For such a small country, Belgium has a surprisingly complex travel network. With three different regional transportation companies, limited interoperability of tickets, and a pesky €6.90 Brussels Airport supplement, it can quickly get overwhelming. But fear not, here are several tips and tricks to turn any visitor into a seasoned Belgium travel veteran.
The Charleroi Airport shuffle
The entrance of the Brussels South Charleroi Airport (BSCA) in Gosselies,. Credit: Belga/ Virginie Lefour
Unfortunately for many visitors to Belgium, or those planning on leaving Belgium on holiday, Charleroi Airport is the first hurdle before getting on a low-budget flight. Charleroi Airport, bemusingly referred to as Brussels South airport despite being 50 kilometres away from the Belgian capital, is not easy to reach.
With no train station, its remote location can be a real challenge for tourists. Either visitors should take a coach to reach it, transfer between a train and a bus, or hitch a ride by car to reach the low-cost hub. Each choice has its own problem.
Coach company Flibco has monopolised its presence at Charleroi Airport, owning the airport’s coach facility and controlling the most popular route in and out of the airport. But with its rising prices, which have increased by over 60% to €19.95 the last three years for a basic ticket from Brussels with hand luggage, this is no longer the cheapest option.
SNCB and Walloon bus operator TEC once offered a joint ticket for €16.80 allowing for advantageous travel to Charleroi station and then on to the airport via bus, but this no longer exists. A new bus supplement to the airport, as advertised by TEC, costs €6, but there are ways to get around this price, especially for those travelling with just hand luggage.
For the cheapest public transport route, take the train to Fleurus and take the bus 67 to the Ransart Cimetière bus stop. This is not counted as part of the airport and a ticket costs just €2.20, as opposed to the €6 asked for the airport bus. This bus stop is located just metres away from the low-cost Foot & Fly P4 parking of Charleroi Airport.
From there it is just 15 minutes walk via a secure pedestrian route to the terminals. With the right train planning, this can slash the cost of a trip to the airport to between €9.20 for under 26s and €11.80 for those on a regular SNCB ticket. When paired with a train pass, this solution is even more advantageous.
The 67 bus runs from Fleurus station from 07:10 to 19:10 Monday to Friday, from 08:16 to 21:16 on Saturdays, and from 08:16 to 20:16 on Sundays and school holidays.
Don’t neglect TEC and De Lijn buses in Brussels
Credit: Belga/ Laurie Dieffembacq
Those living in the Belgian capital often forget that the city is not exclusively served by Brussels transport operator STIB, but also by Flemish De Lijn and Walloon TEC services too.
Several routes originating from outside of the capital intersect the city. Brussels residents are well within their rights to board these services to travel between destinations within the capital.
Many travellers coming into Brussels often get off at popular destinations within the capital, making De Lijn or TEC buses an attractive alternative to crowded STIB services.
For example, TEC line 543 crosses Brussels from Auderghem to the European Quarter, with its service finishing on the Place de Luxembourg, home of the European Parliament. This service offers an easier means of going from Brussels' southeastern outskirts to the city centre.
Similarly, De Lijn service R16 and R18 links Brussels Midi station with numerous stops across Anderlecht during its journey back and forth to locations outside of the Brussels ring.
Using De Lijn and TEC have never been easier. With the respective apps, travellers can buy a single ticket and use a QR code on their phone to validate their travel. Alternatively, STIB offers the Brupass, which can be added to your MOBIB card and allows journeys on any operator within the Brussels region.
Travelling between Brussels stations? Don’t buy a return ticket
Credit: Belga/ Eric Lalmand
When planning to travel between two SNCB stations within the Brussels rail zone, it is only necessary to purchase a single ticket. A single Brussels zone ticket allows for unlimited travel between Brussels stations as part of the route, meaning there is no need to purchase a return ticket.
For example, riders can travel between Schaerbeek, Centraal and Schuman stations on just a single ticket, so long as they ride on the same day as the ticket was purchased.
Travellers should be careful however to ensure that they are travelling to stations included within the Brussels zone, which does not include many stations on the Brussels ring.
Brussels zone stations include: Arcades, Anderlecht, Berchem-Ste-Agathe, Bockstael, Boitsfort, Boondael, Bordet, Bruxelles-Central, Bruxelles-Chapelle, Bruxelles-Congrès, Bruxelles-Luxembourg, Bruxelles-Midi, Bruxelles-Nord, Bruxelles-Ouest, Bruxelles-Schuman, Delta, Etterbeek, Evere, Forest-Est, Forest-Midi, Germoir, Haren, Haren-Sud, Jette, Meiser, Mérode, Moensberg, Schaerbeek, Simonis, St-Job, Tour et Taxis, Uccle-Calevoet, Uccle-Stalle, Vivier d’Oie, and Watermael.
This is not to be confused with stations included in the Zone Brupass XL, which costs more money and cannot be travelled to from Brussels with a simple single ticket.
Prices for using the train within the Brussels zone cost €2.50, just 20 cents more expensive than a single ticket on the STIB network. Sometimes, the train can prove to be a less crowded and calmer way to travel across Brussels, especially when transiting between smaller Brussels stations.
MOBIB card is the way to go
Credit: STIB/MIVB
While buying a monthly or annual subscription with Brussels transport network is almost always the way to go, especially if you are 18-24 or a student and eligible for unlimited travel for just €12 per year, infrequent or sporadic travellers may still prefer to pay on a pay-as-you-go basis.
