Luxembourg to Brussels train with CFL

Train Luxembourg Brussels

Trains from Luxembourg to Brussels are a common way to travel between the cities because it's affordable, fast and sustainable. Thanks to the popularity of the route, various trains run all day, every day. During the work week, the schedule starts before sunrise and there are a couple of trips an hour until late in the evening. The train schedule from Luxembourg to Brussels is less frequent over the weekend but there are still several services a day. The majority of the trains run from Luxembourg Railway Station to Brussels Midi, with both direct routes and trips with a stopover. SNCB is the provider for all the trains between these destinations. The distance covered between the cities is around 187 km (116 miles) and the average direct train time is about 3h 20min, while the travel time for stopover trips ranges from 3h 50min to 8h 45min.

Luxembourg to Brussels Train Time: Daily Departures

Because the route between these cities is so well-travelled, you'll be glad to find numerous services operating every day. During the work week, the first train usually leaves around midnight, while regular services start around 5:00 a.m. and run a couple of times an hour until around 9:50 p.m. There are around 35 trains from Luxembourg to Brussels every day. If you're travelling over the weekend, expect departures to start around 6:10 a.m. until 9:15 p.m., with close to 23 services a day. Most of the trips are between the Luxembourg Station and Brussels Midi but there is at least one route a day that runs to Brussels Nord. To get to the daily schedule, navigate to the top of this page and input the departure and arrival cities and select the dates you want to travel. Click on the search button to be redirected to the results page, where all of the consolidated information is displayed with the ability to filter.

Boarding your train Luxembourg Brussels

The boarding process for the train from Luxembourg to Brussels is simple, and the station doesn't get too busy. We suggest you arrive 15-20 minutes before your departure time and have your mobile or printed tickets ready. The ticket should indicate which platform you'll leave from but notice boards in the station will provide the information, in case there are changes. Make your way to the check-in section and present your tickets. Once the train arrives, you'll be notified over a loudspeaker and on the notice boards.

Luxembourg: aerial cityscape of the Old Town. Source: Shutterstock

Where do trains from Luxembourg to Brussels depart and arrive?

The train Luxembourg - Brussels has one departure station and two arrival stations. The main route runs from Luxembourg Railway Station to Brussels Midi Railway Station Luxembourg Railway Station is the major railway terminus in the city and is located about a 10 minute walk south of the city centre. All trains in and out of the city depart or arrive at this station and it's connected to the rest of the city through buses and taxis. There are various facilities available at the station, including ticketing offices, luggage storage services and toilets. If you need to draw money, there are ATMs in the main concourse. There is a taxi rank located outside the terminus.

The main arrival station for trains from Luxembourg to Brussels is the Brussels Midi Station, but there is at least one train a day that travels to Brussels Nord. Brussels Midi is the main railway hub in the city and is used by mainline services to international destinations like Paris, London, Amsterdam and others. It's located about 15 minutes from the city centre and well-connected to the rest of the city through public transport like trains and buses, as well as private taxis stationed outside.

When is the best time to book your train ticket Luxembourg Brussels?

Since these routes are all the same service offered by the same company, Luxembourg to Brussels train cost is consistent throughout the day and the week. If you need a more frequent schedule, there are more train services operating during the week, with a slight drop on Saturdays and Sundays. The last train to Brussels from Luxembourg in the evening is the only daily route with a changeover along the way and has the longest travel time.

What to see on trains from Luxembourg to Brussels

Since most services are direct routes between the cities, there isn't much to see or do along the way. There are a couple of things worth noting en-route so you can visit at a later stage, or you can hop on the last train in the evening that runs through Namur, in the Wallonia region of Belgium. You could catch a train to Namur and book a later ticket through to Brussels. Namur is a charming and stylish city worth visiting and is home to a range of sights and activities. For example, you could spend time exploring the Citadel of Namur or head through to the Felicien Rops Museum filled with erotic art. Take time out to enjoy the local Wallonian cuisine while you meander through the city. Another city worth wandering around that you'll pass by on a route to Brussels is Arlon, which is the capital city of the Luxembourg province, and home to various things worth seeing and doing. You can visit the Eglise St Donat Church, perched on the hill in the city centre or spend time exploring the Archeological Museum. A couple of other favourites in the city include walking around the Maison Gaspar or shopping at the Espace Shopping Hydrion, a large mall with over 40 shops and brands.

