How to Get to Antwerp from Brussels

Antwerp is a city located in the Belgian region of Flanders, just 56 kilometers from Brussels, and is known for being the "diamond city", leader in the manufacture of jewelry with this precious crystal.

Antwerp has a small airport, this only serves the United Kingdom, hence, Brussels airport is the best option to get to Antwerp from anywhere in the world, although you also have the option to go by train, bus or car (either cab, private or rented car). If you are traveling to Brussels for more than one day, it is worthwhile to set aside a day to visit Antwerp. Here are some things you can do.

The day trip to Antwerp and Ghent from Brussels is a highly recommended option to enjoy a relaxing bus trip with a professional guide who will show you the best recommendations to get to know the cities. On the way, you will also be able to observe the wonderful landscapes of Flanders.

In this excursion you will visit all the monuments and essential places of Antwerp and Ghent and you will have time to take the photos you want.

• Duration: All day
• Price: From 48€.
• Recommended if: You are looking to get to know the city of Antwerp and Ghent and make the most of your short stay.

The fastest option to visit the city of Antwerp is to go by train. The price of a ticket from any of the train stations in Brussels to Antwerp costs about 12 euros and it takes about 45 minutes to reach the city. A fact: there are about 25 trains per day.

Direct trains depart from Brussels Midi Station to Antwerp (Antwerpen Central) and their frequency is 30 min, while the journey takes between 36 min and 40 minutes, depending on the train you choose. The adult 2nd class single ticket costs 6,70 €. If you need to travel from Brussels airport, take the train from Brussels Noord (Bruxelles Nord) to Antwerpen Centraal. It takes 45 min and there are daily departures, every 32 minutes. The adult 2nd class single ticket also costs 6,70 €.

• Duration: 45 minutes
• Price: 12 €.
• Recommended if: You are looking for comfort and affordability.

There is a direct bus service departing from Brussels Airport every hour, specifically from platform B. On weekdays the first departure is at 5 a.m. while on weekends it is at 7 a.m.

Once you enjoy your trip and tour to Antwerp and decide to return to Brussels you should take a bus from the stop "De Keyserlei" or the stop "Crowne Plaza". The bus departs every hour, starting around 4 am and usually arrives at its destination in about 60 minutes (check the information in advance on the companies' websites). Fares are usually around 7€ for adults and 5€ for children or minors.

To buy bus tickets I recommend the websites: Omio, Flixbus and Busbud. On these websites you can also get more in details information about schedules, prices....

• Duration: 1 hour
• Price: 7€.
• Recommended if: You are looking for the cheapest option

The most comfortable and luxurious way to move from Brussels to Antwerp is to go by cab, the trip will take about 30 minutes and the price will range between 100 and 130 euros. For this you can count on the companies Kiwitaxi and Airporttaxis.

If you go by car you have to know that the distance between Antwerp and Brussels is 44.78 km. If you travel by car with an average speed of 100 km/hour, the travel time will be almost 27 minutes. For this last case you have the options of Rentalcarsy Europcar.

• Duration: 30 minutes
• Price: 100€-130€.
• Recommended if:If you are looking for an option that depends exclusively on your planning

If you have chosen the organized tour option, the tours usually last about four hours. In the case of going on your own, obviously the length of the tour will depend on whether you are returning to Brussels on the same day. Regardless of how you make the visit, there are several points not to be missed during your stay in the city:

• The Central Train Station, known as the "iron cathedral" and considered one of the most beautiful train stations in the world.
• The diamond district, where you will learn about the history and process of diamond cutting, and admire some unique pieces of jewelry.
• "The Meir", the main shopping street of Antwerp and where you can admire fashionable stores in a beautiful architectural setting.
• The "Meir Palace", a rococo mansion that was Napoleon's palace. I recommend tasting the artisanal coffee and handmade chocolate in what is now one of the most famous chocolate stores in Belgium.
• Cathedral of Our Lady, the largest Gothic church in Belgium and famous for its striking tower. Inside, you can admire an art collection that includes four masterpieces by Paul Peter Rubens.
• Church of St. Charles Borromeo, a jewel of baroque architecture in the city that treasures one of the most beautiful baroque confessionals in the world.
• The "Het Steen", a medieval castle located in the old port of the city, from where you can admire the Scheldt River and watch a sunset by the water.

When to go to Antwerp from Brussels

If you are looking for that sweet spot of good weather and fewer tourist crowds to visit Antwerp from Brussels, I recommend you make the most of the post-summer break and visit the city in September.

What is the cheapest way to get to Antwerp?

The cheapest way to get to Antwerp from Brussels is to take a bus that can cost as much as 6€. The disadvantage is that you can hardly know exactly at what time you will arrive in Antwerp. There can be a margin of error of up to 15 minutes due to traffic, weather conditions...

What is the best way to travel from Brussels to Antwerp?

The most sensible and pleasant way to travel to Antwerp from Brussels is by train; moreover, I would recommend you to opt for this option without thinking twice, unless you are particularly interested in using another means of transport.

Which are the cheapest operators to travel from Brussels to Antwerp?

While it is true that ticket prices tend to vary depending on the date, day of the week, time, and even according to the supply and demand of the moment; these variations are usually not so drastic. The cheapest option by bus is Flixbus, where prices can reach up to 5 € the trip. While by train, the cheapest option is with SNCB, where tickets can be as low as 10€ a trip.