While contactless bank cards are a tempting way to pay on the metro for sporadic travellers, this is definitely not the most affordable option. With a basic or personalised MOBIB card, infrequent travellers should take advantage of the Brupass 10 trips ticket, which can be purchased online, or at a STIB ticket machine or ticket office.
At just €18.90 for 10 journeys, including journeys on STIB, TEC, De Lijn and SNCB routes within the Brussels Brupass area, one journey costs just €1.89, compared to the €2.30 charged to a contactless bank card or for a digital single STIB ticket.
Unless in case of emergency, never purchase paper versions of the single STIB ticket, which is the most expensive option of travelling in Brussels at €2.80.
Belgian interrailing from €19
Credit: Belga/ Jonas Hamers
Travellers under 26 can profit from an extremely generous offer from SNCB during the school holidays. For just €19 for one week or €39 for a month, young people can enjoy totally unlimited travel in second class across Belgium with just one ticket.
The Youth Holidays offer, which can be loaded onto a personalised MOBIB card, allows for unlimited travel during 114 days of the year. The offer is also valid for foreign visitors as the ticket can be purchased through the SNCB app. This offers tourists the perfect opportunity to explore the breadth of Belgium on one of Europe’s most dense rail networks, for next to no money at all.
The offer is valid in 2025 from 22 February to 9 March, 5 April to 21 April, 26 April to 11 May, and 28 June until 31 August.
Use SNCB reductions on international travel
Credit: Belga/ Lou Lampaert
Holders of a reduction card for the SNCB network in Belgium can use their reduction on SNCB international services heading out of the country.
Through the SNCB International website or app, it is possible to specify if you are the holder of a discount card or special rate when booking your travel. This reduction, while not applicable to journeys on foreign providers, will apply to any part of the journey with a regular national IC train connection.
For example, those holding a card entitling them to a 100% reduction on second class travel within Belgium, such as those with impaired vision or accompanying those with disabilities, can apply this saving to a journey from Brussels to Delft. With this reduction, trains are often half price, compared to if they had purchased the ticket normally without specifying that they are entitled to a reduction on the Belgian rail network.
The same applies to those with BIM/VIPO status who enjoy a 50% reduction on travel in second class. It is also worth noting that up to four children under the age of 12 can travel for free without a ticket with each of their parents. This means that a couple could technically travel with eight children for the price of just two adult tickets.
Heading to Train World in Schaerbeek?
The railway station in Schaerbeek. Credit: Belga/Thierry Roge
All visitors purchasing a ticket to see the Train World museum, which is next door to Schaerbeek station, can benefit from a 50% reduction on their travel towards their destination on a return train ticket.
When purchasing a ticket through Train World’s official website, look out for a 16 digit code which can then be used to purchase a “Discovery Ticket” which is available through the SNCB’s website.
Train World is not the only experience to offer these advantageous train tickets. Autoworld, the Brel Foundation, Wiels, Brussels Expo’s Pixar Experience, Aqualibi, LEGO Discovery Centre and other excursions offer the reduced SNCB tickets as part of their offering. Holders of a Belgian Museum Pass also receive five of these advantageous tickets to use each year.
Join the Gezinsbond and save on De Lijn travel
Credit: Belga/ Jonas Roosens
The Gezinsbond, a Flemish non-profit organisation representing families, benefits recipients, and other vulnerable groups has long offered discounts and benefits to its members to help support the Flemish community.
Families living in Brussels or Flanders can benefit from membership for €49 per year. With the family union’s savings card, members are offered 10% reductions on 10 journey bundles on De Lijn. Members should approach their local representative to access this offer. Travellers will be able to pick up a 10-ride card which can be used on the entire De Lijn tram or bus network.
The Flemish family association is currently offering trial membership for interested parties, both in Flanders and Brussels.
Travel for free with De Lijn
De Lijn bus. Credit: Jilke Tielemans/The Brussels Times
Very often, Flemish municipalities will sponsor the cost of De Lijn bus tickets. Sometimes, this is in a bid to increase tourism or revitalise small towns. For other lucky travellers, this is to ensure they get home safely after a night on the town.
Aarschot, Bertem, Bierbeek, Boutersem, Herent, Kortenberg, Oud-Heverlee, Rotselaar and Tervuren can enjoy free bus travel to and from Leuven on Friday and Saturday nights through an initiative of the local government.
De Lijn also offers free tickets to bring people to the market in Beveren, Bilzen-Hoeselt, Bree, Dendermonde, Diksmuide, Lanaken, Middelkerke, and Torhout.
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The company offers free or heavily discounted tickets to encourage weekend shopping in Diest, Ghent and Mechelen. Other free bus tickets bring travellers from park and ride facilities into town or from cities to shopping centres.
Interestingly, Duffel offers a free bus journey on any day of the week and Ingelmunster will completely cover the cost of a local return journey on De Lijn.
All these tickets can be found on the De Lijn website.
Hand in your car and get three years of free travel
Credit: Belga
In Wallonia, TEC has an offer aimed at tempting Belgians to give up their car in favour of public transport.
If Walloon residents voluntarily surrender the license plate of their vehicle to the Vehicle Registration Department (DIV), fill out an application and provide evidence of the surrender to their regional TEC office, they receive a three year subscription to the TEC network for themselves or a family member, as well as a significant reduction on Cambio car sharing.
The company warns that they monitor this programme carefully for fraud and that it works with the DIV to ensure that the programme is being abused. When applying for the offer, the applicant, as well as his household, must commit to not applying for a new license plate number during the three-year period.
More information about the programme can be found on the TEC website.
