Leuven, nestled in the heart of Belgium, is a city known for its history and academic prominence. It’s home to KU Leuven, one of Europe’s oldest and most respected universities. Walking through Leuven’s charming streets, you’ll see beautiful well-preserved architecture, like the iconic Town Hall and the imposing Ladeuzeplein library tower. The city has a lively vibe, especially in its cozy cafes, where people enjoy the famous Belgian beers. Beyond its academic and historical significance, Leuven also has lovely parks like the Arboretum and the Park Abbey, offering peaceful spots to relax. It’s a charming city, blending history, intellect, and natural beauty, making it a delightful destination for exploration and discovery.

How to get to Leuven

By plane

The national airport of Belgium (Brussels Airport) is the closest to Leuven (25 km). The easiest and cheapest way to reach Leuven from the airport is to take the train to Leuven, which runs twice per hour and costs € 11.20. Alternatively, you can grab a taxi outside the airport. A taxi ride to Leuven will cost you at least € 50.

Some airlines will fly to Brussels South Charleroi Airport (70 km from Mechelen). From there, you can either take a shuttle to Charleroi-Central train station, where you can take a direct train to Leuven that runs every hour. A shuttle-train combi ticket costs € 17.40. Alternatively, you can take a shuttle bus to Brussels (€ 19.95) and hop on a train to Leuven (€ 6.50) there.

By train

The train station of Leuven is located at the border of the city and lies within walking distance of the city centre. There are regular connections to every major city in Belgium and to Brussels Airport. More information on schedules and fares can be found at www.belgianrail.be.

By car

Approaching Leuven on the highway E40 from Brussels (Brussel – Bruxelles) or from Liège (Luik): take crossing to highway E314/A2 (direction Aken-Genk-Hasselt and Leuven). Immediately after, take exit Leuven (nr 15).
Approaching Leuven on highway E314/A2 from Aken-Genk-Hasselt: take exit Leuven (nr 15).

There are numerous parking lots in Leuven, both outside the city and inside the city center. More info about them and pricing can be found on the Leuven city website.

For more detailed info on the different modes of transportation check out the Visit Leuven website.