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Travellers Essentials
When to go
Springtime, the choicest time of year to visit, brings a riot
of wildflowers and ushers in celebrations and folk festivals
nationwide. The weather from spring through fall is usually
good for outdoors activities - so long as you don't mind rain.
Winter is not as extreme in Luxembourg as it can be in nearby
countries, so if you find yourself visiting during the colder
months, you needn't weigh yourself down with polar gear.
Getting there
The international airport, Findel, is 6km (4mi) east of the
capital and is serviced by frequent buses. The national airline,
Luxair, flies to a number of European destinations, including
Amsterdam, Athens and London. Other airlines fly to Cuba,
Iceland, Morocco, Russia, Tenerife and the USA. Eurail, Inter-Rail,
Europass and Flexipass are valid on Luxembourg's train system,
as is the Benelux Tourrail pass, which is also good on Luxembourg
Railways' bus routes. Buses and trains connect the capital
to all of Europe's major cities as well as many neighboring
towns and villages.
The major automobile routes into and out of the Grand Duchy
include the A4 to Brussels and Paris, the A31 via Dudelange
to France and the A48 via Trier to Germany.
The touristy MV Princesse Marie-Astrid plies the Moselle
River en route from Schengen, at the southernmost tip of Luxembourg,
to Bernkastel and Trier in Germany during the summer.
Getting Around
Unlike its Benelux partners, Luxembourg does not have an extensive
railway system, so getting around once you leave the main
north-south line can take time. The bus network, on the other
hand, is thorough, and the fare system for both networks is
simple, with unlimited day tickets and standard charges for
set lengths of travel. Almost all railway stations have luggage
storage facilities, but many bus terminals do not.
Luxembourg's road network is very good. Drivers must by
law wear seatbelts, and all driving is done on the right.
The price of fuel is among the cheapest in Western Europe
- so much so that German and Belgian drivers are known to
swing across the border to fill up. Conversely, car rental
is expensive, though it may be your best bet for short stays.
Be sure to ask about insurance, taxes (TVA) and unlimited
kilometres.
Outside of the capital, public transportation consists mainly
of taxis, which hike their fees by 25% on Sundays. Bicycle
rental is an option, though it's not as popular here as in
the rest of Western Europe.
Currency
The unit of currency in Luxembourg is the Luxembourg franc.
A new currency unit, the Euro, was first introduced on January
1, 1999 when 11 member nations of the European Union, including
Luxembourg, set the official conversion rate between their
national currency and this common currency. On June 30, 2002,
national currencies (Francs, Marks, etc.) will no longer be
used in commerce.
Luxembourg Card
A very economical way to travel Luxembourg and see its major
attractions is to buy the Luxembourg Card. The Luxembourg
Card, available from July 1 to October 31 each year, provides
free access to the national public transportation network,
free admission to 31 attractions, and discounts at three other
attractions.
Family or individual cards are available for a period of
either one, two, or three days. The price is very reasonable
-- the one-day individual card costs LUF 350, for example.
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