Belgium Tours & Vacations

Trips from 1 January 2023 onwards

From 1 January 2023, Intrepid will no longer require travellers to provide proof of vaccination against COVID-19 (excluding all Polar trips and select adventure cruises).

However, we continue to strongly recommend that all Intrepid travellers and leaders get vaccinated to protect themselves and others.

Specific proof of testing or vaccination may still be required by your destination or airline. Please ensure you check travel and entry requirements carefully.

The short answer is maybe, depending on where you're from. Belgium is part of the Schengen Area – the world's largest visa-free zone made up of 26 European countries – and nationals from Schengen countries can move freely within the zone without a visa.

Belgium has visa-free travel agreements with over 50 non-Schengen and non-EU countries, including Brazil, Singapore, Malaysia, the United States, Japan, the UK and Canada. Nationals from these countries do not need a visa to travel to Belgium (or anywhere else in the Schengen zone) for stays of up to 90 days within a 180-day period for tourism, business travel or transit purposes.

Passport holders from over 100 countries will need to apply for a Schengen visa, including Bolivia, Cambodia, Jordan, Sri Lanka and Thailand. We recommend getting in touch with your nearest embassy or high commission for the latest advice on Schengen visa requirements. 

This page is for general information only and may be subject to change. It is your responsibility to obtain relevant visa and travel information required for entry, departure and travel to each country or region you visit on your trip. You should confirm these with the relevant embassies and/or consulates. 

Last updated: 18 October 2022 

Bordered by Germany, France, the Netherlands and Luxembourg, Belgium is well connected with its neighbouring countries and wider Europe. It's a small and compact country and getting around once you're there is easy thanks to an excellent public transport system. The rest of Europe is on your doorstep, with affordable flights and great interrail and bus travel options if you have more time to spare or are looking for a greener way to travel.

Restaurants will include a service fee within the bill and tipping extra is generally left up to the discretion of the consumer. It's common to round up the bill or leave spare change if the service has been good. You're welcome to tip a little bit more if the service has been particularly good, or if you’re feeling generous.

Internet access is generally very good in Belgium, with internet cafes and Wi-Fi hotspots easily found in most cities and major towns.

Mobile phone coverage is generally very good in most parts of Belgium. Make sure you activate global roaming on your phone before you arrive.

Modern, flushable toilets are the standard in Belgium.

Tap water in Belgium is considered perfectly safe to drink unless otherwise marked. Make sure you bring a reusable water bottle with you so you can re-fill and stay hydrated throughout the day.

Major credit cards are widely accepted by stores and hotels in Belgium. Smaller cafes and shops may not accept credit cards, so ensure you carry enough cash to cover small purchases.

ATMs are very common in Belgium, so finding one won't be a problem in most towns and cities. You can also tap and pay in most establishments. As well as your credit or debit card, we recommend having some spare change in your purse for small purchases such as a coffee or beer.

Absolutely. All passengers travelling with Intrepid are required to purchase travel insurance before the start of their trip. Your travel insurance details will be recorded by your leader on the first day of the trip. Due to the varying nature, availability and cost of health care around the world, travel insurance is very much an essential and necessary part of every journey.

For more information on insurance, please go to: Travel Insurance

Yes, Belgium is a safe destination for LGBTQIA+ travellers. In fact, it's considered to be one of the safest and most welcoming destinations for LGBTQIA+ travellers in the world as Belgians are generally forward-thinking and accepting.

From Australia?

Go to: Smart Traveller

From Canada?

Go to: Canada Travel Information

From the UK?

Go to: UK Foreign Travel Advice

From New Zealand?

Go to: Safe Travel

From the US?

Go to: US Department of State

The World Health Organisation also provides useful health information.