I will be on the Ricks Steves Begium and the Netherlands tour later this month, which starts in Brussels. I will fly into Brussels a few days before the tour and head to Antwerp. I am reviewing my options for getting from the Brussels airpot to Antwerp Central station. Can I assume that I should be able to buy my train ticket at the airport when I land (no need to pre-purchase online)? It looks like starting June 10, there will be direct IC trains from the airport to Antwerp with a journey time of approximately 30 minutes. The other alternative is an IR train to Brussels Noord, then IC train to Antwerpen Centraal, with a journey time of 1 hour. My last option is an Airport Express Bus that goes directly to Antwerp with a journey time of 45 minutes (depending on traffic). But there is only 1 bus per hour, which leaves at the top of the hour. My flight is expected to arrive around 3:45 pm so I don't antcipate being able to catch the train/bus until around 5 pm or later. In trying to minimize time, I think my best option is the direct IC train. Any Belgian transportation experts who can confirm? Will the cost significantly higher a there is a Diablo surcharge? Thank you.
Posted by
Minneapolis, MN, USA
8700 posts
Here's a summary of what the timetables on the Belgian Rail site give as choices: 1. Take a direct IC train departing at 16:44 and arriving at 17:18. 2. Take a regional train to Mechelen, departing at 17:14 and arriving at 17:25. Take a regional train from Mechelen to Antwerpen Centraal, departing at 17:30 and arriving at 17:53. 3. Take a direct IC train departing at 17:44 and arriving at 18:18. 4. Take a regional train to Mechelen, departing at 18:14 and arriving at 18:25. Take a regional train from Mechelen to Antwerpen Centrall, departing at 18:30 and arriving at 18:53. The 2nd class fare is €9.90 and the Diablo fee is included in the price of the ticket.
Posted by
Danville, VT
12040 posts
There are no seat reservations or advanced purchase discounts in Belgium, so no need to buy the tickets until you arrive. Trains run so frequently in Belgium that you really don't need to overthink this one. When you get to the airport station, just ask the clerk at the ticket desk when the next connection to Antwerp arrives. Depending on the time, as you inferred, there may be a direct train from the airport, or you may need to change trains in Brussels.