How to Get from Antwerp Airport to the City

Maria Papakonstantinou

October 3, 2023

Antwerp is a popular destination and one of Belgium’s most beautiful cities. It offers many exciting activities and sights and it’s ideal for all types of travellers. If you’re arriving in Antwerp by plane, you can easily get from Anterp Airport to the city by taxi, bus, or train.

A taxi from Antwerp Airport to the city centre is the quickest and most convenient choice, ideal for travellers who wish to avoid the hassle and enjoy a stress-free ride to their accommodation. You can take a local taxi from the rank outside the airport or pre-book your transfer to skip the line and save time. The ride takes about 20 minutes in light traffic and you can expect to pay from €20-25 for a standard local cab.

If you’re travelling on a budget, you can use public transportation instead. A single ticket for both the bus and the train costs €2.50 per traveller, so it’s ideal if you don’t wish to spend much on transportation. Between the two, the bus is the better option; you can take bus lines 33 and 181 and reach the city centre in about 1 hour. The trip by train is shorter but the closest train station to the airport is Mortsel; it’s located 1 km away, which means you either need to walk or pay for additional transportation to get there. You can evaluate all options and choose whichever best matches your needs and budget.

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Comparison of the options

PRICE FOR 2PASSENGERS

OPTION	PRICE	DURATION	AVAILABILITY
Taxi	€20	20min	24/7
Bus	€5	60min	05:32–00:09
Train	€5	30min	06:26–21:26

How to get from Antwerp Airport to the city by taxi

The easiest way to get from Antwerp Airport to the city and directly to your accommodation is by taking an airport taxi. It’s a reliable transportation option both for locals and tourists and official Antwerp taxis provide on-demand service at the airport around the clock. Pre-booking your Antwerp Airport transfer is another great option if you want to skip the line at the taxi rank. The ride takes around 20 minutes in light traffic.

What's the cost of a taxi from Antwerp Airport to the city centre?

Taxis in Antwerp are metered and the fare depends on various factors like total distance travelled, time of day, and traffic conditions. You can expect to pay a minimum of €20 for a standard taxi from Antwerp Airport to the city centre.

Photos (1)

Official Antwerp taxi

Cost

€20

Trip Duration

20 Min.

The cost of a taxi from Antwerp Airport to the city centre may vary unless you pre-book your ride.

Convenience

Safety

Value for Money

There are taxis available 24/7 at Antwerp Airport, providing on-demand service.

Where do I take a taxi from?

You can find available taxis at Antwerp Airport 24/7 even if you haven’t pre-booked one. The rank is in front of the airport building exit; look for the relevant signs as you leave the Arrivals Hall.

Convenience

Taking a taxi from Antwerp Airport to the city is the ideal option for travellers who value comfort and privacy and wish to avoid the hassle of public transport. For families with young children, less experienced travellers or people carrying multiple pieces of luggage, a taxi is by far the best choice, ensuring convenient door-to-door service and peace of mind after landing. For an even smoother experience, you can pre-book and pre-pay for your ride from Antwerp Airport to town.

Editor’s Note

An airport taxi from Antwerp Airport to the city is the most convenient but also the most expensive option. If you're a solo traveller or you're travelling on a budget, you may want to opt for another transportation option; Antwerp's public transport network is extended and relatively easy to navigate.

Useful Tips

Not all taxi drivers in Antwerp speak English; writing down any important information in Dutch will help if you need to communicate with the driver.

Before you start the ride, check that the taximeter is turned on and reset to the base fare; €2.95 during the day and €5.45 from 22:00 to 6:00 and on Sundays.

Card payment may not always be an option; it's best to carry cash in various notes, in case the driver can’t accept credit or debit card payments.

Tipping your driver in Antwerp isn’t mandatory or expected but it’s common practice to round up to the nearest Euro.

A receipt is printed out automatically once the driver stops the taximeter; make sure to take it in case you need to contact the company.

How to get from Antwerp Airport to the city by bus

The bus network is very extended in Antwerp and provides convenient service; you can get from Antwerp Airport to town easily using only local buses. There are different routes you can take and you can plan your trip accordingly depending on your final destination. A good option is to combine bus line 33 departing from Deurne Vosstraat near the airport with one of the following lines 180/181/182/183, departing from bus stop Wilrijk Bist; little to no walking is required in between. The total trip downtown takes about 1 hour.

How much does it cost to get from Antwerp Airport to the city by bus?

A single ticket to get from Antwerp Airport to town by bus costs €2.50. The ticket is valid for one hour and can be used on multiple buses within this timeframe.

Photos (2)

Bus lines 33 and 180 in Antwerp

Cost

€2.50

Trip Duration

1 Hr.

The total trip duration may vary depending on traffic, weather conditions or potential bus delays.

Convenience

Safety

Value for Money

Bus line 33 is available every about 30 minutes from 05:32 until 00:09 daily. Bus line 180 is available every about 30 minutes from 05:03 until 00:10 daily.

Where do I take the bus from?

You can take bus line 33 from Deurne Vosstraat, which is only a 3-minute walk away from the airport. After you exit the terminal, walk past P1 Car Park and head towards Vosstraat. You can disembark at Wilrijk Bist, where you can take one of the following bus lines: 180/181/182/183, which will take you to the city centre.

Convenience

The Antwerp bus service provides an easy connection from Antwerp Airport to the city, making it a convenient and low-budget option. It’s good value for money and the best public transport option if you don’t wish to spend a lot on transportation. Keep in mind that during peak hours it can get crowded on the bus. If you’re carrying multiple pieces of luggage or you’re travelling with young children, you’ll be safer and much more comfortable in a taxi.

Timetables

Journey planner

From Antwerp Airport to Antwerpen

Bus line search

Lines 33, 180, 181, 182, 183

Bus tickets

Ticket information and online purchase

Bus line 33

Stops and timetable (Deurne Vosstraat)

Bus line 180

Stops and timetable (Wilrijk Bist)

Editor’s Note

If you're a solo traveller or you're planning your trip on a low budget, the bus is the best option. It also gives you the opportunity to mingle with other people and experience the city as a local.

Useful Tips

You can purchase your ticket online or at various selling points around the city; note that tickets are no longer sold on the bus.

The ticket is valid for 60 minutes and can be used on most buses.

Children under the age of six who are accompanied by a paying adult can travel for free.

How to get from Antwerp Airport to the city by train

The train is another low-cost public transport option to get from Antwerp Airport to town. There is no train station at the airport though, so you’ll need to head to Mortsel, located 1 km to the west, and take train line S1 to Antwerpen-Centraal. The total trip duration is about 25 minutes if you include the 14-minute walk to Mortsel.

How much does it cost to get from Antwerp Airport to the city by train?

A single ticket from Mortsel to Centraal Station costs €2.50 per traveller. Keep in mind that depending on your final destination you may need additional transportation, which can increase the cost.