STIB Brussels Transit Guide: Metro, Tram, and Bus for Newcomers

Brussels runs on STIB-MIVB, the regional operator covering four metro lines, eighteen tram lines, and fifty-three bus lines across the nineteen communes. If you've just arrived, this guide walks you through fares, the MOBIB card, the Brupass and Brupass XL zones, night options, the airport bus, fines, and the practical habits that keep your commute smooth.

Last updated: May 21, 2026

How the STIB-MIVB Network Is Organized

STIB-MIVB (Société des Transports Intercommunaux de Bruxelles / Maatschappij voor het Intercommunaal Vervoer te Brussel) operates the metro, tram, and bus network inside the Brussels-Capital Region. The system runs seven days a week with over 1,300 vehicles serving roughly 2,200 stops.

The four metro lines (1, 2, 5, and 6) form the spine of the network and connect the major hubs: Gare du Midi/Zuidstation, Gare Centrale/Centraal Station, Gare du Nord/Noordstation, Schuman (the EU quarter), and Roi Baudouin in the north. Trams handle the dense intra-city corridors that the metro doesn't reach, and buses fill in the rest, including hillier neighborhoods like Uccle and Woluwe.

Three other operators share Brussels stops with STIB:

You will run into all four eventually. The Brupass and Brupass XL tickets exist precisely so you can switch between them without buying multiple tickets.

Fares in 2026: What You Actually Pay

Fares were re-indexed on 1 February 2026, with rail subscriptions rising 2.6% and STIB tickets adjusted in line with the Brussels-Capital Region tariff decree. The headline numbers below come from STIB-MIVB's official fare page.

All tickets, whether loaded on a MOBIB card or printed on paper, stay valid for 18 months from the date of purchase. That long shelf life makes the 10-journey Brupass attractive if you don't ride daily.

Contactless vs. MOBIB: which to use

If you're new in town and don't yet have a MOBIB card, tap your bank card or phone on the validator. The contactless rate is €2.40 per ride, free transfers within 60 minutes, and the day caps at €8.50. It is the easiest way to ride during your first week.

Once you settle in, get a MOBIB card. It costs €6, lasts 5 years, and works across STIB-MIVB, SNCB-NMBS, De Lijn, and TEC. It can hold up to 8 different tickets or season tickets at once, which is useful if you mix a monthly pass with occasional Brupass XL rides to the airport area or commuter towns.

Discounted and Specialized Season Tickets

STIB offers several heavily reduced fares. If you fit any of these brackets, the savings are large.

If you're not in any of these categories, the €56 monthly Move Unlimited is the standard adult option. The break-even versus contactless sits around 24 paid journeys per month, so most full-time commuters come out ahead.

Getting a MOBIB Card: Step by Step

For reduced-fare cards (school, 18-24, senior, PRRB), bring proof of address and any required attestation. Most are issued immediately, though the PRRB version sometimes requires verification with your health fund.

Validating, Connections, and the Honor System

Brussels uses validation, not turnstiles in most cases. Metro stations have gates, but trams and buses do not. You must tap your MOBIB card or contactless payment on the validator every time you board, even when transferring within the 60-minute free window. The validator confirms the transfer; without that tap, an inspector reads it as fare evasion.

A quick checklist that newcomers often miss:

Fines: What Happens If You Get Caught

Fare inspectors (controleurs) work in plain clothes and check tickets regularly, especially on trams 51, 81, 92, and on the metro. The penalties are set under the Order of 22 November 1990 and the Brussels-Capital Government decree of 2 May 2024.

If you can't pay in one go, STIB offers instalments: up to 5 monthly payments for a €107 fine, up to 8 monthly payments for €214 or €408 fines. If you believe the fine is wrong, you can contest it through STIB's Infractions/Inbreuken department, which typically responds within 3 weeks.

The most common newcomer mistake is the €10 forgot-to-validate scenario. If it happens to you, pay quickly inside the 10-working-day window; otherwise it jumps to €107.

Night Service, Airport, and On-Demand Options

Noctis night buses

The Noctis network runs Friday and Saturday nights from midnight to 3:00 am, with 11 lines fanning out from Gare Centrale/Centraal Station every 20 to 30 minutes. Fares are the same as daytime: €2.40 by contactless, or your regular ticket or season ticket. There is no night surcharge.

Collecto shared taxis

Collecto is a collective taxi service operated alongside STIB. It runs every day, including Sundays, between 11:00 pm and 6:00 am, with 200 pick-up points at STIB-MIVB stops. The flat fare is €6. You book by phone and share the vehicle with other passengers headed in your direction. It is the most affordable late-night option once Noctis stops running.

TaxiBus

For people with reduced mobility, TaxiBus has provided on-demand minibus transport since 1978. It complements the regular STIB network and the city's taxi service.

Airport Line (Bus 12 / 21)

Bus 12 runs Monday to Friday until about 8 pm; Bus 21 covers evenings and weekends. Both connect Brussels Airport (Zaventem) with the EU quarter via NATO and Schuman. From the airport, you must use an Airport2City ticket: €7.90 by contactless or MOBIB, €8.40 on paper. Going the other direction, from the city to the airport, you can use a regular ticket or season ticket.

Most newcomers also use the SNCB-NMBS train from the airport to Gare Centrale, which takes about 17 minutes and is covered by Brupass XL.

Villo! bikes

Not STIB, but worth knowing: the Villo! bike-share system covers all 19 Brussels communes with 360 stations and 5,000 bicycles, available 24/7, 365 days a year. It is the standard backup when a tram is delayed and the weather cooperates.

Common Newcomer Pitfalls

FAQs

Do I need to register for a MOBIB card, or can I just buy one anonymously?
Personal MOBIB cards are registered to you and required for season tickets and reduced fares. Anonymous MOBIB Basic cards exist for ticket bundles only.

Can I use my Belgian bank card on the validators?
Yes. Any contactless Visa, Mastercard, or Maestro card works, as do Apple Pay and Google Pay. The €2.40 fare and €8.50 daily cap apply.

Is the metro safe late at night?
The metro generally closes around 12:30 am. Stations are monitored, but as in any capital, stay aware around Gare du Midi/Zuidstation and Gare du Nord/Noordstation late at night.

What about strikes?
STIB strikes happen occasionally and are usually announced 48 to 72 hours in advance through the STIB-MIVB app and website. Service is reduced rather than fully stopped on most strike days.

Can I bring a bike on the metro?
Yes, outside peak hours (before 7 am, between 9 am and 4 pm, and after 6:30 pm on weekdays; all day on weekends).

How do I get a refund on an unused season ticket?
Go to a Bootik with your MOBIB card and ID. Refunds for monthly passes are prorated; annual passes have specific terms in the STIB-MIVB conditions.

Settling In

Learning the STIB rhythm (tap on, tap on again at transfers, keep your MOBIB in your wallet, watch for February fare changes) takes about a week. After that, getting around Brussels is genuinely easy compared to most European capitals. If you're comparing your move to other cities, our guides to other European public transport systems, getting around Porto by metro and buses, and living in Hamburg as a newcomer cover the same ground for other relocations.

Brussels is officially bilingual, with French and Dutch on every sign, announcement, and ticket machine. Reading the daily news and chatting with your neighbors gets easier when you can follow either language. If you're planning to stay a while, try Migaku to learn French or Dutch from the shows, podcasts, and websites you already use.