From Brussels Airport-Zaventem to the center: 5 ways and prices 2026

You land in Brussels and want to get downtown as quickly as possible. From Zaventem Airport (Brussels Airport, code BRU) to the city center it's only about 12 kilometers on the map. But this is exactly where the airport surcharge kicks in: the train costs more than usual, and the bus runs on a special schedule.

We looked at five ways to get to central Brussels: train, Airport Line bus, taxi, Uber and Bolt ride services, and car rental. For each option, there's travel time, current prices as of September 2026, and practical details to help you choose.

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How to get from Brussels Zaventem Airport to the center

💡 In short:

• The fastest way downtown is the SNCB train: about 17 minutes.
• The cheapest is the Airport Line bus: a GO2City ticket costs 7 € from the driver and 7.50 € from the machine.
• Taxi and Uber are convenient for luggage and late-night arrivals, but more expensive.
• Prices and schedule: 09/2026, based on Brussels Airport's train page.

SNCB train: the fastest way to the center

The train usually beats the other options on time. It departs from the lower level of the arrivals terminal, right below the baggage claim hall. Trains run every 10-15 minutes and connect the airport with three Brussels stations: North, Central, and South. The trip to Central Station takes about 17 minutes, to North Station about 12 minutes. We checked prices and schedules on 12.09.2026 on the Brussels Airport website.

© Japplemedia · CC BY-SAPhoto: Japplemedia, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0), Wikimedia Commons

A one-way adult ticket costs 10.80 €. This includes the mandatory Brussels Airport Supplement of 6.90 € (as of 09/2026, supplement on the SNCB carrier website). It applies to any trip from or to the airport, so a regular city ticket won't work here. You can buy a ticket from a machine at the station or in the SNCB carrier app.

• Who it's for: if you want to get downtown quickly and without traffic.
• The catch: because of the airport supplement, the ticket costs more than a regular city trip.

Airport Line bus: cheaper than the train

Airport Line buses depart from the ground level, at the exit from the arrivals hall. They're easy to find: signs lead from arrivals to the stop. On weekdays until 8:00 PM, line 12 runs to Schuman station in the European Quarter. From there you can transfer to the metro in a couple of minutes. After 8:00 PM and on weekends, line 21 runs to Luxembourg station.

© Ad Meskens · CC BY-SAPhoto: Ad Meskens, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0), Wikimedia Commons

A GO2City ticket costs 7 € when bought from the driver and 7.50 € from the GO machine at the stop (as of 09/2026, Airport Line on the STIB carrier website). This is cheaper than the train with the airport supplement. The trip takes about 25-30 minutes, so longer than the railway, but it's several euros cheaper.

Tickets are sold at the GO machine at the stop or from the driver. On weekends the bus runs less frequently, and you may wait longer, so it's worth checking the schedule in advance.

• Who it's for: if you're traveling light and want to save on the trip.
• Not for: if you arrive late and don't want to figure out the schedule.
• The catch: the route depends on the day of the week and time; after 8:00 PM the final station is different.

Taxi: a metered ride

A taxi from the airport takes 20-30 minutes to the center, depending on traffic entering the city. Official cars wait at the stands outside the arrivals hall exits. In Brussels, taxis run on the meter. A trip from the airport to the center costs roughly 45-50 €. There is no fixed city rate for this route.

Before the ride, make sure the driver has reset the meter. Scams in Brussels taxis are rare, but checking protects you from overpaying.

• Who it's for: if you have a lot of luggage or a late arrival when buses are no longer running.
• The catch: the ride is several times more expensive than the bus and train.

Ridesharing: Uber and Bolt in Brussels

Besides official taxis, Uber and Bolt ride services operate at Zaventem Airport. You order a car through the app, and you see the price before you get in. Travel time is roughly the same as a taxi, about 20-30 minutes.

© Fred Romero from Paris, France · CC BYPhoto: Fred Romero from Paris, France, CC BY (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0), Wikimedia Commons

The price is usually lower than a taxi, but depends on demand. During busy hours it can rise to the meter level. Order the car right after leaving the terminal: the app shows the meeting point and tells you where to wait for the driver.

• Who it's for: if you want to know the price in advance.
• Not for: if you don't have a payment app and mobile internet.
• The catch: at rush hour the price goes up, and sometimes you have to wait for the car.

Car rental: if you're heading further

Car rental makes sense if you're going further from Brussels across the country or to neighboring countries. Rental counters are right in the airport terminal, including Europcar and other companies. The drive to the center takes 20-30 minutes and goes along the A201 motorway, then the R0 ring road and the A3/E40 highway.

The main challenge in the center is parking: spaces are scarce, and almost all of them are paid. So you should only take a car if you need it outside the city.

Comparing rental company offers in advance is easy on Discover Cars: find a car.

• Who it's for: if your route doesn't end in central Brussels.
• The catch: parking in the center is limited and paid.

Comparing all options

All five options are easy to compare in one table. Times are to the city center, prices are for one adult (as of 09/2026).

Prices and times: 09/2026, according to Brussels Airport: trains and airport transport.

For those who don't want to check schedules, there's a ready-made transfer with a fixed price.

⁉️🤔 Frequently asked questions

What's the fastest way to get from Zaventem Airport to central Brussels?

The SNCB train is the fastest. It departs from the lower level of the terminal and reaches Central Station in about 17 minutes without sitting in traffic. Trains leave every 10-15 minutes, so you won't have to wait long on the platform (as of 09/2026, Brussels Airport website).

How much does the train from the airport to central Brussels cost?

An adult ticket costs 10.80 € one way. The price includes a mandatory airport surcharge of 6.90 €, which applies to any trip to or from the airport. You can buy a ticket at a station machine or in the SNCB app (as of 09/2026, surcharge on the carrier's website).

How much does the bus cost and until what time does it run?

A GO2City ticket for the Airport Line costs 7 € from the driver and 7.50 € from a machine. On weekdays until 8:00 PM, line 12 runs to Schuman station; later and on weekends, line 21 runs to Luxembourg station. The trip takes about 25-30 minutes (as of 09/2026, Airport Line on the STIB website).

How much does a taxi from Zaventem Airport to the center cost?

A trip from the airport to the center costs roughly 45-50 € on the meter, and you'll spend 20-30 minutes on the road depending on traffic. Before the ride, check that the meter is reset and ask for an approximate fare: this way you'll avoid a dispute over the price.

Which is cheaper: bus or train?

The bus is cheaper. An Airport Line ticket costs 7-7.50 €, while a train ticket with the airport surcharge comes to 10.80 €. The bus takes longer, but you save a few euros and see the city along the way (as of 09/2026, Airport Line fares).

In short: what to book

The choice depends on your route. If you only need central Brussels, take the train: 17 minutes and €10.80. On a tight budget, the Airport Line bus is cheaper, while taxis and Uber are convenient for luggage and late-night arrivals. A rental car makes sense if your route continues beyond the city.

• If you're in a hurry and traveling light: SNCB train.
• If you're on a budget: Airport Line bus.
• If you have heavy luggage or a late arrival: taxi or Uber.
• If you're going beyond Brussels: rental car.

You can sort out the trip to your hotel in advance: check hotels in central Brussels on Trip.com and compare car prices.