LUXEMBOURG FAQ`S
Luxembourg is
serviced by Luxembourg-Findel International Airport (www.aeroport.public.lu)
located just 4 miles outside Luxembourg City.
If you have not
booked a private transfer with us then you have a few options. A bus service of
the city of Luxembourg connects the airport to the
center of town and the station (bus 16, about 15 minutes). The price of a
ticket is around €2.00, ticket valid for 2 hours or around €4.00 for an all-day
ticket.
The price for taxi ride from the airport to the station
is about €25 - €30. After 10 pm to 6 am, you will need to add 10%. Sundays and
holidays an additional 25% to 35% will be charged.
Car rentals are also available at the airport. Sixt
rental car counter can be found in the arrivalal hall on level -1.
Luxembourg
City has rail connections from Belgium, France, and Germany. The main
station, Luxembourg Gare, in the southern part of town, has
a national tourist information office, currency-exchange office, and
luggage-storage facilities inside, and stops for city bus lines just outside.
Local
buses and taxis can be found at the railway station. The city center is within
walking distance (just about 1 mile).
The heart of Luxembourg City revolves around two main squares in
the Old Town. The small place d`Armes was
once a parade ground, and this is where you find sidewalk cafes and band
concerts during summer months. The larger place Guillaume II is
the setting for the Hôtel de Ville (Town Hall), the city tourist office, and
for statues of William II and Luxembourg poet Michel Rodange; it hosts morning
markets on Wednesday and Saturday during the summer.
Main arteries bordering the Old Town are bd. Grande-Duchesse Charlotte to the north,
and bd. Franklin D. Roosevelt to the south. The
principal shopping street is Grand-Rue. A
pleasant walkway, the promenade de la Corniche, connects
the Bock Casemates to the Citadelle du St-Esprit fortifications. There are
steps, in addition to an elevator, from place St-Esprit down
to the Grund neighborhood in the valley below.
Buses are
regular and they all pass through the central bus station Hamilius.
The fare is around €2.00; an all-day ticket
costs about for an all-day ticket. A day-ticket is valid for all buses/trains
in the entire country, make use of it if you go on any day-trips around the
country. More information on Luxembourg City bus is available at www.autobus.lu.
Also the city has the country`s main
railway station and this can be reached easily by bus. The station is a good
way of getting around the country or speedily getting into any of the neighboring
countries.
A car rental gives you the
means to travel around Luxembourg in comfort and style, as well as
providing the freedom to drive anywhere in the country. A car rental
makes it possible to visit even more little towns and villages of the country,
and you can enjoy scenic drives around this small country. The country can be
driven from end to end in just one day.
Several major car rental companies have stations at Findel International Airport. Car rental prices can be high, but fuel prices are lower than in most other EU countries. As is the case in any EU country, you`ll need a valid passport, driving license and international credit card to rent a car in Luxembourg. The road network has been significantly expanded and improved in recent years.
Driving in Luxembourg City isn`t too difficult, but it is not necessary once in-town since all the attractions are within easy walking distance. We suggest parking your car and saving it for day trips outside the city. Street parking is available, but is not the best option. We recommend using one of the many parking garages. The city map supplied by the tourist office has parking areas clearly marked. The three most centrally located underground parking garages are off bd. Royal near the post office, off rue Notre-Dame, and at place du Théâtre.
How do I get around by taxi?
Taxis are quite expensive in Luxembourg. The standard fare is about 0.80 Euros per km, but expect to pay a 10 percent surcharge at night (10 pm to 6 am), and a 25 percent surcharge on Sundays and holidays. Asking a taxi to wait for you will cost EUR 0.21 per minute.
Taxis can be booked by telephone or hailed from a stand outside public buildings such as train stations.
