Getting to Belgium: comparing your transportation options
29.10.2019
Finding your way to Belgium is far from a trek through Nepal. But before moving here, it’s important to explore the many roads to the nation of waffles, Trappist beer and great career opportunities. From plane and train to automobile, you have plenty of options – and we explore their ins and outs in this blog post.
Did you know?
By foot, getting from Warsaw to Brussels would take you around 32 days if you spent 8 hours per day walking.
Traveling by plane
If speed is your priority, flying to Belgium is the best mode for you. A non-stop flight from Warsaw to Brussels – the capital of Belgium and the European Union – lasts around 2 hours and 10 minutes. Many different airlines, including economy companies like Ryanair and Wizzair, offer both non-stop and connecting flights to and from Warsaw and Kraków on a regular basis. Flights between Łódź and Brussels, however, are more expensive and less frequent.
Traveling by plane
If speed is your priority, flying to Belgium is the best mode for you. A non-stop flight from one of the Polish airports to Brussels – the capital of Belgium and the European Union – lasts around 2 hours. Many different airlines, including economy companies like Ryanair and Wizzair, offer both non-stop and connecting flights to and from Warsaw, Kraków, Gdansk, Poznan, Katowice, Wroclaw and Lublin on a regular basis. There are two airports in Belgium: Brussels Zaventem and Brussels Charleroi and one in Eindhoven in Holland only 25 km from the Belgian border. Before booking your flight check which airport will be the most convenient for you. At Brussels Airport in Zaventem, you’ll have rapid train access to every major city in Belgium. Other airports provide shuttle busses to the train stations.
Time: ~2 hours
Total cost: EUR 110 (average price for economy seating)
Pros: speedy!
Cons: unless you want to pay, bringing lots of stuff with you is not an option. If you have a large family, costs for flights and baggage add up very quickly. Also not the best when it comes to negative impacts on the environment. You may also have to deal with flight delays, cancellations and overbookings.
Traveling by train
For the best balance between speed and price, riding the rails may be the mode for you. Even more, taking the train is a very eco-friendly option and offers more space and luxury than a plane at a fraction of the cost. 12 trains with connections to Brussels leave from Warsaw Centralna station per day. You can opt for one-day ride, or stay overnight in Berlin or Cologne, Germany. Travelling through Prague will be your cheapest option, but it will take longer. Keep in mind that you will have to change trains between 3 to 8 times no matter which route you choose.
Time: ~17 Warsaw, Poland hours
Total cost: EUR 70 (average price for economy seating)
Pros: eco-friendly, low-cost and high-quality transport – complete with dining cars and even bar options. Upgrading to a higher-class ticket isn’t nearly as expensive as you may think.
Cons: takes longer and involves multiple train changes and potential hotel costs if staying overnight. Pack light – you’ll be moving around a lot.
Traveling by car
Do you prefer to stay in control of your route, schedule, stops and speed? Traveling with kids? Have plenty of baggage? Going by car might be the best mode for you. Driving from Warsaw to Brussels takes about 13 hours, from Łódź, 12 hours and from Kraków, 12.5 hours – this, of course, if you don’t stop or run into traffic.
Time: ~12.5 hours
Total cost: EUR 115 in fuel (at an average price of EUR 1.30/litre and a fuel efficiency of 6 litres per 100 km)
Pros: you have the most freedom and control.
Cons: fuel costs and pollution add up. You could also run into unforeseen traffic, detours, road works, accidents and more along your route. Plan for potential delays, especially around larger cities in Germany.
Are you moving your belongings from Poland to Belgium? There are a number of international moving companies that can help. Alternatively, you can hire a truck from an international vehicle rental company and drop it off in Belgium when you’ve finished your move. There are also many sources of household goods across Belgium – from freecycling opportunities and second-hand shops to high-end luxury stores.
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