Brussels With Autistic Children

Exploring Brussels with autistic children requires meticulous planning to ensure a smooth and enjoyable experience. Recently, we embarked on a two-day adventure to Brussels, leaving Edinburgh on a 7:20 AM flight and returning the following night. Here’s a detailed guide based on our experiences, including transportation tips, family-friendly activities, and accommodations.

You can follow our entire trip to Brussels from start to finish here.

Getting from Brussels Charleroi Airport to Brussels City Centre

Upon landing at Brussels Charleroi Airport, you have several options to reach the city centre:

• Flibco Bus: This costs round €15 per person for a one-way ticket. We paid about €100 for all 5 of us for return tickets, and this is because we did not need to pay for the two youngest children. It takes approximately 1 hour to Brussels Midi (Zuid) Station. Convenient and comfortable, but timing can be tight if you miss connections when changing from Flibco to local transport at Brussels Midi. You can pre-book this via an app, the price is still the same as so booking in the app is the most sensible option.
• Train: The combined ticket (bus to Charleroi-Sud station + train) is around €15-17 per person. The journey should take 1.5 to 2 hours, depending on connections. The bus to Charleroi-Sud station, then train to Brussels Midi.
• Taxi/Uber: This costs approximately €90-100 and takes around 1 hour, depending on traffic. It is direct and convenient, especially with luggage and strollers, but expensive. Keep in mind that there may be car seat requirements for children of a certain weight/height.
• Car Rental: The cost varies by rental company and car type, usually around €50-100 per day. Ideal if planning to explore beyond Brussels. Again, keep in mind that there may be requirements for car seats for children.

Our Choice: Flibco Bus
We opted for the Flibco bus to Brussels Midi Station. Upon arrival, we “missed” the next tram, so we walked into the city, a 30-minute journey manageable with strollers and an autistic 8-year-old. The weather was a nice 18 or 19 degrees so it was comfortable to walk in.

A lot of people in a travel group I am part of said it was hard to find the Flibco bus station at Charleroi airport, so I made this video to show you how to find it.

When I say “missed” the driver closed the doors on David as he tried to walk on. He then opened the middle door and closed it when I began to approach it.

Where To Stay in Brussels

Traveling with hand luggage only to Brussels made navigating the city easier. David and I took a backpack each, we also brought a changing bag for Sylvie and had one more foldable bag with random bits for the boys and also some snacks and food. Upon reaching the city, we walked to Grand Place and enjoyed a meal at the Hard Rock Cafe.

We then wandered until we could go to our accommodation, an apartment with Smartflats Brussels on Rue du Marché aux Poulets, which was centrally located and close to everything. We were only about to check in from 4pm so did a lot of wandering about with the kids before checking in. We found the apartment to be huge, and quite empty. They only made up beds for 4 people which meant Luke and I had to sleep on a sofa bed with no sheets or bedding. The toilet was in a cupboard room with no window and the bathrooms had no toilets in them.

I recommend staying near Grand Place – if you do you will be really close to a lot of the things you want to see and do.

Family-Friendly Activities in Brussels

Brussels offers numerous family-friendly activities, many of which are walkable from Grand Place. Here are some highlights:

Hard Rock Café:

Our first stop for a family-friendly meal was Hard Rock Café in Brussels, before exploring the city on foot.

Secure your table at Hard Rock Café here.

Illusion Belgium:

Another spot filled with fascinating optical illusions and interactive displays. This illusion exhibit is less accessible with lots of steps and less space to store strollers.

Click here to see some pictures of our visit to Illusion Belgium.

Arcades in Agora Mall:

A variety of shops and entertainment options perfect for kids and adults alike. There are small arcade rooms throughout the malls and although we planned to play at one we ended up wandering about looking for change and forgetting what the our original plan was.

Exploring Grand Place:

The heart of Brussels, with stunning architecture, shops, and cafes. Great for a leisurely stroll and photos.

Chocolate Shops:

Belgium is famous for its chocolate, and visiting a chocolate shop can be a delightful experience for the whole family. Alternatively, you could check out the chocolate museum and do a chocolate-making workshop.

Manneken Pis:

The iconic statue that’s a must-see when in Brussels. You’ll find every souvenir store has a mini version of Manneken Pis on display too!

Atomium:

An iconic structure with panoramic views of Brussels. It offers both a fascinating architectural experience and an educational tour, perfect for older children and families. You can secure your tickets to Atomium in advance via GetYourGuide.

