Two IC trains per hour link Brussels Airport and Antwerp
The SNCB InterCity IC Brussels–Antwerp train runs twice per hour from Brussels Airport-Zaventem station under Terminal T, giving you a direct link to Antwerp-Centraal without changing trains. Trains usually take about 35–40 minutes to reach Antwerp-Centraal, compared with roughly 20 minutes to Brussels-Nord and 25 minutes to Brussels-Midi.
The airport station sits directly below the departures hall in Terminal T, with elevators and escalators leading down to platforms 1–3. Most IC Brussels–Antwerp services use platform 2 or 3, and departure boards in the concourse show IC trains with their final destination (often "Antwerpen-Centraal" or "Essen"). Plan to be on the platform 5–10 minutes before the posted departure time.
Standard second-class tickets from Brussels Airport to Antwerp-Centraal usually run around €16–€18 one-way, including the Brussels Airport Supplement (the "Diabolo" fee). First class costs a few euros more, roughly €22–€24 for the same route. You can buy tickets in the SNCB app, at blue ticket machines in the station hall, or at the staffed ticket desk during normal station hours.
IC trains stop at Brussels-Nord and Brussels-Midi on the way to or from the airport, which makes this route useful if you’re crossing Belgium or continuing by Thalys/Eurostar from Midi. Travel time from the airport to Brussels-Nord is about 12–15 minutes, and another 5–10 minutes from Nord to Midi, depending on the specific IC pattern.
On board, IC Brussels–Antwerp trains usually have both first and second class cars, with overhead racks and larger luggage spaces near some doors. There’s no seat reservation; you just board and sit, even at peak times around 08:00–09:00 and 16:30–18:30 on weekdays. Trains typically have toilets in at least one car, but there’s no guarantee of catering, so grab drinks or snacks in Terminal T before heading down.
Step-by-step from arrivals to the IC platform is simple: 1) From baggage claim in Terminal T, follow the "Train" pictograms towards the main exit. 2) Take the escalator or lift up one level to the departures/check-in hall and look for signs marked "Railway Station" or "Gare." 3) Walk straight to the central hall and then follow signs down two levels to "Brussels Airport – Zaventem" station. 4) Use a blue machine or the ticket desk to buy an SNCB ticket including the Brussels Airport Supplement. 5) Check the departure board for the next IC to Antwerp-Centraal, Brussels-Nord, or Brussels-Midi and note the platform number. 6) Go down to the correct platform using the stairs, escalator, or lift. 7) Board the IC train when it arrives, stow your bags in racks or near the door, and keep your ticket or QR code ready for inspection.
One practical tip: set an alarm 5 minutes before your stop (Antwerp-Centraal, Brussels-Nord, or Brussels-Midi), because IC trains only pause for 1–2 minutes at each station and the long platforms can slow you down if you start packing too late.