Belgium's 2027 transport plan adds night trains to Brussels Airport by December

Belgium’s latest three-year transport plan will bring new night train services to Brussels Airport from December 2027. The changes aim to improve early-morning access for travellers with flights departing before dawn. A new station, Braine Alliance, will also open as part of the plan’s first phase. Currently, the earliest trains from Bruges and Ghent reach Brussels Airport just after 5:30 am on weekdays. Passengers from Brussels arrive slightly sooner, around 4:30 am, though weekend services start even later. The new night trains will run seven days a week, with the first arrivals scheduled as early as 3:30 am.

The expanded services are designed to support travellers with very early flights. They will also enhance nighttime connections to the airport, where the station sits directly beneath the departures and arrivals hall. Alongside these improvements, the transport plan aims to boost overall train services by 3 percent over its duration. The first phase of the plan includes the opening of Braine Alliance station. This addition is part of broader efforts to strengthen Belgium’s rail network and improve passenger convenience.

The new night trains will provide earlier access to Brussels Airport for passengers from Bruges, Ghent, and Brussels. With services starting at 3:30 am, the changes will particularly benefit those with early departures. The overall transport plan also seeks a modest increase in train capacity across the country.