FAQ

The CityCard Gent is an advantageous card that gives you access to the principal monuments, museums and attractions in the city. You only pay 42 or 48 euro and you can explore the city for 48 or 72 hours respectively. Children and adolescents up to the age of 18 have free access to most of the Ghent museums.  This means that a CityCard may not be advantageous for them. Check here whether the citycard is advantageous for you. Keep this in mind when purchasing your cards and also check when certain monuments or museums are closed. The opening times of each monument or attraction are indicated on our website. This way you can get the most out of your purchase!

The CityCard Gent is sold at numerous locations throughout the city: the tourist office, hotels, B&Bs, museums, etc. This is a list of all points of sale. Looking for the point of sale nearest to you? View all points of sale on a handy map. 

No, the CityCard Gent is only sold in brick-and-mortar shops. However, the card is available at many locations throughout the city. View a list of all points of sale. Looking for the point of sale nearest to you? View all points of sale on a handy map. 

Of course you can! Select the ‘CityCard’ option in the ticket module of the attraction you want to visit and have both you ticket and your CityCard scanned at the entrance.  

Do you want to visit the Ghent Altar Piece with your CityCard? Then you have to book your tickets in advance. You can do so by selecting the 'CityCard' option in the ticket module of the visitor centre. When you get to the entrance, have both your ticket and CityCard scanned. 

You do not need to book tickets in advance for the Castle of the Counts, the Belfry or for exhibitions at St Peter’s Abbey. CityCard holders can always gain entrance (even when all tickets are sold out).   

There are several points of sale near Ghent’s two train stations. Consult the map with all points of sale.  

With the CityCard Gent you can visit numerous museums and attractions. The complete list can be found here. In addition, you also enjoy a considerable discount on your visit to the Ghent Altarpiece. Take a look at the list of all museums and attractions. 

The CityCard Gent gives you free access to all temporary exhibitions in Ghent’s museums. Here you can consult the list of all exhibitions included in the offer. 

With the CityCard Gent, you can freely use all trams and buses within the city of Ghent. In addition, you can rent a bike and travel with the Hop-on Hop-off water tram for one day. Do you prefer a guided boat tour? You can also use your CityCard Gent once for this purpose. Here you can read all about the means of transport included in the offer. 

With the CityCard Gent, you can freely use all trams and buses operated by De Lijn within the city of Ghent. You cannot use the CityCard Gent to travel outside the city of Ghent. 

Each CityCard includes a two-day or three-day ticket for public transport. This offer is only valid from and commences on the start date of the card. The start date and start time must always appear on the reverse of the card. 

No, you can freely use public transport for the duration of the CityCard, and the card only has to be shown when public transport tickets are checked. 

The period of validity of the CityCard Gent starts the first time you use the card. You are requested to indicate the date and time on the back of the card. The card will be scanned every time you enter a museum or attraction. If you make use of public transport, you don’t need to validate the card, but the conductor may ask you to show it.

Do you want to visit the Ghent Altar Piece with your CityCard? Then be sure to book your ticket in advance by selecting the "CityCard" option in the web shop. You can even do this before you have actually bought your CityCard. When you get to the entrance, have both your ticket and CityCard scanned. The reduced rate will not be granted for tickets bought at the reception desk.  

You do not need to book tickets in advance for the Castle of the Counts, the Belfry or for exhibitions at St Peter’s Abbey. CityCard holders can always gain entrance (even when all tickets are sold out).   

Please note: be sure to fill in the date and time of your first use on the reverse of the card. This is not just important for checks, but also handy as a reminder!  

The card’s period of validity depends on the formula you have chosen: 

• CityCard Gent 48h: is valid for exactly 48 hours from the first use (= the first time the card is scanned for one of the activities such as visiting a museum, attraction, boot tour, etc.) 

• CityCard Gent 72h: is valid for exactly 72 hours from the first use (= the first time the card is scanned for one of the activities such as visiting a museum, attraction, boot tour, etc.) 

No, the CityCard does not have an expiry date. This means that it is the perfect gift for friends or relatives. Once the card has been used for the first time (= the first time the card is scanned for one of the activities such as visiting a museum, attraction, boot tour, etc.), it can be used for 48 or 72 hours (depending on the formula chosen).   

The CityCard Gent provides access once to the various museums, attractions and activities during the period of validity of the CityCard Gent. The card also enables you to make use of the Hop-on Hop-off water tram and rent a bike for one day. You can make unlimited use of public transport during the period of validity of the card. 

