Getting to the Grand Place
Brussels has two airports that work very differently. Brussels Airport (BRU) at Zaventem has its own train station under the terminal, so you can reach the centre by rail. Charleroi (CRL) has no terminal station, and you need a shuttle bus to get from there to the city. Once you arrive, the Grand Place is a short walk from the Gare Centrale and from the Metro stops on lines 1 and 5.
The square itself is a pedestrian zone from 11:00 to 04:00, so plan to finish the last stretch on foot. If you want a guided start in the city, the Brussels walking tours page shows what is on offer once you have arrived.
From Brussels Airport (BRU)
Train, bus and taxi compared.
Train
The station is under the terminal on level −1. The ride takes about 18 minutes to Bruxelles-Central, 11 minutes to Bruxelles-Nord and 23 minutes to Bruxelles-Midi. About 6 direct trains an hour run from early morning until around midnight, so do not count on a train at any hour. A Brussels Airport Supplement of €6.90 applies, and it is already part of most suitable tickets, so do not add it a second time. Accompanied children under 12 pay no separate supplement. Check the total fare for your date on the Belgian rail website.
Bus
STIB line 12 serves the airport. From the airport the Airport2City fare is €7.90 with a contactless card or MOBIB and €8.40 on paper. In the other direction, towards the airport, regular STIB tickets are accepted. Since May 2026 the buses leave from a temporary station on level 0, behind the former Building 2, reached by a covered walkway. It is announced to stay until about 2029 or 2030. The line takes about 30 minutes to the European Quarter. It does not end at the Grand Place.
Taxi
The official taxi rank stands in front of the arrivals hall. Licensed cars carry a plate starting with the letter T and a blue and yellow logo, and you need no reservation. A ride between the city centre and the airport costs about €50 as a rough guide, with fares starting from about €40. Treat these figures as a guide, not a fixed fare, and ask the driver for the likely price before you start.
Book a private transfer from Brussels Airport (BRU) to central Brussels at a fixed price on Kiwitaxi.
Our pick: a day trip from the station
If you arrive by train, this tour leaves right outside Central Station, with an air-conditioned return coach to Bruges.
Hand-picked tours, booked through Viator. Prices are indicative starting prices in euros (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Tours and tickets in Brussels
Walking tours, chocolate and beer tastings and day trips, with live prices and availability.
From Charleroi (CRL): shuttle and transfer
The cheaper airport, but a longer trip.
Charleroi has no terminal train station, so a rail journey needs a bus leg first. The airport shuttle bus runs to Bruxelles-Midi and stops at Rue de France. It takes about 55 minutes, departs every 20 minutes, and starts from €14.99 per trip. That price is an advertised entry fare, not a promise for every travel day, so check the fare when you book.
From Bruxelles-Midi you can continue by train or Metro towards the centre. A taxi from Charleroi to Brussels is a different category of cost, starting from about €100. If you land late or travel in a group, a pre-booked transfer or a taxi can still be worth the price, but agree the fare before you set off.
From the rail stations to the square
Where trains and the Metro leave you.
The Gare Centrale and the Metro station De Brouckère (lines 1 and 5) lie about 5 minutes on foot from the City Museum on the Grand Place. This is the shortest approach by rail. Brussels-Midi is where the Charleroi shuttle stops, and you continue from there by train or Metro. Do not take the walking time from Central as a travel time from Midi.
For long-distance journeys, the Belgian rail operator sells international trips and mentions Eurostar, TGV and ICE services. Check which Brussels station your train uses before you book, and plan the last part of the trip from that station.
| Option | Time | Price in 2026 | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Train from BRU to Central | About 18 minutes | Includes the €6.90 supplement in most tickets | Not guaranteed at any hour |
| STIB bus 12 from BRU | About 30 minutes to the European Quarter | €7.90 contactless, €8.40 paper | Does not end at the square |
| Taxi from BRU | – | Roughly €40 to €50 as a guide | Rank in front of arrivals |
| Shuttle from CRL to Midi | About 55 minutes | From €14.99 | Every 20 minutes |
For most visitors, the train from Brussels Airport is the simplest option into the centre. Choose the shuttle if you fly into Charleroi, and take a taxi when you carry heavy luggage or arrive late.
Getting around by Metro, tram and bus
STIB fares for the city.
A single trip with a contactless bank card costs €2.40, and a paper ticket costs €2.90. You can change within 60 minutes using the same payment method, and a daily cap of €8.50 applies. Validate the same card or device at every change, and do not use one card or phone for several people. The Airport2City fare is separate, so count it on its own.
The Metro line to the Atomium and the other districts is covered on the Atomium page.
Rental car, low emission zone and parking
What drivers need to know before they come.
Rental car
A rental car is rarely the easiest way to reach the old town. The Grand Place is a pedestrian zone, and the low emission zone (LEZ) applies. Rental cars get no general exemption, so ask your hotel how to reach it and where to park.
Low emission zone
The zone covers most of the Brussels region. The ring road and certain access roads are excluded, so check the map and your vehicle before you drive. Since 1 January 2026 diesel cars of Euro 5 and petrol cars of Euro 2 no longer meet the entry rules. A vehicle with a foreign number plate must be registered, and the registration is free. The standard fine is €350 for a vehicle that is not allowed and €150 for a foreign vehicle that is not registered.
Parking
The Grand Place car park lies under the Place d'Espagne, with entrances on Boulevard de l'Impératrice and at Rue du Marché aux Herbes 104. It is open 24 hours a day. The standard rate is €1 per 15 minutes, €4 per hour and €30 per day, and the maximum vehicle height is 2 m. LPG vehicles are not allowed. Other car parks near the centre are open around the clock, so check their rates before you go. The square itself is not a place to park.
Road works near the airport
Major road works in 2026 on the R0 and A201, including the Leopold III junction, can mean lane reductions and delays if you drive to Zaventem, so leave extra time.
Entry rules in brief
A short summary for 2026.
Belgium is a member of the EU and the Schengen area, and its currency is the euro. US citizens can travel for tourism without a visa for up to 90 days in any 180 days, and the passport should stay valid for at least 3 months beyond the planned departure from the Schengen area. Rules for other nationalities differ.
The EU entry and exit system (EES) has applied in full since 10 April 2026 for the travellers it covers, and it replaces the usual passport stamp. It is not a visa. The travel authorisation ETIAS is a separate scheme: it is not yet in operation, and a future fee of €20 is announced. Check the official EU pages before you travel.
Getting to the Grand Place: frequently asked questions
How do I get from Brussels Airport to the Grand Place?
Take the train from the station under the terminal to Bruxelles-Central, about 18 minutes, then walk. The Gare Centrale is about 5 minutes on foot from the City Museum on the square.
How much does the airport train cost?
A Brussels Airport Supplement of €6.90 applies, and most suitable tickets already include it. Check the total fare for your date on the Belgian rail website.
Does a bus run from the airport to the Grand Place?
No. STIB line 12 runs from the airport to the European Quarter in about 30 minutes, and the Airport2City fare is €7.90 contactless or €8.40 on paper. You change to the Metro for the centre.
How do I get from Charleroi Airport to Brussels?
An airport shuttle bus runs to Bruxelles-Midi in about 55 minutes, every 20 minutes, from €14.99 per trip. A taxi costs far more, starting from about €100.
Can I drive to the Grand Place?
The square is a pedestrian zone from 11:00 to 04:00 and the low emission zone applies to the region. Use a car park such as the one under the Place d'Espagne, open 24 hours a day, and walk the rest.
Do I have to register my car for the low emission zone?
A vehicle with a foreign number plate must be registered, and the registration is free.