get on a bus?

Contactless payment fares

All fares on Translink services are 50 cents per journey, regardless of how far you travel on the network or how you choose to pay – whether it's by go card, contactless debit or credit card, or paper ticket. Normal transfer rules apply.

Do buses in Belgium take card?

Every STIB bus, tram and metro station is equipped with a specific contactless payment device. This device supports any bank card with the contactless logo. For smartphones and smartwatches, compatible payment applications are Google Pay, Apple Pay, Fitbit Pay and Garmin Pay.

Is it better to use cash or card in Belgium?

Belgian currency:

Many shops and restaurants in Brussels accept credit cards, but not all. It is, therefore, recommended that you either ask before you order or ensure you have enough in cash to cover the bill. Most shops and restaurants do not accept €200 or €500 notes.

How to pay for a Brussels bus?

Pay Contactless

Just like in many other European cities, Brussels has a contactless payment system to pay with contactless bank cards or smartphones (Apple Pay) without having to buy a physical ticket. The price of a ticket starts at € 2.30 ( US$ 2.68) for 60 minutes, and a daily cap applies at 8.40 EUR.

Do you tip in Belgium?

In Belgium, the price of your meal or taxi ride includes the service charge. As a result, you do not have to leave a tip. However, you may if you received good service. You can give cash to your waiter or taxi driver or ask them to round the amount up to a higher figure if you are paying by card.

Is Belgium mostly cashless?

I haven't tried my debit card in Belgium or France - I have used cash or credit there. Most is cashless, but just some shops or market stalls only take cash.

Is it better to get euros or use a bank card?

Use euros or a debit card? If you take your bank or credit card with you to anywhere in Europe your bank will typically charge you between 2% and 5% on each transaction. However changing money before you go will likely mean you will get a bad exchange rate.

Do you tap on and off Brussels bus?

Hop on a metro, tram or bus and see the best of the city – without worrying about buying a transport ticket or finding the right pass. On the STIB-MIVB network, your bank card or phone is your ticket. Just tap and go! You'll find contactless readers at every tram or bus entrance and at metro station gates.

Do I need to tap my card when I get off the bus?

To pay the right fare on buses and trams: Always touch your contactless card, device, or Oyster card on the yellow card reader at the start of your journey. You don't need to touch out at the end of your journey. If you do, you may pay more than you need to.

Does the bus accept a Visa card?

Contactless Bank Card & Mobile Wallet

You can use your foreign-issued Mastercard® and Visa contactless bank cards, as well as your mobile wallets for the payment of public transport fares in Singapore. No registration is required. *Admin fees apply for foreign-issued bank cards.

Do you tap off with a credit card on a Go bus?

Tap with Credit and Debit

You can now tap on and off with your credit or debit card on a PRESTO device, including those cards on your phone or watch to pay for your GO adult fare discount!

How do you tap a card on a bus?

What happens if I tap in and out with a different card?

If you touch more than 1 card or device on the contactless reader at a time, the reader won't know which card or device to charge. This is called 'card clash' and will show as 2 incomplete journeys, meaning you'll be charged a maximum fare for each journey.

Can I tap twice on a bus?

You don't need to tap off. You only tap in ONCE on bus/tram. You tap in and out on Rail, Underground, Riverboat and Cable Car. It is a fixed rate of £1.75 for a ride but technically the you'll have 1h ticket meaning you can change to multiple buses (or tram) without any additional cost in this specific hour.

Should I tell my bank I'm going abroad?

It's not essential, but it helps our fraud detection systems to know in advance that you're travelling abroad. Find out how to get it at How do I get the mobile banking app?

Which UK bank is best for euros?

Which country is 100% cashless?

A 2024 report by the International Monetary Fund shows that countries like Sweden, Norway, and South Korea are leading the global shift, with Sweden on track to become the first fully cashless economy by the end of 2025.

Is Belgium struggling economically?

The latest macroeconomic forecast for Belgium. Economic activity in Belgium is expected to slow down to 0.8% in 2025, mainly due to high global uncertainty and decreased exports. It is projected to increase slightly to 0.9% in 2026, supported by improving external demand.