Brussels Taxi
Known as the ‘Capital of Europe’, the quickest and most convenient way to explore the sights in the cosmopolitan city of Brussels is by taking a taxi. Taxis are available 24/7 and can be hailed from the street, picked up at a taxi stand, arranged over the phone or through an app, or you can book an airport taxi in advance.
There are numerous ways to spot an official taxi in Brussels; all licence plate numbers should include the letters ‘TX’, the taxi light on the roof should feature a black and yellow checked pattern and the vehicle’s 4-digit identification number should appear across the side rear. Since rides are charged by the meter, there should be one installed in the front of the vehicle.
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How much does a taxi cost?
| Taxi prices | Day time (05:00 - 24:00) | Night time (00:00 - 05:00) | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| FROM BRUSSELS AIRPORT (BRU) TO CITY CENTRE | 50 € | 55 € | 25 MIN |
| FROM BRUSSELS AIRPORT (BRU) TO ANDERLECHT | 75 € | 80 € | 25 MIN |
| FROM BRUSSELS AIRPORT (BRU) TO ANTWERP | 130 € | 135 € | 40 MIN |
| FROM BRUSSELS AIRPORT (BRU) TO GHENT | 179 € | 184 € | 45 MIN |
| FROM BRUSSELS AIRPORT (BRU) TO HASSELT | 227 € | 232 € | 1 HR |
| FROM BRUSSELS AIRPORT (BRU) TO BRUGES | 298 € | 303 € | 1 HR 20 MIN |
| FROM BRUSSELS CHARLEROI AIRPORT (CRL) TO CITY CENTRE | 173 € | 178 € | 50 MIN |
| FROM BRUSSELS CHARLEROI AIRPORT (CRL) TO BRUSSELS AIRPORT (BRU) | 168 € | 173 € | 45 MIN |
| FROM GARE DU MIDI TO THE CITY CENTRE | 15 € | 17 € | 12 MIN |
| FROM BRUSSEL-NOORD TO THE CITY CENTRE | 40 € | 45 € | 20 MIN |
| FROM THE GRAND PALACE SQUARE TO MINI EUROPE | 35 € | 37 € | 23 MIN |
| FROM BRUSSEL-NOORD TO ATOMIUM | 23.50 € | 26 € | 12 MIN |
Brussels taxi rates
When you take a taxi in Brussels, prices are regulated by the government and all drivers must use a taximeter to calculate their fares. The current fare rate should be displayed at the front and back of the vehicle so it’s visible to all passengers. The final cost will be determined by how far you’re travelling and how long it takes to reach your destination, as well as the time of day. The current taxi price in Brussels is calculated as follows:
Base fare: €2.60
Price per km: €2.30
Price per minute: €0.60
For rides between 22:00 and 06:00 a €2 surcharge will be added on top, along with any road tolls. If you’re booking a ride in advance, the rate may be slightly less, although this is at the taxi company’s discretion. In any case, the minimum fare price for any trip is €8 and if you’re travelling to and from Brussels Airport to the city centre, you can expect to pay around €50.
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How to get a taxi in Brussels
Taxis in Brussels come in all different shapes, sizes and colours, so it’s best to look out for the ‘TAXI’ sign on the roof and the city’s emblem, the yellow iris. Hailing a taxi from the street by waving your arm is common practice and the easiest way to grab one, just be sure you’re not within 100 metres of an official taxi stand when you do so.
If you’d prefer to walk to a taxi stand, you can find them at popular tourist spots and transport hubs, such as Brussels Central Station, outside Hôtel Amigo, at Place Stéphanie, and near the Grand Place. Hotels and tourist information offices usually offer maps of Brussels that clearly mark all the taxi stands across the city, making them a handy travel accessory well worth picking up. If you’re out and about walking, keep an eye out for a blue taxi sign or yellow road paint that clearly marks out each official stand.
How to get a taxi from Brussels ‘Zavantem’ Airport
Using the Brussels taxi service at Brussels Airport is simple. Taxis will be lined up outside the Arrivals Hall on Level 2 at all hours of the day and should be sporting the blue and yellow ‘Zavantem’ logo. Taxis don’t offer fixed rate fares so to get into the city centre, you’ll be charged by the meter which usually comes to around €50 which can be split between 4 passengers.
How to get a taxi from Brussels Charleroi Airport
The taxi stand at Brussels Charleroi Airport can be found next to the Express Parking lot between Terminals 1 and 2. Four taxi companies partner with the airport: Ideal Taxi, Rapid Taxi, Taxis Carolo and Sympa Taxi. Similar to Brussels Zavantem Airport, fares are charged using a taximeter so from Brussels Charleroi Airport to the city centre you can expect to pay around €173, plus any tolls or surcharges.
