The Flemish Region is the Dutch-speaking northern part of Belgium, home to Bruges, Ghent, Antwerp, Leuven, Mechelen, Hasselt, Ypres and the North Sea coast.
- Public
- Very good: SNCB trains connect all major cities frequently; De Lijn buses, trams and the Kusttram cover the rest
- Taxi
- Available at stations and ranks; metered and relatively expensive for longer trips
- Rental
- Useful for Flemish Ardennes, Heuvelland, Limburg countryside and Voeren, but not in city centres
- Walking
- City centres are compact and walkable; a bike is excellent in flat Flanders
Transport at a glance
- Public
- 5/5
- Taxi
- 3/5
- Rental
- 3/5
- Walking
- 4/5
Transportation details
Full breakdown of how to get around.
Flanders has one of the densest rail networks in Europe, and most Flemish cities are within an hour's train ride of Brussels. De Lijn buses and trams fill in local routes, the Kusttram runs the full length of the coast, and cycling is excellent in the flat terrain. A car is only worthwhile for rural areas such as the Flemish Ardennes, Heuvelland and Limburg's Kempen.
Airports
Brussels Airport
Brussels South Charleroi Airport
Antwerp International Airport
Ostend-Bruges International Airport
Eindhoven Airport (Netherlands)
Transport tips
Travel smarter, not harder.
Buy train tickets in the SNCB app or at station machines; no reservation is needed on domestic trains.
Cycling is a very good way to get around: Flanders is flat, and cities have dedicated cycle lanes.
The Kusttram runs the whole Flemish coast; buy a day ticket for the whole length.
Brussels Airport has a direct train station below the terminal; it is the easiest way to Antwerp, Leuven and Ghent.
Trains and trams are crowded at rush hours; avoid them if carrying large luggage.
Plan ahead for Sunday travel, as some regional bus routes run less often.
In Belgium, call 112 for emergencies.