Besides signing up at the municipality (gemeente or commune), there are two or three things you should try to organize when moving to Brussels. If my post about registering at the Gemeente, scared you, my advice is to keep reading. Also, research information on topics such as health care, public transport or any type of bureaucratic requirement you will have to sort out upon your arrival.
Brussels is a relatively big city, which is a fact nobody quite realizes. It comprises 19 smaller municipalitie, so commuting will likely be part of your day-to-day routine. Sometimes it might get hectic because trams are not always on time. But my overall experience is that public transport is easily accessible and well-connected.
Getting a public transport card is super important because it will allow you
access to the bus, tram, and metro in Brussels.
This in its own turn, will save some time because traffic here can be scary, but we are not going to discuss this.
(Editor’s note: We advise readers not to drive to, in or from Brussels during rush hours because traffic jams can be interminable.)
Even though I have been critical of how things get done here, I can say one thing for sure: Public transport in Brussels is reliable and will take you where you have to be 90 percent of the time. Regardless of where you are, you will have at least one stop for public transport nearby. From there you will be able to navigate through the city easily.
So, let’s dive in directly into the MOBIB public transport card experience!
How to get a MOBIB card
Getting a MOBIB card in Brussels is like getting an OV card in the Netherlands, though there are several differences. I’m going to focus on the benefits of getting it and why you should do it.
You can choose between two types of MOBIB cards – basic and personal. If you choose to use a personal card, then you will be able to load seasonal tickets on it. It can hold a one-month, or 12-month seasonal pass/subscription, and you can also load all the tickets available from the vending STIB machines that are scattered around the different public transport stops.
The price for a personal MOBIB card is 6 euros and is valid for five years.
So far everything seems great. Brussels is a huge city and to issue the card you have to go to one of the listed below stations, if you have not received your Belgian ID card yet. So, if you are relatively new to town and would like to get the MOBIB card, you will have to go to one of these stations and
find the BOOTIK:
• Gare du Midi / Zuidstation (South Station)
• Rogier
• Porte de Namur / Naamsepoort
• Roodebeek
• Gare de l’Ouest / Weststation
As with the registration at the municipality, you will be required to bring a headshot (on paper) and your ID. I think at this point taking an ID/passport everywhere should be standard. So do not forget these two!
Tips:
• Do not try to go to other places, because they will not issue you a MOBIB personal card and redirect you to one of the above-mentioned stations.
• Make sure to go during the week or on a Saturday during the opening hours because nothing is open in Belgium on a Sunday.
Anonymous vs Basic MOBIB card
Now, depending on your needs, you may have to opt for an either basic (anonymous) MOBIB card or a personal MOBIB card. You can purchase the basic card without your identification document. Moreover, it is easier to buy because you can get it not only from the five stations that issue the personal MOBIB card but also from the different KIOSKs at the stations.
Similarly to the personal card, the basic one also costs 6 euros and is valid for 5 years.
Being anonymous, the MOBIB card allows you to lend it to other people. This makes it the perfect
choice if you have visitors or for groups and organizations.
Nevertheless, there are some disadvantages to having a basic MOBIB card. You cannot load seasonal tickets on this card because it is anonymous. It can only be used for individual tickets, and it can hold up to eight different tickets at the same time.
Types of subscriptions
Once you have made your choice and successfully purchased your card, you will have to choose between the different options offered by Brussels public transport. You will have to load either a
single ticket, a subscription or a bundle of tickets to your MOBIB card.
You can pick between the different types of tickets and subscriptions:
• 1 journey: 2,10 euros
• 10 journeys: 16,80 euros
• 1 daily ticket: 7,50 euros
• 75 journeys: 105 euros
• Monthly subscription: 49 euros (This is the most common subscription people in Brussels use. It allows an unlimited number of journeys depending on the selected ticket duration.)
• Annual subscription: 499 euros
One more thing has to be clarified here – the prices I just mentioned refer to the normal ticket rates. Additionally, there are two more types of prices that refer to the region they cover. You can purchase Brupass or Brupass XL. Brupass covers the Brussels-Capital Region while Brupass XL covers the Brussels-Capital Region and a wider area around it, including some suburban zones. The normal ticket and subscription cover all STIB public transport connections.
Finally, students can also benefit from the MOBIB personal card by adding a student subscription.
This applies to people enrolled in an educational institution aged 18 to 24. The price for one year is 12 euros. What you have to do is upload your statement of enrolment to the STIB website and wait for a
confirmation email.
This is a good option for foreign students who have picked Brussels as their choice of study.
Apps
If you already have sorted out your public transport card, now is the time to start using it. But the question now would be, “how do I know where to go?”
• Google Maps: This is one of the most obvious ways to check your route. You could also pick whether you want to reach your destination on foot, by bike, or by public transport. I will not go much into detail because we are all familiar with the app.
• STIB-MIVB app: This is the app for public transport in Brussels. You can add different addresses and similarly to Google Maps, it will show you how to navigate around Brussels. What is more, you could purchase several types of tickets from the app. For example, if you have guests or in case you forget your MOBIB card. It is a convenient thing to have.
• Floya app: This is an app developed by STIB, but you have more means of transport than just metro, bus, and tram. With Floya you have access to scooters, bikes, taxis, and free-floating cards. Moreover, you can purchase tickets directly from this app.
•BOLT: Bolt, with multiple options including car-sharing and scooters, is a good option if you travel, and something happens with your public transport. It is not so expensive, and you can find a card almost immediately.
Overall, the personal MOBIB public transport card should make your life easier and help you navigating the public transport scene in Brussels. It offers flexibility and convenience. Moreover, if you are constantly on the move, it may help you manage your finances. Whether you choose a basic
or a personal MOBIB card, you should think about your transport needs.
PRO TIP:
When you use public transport in Brussels, you only have to scan your public transport card once. This means you only check in when you are boarding the tram or the bus.
Metro stations are a bit different. From my experience, it depends on your location. Sometimes you have to check in and out, sometimes just to check in and sometimes this is not mandatory because the station
does not have gates.
I would still look around for a red card reader to check in because fines in Brussels are pricy.
Polya Pencheva
Polya Plamenova Pencheva is a young Bulgarian journalist based in Brussels, Belgium. Polya holds a Master's degree in journalism from Rijksuniversiteit Groningen and loves writing and telling the untold stories of interesting people. You can find her dining at cute café, shopping at markets, scouting second-hand shops or just chillin' at home with something great to read.
