Bus 53 gets you from ANR to Antwerp Berchem in 15–20 minutes
Bus Line 53 stops right in front of Antwerp International Airport (Deurne) and runs straight to Antwerpen-Berchem station in about 15–20 minutes, traffic permitting. This is the city bus operated by De Lijn, not a private shuttle, so you pay standard local fares and ride with locals heading into town.
You’re looking for De Lijn bus stop “Deurne Luchthaven,” a 1–2 minute walk from the terminal exit. Line 53 usually runs every 15–30 minutes during the day, with sparser service in late evenings and on Sundays. The bus is clearly marked “53” on the front display, so you can double-check the line number as it pulls in.
A single De Lijn ticket for Bus 53 costs just a few euros and can be bought via the De Lijn app, SMS (if you have a Belgian number), or at some ticket machines at major stops like Antwerpen-Berchem. On board, drivers usually do not handle cash for individual tickets anymore, so sort your ticket before you step onto the bus to avoid a last‑second scramble at the door.
Most travelers take Bus 53 to Antwerpen-Berchem, then transfer to an NMBS/SNCB train for onward travel to Brussels, Ghent, or Amsterdam. The bus drops you near the station in Berchem, and the walk into the main concourse takes about 3–5 minutes. If you’re aiming for Antwerp Central, local trains from Berchem reach it in roughly 5 minutes, with departures several times per hour.
There’s no luggage rack on Bus 53, so bigger checked bags end up in the aisle or on your lap for the 15–20 minute ride. Seats fill up during weekday rush hours, roughly 07:30–09:00 and 16:00–18:30, when commuters pack in. If you land during those windows, expect to stand and keep your gear tight so you’re not blocking the rear door.
One practical tip: screenshot the De Lijn timetable for line 53, including late‑evening times, before you leave the terminal Wi‑Fi. If your flight into ANR runs 30–40 minutes late, that screenshot might save you from a cold wait at “Deurne Luchthaven” while you guess when the next 53 shows up.