Luxembourg Travel Guide:

          Tourism Information

Luxembourg: Add-on Destination (two of four globes)

Luxembourg does not offer the tourist as much to see and do as many of its neighboring countries; however, Luxembourg offers a number of interesting town, some unique landscapes and several historically important attraction.   If you are looking for an unhurried place with great food and limited but interesting attractions, you should consider a visit to Luxembourg.

1. Luxembourg is a smallish country that has little in the way of world-class destinations but provides scenic countryside.  It is the classic add-on destination when you are on the way to some place else.
2. Luxembourg is a good place for independent travel.
3. Luxembourg is well connected to the rest of Europe by train and its extensive bus system can get you to the desirable attractions in the country.
4. ThereArePlaces recommended travel destinations for Luxembourg are located at  Luxembourg: Best Places To Visit.
5. Additional Information on travel to Luxembourg can be found at the  government's official travel site www.ont.lu.
6. When planning your travel, be sure to review the ThereArePlaces Travel Planning Guides for insights on how  to "travel well" and "travel safe".

Luxembourg is a safe travel destination for tourists.

1. No official health advisories, travel advisories, or specific terrorism warnings for Belgium have been posted by the U.S. Government at this time.  Before you depart, always check with the Department of State  and CDC to insure that these conditions have not changed.  In addition, you will find that the     Foreign & Commonwealth Office  of the British Government provides excellent travel advisories.
2. The State Department's Overseas Citizens Services call center at 1-888-407-4747 can answer general inquiries on safety and security overseas. This number is available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays). Callers who are unable to use toll-free numbers, such as those calling from overseas, may obtain information and assistance during these hours by calling 1-202-501-4444 .
3. If you have an emergency in Luxembourg, call 112. 112 is a European Economic Community initiative to provide a one telephone number contact for ambulance services, the police, the fire service, air and sea rescue and other emergency services available within a specific country (such as mountain patrol). The 112-telephone number is designed for use in emergencies only. Calls are answered in English, French, and German. Call to the police may be routed using 113
4. The U.S. Embassy is located at 22, Blvd Emmanuel Servais, L-2535 Luxembourg City, phone: (352) 460123 (available 24/7 - dial 0 after number), fax: (352) 461401. Consular Section phone: (352) 460123-22 13, Consular section fax: (352) 461939, email: Luxembourgconsular@state.gov.  
   • The Embassy's Internet address is   http://luxembourg.usembassy.gov 
   • See our article on how U.S. Counsels can help Americans abroad.
5. When planning your travel, be sure to review the ThereArePlaces Travel Planning Guides for insights on how  to "travel well" and "travel safe".

A passport is required for travel in Luxembourg. A visa is not required for American citizens for business or tourist stays of up to 90 days. 

• The 90 day period begins when entering any of the following countries which are parties to the Schengen agreement: Austria, Belgium,  the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg,  Malta, The Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia Spain, and Sweden).

   

For further information concerning entry requirements for Luxembourg, travelers can contact the Embassy of Luxembourg at 2200 Massachusetts Avenue, NW, Washington, D.C. 20008 (tel: (202) 265-4171 or 4172), or the Luxembourg consulates general in New York (tel: (212) 888-6664) or San Francisco (tel: (415) 788-0816), or visit the Embassy of Luxembourg's website at www.Luxembourg-usa.org . Also, you can visit the website of Luxembourg Consulate General of New York's at http://www.luxembourgnyc.org/.

If you do not have a passport, see our article on the Ins and Outs of Passports.  Other important travel documents, including visas are covered in our Information Guide on Passport, Visas, Customs.

In an effort to prevent international child abduction, many governments have initiated procedures at entry/exit points. These often include requiring documentary evidence of relationship and permission for the child's travel from the parents or legal guardian not present. Having such documentation on hand, even if not required, may facilitate entry/departure

DUAL NATIONALITY:  Luxembourg does not allow dual nationality. When obtaining Luxembourg nationality either through option or naturalization, the former nationality must be renounced.

