Brussels Zaventem Airport (BRU) is located around 12 km away from Brussels City. If you’re after transport from Brussels Airport to the city center, you have four means to choose from: taxi, Brussels Airport transfer, bus or train.
The quickest and easiest option is to take a Brussels Airport taxi or private transfer. These door-to-door services will get you to Brussels in less than 20 minutes. Alternatively, the train from Brussels Airport to Brussels is extremely reliable and low-cost. It’ll get you to Brussels Central Train Station in 17 minutes. The longest method is by public bus, however, it’s also the cheapest.
4 modes of transport from Brussels Airport to Brussels
Good for experienced or solo travelers seeking the fastest public transport option available.
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How to get from Brussels Airport to city center by taxi
Taking a Brussels Airport taxi from Brussels Airport to the city center is the most convenient transfer option when traveling to Brussels. Taxis are available 24/7 at the airport and the journey will take no longer than 18 minutes in light traffic.
Brussels Airport to city center taxi fares
Brussels Airport taxis don’t have a flat rate fee, instead, they charge you via a taximeter which is based on distance. You can expect the cost of a taxi from Brussels Airport to the city center to be around €50 during the day and €55 at night. Nighttime fares come into effect between 22:00 and 06:00.
To pay, you can use a credit card or cash. However, we recommend having cash on you inn case the driver’s card machine is broken.
Where do I get a taxi from?
The taxis are Brussels Zaventem Airport are easy to find. They are lined up outside of the Arrivals Hall on Level 2. As you leave from any of the exits, you’ll see the long line of taxis organized by the curbside.
Convenience
A taxi from Brussels Airport will leave you directly at the door of your accommodation in the city center, which makes it the most convenient transfer option. All you have to worry about is planning all the activities you’ll be enjoying during your trip with friends and family.
Useful Tips
You may want to pre-book your taxi during busy periods to make your travels smoother.
If you want to pay your Brussels Airport to city center taxi fare in cash, we recommend carrying as many small coins as you can. Drivers rarely carry notes smaller than €20, especially in the early morning.
Official airport taxis are easily recognizable by their blue and yellow symbol on the front of the bonnet.
Make sure that your driver resets and turns on the taximeter before you begin your journey.
Most airport taxi drivers speak English. However, it’s still worth writing down your destination to aid communication.
If you require a wheelchair-accessible taxi, it’s recommended you book a taxi in advance from Taxi Hendricks (+32 2 752 98 00).
How to get from Brussels Airport to the city center by bus (STIB Line 12)
Taking a STIP 12 “Airport2City” Line bus is one of the slowest ways to get from Brussels International Airport to the city center. However, it’s a good option for those on a budget. The journey time to the city is around 25 minutes. The service runs roughly every 20 minutes from 05:00 to 00:30 every day. The frequency of buses drops on Saturdays and Sundays, but they are still frequent.
We recommend checking the STIB website for the latest timetable as they change seasonally.
How much is a bus from Brussels Airport to the city center?
The Brussels Airport to city bus has a special price, despite being a public bus. A regular bus ticket costs €2.10 but the “Airport2City” line costs €7. This is still cheaper than both the train and taxi options.
You can purchase a ticket by tapping your contactless card as you board the bus. Alternatively, you can get a physical ticket from the GO ticket vending machines in the Arrivals Hall at Brussels Airport.
Cost
€7
Trip Duration
25 Min.
Waiting time is 20 minutes.
Convenience
Safety
Value for Money
Bus STIB 12 Bus Line runs from 05:00 to 00:30 every day.
Where do I get a bus from?
The bus station at Brussels Airport is located one floor down from the Arrivals Hall. Use the escalator and follow the signs labelled “bus station”. The STIB bus departs from lane C.
Convenience
If you’re traveling on a budget then taking a bus from Brussels (BRU) airport is a great transfer option. Tickets are cheap and the journey time isn’t too much longer than a taxi or transfer. That said, once you exit the bus, you will need to look for another form of transportation to get to your accommodation.
Timetables
STIB 12 Bus Timetable
Useful Tips
The €7 ticket price only applies if you pay for your fare with your contactless card. If you purchase a physical ticket from the kiosk in the Arrivals Hall, it will cost €7.50.
Seating is not guaranteed on the airport bus.
There is limited space for luggage on public buses.
If you buy a physical ticket, it is valid for 18 months after the date of purchase.
Children under six years old travel for free.
The Brussels Airport bus is fully wheelchair-accessible.
