GHENT FAQ`S

What should I expect in Ghent?

Ghent is a vibrant college town with stunning Dutch architecture and peaceful canals winding through the narrow cobblestone lanes. The city has a population of a quarter of a million. Its size and position allow the inhabitants to enjoy a city with an interesting crossover between open cosmopolitanism and the quiet atmosphere of a provincial town. Ghent is thriving as many young people choose to live here instead of in the countryside or the crowded city centers of Brussels and Antwerp.

From beautiful castles to famous fruity beers, intriguing architecture to sparkling canals, medieval structures and frittes with mayonnaise, Ghent has something for everyone.

How do I get from the train station to my hotel?

Ghent is easily accessible by train from Brussels, Bruges and Antwerp via Belgian Rail.

From Brussels: 30 minutes from Bruxelles-Midi Station.

From Bruges: 25 minutes from Brugge Station.

From Antwerp: 1 hour from Antwerpen-Centraal Station.

You can buy tickets online in advance via Belgian Rail or simply purchase your tickets at the train station.

There are two main train stations in Ghent: Ghent-Dampoort and Ghent-Sint-Pieters. Ghent-Sint-Pieters is served by all trains passing Ghent, while Ghent-Dampoort only serves the line towards/from Antwerp. During morning rush hour, expect crowded trains from smaller cities towards Ghent, and from Ghent to Brussels and Antwerp, while the inverse directions get crowded during evening rush hour. Finding a seat is problematic at these times, but standing places get rarely filled up. Also during summer holidays and sunny weekends, trains between Ghent and the coast may also get extremely crowded. The Ghent-St-Pieters train station gets extremely crowded on late Friday afternoon during the University-teaching period (roughly mid-September-December and February-May), so allow enough time to buy tickets and/or get to the platforms. Fastest trains in Belgium are indicated on (electronic) timetables with `IC`, followed by `IR` trains, while `L` trains are slowest and have most intermediate stops. This is especially important for travelers between Ghent and Bruges, as the train with indication `Brugge` is a `L` train, while at about the same time also a faster train indicated as `Brugge-Oostende` leaves Ghent.

If you`re visiting from Bruges, Brussels or Antwerp during the weekend, it`s much cheaper to get a return ticket (special rate: weekendreturn).

From the train station, you can easily walk or take the above-ground tram into the city center.

How do I get to Ghent by car?

The dense highway network in Belgium allows you to access Ghent easily by car. Two main highways E40 (Liege-Brussels-Ghent-Bruges-Ostend) and E17 (Antwerp-Ghent-Kortrijk-Lille) cross at Ghent. Brussels and Antwerp are 40 min away, Bruges 30 min. During rush hour you can easily double these times.

How do I get around by Public Transportation?

The transport system is Ghent is excellent and usually on time. A single ticket costs about €3.00 if bought in the bus/tram or around €1.60 if bought from ticket machines near stops, such ticket is valid for an hour`s travel on all trams and buses. If you are planning to stay for a while, buy a pass for €16.00, it is valid for 10 trips within the city and can also be used in other Flemish cities (such as Antwerp or Bruges). The trams are the quickest and most comfortable way to travel, especially from the railway station to the city center.

Note that if the bus/tram stop has a ticket machine, you will have to buy the ticket there, as the bus/tram driver will not sell you one in this case. You can also buy a ticket through SMS if you have a Belgian cell phone, instructions are on the poles at each stop. The transportation company is De Lijn.

In the Lijnwinkel kiosk (located near Sint-Pieters train station), you can get a free map of the city and surroundings, with all bus and tram lines.

If you arrive in Ghent at the Ghent-St-Pieters train station, you can take tram 1 (until `Korenmarkt`). Journey time is ten minutes. Ghent-Dampoort is located closer to the center (about 15 minutes walk), and is connected with the city center by several bus lines.

Is Ghent a walking city?

The center of Ghent is quite small, so you can walk around on foot. The car-free city center is perfect for pedestrians and cyclists. However, the main station (Ghent Sint-Pieters) is not in the city center, but takes a walk of about half an hour. The best option is to take the tram, which takes you directly to the center in 10 to 15 minutes.

How do I get around by bike?

There are many bike rental companies in the city. A bicycle is the recommended way to get around in Ghent. However, there are many roads with cobblestones that make cycling a shakey experience. Also make sure you stay clear of the tram rails. Nevertheless, you will see you are not alone on your bike: many local residents use bikes to get around. There are many bike stands around to make it easy to lock your bike (important!). Many one-way roads are made two-way for bikes.

How do I get around by car and where can I park?

In the rare case you decide to discover Ghent by car (which is not recommended), you have to be aware of something called the `mobility plan`. It`s a measure that was taken by the Ghent city council in 2017 that divides the city in 6 areas, making it impossible to get from one area to another by car. Make sure to always watch for traffic signs of one-way-streets or forbidden entries; there are quite a few. If the road is painted completely in red, it`s either a bicycle street or an infamous `knip` (meaning cutoff). You`re allowed to drive in a bicycle street, but you cannot overtake a biker. You will get fined if you do. A `knip` or cutoff means you are not allowed to cross there, unless you have a permit.

Driving a car is best for exploring the surrounding areas of the city.

How do I get around by taxi?

Though the mobility plan makes visiting the city by car a little tricky, taxis can be a good work around. There are numerous taxi companies based in Ghent, all of which are supposed to operate at the same rate. Environmentally conscious travelers may opt for an electrical taxi, but not all companies can provide this service. Electrical taxis in Ghent are, by the way, no more expensive than their non-electrical counterparts.

