Brussels Airport will be connected directly to Germany’s high-speed rail network for the first time. Deutsche Bahn (DB) and Brussels Airlines have announced a new ICE service between Cologne and Antwerp via Aachen, Liège, Leuven and Brussels Airport, starting on 7 September 2026.
Two daily return services will operate between Cologne Central Station and Antwerp, stopping at Brussels Airport en route. Tickets for the ICE service to Brussels Airport are available immediately, while the first trains will run from September next year. Journey time between Cologne and the airport will be around two hours, with the morning train scheduled to arrive at Brussels Airport at 8:29 a.m., enabling onward long-haul connections.
The new service forms the basis of a codeshare agreement between DB and Brussels Airlines. Passengers will be able to book a combined rail–air ticket in a single transaction, covering both the ICE journey and the flight. The cooperation mirrors the existing Lufthansa Express Rail model within Germany and extends the concept to cross-border services via Belgium.
Michael Peterson, DB Board Member for Long-Distance Passenger Transport, said demand for climate-friendly access to airports continues to grow. “The integration of rail and air transport is clearly on trend. The new direct connection from Cologne to Antwerp via Brussels Airport serves the strong demand for international rail travel while expanding our intermodal offering together with Brussels Airlines.”
Dorothea von Boxberg, CEO of Brussels Airlines, highlighted the strategic relevance of western Germany for the airline’s network, particularly to sub-Saharan Africa. “Our codeshare agreement with Deutsche Bahn ensures smooth, climate-friendly connections. We are working to expand the offer further in the future,” she said.
Arnaud Feist, CEO of Brussels Airport, described the return of high-speed rail services as an important step for Belgium’s international connectivity. He underlined intermodality as a core strategic objective and noted that the new ICE link provides fast and seamless access to more than 180 global destinations served from Brussels.
The cross-border route will be operated with DB’s newest ICE 3neo fleet, offering enhanced comfort and reliability. Passengers booking via the codeshare will benefit from features already known from Lufthansa Express Rail, including seat reservations, integrated city tickets in Cologne and Aachen, connection guarantees in case of delays, and mileage accrual. Business Class and Miles & More status customers will also have lounge access at Cologne Central Station.
With this move, DB and Brussels Airlines are strengthening the integration of high-speed rail and aviation in Western Europe, positioning Brussels Airport as a more accessible intermodal hub for passengers from Germany.
