How to get in Ghent?
Ghent is centrally located in Europe, at the crossroads of highways between Amsterdam, Paris, London, and the Rurh area. The city is easily accessible by car, by train, and by air.
By air
The international Brussels National Airport is located ca. 45 minutes from Ghent. Arriving at Brussels-Zaventem airport: the Airport city Express conveniently leaves from within the airport building (floor -1). Direct trains to Ghent run every 30 minutes and take about an hour. Tickets can be purchased through the onsite vending machines and cost between 17 € (second class) and 23 € (first class)
Charleroi Brussels South Airport:
There are three options for travelling between Charleroi (Brussels South) airport and Ghent:
- Option 1: by bus
The bus company Flibco is offering a direct shuttle bus to and from the station of Ghent with a frequency of 9 trips per day (from and back). Using this service, you will travel more comfortably, it’s cheaper and often also faster than other transport alternatives (train, combination of train and bus). Booking is mandatory.
- Option 2: by train
To travel to Ghent by train you first need to take a train to Charleroi Sud Railway Station. A ticket “billet bulk” can be purchased at the bus stop (door n°2) a the airport. From the Charleroi Sud Railway Station you can take a train to Ghent Sint-Pieters Station. Train schedules are available here. Note: the journey will take about 2 hours.
- Option 3: by taxi
Taxi rides to and from Brussels South Charleroi Airport by Ghent taxi firms, with prior reservation, cost 250 € (flat rate). Price adjustments are possible throughout the year.
The international Amsterdam Airport Schiphol is located ca. 2.5 hours from Ghent. The Thalys and InterCity train services depart from the Airport Railway station “Schiphol Plaza”. Thalys to Antwerp Central or Brussels-South (Brussel-Zuid or Bruxelles-Midi) and Inter City train to Brussels (Nord/Noord, Central/Centraal and Midi/Zuid), there you can switch to the Belgian trains that run directly to or via Ghent Sint-Pieters Station. For train schedules visit this websites: B-Europe and Schiphol.
By high-speed train
The closest international railway station for high-speed trains is Brussels-South (Bruxelles-Midi/Brussel-Zuid) railway station (arrival of Thalys, TGV, Eurostar, ICE, etc.). Switch to one of the many intercity trains (IC) to or via “Ghent”.
Regular connections by train to Ghent railway station with a journey time of ca. 45 minutes. Train schedules are available here.
By Trainline
Trainline work with 270 rail and coach companies to offer travellers to travel to thousands of destinations in and across 45 countries in Europe. More information via https://www.thetrainline.com/en-us/trains/europe.
By car
Ghent is situated at the intersection of two major European highways: the E17 connects Northern Europe with the Southern countries, and the E40 goes from the North Sea to Eastern Europe.
Busses and trams in Ghent
Ghent has a dense network of bus- and tramlines available betwen 06:00 and 01:30 am. More information via gent.delijn.be.