- Must visit
M Leuven
University museum with science, culture, and philosophy exhibitions in a striking historic complex. Ideal for understanding Leuven's academic identity.
Cheapest price
€5
Average price
€5
Fastest journey
33 m
Average duration
1 h 31 m
Trains per day
5
Distance
16 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Zaventem to Leuven is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Zaventem to Leuven will cost around €5 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only €5.
Of the 5 trains that leave Zaventem for Leuven on Thu, Aug 06, 5 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Thu, Aug 06 the direct trains cover the 16 km distance in an average of 1 h 31 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 33 m .
On Thu, Aug 06 the slowest trains will take 5 h 24 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.










Trains from Zaventem to Leuven run on average 20 times per day, taking around 19m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at €3 if you book in advance.
There are 8 trains per day. The earliest train runs at 00:02, the last at 23:57. The fastest train covers the 9 miles (16 km) distance in 30m.
Distance 9 miles (16 km) |
Average train duration 19m |
Cheapest ticket price €3 |
Trains per day 20 |
Direct trains 8 |
Fastest train 30m |
First train 12:02 AM |
Last train 11:57 PM |
Cheapest Month Nov |
Cheapest Day Sat |
High Season Oct - Dec |
Low Season Apr - Jun |
Busiest Day Wed |
Least Busy Day Mon |
Best time to book 28 days |
The table below shows live departures for Zaventem to Leuven trains for today, Wednesday, August 5. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
3756 · 3078 | 7:26 AM Zaventem station | 0h33 | 7:59 AM Heverlee | 1 transfer | |
2805+ 3078 | 7:38 AM Brussels National Airport | 0h21 | 7:59 AM Heverlee | 1 transfer | |
3656 · 6479+ 1929 | 7:42 AM Brussels National Airport | 0h47 | 8:29 AM Heverlee | 2 transfers | |
3256+ 5729 | 7:50 AM Zaventem station | 0h33 | 8:23 AM Heverlee | 1 transfer | |
3656 · 6479 | 7:56 AM Zaventem station | 0h33 | 8:29 AM Heverlee | 1 transfer | |
3757 · 3079 | 8:26 AM Zaventem station | 0h33 | 8:59 AM Heverlee | 1 transfer | |
2806+ 3079 | 8:38 AM Brussels National Airport | 0h21 | 8:59 AM Heverlee | 1 transfer | |
3657 · 6480+ 1930 | 8:42 AM Brussels National Airport | 0h47 | 9:29 AM Heverlee | 2 transfers | |
3257+ 5730 | 8:50 AM Zaventem station | 0h33 | 9:23 AM Heverlee | 1 transfer | |
3657 · 6480 | 8:56 AM Zaventem station | 0h33 | 9:29 AM Heverlee | 1 transfer | |
3758 · 3080 | 9:26 AM Zaventem station | 0h33 | 9:59 AM Heverlee | 1 transfer | |
2807+ 3080 | 9:38 AM Brussels National Airport | 0h21 | 9:59 AM Heverlee | 1 transfer | |
3658 · 6481+ 1931 | 9:41 AM Brussels National Airport | 0h48 | 10:29 AM Heverlee | 2 transfers | |
3258+ 5731 | 9:50 AM Zaventem station | 0h33 | 10:23 AM Heverlee | 1 transfer | |
3658 · 6481 | 9:56 AM Zaventem station | 0h33 | 10:29 AM Heverlee | 1 transfer | |
3759 · 3081 | 10:26 AM Zaventem station | 0h33 | 10:59 AM Heverlee | 1 transfer | |
2808+ 3081 | 10:38 AM Brussels National Airport | 0h21 | 10:59 AM Heverlee | 1 transfer | |
3659 · 6482+ 1932 | 10:42 AM Brussels National Airport | 0h47 | 11:29 AM Heverlee | 2 transfers | |
3259+ 5732 | 10:50 AM Zaventem station | 0h33 | 11:23 AM Heverlee | 1 transfer | |
3659 · 6482 | 10:56 AM Zaventem station | 0h33 | 11:29 AM Heverlee | 1 transfer | |
3760 · 3082 | 11:26 AM Zaventem station | 0h33 | 11:59 AM Heverlee | 1 transfer | |
2809+ 3082 | 11:38 AM Brussels National Airport | 0h21 | 11:59 AM Heverlee | 1 transfer | |
3660 · 6483+ 1933 | 11:42 AM Brussels National Airport | 0h47 | 12:29 PM Heverlee | 2 transfers | |
3260 | 11:50 AM Zaventem station | 0h15 | 12:05 PM Leuven station | 0 transfersDirect | |
3260+ 5733 | 11:50 AM Zaventem station | 0h33 | 12:23 PM Heverlee | 1 transfer | |
3660 · 6483 | 11:56 AM Zaventem station | 0h33 | 12:29 PM Heverlee | 1 transfer | |
3660 | 11:56 AM Zaventem station | 0h23 | 12:19 PM Leuven station | 0 transfersDirect | |
This is the last train of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Discover the best of Leuven — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Leuven trip today.
University museum with science, culture, and philosophy exhibitions in a striking historic complex. Ideal for understanding Leuven's academic identity.
Museum and former home of Father Damien, presenting his life and global legacy. A meaningful visit in a historic city-center setting.
Museum in Park Abbey exploring religion, art, and heritage through the abbey's story. It adds depth to a visit to the wider site.
Leuven's central square framed by the town hall and Saint Peter's Church. It is the city's essential starting point for architecture and atmosphere.
Long square and social hub lined with student life and major events. It captures Leuven's energetic university-city character.
Belgium's oldest botanical garden, popular for quiet walks and seasonal plants. A local favorite near the historic core.
Crisp pork cubes braised or roasted, a Leuven pub classic often served with salad, fries, and a sharp mustard or beer-based sauce.
A strong amber-brown abbey beer brewed in Leuven since the 1970s, known for soft fruit notes and a full malty finish.
A pale Belgian lager historically tied to Leuven brewing. It is the city’s most famous everyday beer and a key part of local café culture.
Refined Michelin-starred restaurant known for creative seasonal tasting menus in an intimate, elegant setting.
Long-standing traditional restaurant famous for grilled meats, Belgian dishes, and an old-school local dining room.
Classic Leuven brasserie on the Oude Markt serving Belgian staples, beer, and a lively historic square atmosphere.
Moderate for Belgium: hotels and dining are not cheap, but student spots, bakeries, and short local transit keep typical visitor costs manageable.
Service is usually included. Round up or leave 5-10% for great restaurant service. Taxis can be rounded up. Cafes usually get small change, not a set tip.
Official public transport app
Leuven Station -> Grote Markt, Leuven
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Zaventem to Leuven 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 Leuven, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

Most Zaventem to Leuven trains use the Brussels Airport-Zaventem to Leuven station pair, with some services arriving at Heverlee. Use this guide to compare Zaventem and Leuven train stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like train station facilities and services.
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.
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.
Wijgmaal is 5 km from Leuven city centre. Public transport options include:
Wijgmaal has practical services for this route, including Accessibility.
Accessibility facilities are available at Wijgmaal.
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need