- Must visit
AfricaMuseum
Modern museum in nearby Tervuren with Central Africa collections, noted architecture, and broad historical and cultural displays within easy reach of Zaventem.
Cheapest price on 18 Sept
£3
Average ticket price on 18 Sept
£4
Fastest journey on 18 Sept
32 m
Average journey duration on 18 Sept
32 m
Trains on 18 Sept
5
Distance
16 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Leuven to Zaventem is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid travelling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Leuven to Zaventem will cost around £4 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap train tickets today for only £3.
On Fri 18 Sept, we found 5 trains from Leuven to Zaventem, including 5 direct services.
These direct trains cover the 16 km distance in an average of 32 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 32 m .
The slowest trains will take 33 m and usually involve a change or two along the way, but you might be able to save a few pennies if you’re on a budget.










Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Leuven to Zaventem among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the coach, with an average ticket price of £4 For those with little time, consider booking a train, which has an average total journey time of 51m. If you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint, the train is your best option, with estimated CO2 emissions of 0.0 - 0.0kg. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a coach costs an average of £4, while a train costs an average of £5.
Distance: 16 km
Most popular Train | Coach | Driving |
|---|---|---|
£5 Average Price | £4 Average Price Cheapest | £3 Average Price (fuel + tolls) |
51m Average total duration Fastest 21m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 55m Average total duration 25m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 24m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
0.0 - 0.0kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 0.0 - 0.0kg CO2 emissions | - CO2 emissions |
![]() Most popular train company | ![]() Most popular bus company | Your own car or car rental |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
Additional time: Average total travel duration to departure point, security checks and transfers.
This is compared to other travel options from Leuven to Zaventem:
A coach is £0.58 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Leuven to Zaventem costing on average £5.
Other travel options to Zaventem take longer:
Coach takes on average 25m.
You'll arrive about 3m sooner (21m by train vs 24m by car). Tickets start at around £5 compared to roughly £3 in fuel and tolls — so you're paying a bit more, but getting hours of your day back, a city-centre arrival, and the freedom to work or relax instead of drive.
Direct services run with Intercity, SNCB.
Driving makes more sense if you're travelling as a group (where fuel costs split several ways), want to stop along the way, or need a car once you arrive.
The table below shows live departures for Leuven to Zaventem trains for today, Thursday 17 September. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Changes | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 9:32 Leuven | 0h32 | 10:04 Zaventem | 0 changesdirect | |
![]() | 16:32 Leuven | 0h32 | 17:04 Zaventem | 0 changesdirect | |
| Friday 18 September | |||||
![]() | 8:32 Leuven | 0h32 | 9:04 Zaventem | 0 changesdirect | |
This is the last train of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare train and coach prices over the next three weeks. See the best deals at a glance, find the lowest fares, and choose the option that fits your budget.
Trains from Leuven to Zaventem run on average 20 times per day, taking around 21m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at £4 but you can travel from only £4 by coach.
There are 4 trains per day. The earliest train runs at 00:01, the last at 23:57. The fastest train covers the 16 km distance in 13m.
Distance 16 km |
Average train duration 21m |
Cheapest ticket price £4 |
Trains per day 20 |
Direct trains 4 |
Fastest train 13m |
First train 0:01 |
Last train 23:57 |
Cheapest Month Nov |
Cheapest Day Sat |
High Season Oct - Dec |
Low Season Apr - Jun |
Busiest Day Fri |
Least Busy Day Tue |
Best time to book 1 day |
Discover the best of Zaventem — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Zaventem trip today.
Modern museum in nearby Tervuren with Central Africa collections, noted architecture, and broad historical and cultural displays within easy reach of Zaventem.
Museum on military aviation and air history at nearby Brussels Airport sites, appealing to aircraft enthusiasts and visitors interested in Belgian aviation heritage.
Museum in nearby Diegem dedicated to René Magritte, offering insight into the artist’s life and links to the local area in an intimate setting.
Main airport terminal area with public spaces, shops, and a busy international atmosphere, useful for plane spotting and observing airport life.
Large urban park and woodland near Zaventem, popular for walks, jogging, and a relaxed break in green surroundings close to the city edge.
Historic avenue through the Sonian Forest edge, pleasant for walking and cycling, with broad views and easy access from the Zaventem area.
Crisp twice-fried Belgian chips, traditionally served in a paper cone with mayonnaise. A national staple found in snack bars across the Brussels area.
Mussels steamed with white wine, celery and onion, commonly eaten with chips. A classic Belgian brasserie dish popular around Brussels.
Slow-cooked beef stew braised with dark Belgian beer and onions. It is a comforting, traditional pub dish in Flanders and Brussels.
Reliable local Italian restaurant with a long-standing reputation, offering pasta, meat and fish in a warm neighbourhood setting.
Established airport-area restaurant known for Belgian and French dishes in a polished, business-friendly setting near Brussels Airport.
Popular brasserie in Zaventem serving Belgian classics and grills in a relaxed, traditional atmosphere suitable for casual meals.
Moderate for Belgium. Hotels near Brussels Airport cost more, but local dining and trains are manageable for most travellers.
Service is usually included. Round up or leave 5-10% for great service. Taxis can be rounded up; cafés often just round to the nearest euro.
Official public transport app
Brussels Airport-Zaventem railway station -> Bruxelles-Central, Brussels
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Leuven to Zaventem by train. From journey times and ticket prices to direct connections, first and last departures, and even whether the route is scenic, our FAQs cover everything you need to plan your trip. Whether you’re looking for the fastest train, the cheapest option, or tips for making the most of your visit at Zaventem, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

Most Leuven to Zaventem trains use the Leuven to Brussels Airport-Zaventem station pair, with some services arriving at Zaventem. Use this guide to compare Leuven and Zaventem train stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like train station facilities and services.
Leuven is 1 km from Leuven city centre. Public transport options include:
Leuven has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Lockers, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental, Information Desk and Luggage Carts.
Food options include: De Klimop, Domus
Free. ATMs are available in the train station.
Ticket office support is available at Leuven. Information desks are located in the main hall.
Luggage storage is available at Leuven. Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Leuven: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Available at Leuven: Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at Leuven: Elevators, ramps.
Nearby hotels include Hotel La Royale, Park Inn by Radisson Leuven, Hotel Mille Colonnes.
Heverlee is 1 km from Leuven city centre. Public transport options include:
Heverlee has practical services for this route, including Parking, Dining, ATM, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Bike Parking and Bike Rental.
Food and drink options are available at Heverlee.
ATMs are available at Heverlee.
Available at Heverlee: Parking, WC.
Available at Heverlee: Bike Parking, Bike Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at Heverlee.
Zaventem has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Lockers, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Lounge, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, Bike Parking, Car Rental, Information Desk and Luggage Carts.
Food options include: Restaurant Belair, Black Pearls
Free. ATMs are available in the train station.
Ticket office support is available at Zaventem. Information desks are located in the main hall.
Luggage storage is available at Zaventem. Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Zaventem: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Available at Zaventem: Bike Parking, Car Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at Zaventem: Ramps, restrooms.
Nearby hotels include Sheraton Brussels Airport Hotel, Crowne Plaza Brussels Airport, NH Brussels Airport.
Nossegem is 2 km from Zaventem city centre. Public transport options include:
Nossegem has practical services for this route, including Parking, Dining, Hotel and Bike Parking.
Food and drink options are available at Nossegem.
Available at Nossegem: Parking.
Available at Nossegem: Bike Parking.
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need