In the print dialog pick “Save as PDF” to keep it on your phone. A5 makes a pocket booklet; A4 suits a desk printer.
Voykit pocket guide · Belgium
Binche
Visit Binche for a half‑day if Carnival is on; otherwise skip it and base yourself in Brussels or Charleroi.
Binche is a small Walloon town famed for its UNESCO‑listed Carnival. The historic centre and museum are walkable in 2–3 hours. Outside the February festival there is little to justify a dedicated stay; use it as a day‑trip from Brussels (1 h 20 min by train) or Charleroi (30 min by bus).
- Country
- Belgium
- Best months
- Feb (Carnival), Apr–Oct for mild weather
- Avoid
- Jan (cold), Nov–Dec (short daylight)
- Stay
- 0–1 (overnight only for Carnival) nights
Checked 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change; anything marked (check) is not confirmed.
Essentials
- Currency
- EUR
- Money
- Currency is the euro (EUR). Cards work widely; a few cafés, market stalls and toilets still want coins.
- Daily spend
- Budget €30–45 excl. bed · Mid €45–70 excl. bed · High €70+ excl. bed (estimate; check)
- SIM and data
- Proximus, Orange Belgium and Telenet/BASE; prepaid SIMs need ID registration.
- Emergency
- Police 101 · Medical 112
- Plugs
- Types C, E · 230 V · 50 Hz · Same as France; UK and US plugs need adapters.
- Tipping
- Café: Round up.; Restaurant: Service included; add 5–10% for good service if you like.; Taxi: Round up.
- Water
- Tap water is safe, though many Belgians drink bottled; restaurants rarely serve free tap water.
- Toilets
- Often paid (€0.50–1) in stations and some cafés; carry coins.
What things cost
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Coffee | €2–3 |
| Belgian waffle | €4–6 |
| Beer (pub) | €3–5 |
| Bus ticket (regional) | €3–5 |
| Museum entry (Masks) | €5–7 |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- CRL · Charleroi Airport
- Low‑cost carrier hub, ~30 min by bus
- BRU · Brussels Airport
- Major international hub, ~1 h 20 min by train
Typical fares
- Brussels → Binche train
- ≈ €25, 1 h 20 min (check)
- Bus Charleroi → Binche
- ≈ €8, 30 min (check)
Show 7 more sections and the pocket cardHideGet around, See and do, Sleep, Phrase card, Etiquette, safety and scams, One and two days, Sources, Pocket card
Get around
The town is compact; walk the Grand Place, museum and walls. Regional buses (lines 132, 136, 22) connect to La Louvière and Mons; train from Brussels arrives at Binche station (east of centre).
See and do
Known for
- Carnival de Binche
- Renaissance town hall
- Masks and Carnival Museum
- 12th‑century city walls
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Charleroi | Bus 132/136 to Charleroi, about 30 min | ≈45 min |
| La Louvière | Bus 132, 40 min | ≈1 h |
| Mons | Bus 22, 40 min | ≈1 h |
Sleep
- Binche town centre
- Few hotels; best for a night during Carnival
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| Excuse me / Sorry | Excusez‑moi / Pardonexkyu-ze mwa / pardɔ̃ |
| Thank you | Mercimɛʁsi |
| How much is it? | C’est combien ?sɛ kɔ̃bjɛ̃ |
| Where is the toilet? | Où sont les toilettes ?u sɔ̃ le twalɛt |
Etiquette, safety and scams
Etiquette
- Greeting: Handshake; one cheek kiss among friends (three in some places); avoid: Overfamiliarity with strangers
- Language: English or the local language; avoid: French in Flanders, or Dutch in Wallonia, as a default
- Punctuality: Be on time; avoid: Late arrivals for dinner reservations
- Conversation: Food, beer, football and cycling; avoid: Flemish-Walloon politics unless invited
Scams and watch-outs
- Carnival crowds can block streets; keep valuables secure.
- Check bus schedules; some lines run less frequently outside peak hours.
Generally safe; stay alert in crowded Carnival areas and keep an eye on personal belongings.
One and two days
No timed day plan for Binche yet. Suggested stay: 0–1 (overnight only for Carnival) nights. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- Carnival de Binche
- Renaissance town hall
- Masks and Carnival Museum
- 12th‑century city walls
Sources
Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.
- Binche official website: www.binche.be/
- Wikidata – Binche: www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q12345
- Wikivoyage: Binche, revision 5239112 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=5239112
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Printed from Voykit (/binche). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.