TRANSPORT IN BELGIUM WITH A DOG: A COMPREHENSIVE GUIDE

As we told you in the post about what to see in Belgium with a dog in 5 daysBelgium is a relatively small city, so getting around the city is relatively easy, and you can even walk to everything in the city centre. We are also in favour of walking as much as possible, because it is on foot that you really get to know a city.

But travelling with a dog is more difficult, as you can't keep them walking all day without stopping. We may be able to stand it, but there comes a time when they need to stop, hydrate and rest. That's why, in this post, we want to show you all the possibilities that exist in Belgium to move with your dog, with all the requirements explained, so you have all the information.

The metro may be the first choice for getting around Belgium, as it is very well-connected. It has 4 lines 2 tram lines. Each has a name, and are especially useful when your hotel is far from the centre or for remote areas such as the Atomium. The lines are as follows:

• Lines 1 and 5: They run from east to west through Brussels. They are interesting to reach the Parc de Bruxelles and the Palais du Cinquantenaire.
• Lines 2 and 6: These are circular lines. Line 6 goes to Brupark, where the Atomium and Mini Europe are located.
• Lines 3 and 4: Running north-south through the city, they are interesting for getting from the Gare du Midi train station to the centre of Brussels.

This is the fastest way to get around Brussels and also the cheapest, although you will only need it at certain times.

The Brussels metro is open from 5:00 to 0:00 and the frequency varies depending on the time of day and the day of the week, but waiting times are usually between 4 and 10 minutes.

A single ticket costs €2.40, but there are 5-trip passes, which cost €8 and 10-trip passes, which cost €15.60. There is also an unlimited day pass for €7.80 which is valid for all public transport in the city.

It's all very nice, but... Can you go with a dog? We tell you about it:

Yes, dogs of all sizes are allowed, so small dogs in a boarding kennel are free, and large dogs will have to pay for their own ticket. Check the regulations for the PDD breed dogs, as some of them are forbidden in Belgium.

The train is usually used to visit more distant places or cities, such as Bruges or Ghent, or even to Paris on the Eurostar. The price will depend on the journey you want to make. To give you an idea, for the Brussels-Bruges journey we paid €39 per person return, but at weekends there are discounts to make travel a little cheaper.

Are dogs allowed?

Yes, same rules as for the metro. But again, PDD are forbidden to travel by train as well..

Apparently, public buses in Belgium are allowed to take dogs, while the typical private buses on excursions are not. But they can travel on normal buses by buying a ticket if they are large, although we have been told that this regulation is old and that they now travel free of charge. Just in case, ask, as regulations change from one day to the next.

Timetables vary depending on the line, but they normally run from 6:00 to 1:00.

• Sightseeing bus::

In this case, pets are not allowed, but we don't recommend you to take this activity because the centre of Brussels is within walking distance.

It is not a means of transport as such, but we have decided to include it because a boat ride is not a bad thing. It's a different activity and gives you another perspective of cities like Bruges or Gent, as they have canals, so it is a perfect activity. 

Dogs are allowed depending on the shipping company you are on, as they are private companies and they decide.