The city operates a self-service bike system (Velóh) and the stations can be found in various locations around the city center. You first need to get a pass which can be obtained from one of the terminals at the bike stations. The initial subscription is payable by bank card at one of the special stands. A 7-day pass costs about €1 and the first 30 mins. are free. Each additional hour costs €1 for a maximum total of about €5 for 24 hours.
Is Luxembourg a walking city?Luxembourg City is made for walking, it`s really the best way to explore the city. Most major attractions are within 1/3 mile of the center of town. Beyond that, though, the hilly nature of the city and the distance to other points of interest may start to take a toll. The many green spaces and parks invite either a relaxing sit-down or a leisurely stroll to slow your sightseeing pace.
Is Luxembourg a dangerous city? Are there certain areas I should avoid?The crime rate in Luxembourg is moderate as compared to other European countries. Travelers should take precautions against petty theft while in Luxembourg, especially in public areas where pickpockets tend to lurk. Luxembourg has many public parks that are safe during the daylight hours, though low-level drug vending has increased in some of the city parks. Tourists should avoid these parks after dark. Also, use caution in and around the train station area (especially late at night), which contains a handful of seedy clubs and prostitutes on the Rue de Strasbourg.
Can I pay/tip in US dollars?
The currency in Luxembourg
is the Euro (€). Once
you`re in Luxembourg you`ll have to use the euro in most places. It is recommended to exchange at least some
money before you leave home so that you can avoid lines at airport ATMs.
ATMs can be found at
Luxembourg Airport, and Luxembourg Gare and other main rail stations, and
throughout the city. Currency-exchange offices are open daily at the airport
and at Luxembourg Gare.
The major languages spoken
in Luxembourg include Luxembourgish, French, and German. All three are
established as official administrative languages of the country, although
Luxembourgish is the national language. Luxembourgish is part of the
Indo-European language family and is defined as a West Central Germanic
language and part of the High German languages. Luxembourgish is closely
related to the German language, and some linguists even claim Luxembourgish is
not a distinct language, but rather a standardized form of German language due
to many similar characteristics, including a similar consonant inventory.
Luxembourg is a
cosmopolitan country and foreign-born workers, tourists, students, and guests
make up about 40% of the total population. The most common languages spoken by
foreigners include Portuguese, Italian, and English, and native residents of
Luxembourg using these foreign languages when they are in establishments
frequented by foreigners such as hotels and restaurants. We suggest you get a good
guidebook and familiarize yourself with common phrases such as hello, goodbye,
please, thank you, excuse me and numbers 1-10.
Try to show respect for
the local language and make some effort to say a word or two of it even if it`s
just the standard greeting `Moien`. In
restaurants and high-end service establishments the personnel is generally
expected to serve you in French, so if you speak French, do use it.
The
capital city is a great place to shop! Some areas not to miss are gathered in
the Ville-Haute and Train station districts.
In the
Ville-Haute are all the famous brands, trendy shops, luxury brands and plenty
of craftsmen. The pedestrian area provides many terraces, beautiful squares,
the Palace and all the historic buildings. On the other side of the viaduct,
the train station district has its own charm. In and around the two main
streets, you will find all the standard international brands. This
fast-developing area is also a great place for having a drink or lunch, while
looking at the lovely various independent shops. Luxembourg City is probably
the only place where renowned brands and small local brands exist side by side.
Markets:
- Monthly Market in Glacis - Every 3rd Sunday of the month. Every month in the
expansive Glacis square in Limpertsberg a market takes place, which is a mixture
of a flea market, a farmer`s market and some local arts and crafts.
- Weekly Market in Bonnevoie - Every
Wednesday, 7:00 am to 1:30 pm located in front of the parish church.
- Market in Place de
Paris - Every Wednesday and Saturday, 7:00 am to 1:30 pm. The
district of Gare holds markets in Place de Paris twice
a week.
- Market in Place
Guillaume II - Wednesdays and Saturdays, 7:00 am to 1:30 pm located
at Place Guillaume II.
