Quick answer
Brussels Airport (BRU/Zaventem) is 12km northeast of the city center. The trip takes about 20 minutes. The train is the best option — fast, frequent, and far cheaper than a car. It takes just 17 minutes to Brussels-Central, and the fare is a normal SNCB/NMBS ticket plus the mandatory Brussels Airport Supplement (the surcharge formerly called the Diabolo fee), which is added to every journey starting at the airport station; check belgiantrain.be for the current price. Taxis are metered with no published fixed airport fare, and a pre-booked transfer runs €50-70.
What actually happens after landing
Brussels Airport is modern and well-organized. After baggage claim and customs, you'll enter the arrivals hall at Level 2.
The train station is directly below the terminal (Level -1). Follow signs for "Train/Trein/Zug." It's a 5-minute walk with escalators and elevators.
Taxi ranks are outside the arrivals hall at Level 2. Well-signed and organized.
Don't confuse airports: Brussels has two airports. BRU (Zaventem/Brussels Airport) is the main one. Brussels South Charleroi (CRL) is 60km away and used by Ryanair and Wizz Air. They are completely different.
Transport options explained honestly
Train (recommended) — Brussels Airport has a railway station directly under the terminal. Trains to Brussels-Central run every 10-15 minutes and take 17 minutes. The fare is a normal SNCB/NMBS ticket plus the mandatory Brussels Airport Supplement (the surcharge formerly called the Diabolo fee), which is added to every journey starting at the airport station. That supplement is not optional and it is normally already built into the ticket you buy at the airport, so the price on the machine is the price you pay. SNCB revises both the fare and the supplement, so check belgiantrain.be rather than trusting a figure printed in any guide. This is still genuinely the best option for most travelers — it is a fraction of the cost of a car.
Taxi — Official taxis wait outside arrivals. They are metered, and Brussels Airport does not publish a fixed airport-to-city fare, so the meter decides. Note the jurisdictional quirk: the airport is in Zaventem, in Flanders, not in the Brussels-Capital Region, so the regulated Brussels tariff below does not automatically bind a cab you pick up at the airport. Ask the driver what tariff applies before you set off. For reference, the Brussels-Capital Region sets its own taxis at €2.60 pick-up, €2.30 per km, €0.60 per minute, a €2.00 surcharge between 22:00 and 06:00, and a €8.00 minimum fare.
Pre-booked transfer — Driver meets you in arrivals, fixed price €50-70 to the city center. Best for groups, families, or late-night arrivals.
Uber — Available in Brussels. The app prices each trip against demand and shows the figure before you confirm — that quote is the only reliable number. Pick-up from the designated area.
Bus — Airport Line buses run to Brussels-Schuman and other stops. Cheap, but slower than the train (30-40 minutes) and the operator sets the fare — check before you board. Not worth it unless the train is disrupted.
Rental car — Available but Brussels traffic is terrible and parking is expensive. The city center is very compact and well-served by metro and trams.
Realistic pricing expectations
| Destination | Distance | Transfer estimate |
|---|---|---|
| Brussels city center | 12 km | €50-70 |
| Grand Place / Grote Markt | 12 km | €50-70 |
| EU Quarter (Schuman) | 10 km | €45-65 |
| Gare du Midi / Zuid | 15 km | €55-75 |
| Antwerp | 45 km | €90-120 |
| Ghent | 70 km | €120-160 |
| Bruges | 100 km | €150-200 |
| Leuven | 25 km | €50-70 |
Taxi fares are deliberately absent. There is no published fixed fare from Brussels Airport, the meter decides, and Brussels' notorious traffic means time on the clock — not just distance — sets the price. The transfer column is a price you can lock in before you fly. For anything on this list, the train is cheaper than both.
Late night arrivals
Trains run until about midnight, with the last train to Brussels-Central departing around 11:45 PM. After that, taxis and pre-booked transfers are your options.
Taxis are available 24/7 at the airport. There is a night surcharge: the Brussels-Capital Region tariff adds €2.00 between 22:00 and 06:00, and the per-minute element means slow traffic costs you either way. Ask what tariff applies before you set off.
The airport terminal stays open 24 hours. There's a Sheraton hotel connected to the terminal if you need to stay overnight.
Families and luggage
The train handles luggage decently — there are racks near the doors, but it's not always spacious during rush hour. Families with strollers and multiple large bags should consider a taxi or transfer.
Belgian taxi law doesn't require child car seats in taxis, but you can request them from transfer companies. The airport has good family facilities including changing rooms and a pharmacy.
Where you meet the driver
Train: Take escalators or elevators down from Level 2 to Level -1. The station is directly under the terminal. Ticket machines are near the platforms.
Taxi: Exit arrivals hall on Level 2 and follow taxi signs. The rank is right outside.
Uber: Designated pick-up at the drop-off zone outside arrivals.
Pre-booked transfer: Driver waits in the arrivals hall (Level 2) with your name on a sign.
Decision helper
- Going to city center: Train (17 min) — the obvious choice
- Going to Antwerp/Ghent/Bruges: Train from the airport station (direct or via Brussels)
- Late night (after midnight): Taxi or pre-booked transfer
- Family with lots of luggage: Taxi or pre-booked transfer
- EU Quarter (business): Train to Schuman or taxi
- Going to Gare du Midi (Eurostar connection): Train, but check if a direct service runs — may need to change
- Budget priority: Train, always the train
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a train from Brussels Airport to the city center?
Yes, and it's excellent. Trains run every 10-15 minutes to Brussels-Central, taking just 17 minutes. The station is directly under the terminal. The fare is a normal SNCB/NMBS ticket plus the mandatory Brussels Airport Supplement (the surcharge formerly called the Diabolo fee), which is added to every journey starting at the airport station, normally already included in the ticket price you pay at the machine. SNCB revises it, so check belgiantrain.be for the current figure before you travel.
How much is a taxi from Brussels Airport?
There is no published fixed fare from Brussels Airport to the city — taxis are metered, so the meter decides and heavy traffic raises it. The airport sits in Zaventem (Flanders), so the Brussels-Capital Region tariff does not automatically apply to a cab you pick up there; ask the driver which tariff he is running before you set off. Inside Brussels, the regulated tariff is €2.60 pick-up, €2.30 per km, €0.60 per minute, €2.00 extra between 22:00 and 06:00, and an €8.00 minimum. All licensed taxis accept card payments.
Which is the right Brussels airport — Zaventem or Charleroi?
Brussels Airport (BRU/Zaventem) is the main airport, 12km from the city. Brussels South Charleroi (CRL) is 60km away and used mainly by Ryanair and Wizz Air. They are completely different airports — always check which one your flight uses.
Can I get to Bruges from Brussels Airport?
Yes. The easiest way is train — take the airport train to Brussels-Central or Brussels-Midi, then change for a train to Bruges (total journey about 90 minutes). Buy a through-ticket from the airport and check the fare on belgiantrain.be. A private transfer takes about 80 minutes and costs €150-200.
What is the Diabolo supplement?
It is a mandatory surcharge — now called the Brussels Airport Supplement — added to every train ticket to or from Brussels Airport station. It funds the airport rail infrastructure. It is already included when you buy a ticket at the airport, so you do not pay it separately. SNCB sets the amount and revises it periodically; the current figure is on belgiantrain.be. Be wary of older guides quoting a fixed number — this is exactly the sort of fee that changes quietly.