The Antwerp Metro, which differs from conventional metro systems, is an underground network of tram lines. It has a total length of 13.5 km and 19 stations. Of these, only 11 are operational and only 11.2 km of the total length is accessible to the public.
A single ticket costs €3. The Antwerp Metro operates seven days a week from 4:30 a.m. until 1:00 a.m. the following day. The frequency of the trams varies and is around 5 minutes during rush hours and around 15 minutes in normal conditions.
The Antwerp Metro, also known as the Premetro, is a public transport system in Antwerp, Belgium. The fare for a trip on the Antwerp Metro operates on an honour system and costs 2 euros.
The Antwerp Metro does not operate 24 hours a day, nor does it provide air conditioning for its passengers. It also does not allow passengers to walk between platforms, nor does it use driverless trains or screened platforms.
Antwerp Metro Map
Map of Antwerp Metro showing different lines. Click on the map to enlarge it or download the Palma Metro map in PDF format.
Belgian Metros: Antwerp Metro
Antwerp is located in Belgium and is the second most populous city in the country, with a metropolitan area population of 1.2 million. After the capital, Brussels, it is located in the northern region, specifically in Flanders, a place characterised by its unique culture and language, distinct from the southern region, Wallonia.
The metropolis was affected by the Second World War during the 20th century, enduring Nazi occupation from 1940 to 1944. After the war, the people of Antwerp rebuilt their city, transforming it into one of the most prosperous areas of Belgium.
Antwerp’s significant urban modernisation during the economic growth periods of the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s led to improvements to its traditional tram system.
The Metro
With a vision of the future and the aim of meeting transport needs, the local authorities initiated the development of the Antwerp metro, although it was never completed.
The first sections of the planned underground system were opened in 1975. However, instead of putting metro trains in tunnels, the underground lines were used as an extension of the tram lines. This unique arrangement led to the Antwerp Metro being called the “Premetro”.
At present, the system covers 13.5 kilometres and includes 11 functional stations served by tram lines 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10 and 15.
Lines and Stations
Line 2
Line 2 connects the Hoboken district in the south of the city with the Merksem district in the north. With a total length of 14.3 kilometres, it has 32 stations, 7 of which are on the underground network of the Antwerp Metro. One of the oldest lines in the city, it carries over 10 million passengers a year and is identified by the number 2 on a dark green background. Underground stations include Plantin, Diamant, Astrid, Elisabeth, Handel, Schijnpoort and Sport.
Line 3
Line 3 connects the Merksem district in the north with the Melsele district in the west. With a length of 14.37 kilometres and 26 stations, 8 of which are underground, this is one of the oldest lines in the city, dating back to 1902. It carries almost 30 million passengers a year. Line 3 can be identified on the map by the number 3 on a dark yellow background, and the underground stations include Sport, Schijnpoort, Handel, Elisabeth, Astrid, Meir, Groenplaats and Van Eeden.
Line 6
Line 6 connects the Olympiade district in the south with the Luchtbal area in the north. It is 13 kilometres long and serves 26 commercial stations, 7 of which are underground. It dates back to 1938 and carries almost 6 million passengers a year. The line is marked on maps with a number 6 on a shiny fuchsia background, and the underground stations are Sport, Schijnpoort, Handel, Elisabeth, Astrid, Diamant and Plantin.
Line 8
Line 8 connects the northern town of Wommelgem with the southern district of Zuid. It has a total length of 9 kilometres and has 16 operational stations, two of which are underground. It is a relatively new line, opened in 1988, and serves 750,000 passengers a year. It is marked on the service map with a number 8 on a pink background. The underground stations on this line are Zegel and Astrid.
Line 9
Line 9 connects the western town of Eksterlaar with the eastern sector of Linkeroever. It is 9.28 kilometres long and serves 18 stations, 5 of which are within the Antwerp Metro or Premetro. Similar to line 8, line 9 has been in operation since 1988 and currently carries more than 10 million passengers per year. It is indicated on the map by a number 9 on an orange background. The underground stations of line 9 are Plantin, Diamant, Meir, Groenplaats and Van Eeden.
Line 10
Line 10 connects the Wijnegem district in the west with the Schoonselhof district in the south of the city. This 14.5-kilometre line serves 32 stations, two of which are part of the Premetro. Dating back to 1873, it is one of the oldest tram lines in the city and currently carries around 6 million passengers a year. It is marked with the number 10 on a light green background. The two underground stations on this line are Zegel and Astrid.
Line 15
Line 15 is designed to connect the Boechout sector south-east of Antwerp with the town of Linkeroever in the west. The line is 14.2 kilometres long and has 27 stations, five of which are underground. It carries a significant number of passengers, around 20 million per year, and is identified by a green number 15 on a white background. The five stations of the Premetro system are Plantin, Diamant, Meir, Groenplaats and Van Eeden.
Connections
The Antwerp Metro, a tunnel system that connects several tram lines, offers numerous connections at its 11 commercial stations. The following options are available to Premetro users:
- Plantin Premetro station: This three-storey station houses the ticket office and platforms. From here, passengers can access tram lines 2, 6, 9 and 15.
- Diamant Premetro Station: Built on four levels, including the ticket office and platforms, this station allows passengers to board tram lines 2, 6, 9 and 15.
- Astrid Premetro Station: This four-level station provides access to tram lines 2, 3, 5, 6, 8 and 10.
- Elisabeth Premetro Station: This station has two levels, one for ticket sales and the other for platforms. It provides access to the commercial tram lines 2, 3, 5 and 6.
- Handel Premetro Station: Consisting of two levels and a single island platform, this station provides access to tram lines 2, 3, 5 and 6, which cover the whole of the Flemish capital.
- Schijnpoort Premetro Station: Like the previous one, this station has a total of three levels, including ticketing and platform areas.