Information on Brussels Midi

Brussels Midi is the arrival station for all Luxembourg to Brussels trains and is the busiest of the 3 major railway stations in Brussels. There are numerous international and local routes passing through this station every day, including routes to and from London, Amsterdam, Cologne and Paris. There are 22 platforms at Brussels Midi and domestic trains typically depart from platforms 9-16. Brussels Midi is located a few kilometres from the city centre and well-connected to the rest of the city through trains, buses and taxis. You'll find various amenities at the terminus, including toilets and showers, luggage storage facilities, and a help desk for travellers. There are several places nearby to eat at or you could try something at one of the cafes. You'll find a variety of shops in the concourse, as well as cash machines, currency exchange services and ticketing machines.

Night trains Luxembourg Brussels

In recent years, the popularity of night trains has soared among travellers who prefer the comfortable design and sleeping facilities. Night trains tend to take a lot longer and are usually quieter than other services, but also provide comfortable seats or sleeping areas. Unfortunately, there are no specific night trains between these cities but a few routes operate at night. The last trip of the evening is usually the longest and the quietest. There is a lengthy stopover en route in Namur, where you'll have close to a 6 hour layover before heading to Brussels. The last train leaves around 9:10 p.m. and arrives close to 9h 20min later at Brussels Midi around 6:30 a.m.

SNCB Luxembourg to Brussels trains

SNCB is the only provider servicing these routes and all trains are standard long-distance services. There is no high-speed train from Luxembourg to Brussels. During the week, the bus schedule offers more frequent routes, with around 20 services a day starting around midnight, with regular trains running from about 5:10 a.m. until 9:20 p.m. Over the weekend, services start a little later in the morning, at around 6:10 a.m. and run several times a day until close to 8:10 p.m. There are close to 15 trains a day on weekends.

Trains Luxembourg to Brussels: Sustainability Travel

To better serve the planet and leave less of a mark on it, it's important to lower our carbon emissions and choose more sustainable travel. Trains are one of the most eco-friendly ways to travel over long distances and only produce about 3% of the global transport emissions. Trains can reduce your CO2 emissions by up to 70% compared to cars, buses and planes. Rail services also offer more efficient use of space so more people can be transported in a single journey, producing fewer emissions per person.

Train Luxembourg to Brussels: Services on Board

Every fast train from Luxembourg to Brussels is a long-distance operation offered by SNCB which provides the same services on all of their trains.

• There are Standard ticket classes and a First Class option for a small fee. First Class comes with more comfortable seats and more legroom.
• You will be limited to 30kg of luggage and cannot take more than 3 bags.
• Foldable bicycles are easily transported if they fit in the luggage compartments. Non-foldable bikes are subject to available spaces and must be booked ahead of time. There are 2 spaces available per train.
• You can travel with your pets on these routes, but they must be kept in a carrier or on a leash.
• There are restaurant cars available where you can purchase food and beverages
• SNCB provide accessible travel for those with mobility issues and other disabilities. You must let the company know a couple of days in advance to arrange the help you need.

When to book your train tickets from Luxembourg to Brussels

There are a few ways to ensure you get the cheapest train from Luxembourg to Brussels, including booking as far in advance as possible. These tickets go on sale months in advance and increase in price as the departure date gets closer. If you search with flexible dates in mind, you might find better deals on different days. You can also take advantage of a student discount or a senior citizen discount if you're eligible.

To Brussels by train — travel tips

Brussels is the capital of Belgium and is a city that should be on everyone's bucket list thanks to its beautiful scenery, friendly citizens and the wealth of activities available in the city. Brussels can quickly transform from a business-focused, bustling major city it has the reputation of being, to the feeling of a relaxed, hidden town where people go to escape a major city. Take time out to explore the architecture which is likely to blow your mind, or spend time meandering through the various museums, take part in day-to-day shenanigans and enjoy the varied cuisine in Brussels. Check out the Brussels Window Seat article for some inspiration and try these things while in the city:

• Explore all the wonderful pieces of art on display at the Musee Royaux Des Beaux Arts
• Relax in the Parc Du Cinquantenaire
• Take a beer tour of the city
• Admire Le Botanique
• Have a giggle at the Manneken Pis
• Don't leave the city without trying the local waffles
• Learn about the city in the Broodhuis

Brussels: Historical buildings of the city. Source: Shutterstock

What are the other cities you can go to from Brussels?

As a capital city, Brussels is well-connected to various local and international destinations. Berlin is one of the most well-travelled routes and only takes around 7 hours to get to the German capital. A well-liked route that's a fair bit closer is Bruges, which is a popular choice among visitors and takes around 2 hours. Düsseldorf is one of the other German cities that's a favoured route for many. A trip to Düsseldorf will only take about 2h 30min.