How To Hail a Brussels Taxi

With some 900 operators, 4,500 drivers and 1,400 vehicles, you’re never far from a Brussels taxi. But to ensure your ride is dependable and that you are charged fairly, see the helpful information below.

To find a Brussels taxi...
At the airport: Exit from the baggage claim and customs area straight ahead to the far right and you'll see the line of travelers waiting for taxi's.

At the hotel: Hotels with concierge service should be able to hail a taxi for you.

In the city: Find one of the 800 taxi ranks (stations) in the city center or at strategic points; or hail a taxi on the street.

How to recognize a registered taxi
Other taxi cab companies are available (for a short list click here) but it's recommended to find a registered taxi rather than an independent one.

To find a registered authentic Brussels taxi, look for a black or white car with a sign on the roof that says, “TAXI” written in red on a white background. Above it, you'll find a yellow iris on a blue background, the symbol of the Brussels Capital region.

Estimating your fare
According to a local website that promotes general taxi use in the Brussels region, the current rates (as of March 3, 2008) are as follows: Pick-up charge: € 2,40

Rate I (within the 19 communes of the Brussels-Capital Region): € 1,35/km

Rate II (outside the 19 communes): € 2,70/km

Waiting fee : € 25,00 per hour (1)

Between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. customers are charged a flat rate supplement of € 2,00 (the taximeter is fitted with a clock-calendar that registers this flat-rate supplement automatically).

Waiting time: the taximeter automatically switches to waiting time if the tax is driving at less than 20 km/h, for example in traffic jams, at red lights, etc. Tips and service are included in the price of the journey as shown on the meter, but a small extra tip is welcomed.

If you go out of the city perimeter into the exterior communes listed below, you'll be charged Rate II. The driver is supposed to check your final destination before changing his meter from Rate I to Rate II (as soon as he passes the sign indicating the end of the Brussels-Capital region.

The communes of the Brussels-Capital Region that mark its boundary are: Anderlecht, Auderghem, Berchem-Sainte-Agathe, Brussels (Laeken, Neder-Over-Heembeek, Haren). Etterbeek,Evere, Forest, Ganshoren, Ixelles, Jette, Koekelberg,Molenbeek-Saint-Jean, Saint-Gilles, Saint-Josse-Ten-Noode,Schaarbeek, Uccle, Watermael-Boitsfort, Woluwé-Saint-LambertWoluwé-Saint-Pierre.

To request a wheelchair taxi
There are also taxis that have been adapted for wheelchair users.Further information about these taxis is available from Taxi Hendriks:Telephone: +32 2 - 752 98 00Fax: +32 2 - 752 98 01

Try Autolux
In our research of Brussels taxi companies, we found at least one that offers a 20 percent round trip reduction.

Autolux, a Belgian taxi cab company operating since 1934, will give you a 20 percent reduction in your fare if your return trip occurs within two months. The company also features an excellent English website at: offering a contact form where you can write for more information. You can also telephone the company at: +32(0)2 411 41 42 or e-mail them at: [email protected]

Like other Brussels taxi companies, Autolux stations taxis at Zaventem airport and at authorized taxi ranks in the Brussels region.

To register a complaint
Hopefully, you’ll be happy with your taxi service, but if not, be sure to write down the registration number of the taxi, its make and color. You’ll need this information when you contact the taxi cab company to complain.

Return from How To Hail A Brussels Taxi,
to Brussels-Belgium-Travel-Guide.com Homepage