German rail operator Deutsche Bahn plans to introduce a new high-speed ICE train service connecting Antwerp, Leuven, Brussels Airport, and Liège with Cologne and Aachen by September 2026, pending approval from Belgium’s Federal Agency for Transport Regulation.
Key highlights:
- First-ever ICE stop at Brussels Airport, meeting a long-standing request from the airport operator
- Two daily round trips:
- Departures from Antwerp at ~11:00 and ~19:00, reaching Cologne in about 2.5 hours
- Return trips from Cologne at ~6:30 and ~14:30
- Route: Regular rail from Antwerp to Leuven, then high-speed track from Leuven to Germany
- Stops include Antwerp Central, Leuven, Brussels Airport, Liège, Aachen, and Cologne
This new route would complement existing ICE and Eurostar services between Belgium and Germany, enhancing international rail connectivity and offering direct airport access for passengers from Germany and Flanders.