Brussels is a pretty safe city for tourists and the main risk here is petty crime and pickpocketing in the subway or at the train stations. Like most countries, crime rates tend to be higher in the bigger cities than in rural areas, but serious crime in Brussels is low. To make your solo journey more pleasant, we have composed a list of recommendations to check while traveling from Brussels airport to city in your airport shuttle pick up.

Pickpocketing

The tourists face the usual pickpocketing issues at airports, train stations and crowded streets around the central square and the Manneken Pis statue. Some scammers also operate in Brussels, trying to distract you by asking you some questions or making you sign some paper while an accomplice steals your belongings. Hence, it's important to use common sense when you're traveling alone and if you find yourself off the chocolate-beer-chips trail, make sure you know which parts of town to avoid, particularly at night.

Neighborhoods to Avoid

When in Brussels, be alerted (or avoid altogether) at neighborhoods like Schaarbeek, Brussels North, Brussels Center, Molenbeek and Anderlecht if possible. There have been reports of visitors being threatened with violence in the popular Parc de Bruxelles, between the Royal Palace and Belgian Parliament, but this is not a reason not to visit these places. If you do get robbed in this part of town, there is a police station next to the gate in front of the Belgian Parliament, on the right side as you leave the park. Most of the policemen here speak French, Dutch and English, so you will be taken care of. And if you decide to visit other places in Belgium, avoid the areas around the port and docks when in Antwerp and do note that industrial cities like Liege and Charleroi near Brussels, where some of the low-cost carriers land, have some of the highest crime rates in Belgium. So watch on your belongings and stick to crowded areas.
 

Public Transport Safety in Brussels

One of the most convenient ways to get to and around Brussels is by train, so you're likely to spend some time around the train stations. Some gadgets like mobile phones, iPods, mp3 players and laptops are lifesavers on long journeys, however they can easily make you a target for theft, so never leave your belongings unattended at stations. This is especially the case at some of the major stations, like the North Station (Noordstation or Gare du Nord), Central Station (Centraal Station or Gare Central) and the South Station (Zuidstation or Gare du Midi), which is the primary international train hub. These stations are not located in the nice parts of town so avoid hanging around them at night, especially if you're on your own.
 

Stay safe onboard while travelling to and from Brussels

Once your train arrives you may want to board and zone out a bit, however it's a good idea to keep an eye on your belongings here as well. Pickpockets have been reported to operate on international trains, mainly between Paris-Brussels and Amsterdam-Brussels. It might be good to avoid placing bags on overhead racks, where thieves can easily grab them when you're not looking. There have also been reports of bags being stolen from the racks at the end of carriages, just before the doors close for the train to depart. Some petty crime is also common around the Grand Place and on the metro, buses, trams and in shops, with many thieves looking for small, high-value items like mobile phones and iPods.

Some of the professional thieves often work in groups of two or three, and use a range of techniques to distract their victims such as asking for directions, spilling food or drink, or telling them someone has spilled something on their clothes. There have also been reports of small groups of young men preying on tired and bewildered tourists in metro stations, commonly at night.
 

Car theft in Brussels

In Brussels, an increasing problem is theft from moving or parked cars. Thieves position themselves at traffic lights, or pull up on a motor bike, to scan for valuables in stopped cars. If they see a handbag, wallet or other valuable item, they may smash the window and steal it in seconds. Hence, if you are visiting Brussels alone and renting a car, it's a good idea to hide your valuables out of sight and drive with the windows up and doors locked. And to avoid theft while your car is unattended, park in secure areas or parking garages.
 

Terrorism issue in Brussels

Unfortunately, terrorism acts shook Brussels since 2015. Generally, Brussels (and Belgium) is a safe place to travel, however it is always a good idea to be alerted while travelling around. Make sure to always read about the latest travel warnings and recommendations for Belgium. Additionally, never let the fear guide you and be scared while traveling (or cancel any trip), because this means victory for the terrorism organizations.
 

Emergency number in Belgium

If you become a victim of serious or petty crime, make sure to contact the nearest police station straight away and obtain a police report, as you'll need this for a replacement passport or insurance claim. The local number in Belgium is 101 for emergencies requiring police assistance, or 112 for all other emergencies. Have these numbers at hand while in Brussels.

Brussels is a wonderful city and it should be visited at least once in a lifetime. It is the city with the best Belgian chocolate shops! So opt for a short or long visit and always carry these safety recommendations at hand. This way you’ll feel better prepared for a Brussels adventure when hopping on the airport shuttle bus.