Is Ghent a dangerous city?

Crime is not much of a problem in Ghent. The city is safe and there are no areas you need to fear going into. That said, it can't hurt to take routine precautions against pickpocketing and other types of theft.

Can I pay/tip in US dollars?

The currency of Belgium is the Euro, US dollars are not accepted.

Under the euro system, there are seven notes: 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, and 500 euros. Notes are the same for all countries. There are eight coins: 1 and 2 euros, plus 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, and 50 cents.

ATMs are common in major cities and larger towns and this is one of the easiest ways to get cash. Credit cards are accepted in most establishments. It is a good idea to inform your credit-card company before you travel, otherwise, the credit card might be put on hold due to unusual activity. We recommend you record all your credit card numbers, as well as the phone numbers to call if your cards are lost or stolen.

When is the best time to visit?

Best time to visit: April - June, September – October. The spring and fall weather is absolutely stunning.

The tourist season peaks during July and August. The weather is quite warm and the crowds are apparent. Low season is from November through March, this is when hotel rates are at their lowest and there will be some amazing carnivals, especially during Christmas and Lent season.

The temperature in Ghent is quite moderate throughout the year, even though it follows the standard temperature as the rest of Europe. The city is a year-round destination, but each season has something special to offer.

I don`t speak Dutch, will many people speak English?

Dutch is the official language spoken in Ghent. You will find only a minority of locals that can answer questions in English. We suggest you get a good English-Dutch guidebook and familiarize yourself with common phrases such as hello, goodbye, excuse me and numbers 1-10.

What is the food like?

Ghent provides an excellent and affordable sample of Flemish cuisine, which in the eyes of the locals is one of Europe`s finest as it combines French delicacy with northern European hardiness. Try some local specialties such as mussels, spare ribs or `stoverij` (tender meat cooked for three hours in dark beer with a brown gravy) with Belgian fries.

Another dish from Ghent is the `Ghentse waterzooi`, which was the food for the poor originally, a stew of cheap fish (usually turbot) and vegetables. Now it is often made with chicken as well.

The restaurants on Korenmarkt and Vrijdagmarkt are generally reasonably priced; the menus and `menus of the day` at the Brasserie Borluut provide terrific value and this includes Ghentse waterzooi. Upmarket restaurants are to be found in the 14th century quarter called `Patershol`, near the Castle. There is also a big Turkish community in Ghent, centered around Sleepstraat a bit further north, which is home to numerous Turkish restaurants.

For authentic pubs, go to St. Veerleplein (the square in front of the Castle), the pubs around St. Jacob`s church (especially during weekends), or the student area around Blandijnberg (Mount Blandin), especially in the proximity of the Faculty of Arts and Philosophy, recognizable from afar by the art deco Library Tower.

The Patershol is one of Ghent`s trendiest neighborhoods. The cobbled streets here are lined with some of the city`s hippest restaurants where you can take your pick from Japanese, Turkish, Flemish, and more. Other neighborhood offerings include cozy cafes, an old-fashioned candy store, and a Belgian cultural museum.

Where is the best shopping in Ghent?

For high-street fashion from international brands, Veldstraat offers stores such as Mango, Zara and Esprit. It is also home to two department stores, Inno, with six floors of fashion and cosmetics, and FNAC, which is your best bet for electronics and books, especially for its large English-language section. The road is closed to cars, but taxis and the number 1 tram line (to the train station) are allowed down here. The other main, pedestrianized shopping street is Langemuntstraat, which runs between Groentenmarkt and Vrijdagsmarkt squares. This street has a lot of shoe shops, plus a Primark. Brabantdam, and the side streets off it, has high-end fashion stores aplenty.

Markets: You`ll find clothes, electronics and fresh produce on the Vrijdagsmarkt square every Friday between 7:30 am and 1:00 pm and Saturdays 11:00 am – 6:30 pm. Pick up an antique just around the corner outside Sint Jakobskerk church (Fridays-Sundays 8:00 am – 1:00 pm). Tables of books line the banks of the river along Ajuinlei (Sundays only, 9:00 am – 1:00 pm), and flowers fill the Kouter every day from 7:00 am – 1:00 pm, but Sunday has the biggest selection. On Sundays you`ll also find a small organic food market at Ghent Sint Pieters train station.

Ghent`s main shopping centre, Shopping Ghent Zuid (open until 7:00 pm), is out of the historic city center so it`s often a quieter place to shop. It also has a large Match supermarket in the basement.

What is the nightlife like in Ghent?

Ghent is a University town with a fantastic nightlife. The city`s favorite after-dark entertainment, in typical Flemish fashion, is frequenting atmospheric cafes and taverns. Groentenmarkt, near the Gravensteen, is a great area for nightlife as it has several good pubs that are all easy to navigate on foot. You`ll also find a lot of activity around Vrijdagmarkt. This is also where you can find the Old Flemish tavern, Dulle Griet, also known as Bieracademie, where you`ll find over 250 different beers in stock. The oldest drinking spot in town (1783) is the Het Galgenhuisje, located across the tramlines. It`s name means `Little Gallows House`, which fittingly, is a tiny, intimate place popular with students, and has a fine restaurant located downstairs in the cellar.

What should I do if I need medical assistance or need to go to the hospital?

Emergencies - For police assistance, call tel. 101. For an ambulance or the fire department, call tel. 100.

Hospital - For medical assistance, go to the Sint-Lucasziekenhuis, Groenebriel 1 (tel. 09/224-61-11).