U.S. citizens who are also citizens of  any other nation are reminded that U.S. law requires they enter and depart the United States documented as U.S. citizens.

The crime rate in Luxembourg is generally low.

• However, travelers should take common-sense precautions while in Luxembourg. In particular, travelers should be especially cautious while in airports and train terminals, where pickpockets can be a problem.

Luxembourg has many public parks that are safe during the daylight hours, though the volume of low-level drug vending has increased in some of the city parks. Tourists should, however, avoid these parks after dark due to the higher risk at night.  During the summer season, Americans should be particularly alert to purse snatchings and confidence scams against tourists. Incidents of petty crime spike during the annual “Schueberfoire,” a traveling fun fair that visits the country every year for 3 weeks in the summer.

Before you travel, read our articles on Pickpockets, Con Artists, and ATM safety in the ThereArePlaces Information Guide on Personal Safety for travelers. 

The loss or theft abroad of a U.S. passport should be reported immediately to the local police and the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate. If you are the victim of any crime while overseas, in addition to reporting to local police, please contact the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate for assistance.

If you are the victim of a crime while overseas, in addition to reporting to local police, contact the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate for assistance. The embassy/consulate staff can, for example, assist you to find appropriate medical care, to contact family members of friends, and explain how funds could be transferred. Although the investigation and prosecution for the crime is solely the responsibility of local authorities, consular officers can help you to understand the local criminal justice process and to find an attorney

2.  Persons violating Luxembourg law, even unknowingly, may be expelled, arrested, or imprisoned. Penalties for possession, use, or trafficking in illegal drugs in Luxembourg are strict and convicted offenders can expect jail sentences and heavy fines.

3. ThereArePlaces makes every attempt to ensure that the travel information we present to you is current. Before you depart, be sure to check with official government sources to determine the status of critical information relating to a particular county.

While in Luxembourg, you may encounter road conditions that differ significantly from those in the United States.

The information below concerning Luxembourg is provided for general reference only, and may not be totally accurate in a particular location or circumstance.

Safety of Public Transportation: Good Urban Road Conditions/Maintenance: Good
Rural Road Conditions/Maintenance: Good
Availability of Roadside Assistance: Good

Luxembourg has a modern, well-maintained system of highways and secondary roads.  Roads leading into and out of Luxembourg City are congested during the morning and evening rush hour. Visitors should drive defensively in high-volume commuter traffic. During the fall and winter, fog and ice can cause sudden slowdowns on highways and secondary roads.

Luxembourg has a modern, well-maintained system of highways and secondary roads.  Road signs and markings are clear and, as applicable, worded in French.  Streets in the city, construction sites and crossroads are well illuminated at night.  On highways, a digital alert system warns drivers of incidents or detours.  Roads towards and out of Luxembourg City are congested during the morning and evening rush hour.  Visitors should drive defensively in high-volume commuter traffic.   In hilly areas, winding roads and cyclists sometimes slow traffic.

The daily mix of drivers from Luxembourg and its three neighboring countries results in a variety of driving practices and courtesies.  While most drivers respect speed limits, traffic signals, and rules, others do not.  Vehicle maintenance for cars registered in Luxembourg is controlled by the mandatory yearly car inspection; police can perform random road checks at any time. 

The possibility of encountering an intoxicated driver increases on weekends, especially during the late evening hours.  Driving while intoxicated may result in penalties including imprisonment from 8 days up to two years plus a fine of 251 to 5000 Euros (approximately US$310 to US$6,260). ThereArePlaces recommends that you do not drink and drive.  In most foreign countries, especially in Europe and the UK, the maximum permitted blood alcohol levels are lower than those enforced in the United States. Penalties and punishments are significant. See our article on drinking and driving in foreign countries  for more information.

In case of a car accident, it is advisable to call the police at tel: 113. The police will make an official assessment of the circumstances of the accident.