How to get from Brussels Airport to the city center by train (Airport Line)
Taking the Brussels Airport to city center metro/train is one of the best ways to travel if you want to take public transport. The train line is efficient, reliable, and fast. You can expect to get to Brussels city in just 17 minutes and trains are available every 10-15 minutes.
Trains run between 05:24 and 00:00 on weekdays and between 05:24 to 23:00 on weekends.
How much is the train from Brussels Airport to city center?
The train from Brussels Airport to the city is €10.80 per adult (though this may fluctuate depending on the time of day). A first-class ticket will cost €12.10. You can travel with your luggage for free, however a train ticket for your pet costs €3.
Tickets are available online or from the transportation kiosks in the Arrivals Hall of the airport.
Note: There is a mandatory Brussels Airport Supplement of €6.70 which will be added to your ticket fare. The aforementioned price includes the supplement.
Cost
€10.80
Trip Duration
17 Min.
There's a waiting time of 10 minutes.
Convenience
Safety
Value for Money
Trains run between 05:24 and 00:00 on weekdays and between 05:24 to 23:00 on weekends.
Where do I get the train from?
The Brussels Airport Train Station is located under the main Arrivals Hall. Simply find the nearest lift and go to level -1. The lift will take you directly to the train platform. You must have your train ticket ready to pass the barriers.
Convenience
Second to taxis and transfers, the Brussels Airport to city train is the most convenient way to travel. The journey is short, comfortable, and avoids any rush hour traffic. That said, you’ll still need to arrange transport to your final destination when you get to Brussels Central Train Station. Therefore, taking a taxi or transfer is still preferable for a door-to-door service.
Timetables
Airport train timetable and live arrivals
Useful Tips
We recommend booking your train tickets online to save you time. The Belgian Train website is easy to navigate and available in several languages.
Four children under 12 years old can travel for free with every full-paying adult passenger.
You are limited to three pieces of large luggage on Belgian trains.
There are first and second class train tickets available.
We recommend printing online train tickets in case you can’t connect to WiFi or mobile data when you arrive at Brussels Airport.
Young people under 26 and seniors over 65 get a discount on train travel.
Brussels Airport private transfers
Powered by Welcome Pickups. Book a trained, English-speaking driver to pick you up for a fixed price with no hidden fees.
How much is a taxi from Brussels Airport to the city center?
The taxi from Brussels Airport to city center price is around €50 during the day and €55 at night. However, this is just an estimate. Brussels taxis use a taximeter to calculate your fare depending on the distance traveled and time of day. If you’d prefer to have a fixed taxi fare agreed in advance, you can book a private transfer from a company like Welcome Pickups.
How to get from Brussels airport to the city center?
You can get from Brussels Airport to the city center in four ways: taxi, transfer, bus or train. Taking a taxi or transfer is the most convenient method. The journey is just 30 minutes and costs around €52. The No. 12 bus will get you from Brussels Airport to the city in 34 minutes and costs €7 per person. Finally, five trains per hour depart from Brussels Airport and reach Brussels in 17 minutes. Train tickets cost around €10.80 each depending on the time of day.
How much is the bus ticket from Brussels Airport to the city center?
The STIB 12 Bus from Brussels Airport to the city center costs €7 for a single adult ticket—children under the age of six travel for free.
How far is Brussels city center from the airport?
Brussels city center is just 12 kilometers away from Brussels International Airport (BRU). The journey takes around 30 minutes by taxi or transfer.
Taking a Brussels Airport taxi from Brussels Airport to the city center is the most convenient transfer option when traveling to Brussels. Taxis are available 24/7 at the airport and the journey will take no longer than 18 minutes in light traffic.
Brussels Airport to city center taxi fares
Brussels Airport taxis don’t have a flat rate fee, instead, they charge you via a taximeter which is based on distance. You can expect the cost of a taxi from Brussels Airport to the city center to be around €50 during the day and €55 at night. Nighttime fares come into effect between 22:00 and 06:00.
To pay, you can use a credit card or cash. However, we recommend having cash on you inn case the driver’s card machine is broken.
Where do I get a taxi from?
The taxis are Brussels Zaventem Airport are easy to find. They are lined up outside of the Arrivals Hall on Level 2. As you leave from any of the exits, you’ll see the long line of taxis organized by the curbside.
Convenience
A taxi from Brussels Airport will leave you directly at the door of your accommodation in the city center, which makes it the most convenient transfer option. All you have to worry about is planning all the activities you’ll be enjoying during your trip with friends and family.
