The Brussels Metro is the only metro system in Belgium and a core part of public transport in Brussels. Run by STIB/MIVB, it includes four conventional metro lines and premetro tramway routes that use underground sections built to metro standards. The network links key city areas, railway stations, tramway routes, and bus services, making it central to transportation in Brussels. The system began with an underground tramway section in 1969, became a true metro in 1976, and has expanded and been reorganized several times since then.
| Key | Information |
|---|---|
| Operator | STIB/MIVB |
| System type | Metro and premetro tramway network |
| Metro lines | M1, M2, M5, and M6 |
| Premetro lines mentioned | T4, T7, and T10 |
| Metro length | 39.9 km / 24.8 miles |
| Underground metro and tram infrastructure | 52.0 km / 32.3 miles |
| Stations | 59 metro-only stations; 69 metro and premetro stations as of 2011 |
| First underground tramway opening | 1969 |
| Metro opening | 1976 |
Brussels Metro Map
Map of Brussels Metro showing different lines and stations. Click on the map to enlarge it or download the Brussels Metro map in PDF format.
Outline of the Lines and Stations
Brussels Metro is compact, but it works efficiently. In the city center, two lines share the same track, so the network can feel smaller than the number of routes suggests. For most trips through central Brussels, a few core lines do much of the heavy lifting.
Lines
The Brussels Metro system includes conventional metro routes and underground tramway services. In practice, these lines form the backbone of local transport across the capital.
- Lines 1 and 5 run between the eastern and western parts of the city and are useful for places such as Brussels Park and the Cinquantenaire.
- Lines 2 and 6 form circle routes. Line 6 also goes to Brupark, the stop for the Atomium and Mini Europe.
- Lines 3 and 4 run north to south and are especially useful between Gare du Midi and the city center.
If you are checking a stations map or route plan, keep that central overlap in mind. It often makes transfers simpler than they look at first glance.
Stations
The network has 69 metro and premetro stations. Most are underground, though some stops on lines 5 and 6 are at ground level. The system also connects with major railway stations, tramway routes, and bus stops across the wider city transport network.
For trip planning, a stations list and stations map are the easiest way to understand the route, interchange points, and nearby rail connections.
| Station | Details |
|---|---|
| Brupark | Served by Line 6; useful for the Atomium and Mini Europe |
| Gare du Midi | Key north-south connection on lines 3 and 4 |
| Schuman | Important interchange and airport bus connection on lines 1 and 5 |
| Maelbeek/Maalbeek | Station affected by the 22 March 2016 bombing |
| Eddy Merckx | Named after the cyclist Eddy Merckx |
Practical note
For opening hours, the metro generally starts at 5:30 am on weekdays and closes at midnight. On Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays, opening times are usually 6:00 am to 12:30 am. Some routes, including lines 3 and 4, have an earlier starting time of 5:00 am.
Frequency depends on the time of day. During peak periods, trains usually run every 5 to 10 minutes. After that, waiting times can stretch to around 20 minutes.
Operating Hours and Frequencies
The Brussels Metro operating hours vary slightly by day. On weekdays, the system usually opens at 5:30 am and the closing time is midnight. On Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays, opening hours are typically 6:00 am to 12:30 am. Some lines, such as 3 and 4, begin earlier, from 5:00 am.
As for frequency, trains usually arrive every 5 to 10 minutes during peak hours. Outside peak times, the running time between services increases and intervals are around 20 minutes. In the city center, shared tracks can make the effective wait shorter than the standard off-peak timetable suggests.
| Service detail | Timings |
|---|---|
| Weekday operating hours | 5:30 am to midnight |
| Saturday, Sunday, and public holiday opening hours | 6:00 am to 12:30 am |
| Earlier starting time on some lines | From 5:00 am on lines 3 and 4 |
| Peak frequency | Every 5 to 10 minutes |
| Off-peak frequency | Around every 20 minutes |
If you are looking for timings today, schedule today, or the last train, these figures give the general pattern described for the system.
