Anyone setting off from Limburg faces the same question every time: what's the best way to get to the airport? The train looks cheap, driving feels flexible and a taxi seems luxurious. In practice, the best choice depends on who you travel with, your departure time and the length of your trip.
Option 1: the train
From Genk, you usually take a train to Hasselt first, then change towards Leuven and Brussels Airport. Allow about 1.5 to 2 hours and at least one change.
- Pros: affordable for one person with little luggage.
- Cons: changing trains with suitcases, a limited early-morning timetable, an extra surcharge for the airport station and the risk of delays.
Option 2: drive and park
Your own car is flexible, but you pay for every day it stays at the airport.
- Pros: leave whenever you want.
- Cons: daily parking fees, traffic around Brussels, a shuttle from the car park to the terminal and driving home yourself after a tiring flight.
Option 3: a private taxi
An airport taxi picks you up at your door and drops you at the terminal.
- Pros: no changes, no parking fees, room for luggage, available for early and late flights.
- Cons: for one person with hand luggage, usually more expensive than the train.
Comparison at a glance
| Train | Drive & park | Private taxi | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Door to door | No | Almost | Yes |
| Changes | 1 or more | Parking shuttle | None |
| Early flight (before 07:00) | Difficult | Yes | Yes |
| Cost on a long trip | Fixed | Rises per day | Fixed per ride |
| Family with luggage | Hard | Good | Very good |
When is a taxi the smartest choice?
- You travel with two or more people or with lots of luggage.
- Your flight leaves early in the morning or lands late in the evening.
- You're away for more than a few days, making parking expensive.
- After a long trip, you simply want to be dropped at home.
Do the maths: when driving yourself, count not just fuel and parking but also the value of your time and how tired you'll be after the return flight. Ask for a concrete price for your ride via WhatsApp and compare.
Conclusion
For a solo traveller with hand luggage and a midday flight, the train is fine. For families, business travellers and anyone with an early or late flight, a private taxi is often the most comfortable and predictable choice. See our airport transfers or read the Brussels Airport guide.
Frequently asked questions
Is an airport taxi more expensive than parking?
It depends on the length of your trip. On longer trips, daily parking fees add up, while a taxi has a fixed price per ride.
How long is the train from Genk to Brussels Airport?
Usually about 1.5 to 2 hours, with at least one change.
When should I choose an airport taxi?
For early or late flights, when travelling with several people or lots of luggage, and on longer trips.
