Brussels Airport (BRU), also known as Zaventem-Airport, Bruxelles-National or Luchthaven Zaventem, is the largest commercial airport in Belgium and is located about 12 km northeast of the main city center. Upon arrival, you can reach downtown Brussels by Public train, Bus, Taxi, Welcome Pickups (Private Transfer), Uber or Car Sharing.

This guide compares all available airport transfers at Brussels Airport (BRU) according to classic travel factors. This includes travel time, cost per person (pp), a short route description and links to book or buy tickets.

Transfer comparison from BRU airport to downtown

Overview of all transfer options from Brussels Airport to the City Center

	Transport	Travel time	Cost	More
	Public train	20 Min.	10,30 €	Details
	Bus	45 Min.	7 €	Details
	Taxi	25 Min.	40 €	Details
	Private Transfer	25 Min.	45 €	Details
	Uber	25 Min.	30‑50 €	Details
	Carsharing	25 Min.	Individ.	Details

Notices:
• The optimal transfer depends on the number of travelers, budget and available time.
• There may be waiting times at the taxi rank if there are high volume of passengers. In this case, a pre-booked transfer (e.g. via Welcome Pickups) is the more faster and comfortable option.

Public train

Timetable and tickets here ↗

Travel time:

20 minutes

Cost:

10,30 € pp

Description:

Intercity train ‘IC’ from “Brussels Airport” (Station under the Arrival Hall, Level -1) to Brussels Central Station (“Brussels-Centraal”), directly in the city center

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Bus

Timetable and tickets here ↗

Travel time:

45 minutes

Cost:

7,00 € pp

Description:

Airport Express Bus line ’12’ from Brussels Airport (Bus terminal under the Arrival Hall, Level 0) to the European Quarter or Trône/Troon, directly in the city center

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Taxi

Official local taxis

Travel time:

25 minutes

Cost:

40 €

Description:

Taxi from Brussels Airport (next to the Arrival Hall) to central Brussels, Brussels Central Station (Brussels-Centraal) or directly to your accommodation in the city

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Welcome Pickups (AD)

Book a Private Transfer ↗

Travel time:

25 minutes

Cost:

45 €

Description:

Comfortable private transfer (via Welcome Pickups) from Brussels Airport (Nameplate in the Arrival Hall) to central Brussels, to Central Station or to your accommodation

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Uber

Order an Uber ride ↗

Travel time:

25 minutes

Cost:

30-50 €

Description:

Uber from Brussels Airport (pick-up location according to Uber App) to central Brussels, Brussels Central Station (Brussels-Centraal) or directly to your accommodation

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Car Sharing

Check local providers ↗

Travel time:

25 minutes

Cost:

Depending of the car

Description:

Car sharing from Brussels Airport (“Car Sharing Zone”/P1) to central Brussels, to the Central Station or to your accommodation

Things to know about Brussels:

1. The Atomium in Brussels is an iron crystal molecule (enlarged 165 billion times)
2. The Eurostar from Brussels to London takes just 1 hour 53 minutes
3. The Justice Palace (Palais de Justice) in Brussels is the largest court in the world