How to get to Brussels
© iStock / An Syvanych
If you are in Brussels, you are in the heart of Europe. Literally and figuratively.
Brussels is not only the capital of more than half a billion Europeans; the city also occupies a highly strategic location. You arrive in the centre of Brussels by train from London, Paris, Amsterdam and Cologne in less than two hours. Thanks to Brussels Airport, the city is directly connected to 200 destinations all over the world every day. You can reach the city centre from the airport in twenty minutes. The city is so compact that everything is easily accessible by public transport or on foot.
By plane to Brussels
From Brussels Airport and Brussels South Charleroi Airport, you can easily take the train, bus or taxi to Brussels.
For trains timetables and tickets, consult the SNCB/NMBS trip planner. Check the mobile site m.nmbs.be or the SNCB/NMBS App.
From Brussels Airport
From Brussels Airport there is a fast, direct connection to the main Brussels railway stations (Brussels North, Brussels Central and Brussels South). There is a direct train every 15 minutes in both directions. You arrive in the centre of Brussels in just 17 minutes. Every passenger travelling to or from Brussels National Airport has to pay a "Diabolo" supplement (5,70€) on top of the ticket price. The standard ticket price for travel between the airport and the Brussels Zone is €9,30 per day (return trip €18,60), which includes the Diabolo fee. If you already have an SNCB ticket, you will have to pay the Diabolo fee separately.
Train (Level -1)
- Every 15 minutes
- 12 min to Brussels North station
- 17 min to Brussels Central station
- 21 min to Brussels-Midi station
- From 8,9€
Bus (Level 0)
- Airport Line STIB/MIVB
- Every 30 minutes
- Mon> Fri: bus number 12
- From 8pm, weekends and public holidays: bus number 21
- From €4.50
Taxi
- From 40 €
From Brussels South Charleroi Airport
From Brussels South Charleroi Airport you can easily take the train to Brussels. Enter ‘Charleroi South Airport’ as the origin or destination in the SNCB App. You’ll obtain a combo ticket for the Train + Bus. You can then take a bus from Line A to Charleroi-South station and continue on to Brussels by train.
Train
- 20 minutes by TEC A bus, to Charleroi-Sud station
- Trains to Brussels twice an hour (60-minute journey)
- Combo ticket: 15,90€ TEC bus + train
Brussels City Shuttle
- In front of the airport building
- Twice an hour ( ± 45-minute journey)
- 14,20 € from 4 years old
Taxi
- Airport > City of Charleroi: from €20
- Brussels South Charleroi Airport > City of Brussels : from 100€
By train to Brussels
In Brussels there are five main railway stations, which are interconnected: the Central Station, the South Station (to London, Amsterdam and Paris: Eurostar, to France: TGV high-speed rail service), North Station (to Amsterdam), Luxembourg Station (to Luxembourg) and Schuman Station (European institutions).
© Olivier Rateau
Eurostar
- 1h22 > Paris (20 trains per day)
- 1h52 > Amsterdam (14 trains per day)
- 2h01 > London (9 trains per day)
pbombaert@skynet.be
SNCB International
SNCB International is the partner for all your train journeys in Europe (Eurostar, TGV InOui, Ouigo, Ouigo Train Classique, ICE, IC, SNCF, DB, Eurocity, Eurocity Direct, European Sleeper, Nightjet). SNCB International offers one platform for all your international train tickets from and to Belgium, France, Great Britain, Germany, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, Switzerland, Austria, Italy and many more European destinations.
By bus to Brussels
Several international bus companies that provide quick bus transit between major European cities also stop in Brussels on journeys to and from cities like Amsterdam, Berlin, London and Paris.
Flixbus
FlixBus is one of Europe’s leading long-distance transport providers, offering affordable and comfortable journeys to Brussels from cities such as Paris, Amsterdam, London, Lille, Luxembourg and Cologne.
