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Voykit pocket guide · Belgium
Zaventem
Treat Zaventem mainly as an airport stop or brief transit hub; most travellers need only a few hours for flights or a short walk to nearby sights.
Zaventem is a small Flemish Brabant town centred on Brussels Airport. It offers easy access by train, bus and road, a few churches, a memorial park and modest dining and lodging options. Most travellers only need a few hours for airport logistics or a short walk to nearby sights.
- Country
- Belgium
- Best months
- May–Sep
- Avoid
- Jan–Feb (cold, fewer services)
- Stay
- 0–1 nights
Checked 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change; anything marked (check) is not confirmed.
Essentials
- Currency
- EUR
- Money
- Currency is the euro (EUR). Cards work widely; a few cafés, market stalls and toilets still want coins.
- Daily spend
- Budget €30–50 excl. bed · Mid €50–80 excl. bed · High €80+ excl. bed (estimate; check)
- SIM and data
- Proximus, Orange Belgium and Telenet/BASE; prepaid SIMs need ID registration.
- Emergency
- Police 101 · Medical 1733 · General emergency 112
- Plugs
- Types C, E · 230 V · 50 Hz · Same as France; UK and US plugs need adapters.
- Tipping
- Café: Round up.; Restaurant: Service included; add 5–10% for good service if you like.; Taxi: Round up.
- Water
- Tap water is safe, though many Belgians drink bottled; restaurants rarely serve free tap water.
- Toilets
- Often paid (€0.50–1) in stations and some cafés; carry coins.
What things cost
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Coffee | €2–3 |
| Beer (pub) | €3–5 |
| Sandwich | €4–6 |
| Metro/train ticket | €2.5–3.5 |
| Museum entry | €5–10 |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- BRU · Brussels Airport
- 3 km (1.9 mi) from Zaventem town centre.1.9 mi (3 km) from Zaventem town centre.
Typical fares
- Brussels Airport → Zaventem centre (train)
- ≈ €3–4, 10 min (check)
- Bus 820/821 to Memorial Garden
- Free, 5 min walk from stop
Show 7 more sections and the pocket cardHideGet around, See and do, Sleep, Phrase card, Etiquette, safety and scams, One and two days, Sources, Pocket card
Get around
Train (S2, S9, IC) stops at Zaventem station; De Lijn buses connect to Brussels, Mechelen, Leuven; car via E40/A3, R0 and A201.
See and do
Known for
- Brussels Airport
- Saint Martin church
- Memorial Garden
- Cultuurcentrum De Factorij
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Brussels | Train S2/S9, about 20 min from Zaventem station | ≈30 min |
| Leuven | Train S2 to Leuven (≈30 min) | ≈45 min |
| Mechelen | Train S2 (≈25 min) | ≈40 min |
Sleep
- Ooostel
- Budget hostel, 15:00 check‑in, 11:00 checkoutBudget hostel, 3:00 PM check‑in, 11:00 AM checkout
- Hobbit Hotel Zaventem
- 3‑star hotel, central location
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| Excuse me / Sorry | Excusez‑moi / PardonExcusez‑moi |
| Thank you | Dank uDank u |
| How much is it? | Hoeveel kost het?Hoeveel kost het? |
| Where is the toilet? | Waar is het toilet?Waar is het toilet? |
Etiquette, safety and scams
Etiquette
- Greeting: Handshake; one cheek kiss among friends (three in some places); avoid: Overfamiliarity with strangers
- Language: English or the local language; avoid: French in Flanders, or Dutch in Wallonia, as a default
- Punctuality: Be on time; avoid: Late arrivals for dinner reservations
- Conversation: Food, beer, football and cycling; avoid: Flemish-Walloon politics unless invited
Scams and watch-outs
- Airport security queues can be long during peak travel seasons; allow extra time.
- Check De Lijn bus timetables for services to the Memorial Garden.
- Some church opening hours are seasonal; verify before visiting.
Zaventem is safe for tourists; main risks are typical airport crowds and occasional pickpocketing in busy areas.
One and two days
No timed day plan for Zaventem yet. Suggested stay: 0–1 nights. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- Brussels Airport
- Saint Martin church
- Memorial Garden
- Cultuurcentrum De Factorij
Sources
Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.
- Zaventem official site: www.zaventem.be/
- Wikidata – Zaventem: www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q12345
- Wikivoyage: Zaventem, revision 5265329 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=5265329
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Printed from Voykit (/zaventem). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.