Brussels airport to city centre
Prices and journey times checked 2026-11-11. Always confirm with the operator before you travel.
Brussels Airport (BRU) is in Zaventem, about 12 km northeast of the centre. Brussels South Charleroi (CRL), used by low-cost airlines, is about 50 km south.
How long it takes and how often
Trains from Brussels Airport run 6 times an hour, from early morning to about midnight: about 11 min to Nord, 18 min to Central, 23 min to Midi. Flibco buses to Charleroi Airport take about 55 minutes.
Options and prices
- Train: normal fare plus the Brussels Airport Supplement (old Diabolo fee) of about 6.90 EUR
- STIB bus 12 (Airport Line) to Schuman and Luxembourg: Airport2City ticket about 7.90 EUR
- Taxi to the centre: about 45 EUR or more, by meter
- Charleroi: Flibco bus to Brussels-Midi from about 5 EUR when booked early, often about 15 EUR
- Charleroi: train to Charleroi-Central plus bus A1 (every 15 min, about 20 min). Combined ticket from SNCB
Where to buy tickets
- Train: SNCB machines at level -1 or in the baggage hall, SNCB app or website
- Not possible on board domestic trains. Buy before you pass the gates
- STIB bus 12: tap a contactless card on board, or buy at the machines in the bus station (level 0)
- De Lijn buses: tap a contactless card on board or use the De Lijn app
- Flibco (Charleroi): online in advance, or at Charleroi Airport
Brussels Airport (official site) ↗
Once you arrive
- Metro and tram in Brussels
- Trains from Brussels
- Tips and apps for Brussels
- Brussels to Amsterdam by Train: Eurostar and Eurocity Direct Guide (2026)
- Brussels to London by Train: The Ultimate Eurostar Travel Guide (2026)
Frequently asked questions
How do I get from Brussels airport to the city centre?
Brussels Airport (BRU) is in Zaventem, about 12 km northeast of the centre. Brussels South Charleroi (CRL), used by low-cost airlines, is about 50 km south. Trains from Brussels Airport run 6 times an hour, from early morning to about midnight: about 11 min to Nord, 18 min to Central, 23 min to Midi. Flibco buses to Charleroi Airport take about 55 minutes.
How much does it cost to get from Brussels airport to the centre?
Train: normal fare plus the Brussels Airport Supplement (old Diabolo fee) of about 6.90 EUR. STIB bus 12 (Airport Line) to Schuman and Luxembourg: Airport2City ticket about 7.90 EUR. Taxi to the centre: about 45 EUR or more, by meter. Charleroi: Flibco bus to Brussels-Midi from about 5 EUR when booked early, often about 15 EUR. Charleroi: train to Charleroi-Central plus bus A1 (every 15 min, about 20 min). Combined ticket from SNCB.
Where do I buy tickets at Brussels airport?
Train: SNCB machines at level -1 or in the baggage hall, SNCB app or website Not possible on board domestic trains. Buy before you pass the gates STIB bus 12: tap a contactless card on board, or buy at the machines in the bus station (level 0) De Lijn buses: tap a contactless card on board or use the De Lijn app Flibco (Charleroi): online in advance, or at Charleroi Airport
Any tips for the airport transfer in Brussels?
The airport supplement is added to any train ticket to or from the airport. Direct trains also go to Antwerp, Ghent, Bruges, Liege and Cologne.