Transportation

Brussels Airport (BRU, Zaventem) connects to central Brussels by frequent trains in about 20 minutes, plus airport buses. The station is beneath the terminal. Brussels South Charleroi (CRL) is much farther out and is served mainly by shuttle buses. Official taxis and ride apps are also available at both airports.

Public transport is excellent. Brussels has a metro, trams and buses run by STIB/MIVB, while other cities rely on trams and buses. In Flanders these are operated by De Lijn, and in Wallonia by TEC. Ghent and Antwerp both have their own tram networks. Services are frequent and well integrated with the national rail.

In Brussels, STIB/MIVB uses the rechargeable MOBIB card or contactless tickets. Single tickets and passes are available, and contactless bank cards are increasingly accepted on some networks. Buy or top up at machines and stations. Load your card before travel and keep it handy for taps.

Licensed taxis are available in Belgian cities, and Uber operates in Brussels. Book official taxis or use apps rather than getting into unlicensed cars. Fares are metered, so make sure the meter is running. Ranks are found at stations, airports and major squares.

The national rail network (SNCB/NMBS) is excellent and links Brussels, Bruges, Ghent and Antwerp within about an hour. Service is frequent, so you rarely wait long. Buy tickets online or at stations. This dense rail makes exploring the country easy without a car.

Belgium is small, so domestic flights are not needed. Trains are faster and far more convenient between cities once you factor in airport transfers and check-in. Stick to the rail network for getting around the country.

Trains are the best way to explore Belgium, so buy or validate your ticket before boarding. Watch for occasional strikes that can affect rail service. International high-speed trains such as Eurostar and ICE connect Brussels with Paris, Amsterdam, Cologne and London.