Brussels

Taxi Guide Brussels

Taxis in Brussels are recognizable by a sign written “Taxi” in red on the top of the car on a white background with a small yellow picture of the Brussels region, an iris, on a blue background. With hundreds of taxis in the city, finding one, particularly near the centre, at airports and stations, and by hotels is not a problem. The common method of getting a taxi is to hail one by waving at it. You know the taxi is occupied if the Taxi light on top of the the cab is lit. Just ensure you do get a registered taxi, though. If the taxi does not have the company name, telephone number, official taxi driver registration, a metre in the car, and the proper taxi sign on the roof, it may be best to get another one. Most taxi drivers speak at least enough English to be able to understand addresses and places of interest. If your destination is obscure, it may be helpful to have the written address and a map available.Taxis in Brussels can be a little expensive. Typically they have a minimum charge of 2.35€ during the day and 4,21€ at night. The price reflected on the metre includes service charge, though the drivers will always welcome an extra tip. You may notice that a taxi hailed in Brussels will have a number, either I or II on the sign at the top. This indicates the taxi is based in central Brussels, and II in peripheral Brussels, and their pricing will be slightly different in that they are cheaper in their own zones. As such, a trip in a taxi not in its periphery will cost more, so depending on where you are going in and around the city do not be too surprised if the price of a trip going one way is different to the price returning as the distance you travel in either periphery may result in the price being variable. This is very apparent when travelling between the airport and the city centre as there can be a difference of around 5€ going in either direction. For the record, when doing this route it is advisable to take a taxi marked I if available as the distance travelled in Periphery zone I (ie in greater Brussels) is greater than that outside and so cheaper, but if travelling to Charleroi (Brussels South Airport), then take a zone II taxi. For longer distances it may also be possible to negotiate the price with the driver. Some taxis in the city also offer payment by credit card which many people find very convenient.

Below is a list of taxi companies in Brussels you can call and reserve in English;

• • Autolux – Rue du Maroquin 1, Brussels 1080. Telephone: 024114142/024130284/025123123. Website: http://www.taxisautolux.be/
  • Taxis Bleus – Rue des Beguines 42, Brussels 1080. Telephone: 022680000. Website: http://www.taxisbleus.be/
  • Cooperqative Nouvelle des Taxis Ucclois (CNTU) – Chaussee de Waterloo 901, Brussels 1180.Telephone: 023742020
  • Taxis One – Square Vergote 12A, Brussels 1200. Telephone: 027343434
  • Unitax-Brabant – Maalbekweg1-3, Zaventem 1930. Telephone: 027154002/027154040