Brussels Airport, Belgium’s largest airport, resumed international high-speed rail service on 7 September 2026. The first Deutsche Bahn train arrived from Cologne, Germany, after stopping in Aachen, Liege, and Leuven before ending its route at Antwerpen-Centraal.
Rail-Air Partnership and Ticketing Integration
The renewed service follows an agreement signed in February 2026 between Brussels Airlines and Deutsche Bahn. This partnership opens Brussels Airport’s network of over 180 global destinations to travelers from western Germany via rail. Brussels Airlines customers traveling to or from western Germany can book combined rail and flight segments on a single ticket. Passengers arriving at Brussels Airport can now connect directly to
German cities by rail.
Station Location, Service Frequency, and Ticket Sales
The airport’s train station is located directly beneath its terminal, facilitating seamless transfers between rail and air travel. Two daily return train services operate between Cologne and Antwerp with stops including Brussels Airport station. Since the partnership announcement in February 2026, more than 1,000 combined rail-and-flight tickets have been sold. Popular long-distance destinations from these ticket sales include New York, Accra, and Alicante.
Strategic Significance and Passenger Benefits
Arnaud Feist, Chief Executive Officer of Brussels Airport, described the arrival of the high-speed rail service as a significant milestone towards making the airport an intermodal hub focused on sustainable and efficient cross-border
transport. Dr. Michael Peterson, board member for long-distance passenger transport at Deutsche Bahn, stated the service links key transport hubs—Cologne and Brussels Airport—making international rail travel more convenient and appealing.
Passengers booking on the combined rail and flight tickets earn miles through Lufthansa’s Miles & More program and benefit from guaranteed connections in case of delays. This integration expands convenient, sustainable travel options between western Germany and Brussels Airport.
