Name: Brussels-Capital Region
Address: BE

The Brussels-Capital Region is Belgium's bilingual capital region and the de facto capital of the European Union, with Grand Place, Art Nouveau houses, comics and the Atomium.

Top day trips

Handpicked excursions within easy reach.

100 km

Bruges

Direct SNCB/NMBS train from Brussels-Midi, Central or Nord to Brugge, about two trains per hour; about €17 (~$20) one way

A UNESCO-listed medieval canal city of brick houses, belfry and the Markt.

Highlights: Belfry · Markt · Canal boat tour · Begijnhof

60 km

Ghent

Direct train from Brussels-Midi or Central to Gent-Sint-Pieters, then tram 1; about €11 (~$13) one way

Medieval harbour city with Gravensteen castle and the Ghent Altarpiece.

Highlights: Gravensteen · St Bavo's Cathedral · Graslei · Korenmarkt

45 km

Antwerp

Direct trains from Brussels-Midi, Central or Nord to Antwerpen-Centraal; about €10 (~$12) one way

Diamond district, fashion, and the Cathedral of Our Lady.

Highlights: Antwerpen-Centraal station · Cathedral of Our Lady · Grote Markt · MAS Museum

30 km

Leuven

Direct train from Brussels-Central or Nord to Leuven; about €6 (~$7) one way

University town with a spectacular Gothic Town Hall and Oude Markt bars.

Highlights: Town Hall · M Leuven museum · Oude Markt · Grand Béguinage

25 km

Mechelen

Direct trains from Brussels-Central or Nord to Mechelen; about €5.5 (~$6) one way

Cathedral city with a carillon, Margaret of Austria's palace and the Kazerne Dossin memorial.

Highlights: St Rumbold's Cathedral · Grote Markt · Palace of Margaret of Austria

20 km

Waterloo Battlefield

Train to Braine-l'Alleud then bus W or TEC 365A; or bus W from Rond-Point; about €5-12 (~$6-14) total

The 1815 battlefield with the Lion's Mound and the Panorama.

Highlights: Lion's Mound · Panorama of the Battle of Waterloo · Memorial 1815 · Wellington Museum

110 km

Ostend

Direct IC train from Brussels-Midi or Central to Oostende; about €19 (~$22) one way

Belgium's main seaside resort, with a wide beach and promenade.

Highlights: Beach · Promenade · Mercator ship · Fish market

95 km

Dinant

Train to Dinant, with a change at Namur; about €15 (~$17) one way

Meuse river town below a cliff, with a collegiate church and a citadel.

Highlights: Citadel · Notre-Dame de Dinant · Meuse

Trips by distance

How far you can go in a day.

Under 1hr

One Two Hr

Two Four Hr

Over 4hr

Getting there

Transport options for day trips.

Multi-day tours from Brussels-Capital Region

If you have longer than a day, these are organised multi-day trips that start here.

Browse multi-day tours from Brussels-Capital Region

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Day trip tips

Make the most of your excursions.

Tip

Buy tickets on the SNCB app or at station machines.

Tip

Weekend return tickets are cheaper.

Tip

Check the first and last return trains.

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Arrive early in Bruges.

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Validate if required.

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Bring ID if discounted.