The main entrance to Bruxelles-Central

Bruxelles-Central / Brussel-Centraal (Bruxelles / Brussels)

Bruxelles-Central train station is aptly named as it’s located close to the heart of the city – Le Grand Place is only a 10 min walk away (if you don’t get lost in the maze of streets in this part of Bruxelles).

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At a Glance

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The main entrance hall is an icon of post-war architecture The main entrance hall is an icon of post-war architecture
The primary access to the trains is down the staircase The primary access to the trains is down the staircase
The platforms/pors at Bruxelles-Central The platforms/pors at Bruxelles-Central
Many of the architectural details at the station have been preserved - but the modern signage is easier to follow Many of the architectural details at the station have been preserved - but the modern signage is easier to follow

Despite its great location, Bruxelles-Central is akin to a commuter station, rather than a major railway terminus.
It has fewer facilities than the city’s main station, Bruxelles-Midi and the ICEs and Thalys trains to/from the Belgian capital DON'T call at Bruxelles-Central.

However, they’re the only trains that pass through there without stopping.
Meaning that the Intercity Brussels trains to/from The Netherlands DO call at Bruxelles-Central.
So if you will be travelling between the very centre of Bruxelles/Brussels and Amsterdam, Den Haag/The Hague or Rotterdam by train, then the Intercity Brussels trains can be a better option than taking The Thalys.

Departing by train:

At Bruxelles-Central the voies (platforms/track) are located in a tunnel, similar to a Metro stop, the station experience is similar to using a large Underground station.
You won't see the trains arriving from a distance, instead they will enter the station from a tunnel.

The voies (French) / spors (Dutch) have been brightened up as part of a recently completed refresh of the station.
However, frequent trains depart in rapid succession from each platform, so take extra care that you’re boarding the right train.
It can be a good idea to make sure you can see an electronic train departure indicator, from where you are waiting on the platform.

In common with most other Belgian stations the voies (platforms/track) aren’t zoned, partially because reservations aren’t available on any train that calls at Bruxelles-Central – including the InterCity trains.

People tend to congregate in the middle of the platforms, near to exits from the escalators on the voies (platforms/track).
So it can be easier to board the trains if you distance yourself from the crowds, by doing this you can also increase your chances of finding a seat.
However, the best option can be board the train by whatever door is nearest when it arrives and then move through the train to find a seat(s).

Arriving by train:

If you have luggage it's worth seeking out the escalators which are on each platform/track at Brussels-Centraal station, you don't have to use the stairs.
Though check the signage carefully as one set of escalators only gives access to the other platforms/spors and NOT the exit.

When ascending on the escalators which lead up to street level, you will initially be taken up to the lower level concourse.
A short flight of stairs lead to the other escalators which go up to the street, but these escalators don't head up to the main exit/entrance.

Bruxelles Central/Brussel Central is served by Brussels Metro lines 1 and 5.
Interchange to these lines isn't available at Bruxelles-Midi or Bruxelles-Nord stations.

For the museum complex at Parc du Cinquantenaire take either Metro Line 1 (direction Stockel) or Metro Line 5 (direction Hermann Debroux) to Merode station.
Bruxelles Central offers easier access to the Parc du Cinqantenaire attractions than either the Zuid or Nord stations, because they don't have direct Metro links to and from Merode station.

The Museum of Fine Arts and the other museums in the Coudenberg complex are a 5-10 min walk from Bruxelles Centraal station.
Leave the station by the Rue de la Chapelle exit, turn to the left and walk up the stairs to the Jardin Du Mon des Arts.
The museums are 3-5 mins from the opposite side of the jardin/garden.

For the Atomium take Metro Lines 1 or 5 westbound to Beekkant station and transfer there to Metro Line 6 (direction Roi Baudouin) and take this Metro Line 6 train to Heysel station.
Though Bruxelles-Midi station has a direct link by Metro to Heysel station.

If you will be heading for the area around The Council of European Union offices take Metro line 1 (direction Stockel) and Metro Line 5 (direction Herrmann-Debroux) to Schuman Metro station.

To and from Brussels Airport by train

Brussels Airport is served by a station named Brussel Airport - Zaventem, which is located directly beneath the main terminal building.
Express IC trains on multiple routes link the airport with most other major Belgian cities.

There is no dedicated Brussels Airport train service providing a link with the city centre, but many of those IC trains pass through Brussel/Bruxelles.
Therefore up to six trains per connect the airport with the city centre stations of Brussel-Central and Brussel-Zuid and Brussel-Nord.
When heading to the airport from these city centre stations, those IC trains will either be terminating at the airport or at other destinations, particularly Amsterdam and Landen.
So look twice at the departure boards because you don't have to take a train terminating at Brussel Airport, a service calling at the airport on route to another destination. may be the next train to depart.

The first train of the day from these city centre stations typically arrives at the airport before 04:30 and the final train departs shortly after midnight.
The journey time by train between Brussels Airport and Brussel-Central is typically 15 - 20 minutes.
Though a surcharge price of €6.40, known as the Diabolo fee, is automatically added to the price of the rail tickets when travelling between the Belgian capital and its airport.

Also on Monday to Friday, two other hourly trains link the airport with the E.U. quarter area of Brussels with station calls at Bruxelles-Schuman and Bruxelles-Luxembourg.

Journeys

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Journeys from Bruxelles-Central / Brussel-Centraal
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Bruxelles / Brussels to Antwerpen / Antwerp / Anvers by train
Bruxelles / Brussels to Breda by train
Bruxelles / Brussels to Brugge / Bruges by train
Bruxelles / Brussels to Charleroi by train
Bruxelles / Brussels to Den Haag / The Hague by train
Bruxelles / Brussels to Gent / Ghent / Gand by train
Bruxelles / Brussels to Liège / Luik / Liege by train
Bruxelles / Brussels to Luxembourg by train
Bruxelles / Brussels to Mons / Bergen by train
Bruxelles / Brussels to Namur by train
Bruxelles / Brussels to Oostend / Ostende by train
Bruxelles / Brussels to Rotterdam by train
Journeys to Bruxelles-Central / Brussel-Centraal
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Amsterdam to Bruxelles / Brussels by train
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