Are you on a European adventure? Have you finished exploring all that Brussels and central Belgium has to offer? Maybe you’re on to your next destination and that requires the airport. Luckily, there’s a quick and cheap way to do that without having to pay for a taxi. Getting from central Brussels to the airport is only a train ride away.

To start, you need to get to the Central Station in the centre of the city. If you’re staying right downtown, this is a fairly easy walk. If you’re further out, there’s a great metro network with lots of options to connect into the city. In terms of location, the best way to orient yourself is to think of the Grand Place. The Central Station is just off this popular sight.

Before you board, you will need to purchase a different ticket. Travelling within Brussels will be on one type of metro ticket, but heading to the airport is another. You will need it too, as you will have to scan out. When you’re buying the ticket, you have the option to buy regular second class or to elevate to first. The ticket to the airport does cost a little more than the price to get around Brussels, but compared to a rideshare or a taxi, it’s much cheaper. At €11.60 for a one-way ticket, it’s a lot cheaper than a transfer (which can run four times as expensive).

If your flight is in the middle of the day, you might as well save the money. There are plenty of empty cars at this time of day for you to set your luggage in your area and spread out. In general, people have expressed concerns about luggage thieves, but with your trip to the airport, it is a direct route. I do also stress that taking it in the middle of the day can help to alleviate those concerns.

With both flights I took out of Brussels, I was flying mid-day and was able to get a full train car to myself. That allowed me to put all my bags within reach and protect myself against any would-be thieves. The train ride itself is around 20 minutes, which isn’t that long at all.

When you exit at the airport, check out the directional signage for guidance. You do need to scan your ticket to exit the train station, so don’t put the ticket away too quickly. Then, after you head up to the escalators, double check that you go right instead of left. I wound up accidentally heading into the security line instead of going to the check-in area because the signage wasn’t super clear. I was also pretty tired, but that’s a fairly common side effect of travel when you’re trying to wring the most out of every day.

In general, if you’re a solo traveller like I am, this is the budget option that’s cheaper than a rideshare or a taxi. When you start adding people to your group, that math may change. On your own, it’s a fantastic option to get to the airport quickly and easily (provided you aren’t weighed down with too much baggage).

If you’re going to Brussels, check out the train as an option to get downtown quickly and affordably. It’s a great way to save money that you can better spend on experiences within the city (or just beyond!).

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