Getting from Brussels Zaventem airport to the city center is an easy task. As the airport is situated closest to the capital of Belgium, the distance between the airport and the city center is only 15 kilometers, which can be covered in less than half an hour. Moreover, there are various options available for you to choose from. This post provides details on how to reach the city center from Brussels airport by public transportation or by car.
HOW TO GO FROM BRUSSELS AIRPORT TO THE CENTER
1. Train, the fastest way to go from Brussels airport to the center
- ⏱ Journey time: approximately 17 minutes
- 💰 Price of the journey: €9.30 per journey
If you choose the fastest train, it will take just 17 minutes to go from Zaventem Airport to Brussels Central Station by train . The airport station is enviable! It connects the airport directly with a lot of Belgian cities and even neighboring countries. Between that and the fact that flights are usually very cheap from other European cities, many people fly to Zaventem even if their final destination is not Brussels.
The station is on the -1 floor of the airport , from where a train leaves approximately every 10 minutes. Right there you will find machines to buy tickets.
They cost €9.30 , a bit expensive for how short the trip is. The price includes a supplement of €5.30 that must be paid for all trips to or from the airport. You can get off at Brussels Central, South or North Station . You can also buy the ticket online for the same price. Undoubtedly, the most practical option to go from Zaventem airport to Brussels.
2. Bus, the cheapest transport to go from Brussels airport to the center
- ⏱ Journey time: approximately 40 minutes
- 💰 Price of the journey: €7 per journey
If the train seems a bit expensive, the bus is your option to go from Brussels airport to the center. From Monday to Friday line 12 runs and on weekends line 21 .
The ticket on board costs €7. For the same price, you can also take a day pass, which will give you free mobility around the city. You can plan your journey on the STIB website, the company in charge of these lines.
The approximate duration of the journey to go from Zaventem airport to the center, specifically to the Trôn station, is approximately 40 minutes.
Other bus lines also leave from the airport to reach areas more remote from the center :
- Bruxelles-Nord train station: lines 272 and 471
- Roodebeek metro station: lines 359 and 659
- Brussels Expo: line 820
3. Taxi, comfort if you stay in a remote area
- ⏱ Journey time: approximately 25 minutes
- 💰 Price of the journey: €45 per journey (up to 4 people)
If you have a lot of luggage or you stay in an area that is poorly communicated by public transport, a taxi is the best option. It takes between 20 minutes and half an hour to get to Brussels, depending on traffic and the part of the city where you are going. Taxis are quite expensive in Belgium and will cost you around €45 . If you are a group of 3 or 4, it is almost the same as public transport and you will gain in comfort.
You can also book a private transfer from Zaventem airport to your hotel in Brussels . You can even choose the option to share a vehicle with other travelers. In this way you will save €15 compared to the usual price.
4. Car, it will only be useful if you make a route through Europe
- ⏱ Journey time: approximately 25 minutes
- 💰 Price of the journey: €36.55 per journey (fuel €1.55 + vignette €35)
Public transport in Belgium is excellent, especially its rail network. That is why we do not recommend renting a car to tour the country . If you plan to do a wider European car tour starting in Brussels, there are plenty of rental companies at the airport itself .
Going from Brussels airport to the city center is very easy, the path is perfectly indicated. It will take about 20 minutes . However, it is very important to know that you will have to pay the price of a vignette to be able to drive on Belgian motorways. In this case, the price is €35. That is why it will only pay off if you plan to make a route through the country.
5. Bike lane to go from Brussels airport to the City center by bike
- ⏱ Journey time: approximately 40 minutes
- 💰 Price of the trip: Free
Yes, you did not read wrong! There is a bike path that connects the city with the airport. Bicycles are a very common means of transport in Belgium and other countries in the area. So if you travel with a backpack and your bicycle you can save transportation to the center . You will only have to pedal for 15 kilometers, it will take about 40 minutes to reach the center.
