Our tips for getting to Brussels

Which transport to use in Brussels?

Brussels offers different solutions for getting around: let’s promote multimodality!

For a long time, the car was the preferred mean of transport. Today, nearly 400,000 cars circulate daily in the streets of Brussels. Traffic jams are multiplying and the city is becoming congested.

In recent years, citizens and public authorities have adopted a different approach: to promote multimodal transport. Multiple solutions exist and are very practical, fast and they must be encouraged!

The different means of transport in Brussels

Plane
Train
Cars

Brussels airports

2 main airports serve Brussels: Brussels Airport and Brussesl South Charleroi Airport

Brussels Airport is officially Brussels National Airport, it is mainly used for European and international flights to Africa, Asia, America and the Middle East.

It is very easily accessible. By car, from the Brussels Ring Road, follow the Zaventem signs, but to reach it from the centre of Brussels, use the (direct) train, shuttles are available several times an hour from all the major stations of the Capital.

Parking

If you are in a car, some GPS systems still take you right to the terminal entrance. Unfortunately, this area is no longer accessible to private vehicles. Follow the signs to the car park of your choice or to the Drop-off area.

Within walking distance of the terminal

Brussels Airport offers you more than 10,000 parking spaces within a 5-minute walk of the terminal. An additional 2,000 parking spaces are available within 10 minutes of the terminal. You can also take a free shuttle bus to get directly to the airport. And if you want to make sure you have a parking space, book it in advance.

Brussels train stations

The Belgian city of Brussels is served by 3 large stations:

The South Station:

The Brussels-Midi station, also known as the Gare du Midi, hosts the Thalys, Eurostar, TGV Brussels-France, ICE and InterCity. The ideal starting point for Germany, France, the Netherlands, Luxembourg and Great Britain. It is also connected to the entire Belgian network.

The central station

Brussels Central Station is the busiest station in Belgium and is located in the city centre as its name suggests (less than 5 minutes by foot from the famous Grand Place). A long passage connects the railway station to the “Central Station” station of the Brussels metro, located further north. This is served by the trains of line 1 and line 5.

It also gives visitors walking access to remarkable monuments and sites, including: the Grand Place and the Sacred Islet, the Royal Palace, the Palace of the Academies, the Parliament, the Brussels Park and the Royal Square, the two Sablons, the Notre-Dame des Victoires church, etc.

The North Station

Brussels-North station is located in the municipality of Schaerbeek in the North Quarter of the Brussels-Capital Region. In particular, it serves the business district”l’Espace Nord” with offices of administrations and large companies.

In principle, all international and national trains stop at this station except Thalys. The station is also an important part of the Brussels public transport network. It is served by the north-south pre-metro line and various STIB and De Lijn bus lines.

The car in Brussels

Since 1 January 2018, Brussels-Capital has become a low emission zone (LEZ). If you come by car or van, check here to see if your vehicle can be driven. If you are not in the right conditions, there are transit car parks at the entrances to Brussels and alternatives to the car.

Park and ride parking is a solution to park your car or bike easily and at an attractive price in a secure environment on the outskirts of Brussels. You can quickly get to the city centre thanks to direct access to public transport (metro, tram, bus or train).

3 transit car parks are accessible[1] : Céria-Coovi car park, Stalle car park, Kraainem car park

In Zaventem, the car park at Brussels Airport is accessible. You can book a place online by clicking here. From the airport, you can then travel elsewhere in the region by bus, train or taxi.

For more information on Brussels car parks, click here.