How to Get from Brussels Airport to the City Center? All you need to know!

Wondering how to get from Brussels Airport to the city center and ideally you’d like the fastest and cheapest possible way too?

Once your plane landed, you’d like to get to your hotel straight away. There are different ways to do so, although I suggest you take the train.

While I’ve never had the need to know the best way to get from Brussels Airport to the city center, I’ve been living in Belgium my entire life and I’ve taken the train A LOT. I’ve taken the train to and from Brussels Airport numerous times and the same goes for Brussels Central Station which is the nearest train station to the city center.

Traveling from Brussels Airport to the City Center doesn’t take long, you’ll only spend about 20-25 minutes.

I’ve listed the different options to get from Brussels Airport to the City Center including some of their pros and cons, and some important information for you to enjoy your trip to the fullest!

Triumphal Arch in Parc du Cinquantenaire. — *Parc du Cinquantenaire*

What is the distance from Brussels airport to the city center?

The distance from Brussels Airport to the city center is approximately 11 kilometers, so you’ll be able to reach the heart of Brussels quickly after your flight.

It’s so close that it’s even easy to explore the city during a layover.

How to get from Brussels airport to the city center?

1. Bus (cheapest option)

If you’re a budget traveler, going from Brussels Airport to City Center by bus is the cheapest option available.

There’s a direct bus (line 12) connecting the airport with the center. It’s called the “MIVB airport line” and you’re best to get off at stop Trône/Troon – this takes 30 minutes.

Bus stop Trône/Troon will see you directly to the Royal Palace, Brussels Park and just steps from the museums at the Mont des Arts. From there, it’s another 15-minute walk to reach Brussels’ Grand Place.

*Line 12 (“MIVB Airport Line”) route – © Brusselsairport.be*

As you can see, both the stops Schuman and Trône/Troon have connections with the Metro (line 1 and 5 at Schuman; line 2 and 6 at Trône/Troon).

To catch the bus from Brussels Airport to the centre, you’ll have to buy a GO2City ticket. This costs €7 if you pay wireless on the bus or €7.5 if you buy a paper ticket at one of the kiosks.

Wireless payments are possible with debit and credit card, smart phone and smart watch.

If you would like to take the bus back to Brussels Airport, you can hop on for the regular MIVB ticket price, which is €2.1.

If you’d like to take a bus from Brussels Airport to the city centre, make your way down to level 0 (you’ll arrive at +1). You’ll find the buses in front of main exit.

Make your way to the right bus stop (there will be MIVB bus poles marked with the correct numbers – there are multiple numbers per pole and the numbers are small) and wait for bus number 12 to come along.

Step on the bus and use your card or smart phone to pay wireless for a ticket (€7).

Stay on the bus for 30 minutes and get off at the final stop Trône/Troon.

2. Train (fastest option)

If you’re looking for the fastest way to get from Brussels Airport to the City Center, take the train.

Yes, there is a train station at Brussels Airport called Brussels Airport-Zaventem. The trains here connect the airport to the city centre and other destinations.

You’ll find the Brussels Airport train station at level -1.

There’s a direct service about 8 times an hour connecting Brussels Airport with Brussels Central Station in just 18 minutes. From the train station, you’ll be able to walk to the Grand Place in 5 minutes.

You can buy your train tickets to the city center in one of the automatic ticket machines at the Brussels airport train station – Zaventem station.

Or alternatively, you can prebook them with Trainline (but keep in mind you’ll pay a small fee.). Click here to book your ticket.

The cost of a one-way train ticket from Brussels airport to Brussels Central Station is €10.30. The obliged “Brussels Airport Supplement” is already included in the price.

Mind that:

up to 4 kids under 12 per paying adult may travel for free.
it’s cheaper to buy a regular ticket than a youth ticket in this case.

🎫 Prebooking your train ticket is smart if you want to avoid having to figure out the machines at Brussels Airport after your flight. Check rates here.

3. Private Transfer & Taxi (most convenient)

If you want to just collect your luggage once you arrive at the airport and head to your accommodation right away, a private transfer or a taxi would be your ideal choice.

This definitely won’t be the cheapest option, but it saves a lot of hassle — especially if you’re travelling with large suitcases or with kids in tow.

