Brussels Airport has regained a direct connection to Europe’s international high-speed rail network, with Deutsche Bahn launching ICE services linking the airport with Cologne and Antwerp on September 7, 2026.
The first ICE high-speed train departed Cologne at 6:11 a.m., stopping in Aachen, Liège and Leuven before arriving at Brussels Airport at 8:29 a.m. It then continued to Antwerpen-Centraal.
The service marks the return of direct international high-speed rail connections to Brussels Airport for the first time since 2015.
Brussels Airlines and Deutsche Bahn Link Rail and Air Travel
The launch also activates a new intermodal partnership between Brussels Airlines and Deutsche Bahn, allowing passengers travelling from western Germany to combine their train journey and Brussels Airlines flight in a single booking.
More than 1,000 combined rail-and-air tickets have already been sold since the partnership was announced in February. New York, Accra and Alicante have emerged as the most popular flight destinations booked through the service.
Passengers using the combined product benefit from protected connections in the event of delays and can earn miles through the Lufthansa Group’s Miles & More loyalty programme.
“The arrival of this high-speed rail service marks an important step in the further development of Brussels Airport as an intermodal hub,” said Arnaud Feist, CEO of Brussels Airport. “Thanks to the connection to the high-speed rail network, passengers can already complete part of their journey by train and enjoy seamless access to the more than 180 destinations in our network.”
Brussels Airlines said the partnership could help expand its reach without requiring additional short-haul flights.
“We’re able to welcome more guests on our network, without the need of adding flights,” said Nina Öwerdieck, Chief Financial Officer of Brussels Airlines. “We hope this is the start of a larger high-speed train network at Brussels Airport in the future.”
Two Daily ICE Services in Each Direction
Deutsche Bahn operates two return services each day between Cologne and Antwerp via Brussels Airport.
Trains from Cologne arrive at Brussels Airport at 8:29 a.m. and 4:28 p.m., while services travelling from Antwerp toward Cologne stop at the airport at 11:29 a.m. and 2:29 p.m.
The ICE services are operated by Deutsche Bahn in cooperation with Belgian railway operator NMBS, which provides drivers for the route.
“Direct to Antwerp, direct to Brussels Airport, and all on our state-of-the-art trains: this is how we’re making international rail travel even easier and more appealing for passengers,” said Dr. Michael Peterson, Deutsche Bahn Board Member for Long Distance Passenger Transport.
The connection gives travellers from western Germany direct rail access to Brussels Airport and its network of more than 180 destinations, while passengers arriving in Brussels gain a direct high-speed rail link toward Germany.
