High-Speed Train to Link Cologne and Brussels Airport

Deutsche Bahn and Brussels Airlines will launch a new high-speed train service connecting Cologne with Brussels Airport in September 2026, offering passengers integrated rail-to-flight travel under a codeshare agreement.

 

The new ICE high-speed rail link will operate between Cologne Central Station and Brussels Airport, with stops at Aachen, Liège and Leuven before continuing on to Antwerp. The journey is expected to take about two hours, significantly improving access for travellers in western Germany.

Under the codeshare partnership, tickets for the rail segment will carry a Brussels Airlines flight number and can be booked through the airline’s website, travel agents and its regular sales channels. This allows passengers to combine a seamless rail connection with their air travel in a single booking.

Passengers using the new service will benefit from a guaranteed connection at Brussels Airport if delays occur, and those enrolled in loyalty programmes such as Miles & More can earn points for the rail portion of the journey.

Brussels Airport sees the rail link as a key step in enhancing intermodal connectivity, enabling more sustainable and efficient travel options by linking major European hubs by train and air.

Two daily return ICE services will operate on the Cologne–Brussels Airport route, with tickets already on sale. The first departures are scheduled for 7 September 2026, providing a climate-friendly alternative to short-haul flights and better linking rail and aviation networks across Europe.