VAT (Value Added Tax)
- The current rate on all goods and services is currently 17%. Whilst
Luxembourg follows the European Union VAT compliance rules, it still sets its
own VAT rate.
The Luxembourg Card is ideal for visitors looking to do a lot of sightseeing and traveling on public transportation, both in Luxembourg city and around the Grand Duchy. For 1, 2 or 3 days enjoy free access to more than 60 museums and tourist attractions in Luxembourg. In addition, the card lets you ride free on buses and trains. The costs is around €13 (1 day), €20 (2 day), and €28 (3 day), respectively; family cards are also available.
What is the nightlife like and where are the best areas to go?
Luxembourg City stays up late, and there are numerous
nightspots, jazz clubs, theater performances, concerts, and other after-dark
activities to choose from. The busiest evenings are on Wednesday, Friday and Saturday.
During summer, terraces are crowded.
Old City: The narrow streets around the Place d`Armes and the old city are full of bars and
restaurants.
Suburbs of Clausen and Grund and `Rives de Clausen`: Headquarters of Luxembourg`s night life with
lots of English and Irish pubs in Grund and Clausen. During summer, terraces
are crowded. The so called `Rives de Clausen` area, built on the industrial
site of the former breweries Mousel and Clausen, has turned into `the place to
be` in town.
Railway station district: The
busy districts mostly famed for its bars, cabarets and multicultural
restaurants.
Hollerich: Rue de Hollerich buzzes
with some of the trendiest bars in town.
Performing Arts: From
May to October, the Grand Théâtre de la Ville de Luxembourg, rond-point Robert
Schuman (www.theatres.lu), presents major concert artists from around the
world, in addition to concerts by the Grand Orchestre Philharmonique du Luxembourg (www.opl.lu). There
are dance (ballet and modern) performances and musical shows by visiting
artists year-round. Tickets are €15 to €65.
Luxembourg, like much of northwest Europe, enjoys a temperate climate without extremes. Because the sea is hundreds of miles away, winters are slightly cooler and summers a bit warmer. January maximum temperatures in Luxembourg City average 41°F, while July maximums average 73°F. May and June are often the driest, sunniest months, while July and August are the hottest. It can rain at any time however, so come prepared.
What is the food like?
Luxembourg`s
cuisine is straightforward because
the culinary originality of a country is closely linked to its geographical
conditions, its history, its social structure, its mentality, and the attitude
of the individuals that make up that country.
This
is why many recipes are related to the farming community lifestyle that was
typical in the Grand Duchy for centuries. Luxembourg`s cuisine is international because
the many foreign influences on the country have
left their mark on Luxembourg`s dishes.
International
dishes and delicious local recipes can be found at restaurants throughout the
country, paired with a dry white Luxembourgish wine from the Moselle region or
a flavorsome local beer.
Some local Luxembourgish dishes that can be found throughout the
country:
-Bouneschlupp: green bean soup,
to which carrots, onions, leeks, celery, potatoes, milk or cream and smoked
bacon can be added.
-Judd mat Gaardebounen: smoked
neck of pork with broad beans.
-Kuddelfleck: tripe served breaded
or with a spicy tomato sauce.
-Stäerzelen': a dish made of
buckwheat flour with smoked bacon and sometimes cream.
-Friture: small fried fish from
Luxembourg`s part of the Moselle river, eaten with the fingers.
Pike
in a Riesling sauce, fried fish and home-smoked ham are among the greatest
culinary specialties of the Moselle valley.
The
best known specialty of the Luxembourg Ardennes is Ardennes ham, which is
served almost everywhere with bread as `Hameschmier`.
Emergencies: For police assistance, call tel. 113. For an ambulance or the fire department, call
tel. 112.
Hospitals: The most important city hospital is the
modern Centre Hospitalier de Luxembourg, rue Emile Barblé
4 (tel. 44-11-11; www.chl.lu; bus no. 7), off route d`Arlon in
the northwest of the city.