Arriving in Antwerp by train
Antwerpen-Centraal is an excellent starting point for a first visit and a landmark itself. Its station hall is worth a look before heading west towards the Meir shopping axis, old town and Scheldt waterfront. The cathedral and river are not immediately next to the station, so allow time to walk or use De Lijn.
From Brussels
Use the SNCB/NMBS planner to check the train from your actual Brussels departure station to Antwerpen-Centraal. If your international rail journey ends at Brussels-Midi, check whether your ticket includes an onward connection; not all long-distance trains stop in Antwerp.
From Brussels Airport (BRU)
The airport has a railway station below the terminal. Look up your travel date to see the best direct or connecting service to Antwerp, and confirm how the airport rail supplement is charged. The arrival time in central Brussels is not the travel time to Antwerp.
From Charleroi Airport (CRL)
CRL is substantially farther from Antwerp than Brussels Airport. Check whether a coach, a coach-to-Brussels plus train, or a TEC bus-and-train combination is practical on your day. Factor in the transfer and the last connection, not merely the advertised airport-shuttle time to Brussels.
From the station to your hotel
The Meir and old town are west of the Central station; hotels at Eilandje, Het Zuid or elsewhere require different connections. Use the De Lijn planner to decide whether to walk or take a tram or bus. Antwerpen-Berchem and other stops may be useful for hotels outside the centre, depending on your train.
Driving instead?
Antwerp has a low-emission zone and P+R options. Check car eligibility and any foreign registration requirement before choosing a central garage. A hotel booking does not grant LEZ permission.
Official sources
SNCB/NMBS · De Lijn · Visit Antwerp · Brussels Airport rail information.
Editorial verification: October 2026. Check live trains, last services and fares before travelling.