Air Canada Vacations

Before you leave Canada

Entry requirements

It is your sole responsibility to ensure that you - and any child travelling with you - have all the travel documents necessary to enter or transit through each country on your itinerary. Please ensure you verify the requirements for each country as the required documents for the outbound portion of your travel may differ from those required on the return.

Please refer to Air Canada for complete information on travel requirements and regulations.

Baggage

Please refer to Air Canada for up-to-date baggage allowances.

Airport check-in

Please present yourself at the airport counter or self-service kiosks of the airline indicated on your e-ticket. Web check-in and mobile check-in are also available.
Please refer to Air Canada for recommended check-in times and more details.

Your arrival at destination

Transportation from airport to Brussels

There are various options for travel into Brussels depending on your budget and flexibility. The Brussels International Airport is served by train, taxi and bus. There is one main terminal, referred to as Terminal M.

Train

The train station is located on the lower level of Brussels International Airport (1st Floor). There is a train shuttle service from the airport to the North, South and Central stations of Brussels. The shuttle runs at least every 20 minutes and takes approximately 20 minutes. It operates between 5:30 a.m. and 12:20 a.m. from the airport, and 4:45 a.m. - 11:10 p.m. from the city. The cost is 2.60 EUR.

Taxi

Taxi service from the airport to the city centre is approximately 30 EUR. Taxis are available 24 hours. Discount round-trip rates are available.

Bus

The STIB (Societe des Transports Intercommunaux de Bruxelles) offers a direct bus (Airport Line) from the airport to the centre of Brussels. It arrives right next to the commercial and tourist heart of the upper town and takes about 30 minutes.

Hotel check-in

Upon arrival at your hotel, please identify yourself at the front desk with your Air Canada Vacations voucher. You will then be assigned your accommodation. Passport must be presented upon check in.

Hotel check-in times may vary depending on the hotel but is generally 3 p.m.

During your stay

If you need help or assistance with your vacation, please contact Air Canada Vacations Customer Care.

Shopping

Brussels has become somewhat of a paradise for the serious power shopper. The words to look for are ‘soldes’ or ‘solden’ — it means sales! (Usually January and July).

Take a walk along Rue Antoine Dansaert Straat and the surrounding area to discover the heart of Brussels’ fashion and design world with the best concentration of avant guard designers and fashion boutiques.

The Avenue Louise is one long catwalk of famous fashion brands, including big international names like Chanel, Vuitton, Hermes, Armani, Versace and Dior.

If you are looking for bargains, then go shopping in the lower city around Rue Neuve in the city centre. It is one of the most bustling of Brussels’ shopping areas and stretches all the way up to Rue des Fripiers.

Built in 1847, Gallerie St. Hubert is a gorgeous, glass roofed arcade in the centre of town. It’s lined with cafés, theatres and luxury stores and has the distinction of being the first shopping arcade in Europe. It houses a number of well known shops with wonderful window displays.

Store hours: Monday - Saturday, 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. Stores are closed on Sundays except in Brussels at the Gallerie St. Hubert and gift shops near the Grand Place. Antique and flea markets are generally open on Saturdays and Sundays. Taxes are always included in the price.

Tipping

Service charges and VAT are always included in prices. If exceptional service is given, tip at your discretion. Suggested tip for portage is 1 Euro per piece; for coatroom attendants 1.25 to 2.50 Euro per coat; for bathroom attendants 0.25 to 0.50 Euro

Water

Water in Brussels is safe to drink.

Electricity

Electricity supply in Belgium is AC 220 V, 50 Hz. Sockets use the round-pin European system. Most hotels have adaptors.  

Currency

The currency in Belgium is the Euro.

Banking

Banks are usually open Monday - Friday, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. and are closed on Saturdays, Sundays and Holidays. Some banks close for an hour during lunch.

Long distance calls

Telephone calls from your hotel to Canada can be very expensive and service charges are high.

Prepaid calling cards are readily available. Public phones that display stickers showing flags of different countries can be used to make international calls with operator assistance.

To call Canada dial 001 and then the number.

Public phones take both coins and phone cards.

Language

There are three officially recognized languages: French and Dutch are the main languages; German is spoken by a small segment of the population. English is widely spoken.

Time zone

UTC/GMT +1 hour
Daylight savings time UTC/GMT +2 hours

Emergency

You can ask for a doctor or a dentist through your hotel.  Keep all your receipts. 
Tourists requiring urgent medical care should go to the nearest hospital emergency room (airports and many train stations also have medical teams and first aid facilities).

Getting around

Sightseeing

Air Canada Vacations offers a huge selection of day tours and activities in Brussels that you can easily add to your shopping cart when you book. Enjoy the Brussels City Hop-on Hop-off Tour or the Brussels Chocolate Walking Tour and Workshop.

Rental car

Air Canada Vacations offers convenient short-term and long-term car rentals throughout Europe.

Taxi

Taxis are available at taxi stands or at your hotel. Fares are metred. There is a minimum fare: 2.40 EUR daytime; 4.40 EUR evening.

Bus, tram and metro

Buses, trams and metros form one network so you can switch easily from one to the other with the same ticket.  Most of the lines run from Monday to Sunday, 5 a.m. to midnight.  A single fare ticket costs 1.60 EUR.

Rail

The B-Rail, a dense train network, connects all of Belgium. National and international passes are available at major train stations throughout Belgium.

Bicycle

Bicycles may be rented at major train stations. You can also travel with them on regular trains.

Your departure

Hotel checkout

Hotel checkout times may vary depending on the property, but generally you must vacate the room by noon.

Duty-free exemptions

Please refer to the Canada Border Services Agency for up-to-date information on personal exemptions.

Airport check-in

Please present yourself at the airport counter or self-service kiosks of the airline indicated on your e-ticket. Web check-in and mobile check-in are also available.
Please refer to Air Canada for recommended check-in times and more details.

Customer care

For any inquiries regarding your travel plans, please contact Air Canada Vacations Customer Care.