🛫 How to Get There
Getting to and around Belgium
✈️ Flying to Belgium
Main Airports
Brussels Airport (BRU) — Belgium's main international gateway, 12km northeast of Brussels. Modern, efficient, well-connected. Most international flights arrive here.
Brussels South Charleroi Airport (CRL) — Budget airline hub (Ryanair), 46km south of Brussels. Cheaper flights but farther from city center. Popular with budget travelers.
Other International Airports:
- Antwerp International (ANR) — Small regional airport, limited flights
- Ostend-Bruges Airport (OST) — Small airport, mainly seasonal flights
💡 Insider Tip
Brussels Airport (BRU) is more convenient but Charleroi (CRL) can be €50–100 cheaper. Factor in transport costs and time—Charleroi adds 1.5 hours to your journey.
🚆 From Brussels Airport to City Center
Train (Fastest)
Direct trains to Brussels Central Station. Trains every 15 minutes. Journey time: 20 minutes. Ticket: €9.30. Tickets from machines in terminal or SNCB app.
Bus
Bus 12 and 21 connect to Schuman station (EU quarter) and NATO. Cheaper than train. Journey time: 30–40 minutes. Ticket: €4.
Taxi
Fixed-price taxis available. Journey time: 20–30 minutes. Cost: €45–55 to city center. Uber also available.
From Charleroi Airport to Brussels
Bus + Train
Flibco bus to Charleroi-Sud train station (20 minutes, €5), then train to Brussels (1 hour, €8–12). Total journey: 1.5–2 hours, €13–17.
Direct Bus
Flibco direct bus to Brussels-Midi station. Journey time: 1 hour. Ticket: €17–20 (book online for cheaper rates).
⛱️ Other Ways In
Train from UK—Eurostar from London St Pancras to Brussels-Midi. Journey time: 2 hours. Ticket: £60–150 depending on booking time. Fast, comfortable, city center to city center. No airport hassle.
Train from Europe—Excellent connections from France (Paris 1.5 hours), Netherlands (Amsterdam 1h50, Rotterdam 1h10), Germany (Cologne 2h). Thalys and ICE high-speed trains.
Car from Europe—Motorway connections excellent. From France, Netherlands, Germany, Luxembourg. E40 from France/Netherlands, E411 from France/Luxembourg.
Bus from Europe—Flixbus connects Brussels to major European cities. Cheapest option (often €10–30) but longest journey times. Overnight buses available.
🚂 Visa & Entry Requirements
Belgium is part of the Schengen Area. US, Canada, UK, Australia, New Zealand, and many other passport holders can enter visa-free for tourism up to 90 days within any 180-day period.
Schengen visa rules apply—your 90 days cover all Schengen countries combined, not per country. Check your specific passport's requirements before booking flights.
Official visa information: dofi.ibz.be
Check visa requirements for Belgium →🚗 Getting Around Belgium
Trains (SNCB/NMBS)
Belgium's train network is excellent. Belgium is tiny—you can cross the country in 3 hours. Trains connect Brussels to Bruges (1 hour), Ghent (35 minutes), Antwerp (40 minutes). Book at belgiantrain.be or SNCB app.
Buses (Regional)
Regional bus networks: De Lijn (Flanders), TEC (Wallonia), STIB-MIVB (Brussels). Essential for reaching towns trains don't serve. Supplements train network well.
Rental Car
Not necessary for cities (Brussels, Bruges, Ghent, Antwerp all walkable). Useful for Ardennes region, countryside, rural areas. Parking expensive in cities.
🎫 Travel Pass Tip
Go Pass 10 (under 26): €61 for 10 train journeys anywhere in Belgium. Rail Pass (adults): €89 for 10 journeys. Weekend unlimited travel: €13–28 depending on distance.
🚋 Local Transportation in Brussels
STIB-MIVB operates all public transport in Brussels region (metro, trams, buses).
Tickets & Passes
- Single ticket: €2.50 (valid 60 minutes)
- Day ticket: €8 (unlimited travel 24 hours)
- STIB app: Buy tickets on your phone — easiest option
- Brussels Card: €28/24h — free transport + free entry to 49 museums
The metro, trams, and buses are clean, frequent, and easy to navigate. Most signage is in French and Dutch. Metro system has 4 lines.
🚗 Renting a Car
Recommended if you want to explore Ardennes forests, Belgian countryside, or small Wallonian villages at your own pace.
Things to Know
- Drive on the right side of the road
- Speed limits: 50 km/h (cities), 70–90 km/h (rural roads), 120 km/h (highways)
- Highway lights off at night (energy saving)—can be surprising first time
- Parking expensive in cities (€2–5 per hour)
- Major rental companies available at airports and Brussels city center
- Belgium has complex road rules—priority from right in residential areas
⚠️ City Driving
Brussels traffic is chaotic. Bruges and Ghent have limited car access in city centers. Don't drive in cities—walk or use public transport. Only rent car for countryside trips.
🚗 Compare Rental Cars in Belgium
Compare prices and book your rental car:
💰 Money-Saving Tips
- Book Eurostar early: London-Brussels tickets cheaper 3+ months ahead
- Charleroi Airport: Budget flights save €50–100 if you don't mind extra travel time
- Train passes: Go Pass 10 (under 26) or Rail Pass save money on multiple journeys
- Weekend train travel: Unlimited weekend passes €13–28
- Bike rental: Many cities have bike-share (Villo in Brussels). Flat terrain makes cycling easy.
- Walk everywhere: Belgian cities are small. Bruges is 2km across. Walking is free and pleasant.