How To Get from Brussels Airport to Brussels city center

How To Get from Brussels Airport to Brussels city center

Most travelers can easily reach the Brussels city center by train in 20 minutes. However, if you are with a big suitcase and your hotel is far from train stations, it is recommended to use an airport transfer service that takes you to your hotel.

Quick comparison of transport options

TransportApprox CostTravel TimeFrequencyNotesBuy Ticket
Train€ 10.3020 minsEvery 15–20 mins, from 4am to midnightAll trains stop Brussels three stations (North, Central and South)Buy online, Ticketing counter, or machine
Airport Transfer ServiceFrom € 18 (per person)30 – 50 minsPre-book onlyMaximum number of passengers varies according to car sizeBook Online
Regular taxi€ 70 – €10030 – 50 minsAvailable at the airport taxi stationPrice may vary considerably depending on traffic and time of day
Hotel shuttlesFree – paid5 – 40 minsPre-book is necessary for most hotelsHotels around the airport provide a free shuttle serviceFind Hotels
Bus€ 240 – 60 minsEvery 20 – 30 minsNot directly arrive at Brussels central area.

Train

How To Get from Brussels Airport to Brussels city center

Taking a train is the easiest and most convenient option for many travelers as it takes only 20 minutes to take you directly all major three stations in Brussels, Brussels North, Brussels Central and Brussels South. To see the Grand Place and other major attractions, get off at the Brussels Central station.

Brussels International Airport (Zaventem Luchthaven) has an easy access to Brussels
Brussels International Airport (Zaventem Luchthaven) has an easy access to Brussels

From the Airport, trains stop North-Central-South order

Brussels International Airport (Zaventem Luchthaven) has an easy access to Brussels

How to Get a Train

At the airport, you can find the train station directly under the airport building (underground floor, also called “level -1”). You can buy a train ticket at a counter or ticketing machine, or from the Belgium Rail (SNCB) website. All of them are easy-to-use in English.

How To Get from Brussels Airport to Brussels city center

Buying a train ticket at the Brussels Airport train station

How To Get from Brussels Airport to Brussels city center

All signs and announcements are given in English, so helpful for travelers 👍

We highly recommend purchasing your ticket in advance from the Belgium Rail (SNCB) website. They’ll email you a digital ticket, eliminating the need for printing and waiting.

If you use a ticketing machine, choose “Zone Brussels” to get off any stations in Brussels. You can also buy a ticket to go to Bruges, Antwerp or Ghent directly from the Airport.

Please note that you have to pay an extra fee called “Diabolo Fee” for trains to and from Brussels Airports. When you select trains, it should be automatically included.

You can bring up to 3 pieces of luggage on the train. If you have more than 4, we recommend you to take an airport transfer service as below.


Private Airport Transfer Services

man driving vehicle with GPS system turned on

By booking an airport transfer service, you get the reassurance of a car waiting for you upon arrival at the airport and taking you to your hotel (or any address in Brussels) directly.

Airport Transfer is highly recommended if you are;

  • With heavy luggage
  • Arriving at the airport after 9pm or before 6am
  • Your hotel is far away from the train stations

Please note that some old streets in Brussels are covered with old stones, which makes you way more difficult to walk with heavy suitcase.


Regular Taxi

You can take a taxi without reservations right in front of the arrival hall at the airport. You can recognize an official taxi by the T- license plate and the blue-yellow symbol at the front of the taxi.

Beware of unlicensed taxis!

There is also an organized line in front of the arrival hall. Do not respond to someone who offers you a ride at the arrival hall.


Hotel Shuttles

Many hotels in Brussels city center and around the airport offer a shuttle service from airport to hotel.

Hotels in the Brussels city center with Shuttle Services

If you land at the airport late in the evening, consider staying at a hotel near the airport rather than heading to the city center. Numerous budget-friendly hotels surround the airport, with many providing complimentary shuttle services from the arrival terminal.

Hotels nearby Brussels Airport with Shuttle Services

Booking.com

If you choose the Sheraton Brussels Airport Hotel, you won’t even need a shuttle. It’s conveniently situated directly opposite the arrival hall, just a short walk away (less than 100 meters).


Bus (not recommended)

Bus does not take you to the city center

We don’t recommend to take a bus from the airport to Brussels city center, because taking trains is much easier and faster! You can only consider taking a bus if your destination is Brussels North area or European quarter, or you look for the cheapest way to get to the city.

buses from brussels airport actually do not take you to the city center

for example, if you take a bus and get off the European quarter, you need to take another bus or walk more than 15 minutes (or take another bus/metro) to the center around the Grand Place.

How To Get from Brussels Airport to Brussels city center
How To Get from Brussels Airport to Brussels city center

There are 2 companies that operate buses from the airport to the Brussels North. You can find both bus stops at the ground floor (also called “level 0”)

Bus CompanyDestinationsBus Line
De LijnBrussels North (Train station)Bus 272, 471
STIB Airport LineEuropean district – Schuman (lines 1-5) and at Trône/Troon (lines 2-6) metro stationsBus 12

Public Transportation in Brussels >>


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