In fact, if you’re a larger family or group of friends, paying for 4 or 5 train tickets might end up almost as expensive as a taxi.

Babs and N looking out of the window towards the planes. — *We always book private transfer after our flight. It’s too much hassle figuring out a taxi when you’re travelling with kids.*

You’ll probably be able to find a taxi when you arrive at Brussels Airport (just follow the taxi signs), but I’m a big fan of arranging a private transfer ahead of time — especially after a (long) flight.

That way, your driver will be waiting for you in the arrival hall and all you have to do is follow them to the car. Easy peasy. Check private transfer rates here.

Taking a taxi from Brussels Airport to the City Centre, the cost is approximately 45 euros, and the journey typically takes about thirty minutes, depending on traffic conditions.

🎫 Prebooking your private transfer is a good choice if you want to avoid having to look for a taxi at Brussels Airport after your flight. Check rates here.

4. By Uber

In Brussels, you can pre-book a ride using Uber. The cost will usually be around 30 to 50 euros, depending on the destination in the city center and the time of the day.

It’s a convenient and fast way to book a car in Brussels to take you from the airport to your hotel or any place you wish to go in the city center ahead of time.

5. Renting a car from Brussels airport

Alternatively, there are car rentals available at Brussels Airport. Car rental desks are available at the arrival halls.

Once done, simply take the elevator or escalator to level 0 and follow the ‘Car Rental Parking’ signage. Alternatively, you can book ahead of time online. Just make sure to read the agreement and bring all the necessary documents needed for the rental process.

In theory, you should be able to drive to the center in about 20 minutes, but the chances of getting stuck in traffic are pretty big.

Close up of the peeing little man, Manneken Pis, one of Brussels main sights. — *Manneken Pis* – one of Brussels’ most famous sights

Frequently Asked Questions

No, the Brussels metro is not free. You must purchase a ticket or use a contactless card to travel on the metro.

You can pay for your Brussels Metro ticket using cash or a contactless card at the ticket machines available at metro stations.

The cost of Uber and taxis can vary depending on the distance and demand. In many cases, Uber can be cheaper than a traditional taxi, but it’s always best to check the current rates before deciding which one to choose.

Renting a car in Brussels can be worth it if you plan to explore surrounding areas or have specific travel needs.

But overall, I’d say, no. You can explore the city on foot and by public transport much more easily than by car. And if you want to see the rest of Belgium, you’ll be able to conveniently reach most destinations by a short train ride.

Yes, Brussels is walkable, especially in the city centre, where many attractions are within walking distance of each other.

Brussels can be moderately expensive, but the cost of living and expenses can vary depending on individual preferences and choices. Compared to some other major European capitals, Brussels is generally considered to be more affordable.

Final Thoughts: How to get from Brussels Airport to the city center?

So, there we have it! You now know exactly how to get from Brussels Airport to downtown Brussels.

I recommend going by train, because the train connection is frequent, easy, fast and not overly costly. However, if there are several of you or you’ve just had a long flight, just pre-book a private transfer to get you to your hotel ASAP. And if you’re on a budget, you can save some euros by catching bus line 12.

If you’ve come this far, I’d love to hear your thoughts! Let me know which transportation method you prefer.

More about Brussels?

BELGIUM TRAVEL PLANNING RESOURCES

Getting to Belgium: Fly into one of the main international airports: Brussels Airport (BRU) or Charleroi Brussels South Airport (CRL). Take an international train to Brussels South Station. Or take a ferry to Dover or The Netherlands, then drive or take the train to Belgium.

Getting Around: For the major destinations, the train is by far the best option. You can book your train tickets here. If you’d like to visit smaller places, the most convenient way would be to rent a car. We always use Discover cars, they compare all the rental companies and give you the best rates.

Accommodation: Booking.com is the most popular accommodation platform in Belgium. It’s what I use every single time.

Guided tours: Use Get Your Guide or Viator to find fun tours in Brussels, Bruges, Ghent and Antwerp. Or Guruwalk to find free walking tours in multiple destinations.

If this helped you plan your adventure, a coffee would go a long way in fueling my next guide! 😉

How to Get from Brussels Airport to the City Center? All you need to know!

What is the distance from Brussels airport to the city center?