- Tram lines 2, 3, 5 and 6 serve this station.
- Sport Premetro Station: Relatively small with a total of three levels, this station serves tram lines 2, 3 and 6, which cover a significant part of the city.
- Zegel Premetro Station: A small two level station with ticket offices and platforms. It only serves tram lines 8 and 10.
- Meir Premetro Station: A compact two-storey station serving tram lines 3, 5, 9 and 15.
- Groenplaats Premetro Station: This three-level commercial station serves tram lines 3, 5, 9 and 15, similar to Meir station.
- Van Eeden Premetro station: This station has two levels, one for tickets and one for platforms. It serves tram lines 3, 5, 9 and 15.
Fares
The Antwerp metro offers various fare plans to meet the needs of its users, ranging from traditional tickets to cards with special plans tailored to the needs of passengers. The plans and payment methods available for the city’s trams are listed below:
- Single ticket: This ticket allows unlimited travel on tram lines for 60 minutes, allowing you to make as many changes as necessary to reach your destination within that time. The price of this ticket is 3 euros.
- SMS ticket: This ticket can be purchased by SMS for faster payment. After payment, you can use all the facilities of the Antwerp Metro for 60 minutes without transfer or station restrictions. The price of this option is 2 euros.
- Lijn card: This card offers a substantial discount on several 60-minute journeys. It can be recharged with up to 15 one-hour journeys at €1.5 each, which is a 50% discount on the price of a single ticket.
- Day pass: This ticket allows unlimited travel for a whole day. It can also be divided into 3- and 5-day passes and includes a special option for children aged 6 to 11. A day pass costs 8 euros, a 3-day pass 12 euros, a 5-day pass 17 euros and a child’s pass 5 euros.
- Group ticket (+ 5 people): This special package is available for groups of at least 5 people up to a maximum of 44. It is an attractive option for academic or business trips, with a 60-minute ticket priced at €1.25.
- Buzzy Pazz: This special pass allows young people aged 6 to 24 to pay for long-term travel plans from 1 to 12 months. A one-month pass costs 31 euros, a three-month pass 77 euros and a 12-month pass 204 euros.
- Omnipasses: This pass is specially designed for people aged 25 and over. It allows the user to pay for longer periods of use without having to worry about expiration. A one-month pass costs 47 euros, a three-month pass 117 euros and a 12-month pass 306 euros.
Omnipas 65+: This pass is exclusively for senior citizens aged 65 and over. It offers unlimited travel for 12 months for just €52.
Children under the age of 6 travel free on the Antwerp Metro.
War veterans who have been injured in combat are exempt from paying tram fares.
Disabled people also benefit from free travel in the various stations and trains of the system.
Schedules
The tram network operates from 4:30 a.m. to 1:00 a.m. the next day, providing a convenient schedule for those who work late into the night or start early in the morning.
There is no difference in operating hours between regular days and holidays, including weekends. The timetable is the same from Monday to Sunday. Trains serve the stations every 10-15 minutes, although the number of trams increases at peak times, reducing waiting times to as little as 5 minutes.
Regulations
Like all public transport systems around the world, the Antwerp Metro has a set of rules to ensure smooth operation and optimal coexistence between passengers. Here are the rules of conduct for the Premetro:
- For safety reasons, passengers are advised to keep a safe distance from the yellow line before boarding the trains.
- It is forbidden to carry flammable substances, including chemicals or pyrotechnic devices.
- The consumption of alcoholic beverages or other illegal substances is prohibited on the premises of Antwerp Metro.
- In order to prevent injuries, it is forbidden for passengers to run in the stations and trains of the system.
- Music can only be listened to through headphones, as loud music can disturb other passengers.
- Prams are allowed on the trams as long as they are folded or placed so as not to obstruct the movement of other passengers.
- The display of posters or leaflets requires prior authorisation from the Antwerp Metro authorities.
- Firearms are not allowed, except for law enforcement authorities.
- Smoking is not allowed in Antwerp Metro stations and trams.
Airport Connections
Although there is no direct connection between Antwerp-Deurne Airport and the city’s tram system, it is possible to catch a tram, transfer and travel to the airport. To do so, follow these steps:
First, take tram number 9 in the direction of Eksterlaar and get off at Berchem Groenenhoek. If you take the tram from Mier station, the journey should take about 15 minutes. On arrival, get off the tram and walk about 200 metres to the bus stop with the same name. Here you can wait for bus number 51, 52 or 53, all of which go to the airport. You should arrive at your destination in about 6 minutes. The correct bus stop to get off at is Deurne Luchthaven, which is just 100 metres from the airport terminal.
If you need to get to the city centre from Antwerp-Deurne Airport, the procedure is similar. When you leave the terminal, walk 100 metres to the Deurne Luchthaven bus stop and wait for the number 51, 52 or 53 bus. These buses will take you close to the Berchem Groenenhoek tram station, where you can take the number 9 tram, which will take you all over the city, as Antwerp’s public transport system is very well connected.
Tourist Attractions
The Sportpaleis is a multi-purpose complex that hosts concerts, sporting events, festivals and fairs. Although originally built for sporting events, it now hosts a wide range of celebrations throughout the year. Built in 1933, it is the second most visited venue in the world after Madison Square Garden in New York, USA, according to Billboard magazine. With a roof area of 11,600m2, it has hosted concerts by the likes of Beyoncé, Britney Spears and Lady Gaga.
A few blocks from Groenplaats station is the majestic Plantin-Moretus Museum, one of Antwerp’s cultural treasures. Originally a 16th-century printing press owned by the publisher and bookseller Cristóbal Plantino, it became a public museum in 1876 and was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2005. The museum houses rare works, including the 36-line Gutenberg Bible and books by the famous scholar Justus Lipsius.