Buses, trams and pre-metro in Antwerp

The central bus hub of the city is the Franklin Rooseveltplaats. It’s close to the Zoo and the Antwerp Central train station. The pre-metro, which runs underground as well as on surface lines, is part of the tram system that covers Antwerp and its surrounding suburbs. All trams use the same tickets as buses. The most prominent stops are Diamant, below the central train station, and Groenplaats, from where the line continues west under the Scheldt River.

De Lijn, the public transport company, operates a comprehensive network of buses, trams and a pre-metro (underground trams). Students who want to travel out of the city can catch a train operated by the national railway service.

Students who plan on using buses, trams and the pre-metro frequently should consider getting a multi-ride Lijnkaart card. It works out cheaper than paying for individual rides and can be bought at stations, supermarkets and newspaper shops. Tickets can also be bought electronically on the bus or tram or online through the app. You will also be able to get public transport maps from station ticket booths. Single tickets are valid for an hour at a time, so passengers can swap between modes of transport. Tickets and cards are scanned at a ticket machine when boarding.

More information about public transport: https://www.delijn.be/en/

Trains

Trains are operated by NMBS (or SNCB in French) and are the best option for long-distance travel as well as those residents who commute in from the outlying suburbs. Tickets can be purchased at the station counters, vending machines, through the NMBS website.

Check the website of the Belgian Rail here.

Taxis in Antwerp

Taxis are allowed to transport up to four passengers, while taxi buses can accommodate eight for the same price. Those with an official permit have an illuminated sign on the roof and a red licence plate. Tariffs are determined by the city authorities and should always be shown on the meter. At the end of a journey, the driver must print out a ticket bearing the company’s name and telephone number for queries or complaints. Taxis are expensive to move around!

Cycling in Antwerp

The city has a large network of cycle lanes as well as the Velo public bicycle-sharing system. Various passes can be bought from the Velo website or from customer service offices near the Stadspark and the Zoo. After receiving a card, people are able to take a bicycle from stations across the city before dropping it off at another station closest to their destination. Check the information sheet here.