Brussels public transport: tickets, passes and apps

The right ticket depends on how many days you are in Brussels and how much you ride. For a short stay of one or two days, the simplest option is to tap a contactless bank card or phone at the metro gate or tram validator. You pay a single fare per ride (about €2.60, 2026 estimate) and the system applies a daily cap so you never pay more than a day ticket would cost. No app, no queue, no leftover paper ticket.

For three days or more, or if you plan to ride several times a day, a multi-day STIB pass is usually cheaper than paying per ride. A day ticket costs about €8–9 (2026 estimate) and covers unlimited rides on metro, tram and bus within the Brussels-Capital zone. If you are staying a week, a weekly pass brings the per-day cost down further.

If you are only walking the centre and taking one or two rides, pay per ride. If you are using the metro to cross the city several times a day, buy the day ticket or multi-day pass. Airport trips are a separate case: the STIB airport bus and the SNCB train from Brussels Airport both cost more than a normal city fare.

Fares below are 2026 estimates for the Brussels-Capital zone. Airport and outer-zone trips cost more. Check the STIB website or app for the current price before you travel, since fares change.

Contactless is the fastest way to pay. Hold a bank card or phone with a contactless symbol against the reader at the metro gate or the validator on a tram or bus. The system charges you per ride and applies a daily cap. You do not need to buy a ticket first.

If you prefer a physical ticket or a pass, use the ticket machines at metro stations, the STIB kiosks, or the STIB app. Machines accept cards and coins; some accept contactless. The STIB app lets you buy and store tickets on your phone.

Keep your ticket or card until you leave the system in case of a check. Inspectors do patrol, and a fine for riding without a valid ticket is much more than the fare.

Most Brussels city trips sit in the Brussels-Capital zone, which covers the metro, tram and bus network inside the region. A single, day or multi-day ticket for this zone covers unlimited travel within it.

Trips to the airport and to outer suburbs fall outside the standard city zone and cost more. The STIB airport bus and the SNCB train from Brussels Airport are priced separately. If you are heading to another Belgian city, that is an SNCB train ticket, not an STIB ticket.

Brussels Airport (Zaventem, code BRU) has a direct train to central Brussels, run by SNCB. It is the default way into the city: frequent, and faster than the bus in traffic. Buy the train ticket at the station or on the SNCB app.

The STIB airport bus also links the airport to the city, but it uses a separate airport fare rather than a normal city ticket. Brussels South Charleroi Airport (code CRL) is farther out and is served by coach to Brussels-South station, not by STIB.

If you are arriving late or with heavy bags, a taxi or pre-booked transfer is simpler, but costs more. Check the airport page for current options and times.

Tap the same card or phone every time you ride so the daily cap applies correctly. If you switch between cards, the cap may not combine.

Metro stations at Midi and Nord attract pickpockets, especially at busy times. Keep bags zipped and in front of you.

Strike days can stop SNCB trains and sometimes affect STIB services. Check the operator's site the day before you travel.

Many museums close on Mondays, so plan your riding around what is open. Shops close on Sunday outside tourist areas.