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.
- 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.
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.
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.
- 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 (≈ US$2,500) 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 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 →
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)
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°C43°F
1°C34°F
19 rd
Feb
7°C45°F
1°C34°F
16 rd
Mar
10°C50°F
3°C37°F
18 rd
Apr
14°C57°F
5°C41°F
15 rd
May
18°C64°F
8°C46°F
16 rd
Jun
21°C70°F
11°C52°F
15 rd
Jul
23°C73°F
13°C55°F
14 rd
Aug
23°C73°F
13°C55°F
14 rd
Sep
19°C66°F
11°C52°F
15 rd
Oct
15°C59°F
8°C46°F
16 rd
Nov
10°C50°F
4°C39°F
18 rd
Dec
6°C43°F
2°C36°F
19 rd
High / low °C°F · rd = rain days
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.
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 & 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.
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.
- 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, ozone thresholds can be exceeded: cut back on hard walking.Above 86 °F, 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
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
KraainemKraainem
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
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—
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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 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.