How to Get Around Luxembourg

Public transport in Luxembourg has been free throughout the country since 1 March 2020 -- local, regional and national trains, trams and buses, the funicular in the capital included -- and the only exception is first class on trains, whose tickets, like cross-border fares, are now sold only through the CFL app rather than on board or at counters. No ticket is needed; photo ID is, because conductors may ask for it. The airport is six kilometres east of the centre with a shuttle bus, more than five million passengers a year and the national carrier Luxair; the TGV Est reaches the capital from Paris Gare de l'Est in 2 hours 10 minutes several times a day, with direct trains also from Strasbourg and Lyon and connections from Germany and Belgium.

Taxis are unregulated in price, so use officially marked cars showing a price list, ask the fare when booking, and expect more in the evening and on Sundays. Driving is on the right with priority to the right; limits are 50 km/h in towns, 90 on open roads and 130 on motorways, 110 in the wet; the drink-drive limit is 0.05 per cent, 0.02 for drivers licensed under two years, and the police check regularly; a hi-vis vest must be worn on leaving a broken-down car on a motorway, winter tyres are compulsory in winter conditions, and children under 17 and under 150 cm need a child seat. Canada wants an international driving permit carried. Weekday motorways from France, Belgium and Germany carry hundreds of thousands of commuters and accidents are frequent at rush hour; fog and ice make autumn and winter driving dangerous.

Entry

Luxembourg follows Schengen rules: a passport issued within the last ten years and valid three months beyond the planned departure from Schengen; 90 days in any 180 without a visa for eligible passports; and the EU's Entry/Exit System, which registers fingerprints and a photo at no cost on a first visit.

Public transport

Free nationwide since 1 March 2020 on all trains, trams and buses; no ticket needed. Exceptions: first class on trains and cross-border journeys, sold in the CFL go app (paper tickets on board and at CFL counters have been withdrawn). A first-class day ticket is valid from validation until 4 a.m. next day on all trains in the country and to the border points and Athus, Audun-le-Tiche and Volmerange-les-Mines. Carry photo ID on board.

Getting there

Airport six kilometres from the centre; shuttle bus. TGV Est from Paris Gare de l'Est 2 h 10, several direct trains daily; direct trains from Strasbourg (1 h 33) and Lyon (5 h 30).

Roads

Right-hand traffic, priority to the right. 50 km/h built-up, 90 open road, 130 motorway (110 wet). Alcohol 0.05 per cent, 0.02 under two years' licence; regular sobriety checks. Hi-vis vest on leaving the vehicle after a breakdown on a motorway or dual carriageway; winter tyres (M+S) whenever snow, slush, ice or frost affect the roads; child seats for under-17s below 150 cm. Minimum driving age 18; international driving permit to be carried. Rush-hour motorway accidents and autumn-winter fog and ice.

Taxis

Fares unregulated; officially marked cars with a displayed price list; ask the fare in advance; dearer evenings and Sundays.

Practical

Tap water drinkable, public fountains. Plug type F, 230 V. Drones capped at 120 m and banned over some areas. Emergency: police 113; ambulance and fire 112; asking for a SAMU brings a doctor with the ambulance.