How to Get to Belgium: Flights, Trains & Buses

Planning a trip to Belgium but not sure how to get there?

Belgium is one of the easiest countries in Europe to reach, especially if you’re already travelling around Europe. You can easily arrive by plane, train or bus, depending on where you’re coming from and your budget.

If you’re visiting Brussels, Bruges, Ghent, Antwerp or Leuven, there are plenty of convenient options.

If you’re still figuring out how long to stay, check out my guide on how many days you need in Belgium, including 3-, 5- and 7-day itinerary ideas.

Here’s everything you need to know about how to get to Belgium.

If you’re planning your trip from scratch, you can also start with my complete Belgium travel guide for an overview of the best cities, food, festivals and local tips.

Getting to Belgium by Plane

Flying is usually the easiest option if you’re coming from outside Europe or from a destination that isn’t well connected to Belgium by train.

Belgium has several airports, but there are two main ones travellers are likely to use.

Brussels Airport (Zaventem)

Brussels Airport (BRU) is the main international airport in Belgium and the one I recommend for most travellers.

Why?

Located close to Brussels
Train station directly underneath the airport
Easy connections to Brussels and other Belgian cities
Convenient if you’re travelling onwards by train
Large selection of international flights

The biggest advantage is the train station inside the airport.

Once you collect your luggage, you can simply follow the signs to the train station and take a train towards Brussels or another Belgian city.

If you’re planning to explore Flanders, including places like Brussels, Leuven, Antwerp or Ghent, Brussels Airport is usually the easiest choice.

If Brussels is your final destination, check out my Brussels Travel Guide for the best things to do, neighbourhoods and local tips.

Prefer a private transfer?

You can also book a private airport transfer directly from Brussels Airport to your accommodation. This can be a convenient option if you have lots of luggage, are travelling with a group, or simply prefer to be dropped off directly at your accommodation instead of taking public transport.

Planning your Belgium trip?

I created a Google Map with 540+ saved places from my years living and travelling around Belgium, including towns, things to do, cafés, nightlife, restaurants, shopping and hidden gems.

Explore the Belgium Map → €5

Brussels South Charleroi Airport

Despite its name, Brussels South Charleroi Airport (CRL) is not actually in Brussels!!

It’s located near the city of Charleroi, around an hour or more from Brussels depending on traffic.

The airport is popular with budget airlines and flights can often be cheaper than flying into Brussels Airport.

The downside?

There is no train station directly at the airport, so you need an additional transfer.

The Cheapest Option

If you’re trying to keep costs low, one option is to take the local bus from Charleroi Airport to Charleroi-Central train station and then continue by train to your destination.

This can be a good option if you’re travelling to another Belgian city rather than Brussels.

For example, you could travel:

Charleroi Airport → Charleroi-Central → Brussels / Leuven / Ghent / Antwerp

The Easier Option

Another popular option is taking a Flibco bus from Charleroi Airport to Brussels.

This is much easier if Brussels is your final destination, but you’ll still need to continue from Brussels to your accommodation if you’re staying elsewhere.

Flibco also operates other connections from the airport.

💡 My tip: If you know you’re flying into Charleroi, check the different transport options and prices before booking your flight. The cheapest flight isn’t always the cheapest overall once you add transportation from the airport.

If you choose the Flibco bus, I’d recommend booking in advance, especially during busy travel periods.

Getting to Belgium by Train

If you’re already somewhere in Europe, the train is one of the easiest ways to get to Belgium.

Belgium is extremely well connected to neighbouring countries, making it a great destination for a European train trip.

If you’re planning to explore several Belgian cities during your trip, my 5-day Belgium itinerary shows you exactly how I’d combine them without spending all your time travelling.

There are direct or easy train connections from cities including:

London
Paris
Amsterdam
Rotterdam
Cologne
Luxembourg
Lille

One of the biggest advantages is that you usually arrive directly in the city centre, rather than at an airport outside the city.

Ostend sign at the train station in Belgium

From London

Travelling from London to Belgium by train is particularly easy.

The Eurostar takes you directly from London St Pancras to Brussels-Midi/Zuid, with the journey taking around two hours.

Brussels-Midi is also one of the country’s main railway stations, so you can easily continue your journey to other Belgian cities.

From Paris

Paris to Brussels is another incredibly easy connection.

The high-speed train takes you directly between the two city centres in around 1.5 hours.

