Are there 24/7 buses?

Most airports keep at least one night bus or coach on standby—check the overhead screens near arrivals for the current stand.

Is it safe to take taxis overnight?

Stick to signed ranks and insist on the meter. Note any official surcharge for night operations before you hop in.

BRUBelgiumTPL: night-owl-plan

Brussels Airport

Brussels, Belgium

Drop-off

Brussels Central Station / Brussels city centre

Pin before customs

Fastest

SNCB/NMBS Brussels Airport – Brussels North/Central/South trains

rail · 10-15m

Data

Nov 28

Audit

Quick verdict

Fastest into town

Service: SNCB/NMBS Brussels Airport – Brussels North/Central/South trains
Headway: 10-15
Backup: STIB/MIVB Bus 12 “Airport Line” · 10-20m

Note

Direct trains run from Brussels Airport-Zaventem station (under the terminal) to Brussels-North, Brussels-Central and Brussels-Midi, with up to 6 trains per hour to the city until around midnight; typical travel time airport–Central is about 15–20 minutes. Services are operated by SNCB/NMBS and include a mandatory Diabolo airport surcharge in the ticket price; check the journey planner for exact times and any temporary disruptions such as engineering works. cite

Late arrivals

Brussels: Night-Owl Operations

After-midnight contingencies for delayed flights and red-eyes. Targets queries likebrussels airport busandbru to city centerfor eSIM funnels.

Lines that keep running

Brief

This is the overnight lifeline when the metro or flagship express shuts down.

Service: SNCB/NMBS Brussels Airport – Brussels North/Central/South trains
Mode: rail
Freq: 10-15m
Note: Direct trains run from Brussels Airport-Zaventem station (under the terminal) to Brussels-North, Brussels-Central and Brussels-Midi, with up to 6 trains per hour to the city until around midnight; typical travel time airport–Central is about 15–20 minutes. Services are operated by SNCB/NMBS and include a mandatory Diabolo airport surcharge in the ticket price; check the journey planner for exact times and any temporary disruptions such as engineering works. cite

Backup when rail sleeps

Brief

If even this pauses, default to the licensed taxi rank or approved ride-hailing pickup outside arrivals.

Service: STIB/MIVB Bus 12 “Airport Line”
Mode: bus
Freq: 10-20m
Note: Bus 12 runs between Brussels Airport and the European Quarter (Schuman and Troon/Trône), linking easily by metro lines 1–5 and 2–6 to Brussels-Central and the historic city centre; the journey airport–EU quarter is about 30 minutes. Standard STIB/MIVB tickets are valid from the city to the airport, while trips from the airport to the city require an Airport2City ticket or contactless payment. cite

Ticketing tips

Brief

Load balance onto the local transit card before midnight because some kiosks shut or stop accepting bills after hours.

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FAQs

01Are there 24/7 buses?: Most airports keep at least one night bus or coach on standby—check the overhead screens near arrivals for the current stand.
02Is it safe to take taxis overnight?: Stick to signed ranks and insist on the meter. Note any official surcharge for night operations before you hop in.