Transfer between the Brussels airport and the centre

Welcome to Brussels! Here you can find the best ways to reach the centre of the capital from Brussels-National Airport.

Brussels-National Airport is about 12 kilometres northeast of the Belgian capital. It is located in the territory of the commune of Zaventem, in the province of Flemish Brabant. This is why you will also find it under the Zaventem airport name, or more simply, Zaventem.

First airport of the country and several times elected as Europe’s best airport, it sees the transit of nearly twenty-one million passengers each year and allows the connection with two hundred and three cities around the world. In Brussels, you will discover many iconic monuments, such as Manneken-Pis or Atomium. You can also taste local specialties, from beer to waffles, to chocolates!

You'll be in Zaventem soon? You will only need one 20 minutes to reach the historic centre of Brussels. Here are the different ways to successfully transfer between the Brussels airport and the city centre.

Cheapest: the bus

If you wish to transfer between the Brussels airport and the bus centre, two companies are at your disposal. Serviced all over the Flanders, the De Lijn buses will take you to the stops:

• Brussels-Nord train station (lines 272 and 471);
• NATO (lines 272, 471 and 620)
• or Brussels Expo (Line 820), near the Atomium.

With the STIB buses, however, you will easily reach the European Parliament district ( line 12 ). This line is nicknamed the Airport Line and only serves the main stops. Buses circulate all week until 8:00. After this hour, other buses take over, this time under the line 21 . Travel takes on average 30 to 40 minutes .

The docks are located at the airport level 0. To reach them, just borrow the escalators or lifts from the arrival hall.

The fastest: the train

Indeed, the train connects the Brussels-National airport to the city centre. In only 20 minutes You'll be on the Grand Place! No less than 109 trains make the day trip.

The most available: private transfers

Do you want a transfer between the Brussels airport and the quiet centre? In this case, choose to book a private shuttle. This practical solution will allow you to easily reach the center of the city. At the agreed schedule, a driver will be waiting for you upon arrival at the airport. You will be free to tell him where to take you, whether at your hotel or elsewhere.

The private shuttle service offers several advantages. First, its price is fixed, on the contrary of a taxi. Know that prices are fixed, no bad surprise so. It is also possible to book a shuttle in advance, directly online. You can thus rest in Belgium the quiet mind!

The most comfortable: the taxi

Brussels taxis have the reputation of being among the most expensive in Europe. Depending on your budget, this mode of transport may not suit you. Otherwise, you will find without harm taxi drivers to lead you through the streets of the capital. Vehicles do not have a distinctive sign, on the contrary other cities such as New York. Only a panel located on the roof will tell you, or not, the driver's availability.

In general, the drivers do not expect a tip, but it is appreciated that a customer will give the next euro a round. Otherwise, know that it is possible to book your taxi online with with TaxiTender , an online reservation platform. The advantage of the platform is to book in advance. Thus, once the taxi is booked, there is only one to find his driver and his writing on the day you arrive.

Alternative: rent a car at Brussels Airport

Many car rental companies are based near the Brussels airport. Each has new and well maintained vehicles to offer. It is also possible to book a taxi on online booking sites, as Rentalcars . Several will offer rental packages for three days to less than 100 euros .

In Brussels, depending on your needs, you will easily find a wide range of vehicle types: breaks, monospaces, SUVs... So you are certain to travel to your ease. If you plan to explore the surroundings of Brussels, car rental will be the ideal solution.

Sleep near Brussels Airport

To sleep near the airport, only the Sheraton Brussels Airport is right across the street. However, you will find many hotels in the city of Zaventem, the same town in which the airport is located. Among them, we find for example the Novotel Brussels Airport and Crowne Plaza Brussels Airport .

You now know how to complete your transfer between the Brussels airport and the centre. Belgium is only waiting for you!