Major city · Belgium
Kraainem
Skip as a base: Kraainem is a Brussels suburb, 20 min by metro from Central station. Come for a half-day walk, or sleep here only if you want cheap parking.
Kraainem is a residential municipality in Flemish Brabant, wrapped around the eastern edge of Brussels and 20 minutes from Brussels Central on metro line 1. It grew from a rural village into an expat suburb, and its sights are a church, a castle park, old farmsteads and a walkable historic core. Treat it as a half-day from Brussels, not a destination in itself.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- EUR
- Best months
- Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct
- avoid Jul–Aug (heat and ozone alerts), Dec–Feb (grey and wet)
- Airport
- BRU
- Nights
- 0–1
Rules in force · 8Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window…
- Europe ↗Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window, counted across all 29 Schengen states together — not per country; the Entry/Exit System now logs each crossing, so an overstay is detected automatically.
- Europe ↗On the first Schengen entry since EES began, non-EU travellers give four fingerprints and a face photo at the border instead of a passport stamp; there is nothing to apply for or pay in advance.
- Benelux ↗Dutch and Belgian police can ask anyone to show identification (in the Netherlands from age 14): carry the original passport or EU ID card — a photocopy is not accepted.
- Benelux ↗Tap-in fares, Dutch and Belgian domestic tickets and Luxembourg's free transport all stop at the border: buy an international ticket for cross-border legs, or you will be fined on board.
- Belgium ↗Belgium is in the EU and the Schengen area; the EU Entry/Exit System applies to non-EU visitors. Check the official EU and Belgian sources for your passport.
- Belgium ↗Cities have different names in Dutch and French (Antwerpen/Anvers, Gent/Gand, Brugge/Bruges, Luik/Liège); check both on tickets and signs.
- Belgium ↗Brussels, Antwerp and Ghent have low-emission zones; if you drive, check that the car is registered or allowed before entering.
- Belgium ↗Belgian unions call national action days that stop trains, trams and flights; check SNCB and your airline two days before any travel day.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Kraainem101 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Kraainem, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the euro (EUR).Belgium-wide
- SIM or eSIMProximus, Orange Belgium and Telenet/BASE; prepaid SIMs need ID registration.Belgium-wide
- Tap waterTap water is safe, though many Belgians drink bottled; restaurants rarely serve free tap water.Belgium-wide
- TippingRestaurant: Service included; add 5–10% for good service if you like.Belgium-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets C/E. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Belgium-wide
- SafetySafe and quiet; the real risks are traffic on the E40/R0 approaches, ticket fines on the three bus networks, and heat or ozone on summer afternoons.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsOften paid (€0.50–1 (≈ US$1–2)) in stations and some cafés; carry coins.Belgium-wide
- Emergency numbers101 police · 112 fire and ambulance · 1733 Out-of-hours doctor (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysMany museums close on Mondays; Bruges' museums close Monday; shops close Sunday outside tourist areas.Belgium-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportBRU Brussels Airport (About 22 EUR (≈ US$30) by taxi to Kraainem; metro line 1 does not reach the airport).
- Getting aroundWalk the northern half and centre: a loop from Kraainem metro station through Low Kraainem, High Kraainem and the Jourdain park takes 2–5 h.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Coffee€2.50–4 (≈ US$3–5)
- Street or quick mealLunch, sandwich or soup€8–15 (≈ US$10–18)
- Beercafé / supermarket€3–5 (≈ US$4–6)€1.50–2.50 (≈ US$2–3)
- Metro or bus rideMetro or tram single ride€2.20–2.60 (≈ US$3–4) (check)
- Budget bedHostel or budget bed, a night, per person€30 (≈ US$35)
- Mid-range bedHotel double room, a night, per room€140 (≈ US$170)
- High-end bedHotel double room, a night, per room€260 (≈ US$350)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget €45 (≈ US$55) · Mid €80 (≈ US$95) · High €150 (≈ US$180)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- BRU Brussels Airport (About 22 EUR by taxi to Kraainem; metro line 1 does not reach the airport)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
Feb
Avoid
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
Mar
not flagged
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
Apr
Best
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
May
Best
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Jun
Best
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Jul
Avoid
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Aug
Avoid
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Sep
Best
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
Oct
Best
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
Nov
not flagged
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
Dec
Avoid
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
Best: Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct. Avoid: Jul–Aug, Dec–Feb. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)), coolest Jan (1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C) low), wettest Jan (19 rain days), driest Jul (14). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Kraainem: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
19 rd
Feb
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
16 rd
Mar
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
18 rd
Apr
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
15 rd
May
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
16 rd
Jun
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
15 rd
Jul
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
14 rd
Aug
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
14 rd
Sep
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
15 rd
Oct
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
16 rd
Nov
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
18 rd
Dec
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
19 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Walk the northern half and centre: a loop from Kraainem metro station through Low Kraainem, High Kraainem and the Jourdain park takes 2–5 h. Metro line 1, tram 92 and buses 76/77 (MIVB) plus De Lijn buses 316/352 cross the municipality, but each operator sells its own ticket. Villo bikes rent from the station near the metro.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: About 30 min
Metro line 1 from Kraainem station to Central, about 20 min
The reason most people come here; go early, the centre fills by 11:00.The reason most people come here; go early, the centre fills by 11:00 AM.