Fares, Tickets, and Cards
Brussels uses an integrated STIB/MIVB ticketing system, so the same ticket works on the metro, trams, and local city bus services. That makes public transport in Brussels straightforward, especially for visitors moving between different modes.
Brussels Card
The Brussels Card includes unlimited access to Brussels public transport and admission to 49 museums, including the Musical Instrument Museum, the Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium, and the René Magritte Museum. It does not include the airport train, but it does cover bus line 12 to the airport.
Pay Contactless
You can pay with a contactless bank card or smartphone, including Apple Pay, without buying a physical ticket. The fare starts at €2.30 ($2.49) for 60 minutes, and there is a daily cap of €8.40 ($9.09). You need to tap in with the same card each time, and the ticket is valid for one person only.
Standard Ticket Options with MOBIB
For regular tickets, you need a MOBIB basic card, which costs €6 ($6.50) and is sold at metro stations. Available fare options include:
- One-way ticket: €2.40 ($2.60), valid for 60 minutes with unlimited transfers
- 10-journey ticket: €16.80 ($18.19)
- 1-day unlimited travel pass: €9.50 ($10.29)
- Monthly pass: €55.50 ($60.08)
- Brupass: 10-journey pass €18.90 ($20.45); monthly pass €56 ($60.62)
- Annual pass: €660 ($714.29)
The Brupass is valid across STIB and regional networks including TEC, De Lijn, and SNCB trains within Brussels.
Where to Buy Tickets
You can buy tickets and travel cards at metro stations or at a city newsstand. A one-way ticket can also be purchased from a bus or tram driver if needed, though a supplement applies.
All tickets remain valid for 18 months from the purchase date. Once validated, they can be used for transfers within 60 minutes.
Brussels also offers season passes and reduced fare options for different age groups and situations. If you are comparing ticket price, pass choices, or card options, the system gives both occasional and frequent travelers a decent range.
Interplay with Other Systems
The Brussels Metro is only one part of a wider transport system. Across the capital, STIB/MIVB also runs trams and buses, so transfers between metro, tramway, and bus services are fairly easy. This integration is a big part of how city transport works in Brussels.
A key feature is the premetro network: tram lines that use underground sections built to metro standards. Routes such as lines 3, 4, and 7 are part of that setup, while other tram services continue at street level through the city and suburbs.
The metro also links with the national railway network and suburban rail services through the Brussels Regional Express Network. That makes it useful not just for transport within the center, but also for wider regional trips.
Bus services fill in the gaps. STIB/MIVB runs standard bus routes as well as Noctis night services, while De Lijn and TEC provide additional regional connections. Ticketing is integrated too, since a single STIB/MIVB ticket works on the metro, premetro, trams, and buses.
Airport access also fits into this broader public transport system. As described here, there is no direct metro or tram link to Brussels Airport, so STIB/MIVB bus routes connect the airport with the network, especially at Schuman station.
| System | Role in Brussels transport |
|---|---|
| Metro | Fast underground rapid transit on four lines |
| Premetro | Tram lines using metro-standard underground sections |
| Tram | Surface network covering much of the city and suburbs |
| Bus | Complements rail services, including Noctis night lines |
| Rail | Connects key stations and the wider regional network |
Airport Connectivity
Brussels Airport can be reached by bus or train, depending on your route and ticket needs. There is no metro line directly to the airport.
By bus: the Airport Line
STIB line 12, the Airport Line, links Brussels Airport with the city and stops such as Schuman and Trône/Troon. It is especially practical for the European district.
The ticket depends on the direction of travel:
- From the city center to Brussels Airport: any valid STIB/MIVB ticket or season pass can be used on bus 12.
- From Brussels Airport to the city center: you need an Airport2City ticket or an Airport Line season ticket.
Contactless payment costs €7.90 ($8.55). A paper ticket costs €8.40 ($9.09), and payment with a MOBIB card also costs €7.90 ($8.55). With an Airport2City ticket, you can continue on the STIB/MIVB network for one hour after validation.