Useful Tips
Book a trusted, English-speaking driver to pick you up at the same price as a regular taxi
Learn moreTaking a STIP 12 “Airport2City” Line bus is one of the slowest ways to get from Brussels International Airport to the city center. However, it’s a good option for those on a budget. The journey time to the city is around 25 minutes. The service runs roughly every 20 minutes from 05:00 to 00:30 every day. The frequency of buses drops on Saturdays and Sundays, but they are still frequent.
We recommend checking the STIB website for the latest timetable as they change seasonally.
How much is a bus from Brussels Airport to the city center?
The Brussels Airport to city bus has a special price, despite being a public bus. A regular bus ticket costs €2.10 but the “Airport2City” line costs €7. This is still cheaper than both the train and taxi options.
You can purchase a ticket by tapping your contactless card as you board the bus. Alternatively, you can get a physical ticket from the GO ticket vending machines in the Arrivals Hall at Brussels Airport.
Bus STIB 12 Bus Line runs from 05:00 to 00:30 every day.
Where do I get a bus from?
The bus station at Brussels Airport is located one floor down from the Arrivals Hall. Use the escalator and follow the signs labelled “bus station”. The STIB bus departs from lane C.
Convenience
If you’re traveling on a budget then taking a bus from Brussels (BRU) airport is a great transfer option. Tickets are cheap and the journey time isn’t too much longer than a taxi or transfer. That said, once you exit the bus, you will need to look for another form of transportation to get to your accommodation.
Timetables
STIB 12 Bus Timetable
Useful Tips
Taking the Brussels Airport to city center metro/train is one of the best ways to travel if you want to take public transport. The train line is efficient, reliable, and fast. You can expect to get to Brussels city in just 17 minutes and trains are available every 10-15 minutes.
Trains run between 05:24 and 00:00 on weekdays and between 05:24 to 23:00 on weekends.
How much is the train from Brussels Airport to city center?
The train from Brussels Airport to the city is €10.80 per adult (though this may fluctuate depending on the time of day). A first-class ticket will cost €12.10. You can travel with your luggage for free, however a train ticket for your pet costs €3.
Tickets are available online or from the transportation kiosks in the Arrivals Hall of the airport.
Note: There is a mandatory Brussels Airport Supplement of €6.70 which will be added to your ticket fare. The aforementioned price includes the supplement.
Trains run between 05:24 and 00:00 on weekdays and between 05:24 to 23:00 on weekends.
Where do I get the train from?
The Brussels Airport Train Station is located under the main Arrivals Hall. Simply find the nearest lift and go to level -1. The lift will take you directly to the train platform. You must have your train ticket ready to pass the barriers.
Convenience
Second to taxis and transfers, the Brussels Airport to city train is the most convenient way to travel. The journey is short, comfortable, and avoids any rush hour traffic. That said, you’ll still need to arrange transport to your final destination when you get to Brussels Central Train Station. Therefore, taking a taxi or transfer is still preferable for a door-to-door service.
Timetables
Airport train timetable and live arrivals
Useful Tips
Sedan up to 4 passengers
€47Starting from 11.8 EUR / passenger
Minivan up to 8 passengers
€66Starting from 8.3 EUR / passenger
Minibus up to 8 passengers
€87Starting from 10.9 EUR / passenger
Frequently asked questions
How much is a taxi from Brussels Airport to the city center?
The taxi from Brussels Airport to city center price is around €50 during the day and €55 at night. However, this is just an estimate. Brussels taxis use a taximeter to calculate your fare depending on the distance traveled and time of day. If you’d prefer to have a fixed taxi fare agreed in advance, you can book a private transfer from a company like Welcome Pickups.
How to get from Brussels airport to the city center?
You can get from Brussels Airport to the city center in four ways: taxi, transfer, bus or train. Taking a taxi or transfer is the most convenient method. The journey is just 30 minutes and costs around €52. The No. 12 bus will get you from Brussels Airport to the city in 34 minutes and costs €7 per person. Finally, five trains per hour depart from Brussels Airport and reach Brussels in 17 minutes. Train tickets cost around €10.80 each depending on the time of day.
How much is the bus ticket from Brussels Airport to the city center?
The STIB 12 Bus from Brussels Airport to the city center costs €7 for a single adult ticket—children under the age of six travel for free.
How far is Brussels city center from the airport?
Brussels city center is just 12 kilometers away from Brussels International Airport (BRU). The journey takes around 30 minutes by taxi or transfer.
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