Tervuren
goDoor to door: About 30–40 min
Bus or bike south through the Sonian Forest edge
Museum and forest walks; pairs well with South Kraainem.
Leuven
goDoor to door: About 1 h
Metro to Brussels, then IC train from North or Central
Gothic town hall and Oude Markt; a full half-day.
Grimbergen
cautionDoor to door: About 30–45 min
Car or bus via the R0 ring
Abbey and brewery; awkward by public transport, easy by car.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Around Kraainem metro station
Best for a Brussels trip with a car: metro line 1 into the centre in about 20 min, plus Villo bike rental at the station.
Stokkel and Dumon Square
Upscale residential and shopping district on the Brussels border; tram 92 runs west into Brussels.
High Kraainem
The historic core by the town hall and Saint Pancras Church; quiet, few beds, walkable to the park.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- €45–70 (≈ US$55–85) excl. bed
- Mid
- €70–120 (≈ US$85–140) excl. bed
- High
- €120 (≈ US$140)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Hotel double room1 × 1 night × €140 | €140 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × €80 | €160 |
| Metro line 1, single ride2 × €2 · check | €4 |
| Villo bike, one day2 × €2 · card required, no cash | €3 |
| Taxi BRU airport to Kraainem1 × €22 | €22 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × €10 | €20 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | €35 |
| Trip total≈ €192 per person per day, bed included | €384≈ US$450 |
2026 estimate in euro; flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | €2.50–4 (≈ US$3–5) |
| Lunch, sandwich or soup | €8–15 (≈ US$10–18) |
| Beer, café / supermarket | €3–5 (≈ US$4–6) / €1.50–2.50 (≈ US$2–3) |
| Metro or tram single ride | €2.20–2.60 (≈ US$3–4) (check) |
| Taxi BRU airport to Kraainem | about €22 (≈ US$30) |
| Villo bike, first day | from €1.60 (≈ US$2), then €0.50 (≈ under US$1) per 30 min after the first hour |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Three bus operators (MIVB, De Lijn, TEC) run here and tickets are not interchangeable; buy from the driver if unsure.
- Riding without a valid ticket can bring a fine up to 150 EUR (≈ US$180).
- Rush hour (07:00–09:30, 16:00–18:00) paralyses the E40 and R0 around Brussels.Rush hour (7:00 AM–9:30 AM, 4:00 PM–6:00 PM) paralyses the E40 and R0 around Brussels.
- Language politics are sensitive here; don't take a side in the Flemish–francophone debate.
- Above 30 °C (86 °F), ozone thresholds can be exceeded: cut back on hard walking.Above 86 °F (30 °C), ozone thresholds can be exceeded: cut back on hard walking.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 101
- Fire and ambulance
- 112
- Out-of-hours doctor
- 1733
Pocket card
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KraainemKraainem
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
Naar dit adres, alstublieft / À cette adresse, s'il vous plaîtTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police101
- Fire and ambulance112
- Out-of-hours doctor1733
Embassy
No embassies in Kraainem; most are in Brussels, about 20–30 min by metro and tram.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Kraainem metro → Brussels Central: about 20 min, single MIVB ticket (check)
- Taxi BRU airport → Kraainem: about €22 (≈ US$30)
- Villo bike, one day: from €1.60 (≈ US$2), card only
Say or show
- Hallo / Bonjour — Hello (ha-LO / bon-ZHOOR)
- Dank u / Merci — Thank you (dank u / mer-SEE)
- Een ticket, alstublieft / Un ticket, s'il vous plaît — One ticket, please
- Hoeveel kost het? / Combien ça coûte ? — How much is it?
- Waar is de metro? / Où est le métro ? — Where is the metro?
- Pardon / Excuseer — Excuse me
Tourist office at the town hall, Arthur Dezangrélaan 17: free walking and cycling maps, public transport tickets. Check hours before going.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Kraainem. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct · avoid Jul–Aug (heat and ozone alerts), Dec–Feb (grey and wet) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 5 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for BRU: taxi band, metro line 1 last-train check, overnight rung.
- Walking loop from Kraainem metro with cutoffs at the church, Jourdain park and Low Kraainem farmsteads.
- Place pages for Saint Pancras Church, Jourdain Castle and the town hall tourist office, with opening checks.
- Operator-ticket fixture so MIVB, De Lijn and TEC fares show side by side.