Mini-Europe:

A miniature park showcasing replicas of famous European landmarks. It’s a fun and educational attraction that can be enjoyed by kids and adults alike.

Royal Gallery of Saint Hubert:

An elegant shopping arcade with beautiful architecture, offering a pleasant stroll and opportunities to shop and dine.

Planet Happiness:

This is an amusement park with various attractions and rides, making it a great spot for children to have fun and unwind.

Museum of Natural Sciences:

This is a fascinating museum with dinosaur skeletons, minerals, and other natural exhibits. It’s educational and engaging for children and adults.

LEGO Discovery Centre:

A creative and interactive space where children can build and explore with LEGO bricks. It’s an excellent activity for kids to express their creativity and have fun. You can purchase your LEGO Discovery Centre tickets via GetYourGuide.

Our Favourite Sensory-Friendly Activity in Brussels

Museum of Illusions:

An engaging and interactive experience with mind-bending exhibits that are both fun and educational. Easy to access even with strollers. It is one an upper floor and there is an elevator to get to it if you need it, otherwise you can use an escalator.

Here is a video of our visit to the Museum of Illusions, Brussels. You can do as we did, and book your ticket to the Museum of Illusions in advance via GetYourGuide.

Getting Around Brussels with Autistic Children

We used public transport during our trip here. The city is very well connected with trams, trains and buses and you can get to almost everywhere in Europe with the transport system. You can also use apps like Uber if the public transport system is too busy and overwhelming.

Is Brussels Autism-Friendly?

Brussels, the capital of Belgium and the European Union, is a cosmopolitan city known for its rich history, diverse culture, and political significance. When it comes to being autism-friendly, Brussels offers a range of services, facilities, and initiatives aimed at accommodating individuals with autism. However, like many large cities, the level of autism-friendliness can vary depending on specific areas and institutions.

Things That Make Brussels Stand Out

• Brussels has an extensive public transportation system, including buses, trams, and the metro, which is generally accessible and increasingly autism-friendly. The city’s public transport authority, STIB/MIVB, provides information on accessible routes and services. Some stations and vehicles offer features to assist passengers with special needs, and quieter times are generally during non-rush hours.
• Brussels is a well-organized city with clear signage and accessible public spaces. For individuals who may prefer quieter environments, taxis or ride-sharing services are widely available and can provide a more controlled travel experience.
• Atomium: This iconic landmark offers sensory-friendly visits and quieter times for visitors who may be sensitive to noise and crowds. Staff members are trained to assist visitors with special needs.
• Mini-Europe: This park, featuring miniature models of European landmarks, offers an engaging and visually stimulating experience. Visiting during off-peak hours can provide a quieter environment.
• Museums: Many of Brussels’ museums, including the Royal Museums of Fine Arts and the Museum of Natural Sciences, offer services for visitors with disabilities, including autism. Some museums provide sensory-friendly visits and quiet spaces, and staff are generally trained to assist visitors with special needs.
• Parks and Green Spaces: Brussels has numerous parks, such as the Parc du Cinquantenaire and Parc de Bruxelles, which offer peaceful environments that can be more accommodating for individuals with autism. These spaces provide a break from the city’s noise and crowds, allowing for a more relaxing experience.

Tips for a Smooth Experience

1. Plan Ahead: Research each location and contact them to discuss any special accommodations your child might need. If you can plan to arrive after check-in time you should, or try to arrange an early check-in.
2. Sensory Tools: Bring along sensory tools and comfort items that help manage sensory needs, such as noise-cancelling headphones, sensory toys, and a sensory toolkit.
3. Clear Communication: Ensure that everyone involved in the trip understands the needs and preferences of the neurodiverse individual. Clear communication can prevent misunderstandings and enhance the travel experience. Consider using PECS or an AAC. We have a free pack of travel PECS available for download. Consider using our Belgium PECS and Brussels PECS to enrich your experience.
4. Safety: Consider getting an autism card for your child, or even better – use our emergency passport for medical information and important contacts. Our absolute must have safety item for travelling with an autistic child is a TinyTags wristband or tag that can be tapped or scanned by a mobile phone – giving the person who tapped it all of the information they need to get your child back to you. TinyTags also feature a location alert to help you find your child.

Our short trip to Brussels with autistic children was filled with both challenges and rewarding experiences. The city’s rich culture and numerous autism-friendly activities made it a worthwhile adventure. By planning ahead, choosing the right transportation, and incorporating breaks, you can make a brief visit to Brussels enjoyable and stress-free for the whole family – even if you do leave longing to see more of this wonderful city.