New ICE Link Connects Germany With Brussels Airport and Antwerp

Germany’s Deutsche Bahn has launched a new ICE high speed service linking Cologne with Brussels Airport and Antwerp, creating a direct cross border route that strengthens rail access between western Germany and key Belgian hubs.

New Cross Border Route Launches in September 2026

Publicly available information shows that the new ICE connection entered service on 7 September 2026, with trains running between Cologne Hauptbahnhof and Antwerp-Central via Aachen, Liège, Leuven and Brussels Airport-Zaventem. The route places Brussels Airport on the German ICE network for the first time and delivers Antwerp’s first direct high speed rail link with Germany.

According to published coverage from Deutsche Bahn and Belgian rail operator SNCB/NMBS, the timetable initially offers two daily ICE train pairs. Services depart Cologne for Antwerp in the early morning and mid-afternoon, while return trains leave Antwerp around midday and in the early evening. Journey time between Cologne and Antwerp is reported at around two hours twenty minutes, depending on the specific stopping pattern.

Rail industry summaries indicate that the new Cologne Antwerp axis complements the existing Frankfurt Brussels ICE corridor, giving Germany a second direct high speed route into Belgium. By adding Brussels Airport as an intermediate stop, the service opens a fast rail link to the country’s main international gateway alongside direct access to Antwerp’s historic city center.

Direct Access to Brussels Airport’s Global Flight Network

Information from Brussels Airport’s press materials highlights that the new ICE stop at the underground Brussels Airport-Zaventem station restores a direct high speed rail connection to the airport for the first time since 2015. The airport station, located beneath the terminal building, already handles frequent domestic and intercity services; the arrival of ICE trains adds a long distance international dimension.

Reports indicate that travelers from western Germany can now reach Brussels Airport by ICE in roughly two hours from Cologne, with onward access to more than 180 direct flight destinations worldwide. The connection is marketed as a seamless alternative to short haul feeder flights, positioning the airport as a hub that combines high speed rail and air services on a single itinerary.

Deutsche Bahn and Brussels Airlines have also expanded an existing intermodal cooperation to cover these new services. Publicly available information describes a combined train and flight product that allows passengers to book a through journey, including reserved seats on the ICE and a connecting flight from Brussels Airport, under a single booking reference.

Antwerp Joins the ICE Network for the First Time

Press releases from SNCB/NMBS describe the launch as a milestone for Antwerp, which gains a first ever direct ICE high speed service to Germany. Antwerp-Central, a major Belgian hub already served by Thalys and intercity trains, is now directly linked to Cologne and the Rhine Ruhr region without requiring a change of trains in Brussels or Liège.

Travel information platforms note that the new Cologne Antwerp ICE connection is marketed with advance fares starting from around 29 euros for a standard class ticket, depending on booking horizon and demand. The route is also integrated into the wider German long distance network, enabling connections in Cologne toward cities such as Frankfurt, Berlin, Hamburg, Stuttgart and Munich.

For the Belgian network, the new line reinforces Antwerp’s role as a northern gateway. Passengers can transfer at Antwerp-Central to domestic services across Flanders and to the Netherlands, while German travelers gain a straightforward rail option for reaching the city’s port area and cultural attractions.

Part of a Broader Expansion of International Rail

Deutsche Bahn’s network announcements for the 2026 timetable frame the Cologne Brussels Airport Antwerp launch as part of a broader expansion of international high speed services. The company is increasing capacity and frequencies on several cross border corridors, responding to sustained demand for rail alternatives to short haul flights and motorway journeys.

Rail sector publications underline that the Cologne Antwerp ICE trains use modern ICE 3neo rolling stock, offering onboard Wi Fi, power outlets and a mix of seating classes. The trains are designed for up to 300 km/h on high speed sections, although actual operating speeds vary along the mixed conventional and high speed alignment between Germany and Belgium.

Travel planners expect the new link to attract both business and leisure passengers, particularly those headed to or from the Rhine Ruhr region, one of Europe’s largest urban and industrial areas. The direct stop at Brussels Airport is also expected to appeal to travelers who prefer rail access to a major aviation hub without transferring through central Brussels.

Improved Connectivity and Sustainability for Travelers

Policy and industry commentary frequently highlight the environmental benefits of shifting short and medium haul journeys from air and road to electrified high speed rail. The new ICE connection between Cologne, Brussels Airport and Antwerp is presented in this context as a lower emissions option that still delivers competitive journey times for cross border travel.

For passengers in Germany, the service offers a straightforward itinerary to two of Belgium’s principal destinations. Antwerp’s direct ICE link may encourage more weekend and short city breaks by rail, while the airport connection gives German travelers an additional European hub for long haul flights, complementing Frankfurt, Munich and other established gateways.

On the Belgian side, the line strengthens the country’s position within Europe’s high speed rail map. Antwerp gains a new role as an international terminus, while Brussels Airport regains a direct place on the continent’s high speed network. Together, these developments expand options for travelers who want to combine the convenience of high speed rail with the reach of global air services.

Deutsche Bahn press release on Cologne–Brussels Airport–Antwerp ICE

Brussels Airport news on the new Cologne–Brussels Airport link

SNCB/NMBS announcement on Antwerp’s first direct ICE link to Germany