Tourists driving rented vehicles should pay close attention to the provisions of their rental contracts.  Failure to do so could result in fines or confiscation of the car during your travels.  Make sure that you are familiar with the terms, restrictions and costs related to your car rental (see our article on Rental Car Costs).

Speed Limits in Luxembourg:

1. Built-up areas - 50 km/h
2. Outside Built up areas (including  dual carriageways) - 100 km/h
3. Motorways - 130 km/h

Our information on speed limits is as current as possible. Always confirm the speed limits with your rental car agent and observe the posted speeds limits whenever and wherever you drive.

Use of mobile telephones while driving is against the law in most European countries.  The fine for violating laws against the use of mobile phone while driving is significant.  If you need to use your mobile phone while on the road, stop your car in a designated parking area and place your call.

For additional general information about road safety,  including links to foreign government sites, see the Bureau of Consular Affairs Internet home page at http://travel.state.gov/travel/tips/safety/safety_1179.html .

For specific information concerning Luxembourg driver's permits, vehicle inspection, road tax, and mandatory insurance contact the Luxembourg National Tourist Office in New York at 212-935-8888, or via the Internet at www.visitluxembourg.com. For international driving permits (IDPs) contact the American Automobile Association (AAA) at http://www.aaa.com or call the American Automobile Touring Alliance (AATA) at 1-800-622-7070.

Medical facilities are available in Luxembourg, but may be limited outside urban areas.

• In an emergency, dial 112 for an ambulance. Hospitals in Luxembourg operate on a 24-hour rotation system. The on-call emergency room can be determined by calling 112.



• Patients may self-refer to any clinic Monday-Friday between 8am-5pm. In Luxembourg City, three major hospitals offer comprehensive general medical and surgical treatment, as well as specialized care in orthopedics, cardiology and psychiatry. In addition, there are two pediatric clinics and two obstetric clinics in Luxembourg City.



• Hospitals also exist in the south of the country (Esch-sur-Alzette) and in the north (Wiltz). For more specialized care, including major burns, transfer to a regional burn center in Belgium or France is necessary.



• Most drugstores are located in the city of Luxembourg but can also be found throughout the country in all major communes. Drugstores operate on a 24-hour rotation system for after-hours services, including emergency prescriptions. The on-call pharmacy is listed daily in the local newspaper or can be determined by calling 112. A doctor's prescription is sometimes necessary for drugs that are sold over the counter in the United States.

We strongly urge you to consult your medical insurance company prior to traveling abroad to confirm whether their policy applies overseas and whether it will cover emergency expenses such as a medical evacuation. U.S. medical insurance plans seldom cover health costs incurred outside the United States unless supplemental coverage is purchased. Further, U.S. Medicare and Medicaid programs do not provide payment for medical services outside the United States. However, many travel agents and private companies offer insurance plans that will cover health care expenses incurred overseas including emergency services such as medical evacuations.

When making a decision regarding health insurance, you should consider that many foreign doctors and hospitals require payment in cash prior to providing medical service and that a medical evacuation to the U.S. may cost in excess of $50,000. Uninsured travelers who require medical care overseas often face extreme difficulties. When consulting with your insurer prior to your departure, please ascertain whether payment will be made to the overseas healthcare provider or if you will be reimbursed later for expenses you incur.

Your existing medical insurance carrier may cover "customary and reasonable" medical care while you are abroad. Usually, if reimbursement is provided, it is paid at a reduced rate (due to the use of an "out of system" provider). Check with your insurance carrier before you depart to determine the type and amount of coverage that may be provided. If coverage is provided, be sure to ask how claims should be filed and ask them to send some claim forms, in case you require any medical treatment while on vacation.

Read our article on  travel insurance to learn the factors that you should consider before you purchase or decline to purchase a travel related insurance policy.

Useful information on medical emergencies abroad, including overseas insurance programs, is provided in the Department of State’s Bureau of Consular Affairs brochure                         “Medical Information for Americans Traveling Abroad,” available via the Bureau of Consular Affairs home page.  ThereArePlaces Information Guide on Health contains valuable health related advice for the traveler considering a trip abroad.