Direct BRU–Antwerp coach in about 45 minutes
De Lijn Airport Express Antwerp runs a direct coach between Brussels Airport (T) and Antwerp with no transfers and a typical run time of about 45 minutes, traffic permitting. This is aimed at people who want a straight shot to Antwerp and don’t need multiple city stops or a rail option via Antwerp-Berchem or Antwerp-Central.
The coach is operated by De Lijn, Flanders’ public bus company, and tickets usually price around the standard De Lijn fare level rather than premium airport pricing. You pay the same heading from BRU to Antwerp as you do coming back, and you’re buying a bus ticket, not a rail supplement, which keeps costs predictable if you fly through Brussels a few times a year.
All departures leave from the Brussels Airport bus station directly outside terminal T, on level 0 below arrivals; follow signs for “Bus” and then look for De Lijn Airport Express Antwerp on the electronic board. You don’t need to board a shuttle or train inside the airport first, so you’re outside, at the bus platform, within about 10 minutes of exiting baggage claim if you walk straight there.
On the Antwerp side, the Airport Express focuses on Antwerp Central station as its key drop-off and pick-up point, which fits travelers staying in the city core or connecting to onward rail. You’re let off within walking distance of the station concourse, so you can reach hotel zones around De Keyserlei and the diamond district on foot in 5–15 minutes depending on your exact address.
Coaches run multiple times per day in each direction, with peak periods seeing intervals of roughly 30–60 minutes between buses; off-peak gaps stretch longer, so check the specific timetable for your flight time. If your plane is scheduled to land late at night, verify the last departure from BRU the day before you fly so you don’t end up paying for a taxi to Antwerp instead.
Seats are standard coach style and luggage goes in the underfloor compartments, so your checked bag doesn’t take up aisle space. Boarding is straightforward: driver checks or sells your ticket, you load your suitcase in the side hold, then grab any open seat. This layout suits people traveling with one or two big suitcases more than it suits cyclists or anyone hauling odd-shaped gear.
Step-by-step: Brussels Airport to Antwerp
- 1. After landing at BRU T, clear passport control and baggage claim; this usually takes 20–45 minutes depending on time of day.
- 2. Follow the “Bus / Busstation” signs down to level 0; you’ll pass through the public arrivals hall on level 2 first, then take an escalator or lift down two levels.
- 3. At the bus station, check the electronic boards for “Airport Express Antwerp” and note the stand number and departure time.
- 4. Buy your De Lijn ticket via the official app, ticket machine, or from the driver if that’s still allowed under current rules; have a card or small notes ready if paying on board.
- 5. Load large bags into the luggage compartment on the side of the coach, then grab a seat inside; standard airport runs take around 45 minutes, but allow extra time in rush hour.
- 6. Get off at Antwerp Central, collect your luggage from the hold, then walk into the station or out to taxis and local trams right in front of the building.
One practical tip: build at least a 90-minute buffer between coach arrival at Antwerp Central and any long-distance train you plan to catch, so traffic on the Brussels ring road doesn’t wreck your onward connection.