How to get a taxi from Gare du Midi (South City Station)
As one of Brussels’ – and Belgium’s – busiest stations, the chances are you will need to pass through Gare du Midi at some point on your visit. Thankfully, finding a taxi is easy, simply walk out the main exit and you will find the taxi rank to your left. Beware of unofficial taxi drivers here though, and only take rides from the official stand with a working taximeter. For the 10-15 minute ride into the city centre, you can expect an average fare of €15.
How to get a taxi from the Grand Palace
The streets surrounding the unmissable and awe-inspiring Grand Palace Square are narrow and often filled with alfresco eateries. This means there isn’t much space for a taxi rank nearby so you’re best bet is to walk to Rue du Lombard. This is also a Collecto stop at night for shared taxi rides at cheap set rate prices of €6.
How to get a taxi from Brussel-Noord (North Station)
All domestic and international trains passing through North Station make a planned stop here. If you need to take a taxi to your next destination, you’ll find the taxi rank in front of the main exit. If you’re arriving late at night when fewer trains are running, there may also be fewer taxis around so booking one in advance or over the phone may be necessary. In this instance, it’s best to wait inside until your ride arrives.
Most popular Brussels Taxi Apps
An alternative to flagging one down or picking up one from the street is to book your taxi in Brussels with an app. There are several ride-hailing apps available in the city such as household names Uber and Bolt, and the increasingly popular Europe-based Free Now app which offers the greatest range of services. For late-night rides between 20:00 and 06:00, Heetch is a good option, otherwise, you can book a regular taxi service using Taxis Verts.
For a reliable taxi service between Brussels city centre and the city’s two airports, a private transfer is your best option since it provides the most flexibility. When you book with Welcome Pickups you’ll have peace of mind with guaranteed on-time pick-ups and fixed fare rates.
Useful Brussels Taxi Numbers
If you don’t have access to the internet or you’re not comfortable with using an app, your final option is to call a Brussels taxi number directly. Although this service usually comes with an extra cost, it’s a great option if the weather is bad or if you’re travelling late at night. The most popular companies for Brussels radio taxi are:
- Autolux: +32 (025) 123 123
- Unitas-Brabant: +32 (02) 725 25 25
- Direct Way: +32 (02) 772 00 00
- Taxi Walter Zaventem: +32 (02) 720 10 00
- Taxis Bleus: +32 (02) 268 00 00
Booking your Brussels Transfer in Advance
Since there are a limited number of registered taxis in Brussels, it can sometimes be difficult to find one, especially during bad weather or the peak holiday season. No one wants to waste precious holiday moments waiting for a taxi, which is why booking your Brussels Airport transfer in advance ensures you’ll always have transport when you need it. Book your Brussels taxi in advance with Welcome Pickups to enjoy competitive prices, English-speaking drivers, and world-class service.
Brussels Taxi Tips
- Official Brussels taxis can be spotted by their ‘TAXI’ sign on the roof.
- Make sure your driver switches on and zeros the taximeter before beginning your journey.
- If you feel your driver may be going the wrong way, be sure to check your route on Google Maps.
- Taxis vehicles in Brussels can't be more than 7 years old so you can relax knowing the vehicle will be in reasonable condition.
- Drivers are obliged to provide a receipt at the end of the trip.
- Taxi drivers don't usually carry change for notes larger than a €20.
- Brussels taxi drivers don’t always speak English, so be sure to write your destination down on paper to avoid any miscommunication.
- Most hotels can call a taxi for you if you pay a small surcharge.
- There’s a surcharge of €2 for travelling during the hours between 22:00 and 06:00.
- A Brussels taxi is typically a black Mercedes, however, they are legally allowed to be any make or colour.
- To help people get home safely at night, there is a Brussels taxi service called Collecto that picks up passengers from designated stops across the city and drops them home for a flat rate fee of €6.
Wheelchair Accessible Taxis in Brussels
Standard taxis in Brussels aren’t wheelchair accessible. You can fold and store your wheelchair for free, but they don’t have the ramps or electric lifts needed to travel in a chair. However, Taxi Hendriks and Handy Cab offer fully wheelchair-accessible vehicles with space for up to 8 other passengers. You can contact them by visiting their website or emailing [email protected].
Brussels Taxi Complaints and Safety
Although all taxis and taxi drivers are regulated and must carry specific licenses, Brussels taxi drivers are known for their fast and aggressive driving style. Furthermore, there have been reports of drivers claiming the meter is broken and charging ridiculous fixed fare rates, or taking a longer route to increase the meter amount.
If you have any issues during your ride or you feel you have been overcharged, you can report them to the taxi syndicate by calling +32 (800) 94 001. Just be sure to have your taxi receipt and their four-digit taxi ID number ready.