Travel to Leuven

Get information on the different ways of transportation, practical tips to go about in the city and tricks that will make your journey faster and easier.

Leuven is located near Brussels, which is a main hub from major European countries and Leuven is easily accessible by train from the airport. 

By Plane

Brussels Airport (BRU)

The nearest international airport to Leuven is Brussels Airport (BRU), located approximately 20 km away. This airport offers direct connections to major European cities as well as numerous intercontinental destinations. From the airport, a direct train service departs every 30 minutes from the station located beneath the terminal, reaching Leuven in just 15 minutes.

Brussels South Charleroi Airport (CRL)

As an alternative, participants may also arrive via Brussels South Charleroi Airport (CRL), situated about 90 km from Leuven and primarily served by low-cost airlines. From Charleroi, shuttle buses run to Brussels, where travelers can continue by train to Leuven. The total journey takes between 1.5 and 2 hours. Other nearby airports such as Düsseldorf, Eindhoven, and Amsterdam Schiphol also provide access to Belgium and are well connected to Leuven by international rail services.

By Train

Leuven serves as an important station on the Brussels–Liège line. From Brussels, frequent trains departing every 10 to 15 minutes from Brussels Central, Brussels North, and Brussels Midi (South) that connect directly to Leuven in just 20 to 25 minutes. Travelers arriving from Paris by Thalys, TGV, or Eurostar trains reach Brussels Midi, where they can transfer to a local service for Leuven, bringing the total journey time to approximately 2.5 hours. Similarly, international high-speed trains from Amsterdam, London, and Cologne also terminate in Brussels with onward connections to Leuven.

By Bus

Although the train remains the fastest option, Leuven is also well served by an extensive bus network. From Brussels Airport, bus line 616 provides a direct connection to Leuven in approximately 45 to 60 minutes, depending on traffic conditions. Regional buses operated by De Lijn link various parts of Brussels and Flanders with the city, offering an alternative for travelers who prefer bus travel. Once in Leuven, a network of local buses ensures convenient access to hotels, the university, and the congress venue from the central station.

By Car

From Brussels, travelers can reach the city in approximately 30 minutes by taking the E40 motorway towards Liège and exiting at Leuven. Those coming from Liège should follow the E40 westbound, a journey of about 45 minutes, while visitors driving from Antwerp can take the E314 motorway southbound, with an estimated travel time of around 50 minutes.