Metro, tram and bus: the 05:30-00:30 window

STIB/MIVB runs the city’s metro, tram and bus network. First services depart their termini around 05:30. Last services leave central stations around 00:30.

  • Metro: Lines 1, 2, 5 and 6. First trains from endpoints at roughly 05:30. Last departures from Gare Centrale and Arts-Loi at approximately 00:30.
  • Tram: Most lines follow the same 05:30-00:30 window. Some lines may start slightly earlier or end later.
  • Bus: Daytime routes operate 05:30-00:30. Frequency drops sharply after 21:00.

Sunday and public holiday schedules: Services start later, typically around 06:00-07:00, and end earlier. Frequency is reduced. Check the STIB/MIVB app or website for exact times on a specific date.

Frequency summary:

Period Metro frequency Tram/Bus frequency
Peak (07:00-09:00, 16:00-18:30) Every 2-3 minutes Every 5-8 minutes
Daytime off-peak Every 5-6 minutes Every 10-15 minutes
Evening (after 21:00) Every 10 minutes Every 15-20 minutes

The Noctis night bus network: Friday and Saturday only

When the metro and regular buses stop, the Noctis network takes over.

  • Operating nights: Friday and Saturday nights only.
  • Operating hours: From about 00:30 until roughly 03:00.
  • Routes: A small number of bus lines connect the city centre (Place de la Bourse) to outer districts.
  • Frequency: Every 15-30 minutes depending on the route and time of night.

What Noctis does not cover: Sunday through Thursday nights. After 00:30 on those nights, your options are a taxi, a ride-hailing app, or walking.

SNCB/NMBS national rail: first and last trains

The Belgian national railway (SNCB/NMBS) connects Brussels’ three main stations, Bruxelles-Midi (Brussels-South), Bruxelles-Central, and Bruxelles-Nord (Brussels-North), with the rest of the country.

  • First trains: From Brussels to Antwerp, Ghent, Liège and Namur depart around 05:00.
  • Last trains: The final departures from Brussels to most destinations leave between 23:00 and 00:00.
  • Brussels, Airport (BRU): First train from Brussels to the airport around 05:00; last train around 23:00.
  • Weekend service: Reduced frequency on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays. Last trains may be earlier on some routes.

Note on late-night rail: There is no all-night rail service in Belgium. After the last train, Noctis (on weekends) or taxis are the only options.

Peak hours: 07:00-09:00 and 16:00-18:30

Brussels has two rush periods each weekday.

  • Morning peak: 07:00-09:00. Metro and tram frequencies are at their highest.
  • Evening peak: 16:00-18:30. Congestion on roads is among the worst in Europe. Public transport is crowded.

Travel outside these windows (10:00-15:00 or after 19:00) and you will find more seats and shorter waiting times.

Eurostar, Thalys and TGV: international connections

International high-speed trains depart from Bruxelles-Midi (Brussels-South). They operate on published timetables that vary by route and season.

  • Eurostar: Connects Brussels to London, Paris and Amsterdam. First departure around 06:00; last departure around 21:00.
  • Thalys: Brussels to Paris, Amsterdam and Cologne. Similar hours to Eurostar.
  • TGV: Brussels to French cities (Lyon, Marseille, Nice). First trains around 06:00; last around 20:00.

Time zone note: All these routes stay within the Central European time zone (CET/CEST). There is no time change at the French border. See the brussels-time-zone page for details.

Brussels Airport (BRU) and Charleroi (CRL) connections

Brussels Airport (BRU) is a major European hub. It is connected to the city centre by:

  • Train: Direct to Bruxelles-Midi, Bruxelles-Central and Bruxelles-Nord. Journey time 17-25 minutes. First train ~05:00; last train ~23:00.
  • Bus: Bus line 12 (express) and line 21 serve the airport from the city centre. Hours roughly 05:00-00:00.
  • STIB metro: Metro line 2/6 to Gare de l'Ouest, then bus line 12 or 21 to the airport. Not the fastest option.

Charleroi Airport (CRL) is served by a dedicated bus (Flibco) from Bruxelles-Midi. Journey time about 1 hour. Buses run roughly 04:00-23:00. There is no direct train.

Does the time change when I take the train to Paris?

No. Belgium and France share the same time zone (Europe/Brussels and Europe/Paris). There is no time change at the border. You will not need to adjust your watch.

Next clock change: On Sunday 29 March 2026 at 02:00, clocks go forward 60 minutes to 03:00 (CET → CEST). On Sunday 25 October 2026 at 03:00, clocks go back 60 minutes to 02:00 (CEST → CET). If you are arriving around these dates, adjust your travel plans accordingly.