This makes Belgium a very easy addition to a France trip.

From Amsterdam

You can also travel from Amsterdam to Belgium by high-speed train.

This is a great option if you’re combining the Netherlands and Belgium in one trip, as you can go directly from one city centre to another without dealing with airport transfers.

Getting to Belgium by Bus

If you’re travelling on a budget, bus travel can be one of the cheapest ways to get to Belgium.

FlixBus has numerous routes connecting Belgium with cities across Europe.

Depending on your route, buses can arrive in places such as:

Brussels
Antwerp
Ghent
Leuven
Bruges
Liège

This can actually be really convenient because you don’t necessarily have to travel via Brussels first.

For example, if you’re visiting Ghent, it can sometimes make more sense to take a bus directly to Ghent rather than travelling to Brussels and then taking another train.

If Ghent is your destination, check out my Ghent Travel Guide for the best things to do, eat and drink in the city.

The downside is that buses are usually slower than high-speed trains, but if you’re travelling on a budget, the price difference can make it worthwhile.

Which Is the Best Way to Get to Belgium?

It really depends on where you’re coming from.

Coming from outside Europe?

Fly to Brussels Airport (Zaventem).

It’s the most convenient airport and has excellent train connections once you arrive.

Coming from another European country?

Take the train if there is a direct connection.

Belgium’s central location makes it incredibly easy to reach by train from neighbouring countries.

Travelling on a budget?

Check FlixBus.

It can be significantly cheaper than the train, especially if you book in advance.

Found a really cheap flight to Charleroi?

It can still be worth it!

Just remember to include the extra transportation from Charleroi Airport when comparing the total cost.

Getting Around Belgium Once You Arrive

The good news is that you don’t need a car to explore Belgium.

The country has an extensive train network connecting most major cities, making it easy to travel between places like Brussels, Antwerp, Ghent, Bruges and Leuven.

For many travellers, the easiest combination is:

Fly to Brussels Airport → take the train → explore Belgium

And if you’re travelling from another European country:

Take the train directly into Belgium → arrive in the city centre

This is one of the reasons I love travelling around Belgium: everything is relatively close together, so you can easily visit several cities during one trip.

Want to know more about travelling around Belgium once you arrive? Read my complete guide to getting around Belgium by train, bus and public transport.

Final Thoughts

Getting to Belgium is surprisingly easy.

If you’re flying, Brussels Airport (Zaventem) is my first choice because of its direct train connection and convenient location.

If you’re already travelling around Europe, I’d seriously consider taking the train. It’s comfortable, fast and often takes you directly into the city centre.

And if you’re travelling on a tighter budget, FlixBus and flights to Charleroi can be worth comparing.

Once you’re in Belgium, the extensive train network makes it easy to explore the rest of the country without a car.

Ready to explore Belgium?

Still wondering whether Belgium is worth adding to your European itinerary? Read my honest opinion on whether Belgium is worth visiting.

Check out my Belgium Travel Guides for practical tips, itineraries and things to do across the country.

Planning Your Trip to Belgium?

Planning a trip to Belgium can be surprisingly difficult, especially when you’re choosing between historic cities, lively student towns, coastal destinations and smaller hidden gems.

That’s why I’ve created my Belgium Travel Guide, where I share destination guides, things to do, local tips and my personal experiences from travelling around Belgium.

→ START HERE: Belgium Travel Guides
→ GET MY GOOGLE MAP: Belgium Google Map

FAQ

What is the best airport to fly into in Belgium?
Brussels Airport (Zaventem) is the most convenient airport for most travellers because it has a train station directly underneath the airport with easy connections to Brussels and other Belgian cities.

Is Charleroi Airport far from Brussels?
Yes. Charleroi Airport is more than an hour from central Brussels depending on traffic. You’ll need to take a bus or other transport before continuing to Brussels or another Belgian city.

Can you travel to Belgium by train?
Yes! Belgium is very well connected by train to neighbouring countries, including France, the Netherlands, Germany, Luxembourg and the UK. High-speed trains also make cities like Paris, Amsterdam and London easy to reach.

Is it cheap to travel to Belgium by bus?
It can be. FlixBus operates many routes to Belgian cities including Brussels, Antwerp, Ghent and Leuven, and buses are often one of the cheapest options for travelling to Belgium.

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How to Get to Belgium: Flights, Trains & Buses