Travel to Brussels Airport by train will be impossible from 06:00 on Saturday 8 November until 02:00 on Monday 10 November as Infrabel carries out signalling upgrades in the Zaventem tunnel. EuroCity and InterCity services from Rotterdam, Antwerp and Brussels-South will bypass the airport, forcing passengers to use shuttle buses or taxis from Berchem or Brussels-North.
SNCB says the closure will add about 15 minutes to most airport trips but cautions that early-morning connections, popular with long-haul business travellers, will involve a change to replacement coaches that have limited luggage capacity. The Dutch travel portal RijdendeTreinen alerted passengers on 17 October, yet many foreign visitors remain unaware because airline booking engines still list train-inclusive tickets.
![Weekend Engineering Closes Brussels Airport Rail Station, Alters International Timetable]()
The works form part of a €12 million programme to upgrade the airport spur’s Automatic Train Control (ETCS-2), a prerequisite for running new M7 double-decker sets and future high-speed shuttles. Business-aviation groups welcomed the investment but criticised the timing, which coincides with the start of Armistice long-weekend breaks.
Practical tips: travellers transiting through Brussels on 8-9 November should check the SNCB journey planner, allow extra time for security queues shifted to the bus forecourt, and consider using the frequent Airport Line bus (STIB 12) from Schuman if travelling with hand luggage only.
SNCB says the closure will add about 15 minutes to most airport trips but cautions that early-morning connections, popular with long-haul business travellers, will involve a change to replacement coaches that have limited luggage capacity. The Dutch travel portal RijdendeTreinen alerted passengers on 17 October, yet many foreign visitors remain unaware because airline booking engines still list train-inclusive tickets.
The works form part of a €12 million programme to upgrade the airport spur’s Automatic Train Control (ETCS-2), a prerequisite for running new M7 double-decker sets and future high-speed shuttles. Business-aviation groups welcomed the investment but criticised the timing, which coincides with the start of Armistice long-weekend breaks.
Practical tips: travellers transiting through Brussels on 8-9 November should check the SNCB journey planner, allow extra time for security queues shifted to the bus forecourt, and consider using the frequent Airport Line bus (STIB 12) from Schuman if travelling with hand luggage only.