The main FlixBus stops in Brussels:
• Brussels South Train Station (Rue de France / Frankrijkstraat)
• Brussels North Train Station (Boulevard du Roi Albert II / Koning Albert II Laan)
• Heysel (Avenue des Magnolias, near Roi Baudouin / Koning Boudewijn metro station)
• Avenue Fonsny / Fonsnylaan (near Brussels South Train Station)
All of these stops are easily accessible via Brussels’ public transport network.
BlaBlaCar Bus
BlaBlaCar Bus offers direct and budget-friendly connections to Brussels from major cities like Paris, Amsterdam, London, Lille, Lyon and Milan.
Stops served in Brussels:
• Brussels South Train Station (Rue de France / Frankrijkstraat)
• Brussels North Train Station (Boulevard du Roi Albert II / Koning Albert II Laan)
• Brussels Central Station (Cantersteen)
• Brussels Airport
BlaBlaCar Bus is an ideal option for low-cost European travel, while enjoying modern onboard comfort.
Flibco
Specialising in airport transfers, Flibco efficiently connects the airports of Brussels South Charleroi (CRL) and Brussels International Zaventem (BRU) to Brussels city centre. The shuttles are regular, comfortable, and accessible.
Flibco also offers a Door2Gate service: a shared shuttle that picks you up directly at your address in Brussels.
By car to Brussels
Did you know that the entire Brussels-Capital Region is a low emission zone? This means that the most polluting vehicles are not allowed to drive here.
The regulations apply to passenger cars, vans up to 3.5 tonnes, buses and coaches. Whether they are registered in Belgium or not. Not sure if you can enter Brussels with your vehicle? Check it out on www.lez.brussels.
Don't meet the conditions? Then use the transit car parks "Park and Ride" (P+R) and alternatives to the car.
© environnement.brussels
Does your vehicle have a foreign number plate? You’ll need to register it!
Vehicles with a foreign number plate (except Dutch ones) must be registered before entering Brussels’ territory. Registration is completely free. It takes no time at all on www.lez.brussels.
Eurostop: carpooling
Feel like on holiday? Do you want to travel through Europe at a lower cost? Eurostop is a platform of cheap carpool offers for journeys all over Europe.
What are the benefits?
- You save money by sharing travelling costs
- You enjoy company during the journey
- You help beautifying urban landscape by reducing traffic and parking
What do you need to know?
Using these platforms does not cost you anything
Europcar
Europcar is part of the Europcar Mobility Group, one of the leading players in the mobility sector. Europcar Belgium offers a wide range of mobility services: car and van rental, rental of scooters and electric bicycles (B2C) in its European quarter branch, car sharing (B2B), shared bicycle leasing (B2B) as well as the Europcar Mobility Pass - mobility payment card (B2B). Present all over Belgium and in major airports and train stations, the Europcar fleet offers models for your every need: city cars, family cars, vans, but also prestige cars and vans. Europcar Mobility Group offers its various mobility solutions and services through an extensive network covering more than 140 countries.
Brussels Cruise Terminal
Equipped with a quay measuring 240 metres long and 12 metres wide, Brussels Cruise Terminal is the new passenger terminal at the Port of Brussels. Located in the outer port, next to the “Pavillons Meudon” public transport stop, the terminal is a mooring spot for river-cruise boats measuring up to 135 metres long, which can accommodate up to 200 passengers.
© visit.brussels - Jean-Paul Remy
Prices for mooring cruise boats
- Mooring fee 53.1961 cost per 20 m of quay (length)
- occupation quais <1000 m² 265,9804 forfait
- Quay occupation (≥ 1000 m²) 531.961 flat fee
Timetable: access to the terminal 24h/24h
Booking: pherman@port.brussels and/or awouters@port.brussels
Brussels Card
The key to easily discover Brussels!
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Free access to 48 Brussels museums
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Discounts at attractions, shops, restaurants, bars and guided tours
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Free information guide, city map and museum map
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Optional: unlimited access to public transport, hop on hop off buses Tootbus and admission to the Atomium