The airport bus station is on level 0, one floor below arrivals.
By train: the fastest public transport option
Brussels Airport-Zaventem railway station is directly beneath the terminal on level -1. Trains reach Brussels-Central in about 18 minutes, making rail the fastest public transport option described here.
Direct trains connect the airport with Brussels-North, Brussels-Central, Brussels-South, and the European Quarter. There are also direct rail links to cities including Leuven, Antwerp, Ghent, Liège, Namur, Bruges, and Charleroi, plus international service to Breda and Rotterdam.
Rail trips to and from the airport are usually subject to the Brussels Airport Supplement, which is often already included in the ticket price.
Overview of the History
The history of the Brussels Metro stretches back to the late 19th century, though construction did not begin until the 1960s. Early proposals appeared as far back as 1892, but geology and technical limits slowed progress. In the meantime, Brussels expanded its tramway network, which later shaped both the metro and premetro system.
The first underground sections were built between 1965 and 1969. The original premetro tunnel between Schuman and De Brouckère opened on 17 December 1969. That route was later converted into the shared core of the first metro lines, and on 20 September 1976 the first full metro line opened.
Expansion continued over the following decades, with new stations and extensions added in the 1970s, 1980s, 1990s, and 2000s. A major network reorganization came on 4 April 2009, when the line 2 loop was completed.
The system has also had difficult moments. On 22 March 2016, Maelbeek/Maalbeek station was bombed in an attack that killed about 20 people and injured 106, leading to a temporary closure and a review of security procedures.
Today’s network reflects gradual expansion and repeated adaptation rather than one single build-out.
Future Developments
Future expansion is focused on Line 3, planned to connect Brussels-North with Bordet in the north and Albert in the south. The project has two parts: converting the existing North-South premetro section into metro service, and building a northern extension with seven new stations.
The southern section involves upgrading the tram-based route between Brussels-North and Albert. A new Toots Thielemans station is planned to replace the current Lemonnier station area, and stations plus technical systems will be adapted for metro use.
For the northern extension toward Bordet, the route is planned underground and is intended to include seven new stations and a depot connection while limiting surface disruption.
The latest information in the draft says the overall Line 3 project has been delayed. It also notes that the Brussels government wants to complete only part of Metro 3 for now so underground trams can use the new tunnel, while the rest is kept ready for future metro operation.
Beyond Line 3, Line 4 has also been discussed as a possible future metro project, though it remains a tram line for the time being.
Interesting Facts
The Brussels Metro was first planned in the early 1960s as a fully underground system, but the first underground network section opened in 1969 as premetro tramways before metro service began in 1976.
Today, the system combines four conventional metro lines with premetro lines, and many underground tram stations share the same design language as metro stations. As of 2011, the underground metro and tram network extended for 52.0 km / 32.3 miles and included 69 stations.
The system is also tightly connected to the wider transport network, with links to six railway stations and many tram and bus stops operated by STIB/MIVB, De Lijn, and TEC.
Another distinctive feature is station art. Many stops include artworks, giving the network a museum-like feel underground.
Line 5 includes Eddy Merckx station, named after the five-time Tour de France winner, and it displays his bicycle and other personal items.
Tourism and Sightseeing
The metro is useful for sightseeing because it connects major parts of Brussels with other forms of transport, including bus, tramway, and rail. For visitors planning a route through the city, tourist information desks can help with maps, brochures, and practical advice.
Brussels also offers guided tours, guided walks, and museum visits for adults and children. For business travelers, visitor services are available for conferences, summits, fairs, exhibitions, and meetings.
List of tourist information desks
| Office | Address |
|---|---|
| City Hall of Brussels | Grand-Place – 1000 Bruxelles |
| Station Europe (temporarily closed) | Place du Luxembourg – 1050 Bruxelles |
| Brussels Info Place | Rue Royale 2 – 1000 Bruxelles |
If you want to combine a metro ride with walking or museum stops, these desks are a practical first step.