Belgium Travel Breakthrough as Brussels Airport Revives High-Speed Rail Link After 10 Years Connecting Germany

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Belgium Travel has reached a major milestone as Brussels Airport revives its high-speed rail connection with Germany after a 10-year gap, strengthening cross-border mobility and creating a smoother rail-to-air journey for international travellers. The return of Deutsche Bahn’s ICE service from Cologne reconnects western Germany with Brussels Airport, allowing passengers to combine train and flight travel through a single booking while gaining easier access to more than 180 global destinations. The restored link improves convenience, supports sustainable transport choices and enhances Belgium’s position as a key European travel hub by integrating high-speed rail with international aviation networks.

Brussels Airport has entered a new era of connected travel after returning to Europe’s international high-speed rail network, with the first Deutsche Bahn ICE train from Cologne arriving at the airport on September 7, 2026. The restored service reconnects western Germany with Belgium’s major aviation hub after more than a decade and creates a seamless rail-to-flight travel option for international passengers.

The new connection is designed to improve accessibility, reduce travel barriers and support more sustainable journeys by allowing passengers to combine long-distance rail and air travel in a single booking. Through the partnership between Brussels Airlines and Deutsche Bahn, travellers can now move between German cities and global flight destinations through one integrated transport system.

The launch marks the first direct high-speed rail service to Brussels Airport since 2015, reopening an important cross-border link for both business and leisure travellers.

First ICE Service Marks Return of Direct Rail Access to Brussels Airport

The first ICE train began its journey from Cologne at 6:11 am, travelling through several major European locations before reaching Brussels Airport at 8:29 am. The route passed through Aachen, Liège and Leuven, connecting important transport regions between Germany and Belgium.

After arriving at Brussels Airport, the train continued towards Antwerpen-Centraal, expanding connectivity beyond the airport and strengthening links between Belgium’s major cities.

The return of the ICE service provides western Germany with a direct rail connection to Brussels Airport, allowing passengers to reach the airport without relying on additional transfers or separate transport arrangements. The service also gives international visitors arriving at Brussels Airport a direct rail option towards western Germany.

The development reflects Europe’s growing focus on combining railway and aviation networks to create more efficient and environmentally responsible travel solutions.

Brussels Airlines and Deutsche Bahn Expand Combined Travel Experience

The new rail connection builds on the cooperation between Brussels Airlines and Deutsche Bahn, which was announced in February 2026. Under the partnership, passengers can purchase combined rail and flight journeys through a single reservation system.

The integrated booking model has already gained popularity among travellers, with more than 1,000 tickets sold since its introduction. The arrangement allows passengers to plan their complete journey more easily, connecting train routes with international flights departing from Brussels Airport.

Popular destinations booked through the combined travel product include New York, Accra and Alicante, showing demand from both long-haul and leisure travellers.

The service also provides additional benefits designed to improve the passenger experience. Travellers receive guaranteed connections if delays affect their journey, reducing concerns about missed flights caused by rail disruptions. Passengers can also earn Miles & More rewards, the loyalty programme of the Lufthansa Group.

Tickets for the combined rail and air journeys are available through Brussels Airlines, travel agencies and other regular sales platforms, making the service accessible to a wide range of passengers.

Two Daily Return Services Strengthen European Mobility

The Cologne–Brussels Airport–Antwerp route will operate with two daily return services, providing passengers with more flexibility when travelling between Germany, Belgium and international destinations.

ICE trains from Cologne will reach Brussels Airport at 8:29 am and 4:28 pm, offering morning and afternoon arrival options for passengers connecting to flights.

For travellers heading back towards Germany, services departing from Antwerp will stop at Brussels Airport at 11:29 am and 2:29 pm before continuing towards Cologne.

The ICE high-speed trains are operated by Deutsche Bahn in cooperation with Belgium’s national railway company NMBS. While Deutsche Bahn manages the high-speed rail operations, NMBS provides drivers for the service, supporting smooth cross-border operations.

The cooperation highlights the importance of international partnerships in improving European transport connectivity.

Brussels Airport’s high-speed rail revival strengthens Belgium Travel connectivity by linking Germany and global flight routes through a seamless rail-air network. The ICE service offers travellers faster, easier and more sustainable access after a decade-long gap.

New Rail-Air Network Supports Sustainable Travel Growth

The renewed high-speed rail connection strengthens Brussels Airport’s role as a major international transport gateway. With access to more than 180 destinations worldwide, the airport can now offer passengers from western Germany a more convenient route to global flights.

For airlines, the service creates opportunities to attract passengers from a wider regional catchment area by connecting cities that may previously have faced longer journeys to reach international airports.

The development also supports Europe’s broader efforts to encourage multimodal travel, where passengers combine different forms of transport during a single journey. Rail connections to airports are increasingly being viewed as a key solution for improving mobility while reducing dependence on short-distance air travel.

By linking Germany’s ICE network with Brussels Airport’s global flight connections, the new service creates a stronger travel corridor across Europe. The return of direct high-speed rail access is expected to benefit passengers seeking faster, simpler and more connected journeys between regional cities and international destinations.