The answer to this question is very simple! All you need to do is scan the card when visiting a museum or attraction or doing an activity. You do not have to scan the card when using public transport, but you do need to show it when public transport tickets are checked. 

A stolen or lost CityCard cannot be reimbursed or replaced.  

No, the CityCard Gent is strictly personal and cannot be used by several people. In addition, the card only provides a single person with access to the various museums, attractions and activities. 

The reception staff of the tourist office will gladly assist you.  

“The Adoration of the Mystic Lamb” is the world-famous masterpiece by the Van Eyck brothers from the 15th century. The breath-taking altarpiece consists of 12 panels and has been undergoing thorough restoration since 2012, led by specialists from Belgium and abroad.  The restoration works are taking place at the Museum of Fine Arts (MSK). The restored panels can be admired at St Bavo’s Cathedral.

Definitely, this absolute masterpiece is not to be missed when you visit Ghent. You can discover the Ghent Altarpiece at the visitor centre of St Bavo's Cathedral. Due to the visitor centre’s limited capacity, it is advisable to book your tickets in advance.  

CityCard holders can enjoy a considerable discount by selecting the ‘CityCard’ option when purchasing a ticket. This can even be done before you have actually bought your CityCard. 

Ghent wants to be an open city, accessible to everyone. Our website contains useful information and tips on accessibility in Ghent; for instance, you can borrow a wheelchair for one day during the opening hours of the Bike Point underneath the Krook library. You can also borrow a wheelchair at the Visitor Information Centre subject to availability.

For information about parking space or other questions relating to accessibility, you can contact the Mobility Department of the City of Ghent or the official responsible for accessibility.

VisitGent does not suggest package deals or programmes for groups. Our website contains all elements to put together your ideal programme on the basis of the specific interests or needs of your group.

You will also find information on boat trips for groups, guided tours of the city and restaurants suitable for (large) groups in Ghent on our website. The website also offers an overview of accommodation with a large capacity. No inspiration? Visit our page “Ghent with friends”.

Free car parks are available at the edge of the city, from where access to the city centre is easy with public transport. In the city centre, it is advisable to park your car in an underground car park. Are you coming to Ghent by coach? The coach map contains all the information you need. For campers, the city offers two official motorhome sites.

Within the context of the efforts made by the city of Ghent to promote sustainability and eco-friendliness, the Tourist Information Office no longer sends brochures by post upon request. Tourists staying the night in Ghent in a hotel, guestroom or hostel and who spend several days in the city will find a city guide in their accommodation.  The guide can also be downloaded from our website. Obviously, you can always drop by at our information office if you have questions or if you want a map of the city or a brochure containing the highlights for a brief visit.

Our publications are also digitally available for consultation on our website.

If you stay on a campsite or in a hostel, you pay 1.5 euros per night per person. If you stay in a hotel or B&B, you pay 3.5 euros per night per person. And if you choose a holiday home (intended for tourist rental only), you pay 6 euros per night per person. Only in certified youth accommodations you do not have to pay city tax. Are you under the age of 18? Then you are also exempt from the city tax.

Are you a professional in the tourist industry and are you active in Ghent? Don’t hesitate to consult our website to see how we can help you promote your tourist offer.

Are you a journalist, a blogger, a vlogger or an influencer and do you want to cooperate with VisitGent? You can find more information on our website.

You can reach Ghent in various ways.  You can take a train or a bus, for instance. Do you prefer coming by car anyway? You can buy a permit / day pass of park your car at a  P+R at the edge of the city. Parking is free, and quick and easy tram or bus connections to the city centre are available! 

A few other Belgian cities, e.g. Brussels and Antwerp, also have a low emission zone. However, the admission conditions are not the same in every one of these cities.  Here you can find 5 tips if you want to enter several low emission zones.

Buses and coaches are to meet the applicable requirements as well. Only buses for transporting people with disabilities are exempt from the entry requirements.

It goes without saying that foreign vehicles also have to meet the requirements of the LEZ. In addition, foreign number plates (with the exception of Dutch number plates) must always be registered!

Formulier Stad Gent

Will you be studying in Ghent and are you looking for accommodations? Your university or university college will gladly help you. Or you can ask for help from these organisations:

• Upkot
• Kot Gent
• Alle koten

You'll find all the information on car parks for coaches and drop-off points here. You can also download the publication “Ghent by coach”.