How to get to Antwerp-Central Train Station

Travel from Antwerp city centre to Antwerpen Centraal train station

Antwerp is a vibrant and beautiful port city on the River Scheldt in Belgium. The undisputed diamond capital of the world, the most famous part of the city is the Diamond District or Diamond Quarter, a centuries-old area that is home to thousands of diamond cutters, polishers and traders. The Grote Markt is the central square in the heart of the city and is known for the Flemish Renaissance architecture of the surrounding City Hall and guildhalls. Dating back to the early 20th century, Antwerpen Centraal is the main station within the city. The stone-clad architecture of the station itself is a marvel to behold and once you step inside the station, you will see marble floors and beautiful archways. Antwerp Central station is just a short distance east of the city centre and you can access it quite easily on foot, by car or by public bus.

How far is it from Antwerp city centre to Antwerpen Centraal train station?

The distance between the Antwerp city centre and Antwerp train station is around 0.75 miles (1.2 km) and takes approximately 15min on foot. If you are travelling to Antwerpen Centraal railway station from the Berchem neighbourhood which is located to the south of the station, the trip is around 1.8 miles (2.9 km). For those coming from Merksem in the north of the city centre, the distance to Antwerp station is about 3.1 miles (5.0 km).

What is the best way to get to Antwerpen Centraal train station from Antwerp city centre?

One of the best features of the city of Antwerp is the number of public transportation options available, including bus, trams and trains, as well as the several highways that connect to the centre of the city. If you are in the heart of the city, close to the Museum Mayer van den Berghan, you can travel to Antwerp Central station by taking either bus route 3 or 5 in around 11min. You could also take train number 9 or 15 in about 13min. From the River Scheldt near the Het Steen medieval fortress, train number 11 runs to to Antwerpen Centraal station in around 15min.

Where is the airport in Antwerp and how to get there?

The main airport for the city of Antwerp is Antwerp International Airport (ANR) that is conveniently located a short distance southeast of the city centre and the train station. You can travel from Antwerp Central train station to the airport aboard bus routes number 51, 52, or 53, which will take around 20min. If you would prefer to drive your own car, book a rideshare or take a taxi from the train station to the airport, you can do so in around 17min.

How accessible is Antwerpen main train station for those with limited mobility?

For travellers with disabilities or limited mobility, Antwerp Central train station offers free assistance, which includes carrying one item of luggage. Contact Antwerpen Centraal station to book this service in advance and try to arrive at the meeting place at least 20min before your train is scheduled to depart. For safety reasons, the total weight of your wheelchair must not exceed 661lbs and the dimensions should be less than 29in wide and 47in long. Outside the station, you will find around 25 parking spaces for those with disabilities. The station also features a number of accessible toilets and the platforms have induction loops for hearing-impaired travellers. There are elevators connecting all the floors of the station building and ramps that allow easy access to all of the train platforms. If you need help getting around the station, there are also free wheelchairs available for use at Antwerp Central station.

Night trains to/from Antwerpen Centraal

Because Antwerp Central is such a busy station, you will find many night trains that depart on a daily basis/. One of the most popular routes is the one from Antwerpen Centraal station that travels to Amsterdam. A couple of night trains depart at around 9:30 p.m. and 9:45 p.m. and will take around 1h 30min to Amsterdam Centraal station. Another popular destination with night train connections from Antwerp is the city of Brussels. On this route, you will find around 12 trains that depart every evening between about 8:00 p.m. and 11:30 p.m. that arrive at Brussels-Midi station in around an hour.

Antwerp Train Station. Source: Shutterstock

Travelling by train in Antwerpen: Sustainable journey

As travellers become more and more environmentally conscious, they begin to look for ways to reduce their environmental footprint as they travel. A very good way to do this when departing from Antwerp is by travelling by public transport such as trains and buses, as opposed to driving to a destination. Travelling by train emits less carbon compared to travelling by car. In this way, we can contribute to caring for the environment while we travel and improve all the problems derived from pollution.

Local tips: Antwerpen mian train station points of interest

One of the best features of having a train station right in the heart of any city is the fact that you can easily find plenty of things to see and do close to the station. Antwerpen Centraal station is no exception and in fact, the station is located adjacent to Antwerp Zoo which is a great place to spend a couple of hours if you have some time to spare before your train departs. The Antwerp Diamond Quarter is also a short distance away. Beyond these destinations, there are also plenty of green spaces to explore near the station, interesting historical locations to explore as well as some good restaurants and cafés for dining out.For more local tips, you can check Omio magazine.Some other great things to do near Antwerpen Centraal station include:

• Rubenshuis
• Stadspark
• Stadsschouwburg Antwerpen
• Las Manas Restaurant
• Melvana Restaurant
• Plopsa Station Antwerpen
• Schleiper Antwerpen

What to do in Antwerp

While many travellers believe that Antwerp sits in the shadow of the much larger city of Brussels, when you start to explore the city, you will see that nothing could be further from the truth. The city of Antwerp is the second largest port in Europe and because of its bustling diamond trade, the city is a magnet for those who are at the cutting edge of fashion and culture. In addition to its elite status in the social and cultural world, visitors to the city are going to find fascinating medieval architecture, such as the Cathedral of our Lady, and plenty of museums that are worth a visit, including Rubenshuis and the Plantin-Moretus Museum.

If you are in the mood to hit the town in the evening, you will find an amazing fusion dining scene plus great bars and nightlife that are open until the wee hours of the morning. Belgium is also home to some of the best beer and chocolate in the world. With a beautiful river that runs right through the heart of the city, taking walks along the banks of the river Scheldt is a great way to spend an afternoon or an evening. The climate is fairly nice during most of the year, making Antwerp a popular destination that travellers should not miss. Any time is a good time to visit this beautiful city.