How to get around Ghent using public transport, trains, and bicycles

How to Get Around Ghent

Ghent has a vast pedestrianised core, making walking the easiest way to explore between Korenmarkt, Gravensteen castle, and Graslei. For longer journeys, transit and cycling take priority:

• Trams and buses: Run by De Lijn, trams link suburban districts and the primary rail terminal, Gent-Sint-Pieters, directly to Korenmarkt. They are the ideal choice when arriving with bags.
• Bicycles: Ghent is built for cycling, with separated paths and bridges. A rental bike is the quickest option for reaching outer university quarters and parks.
• Walking: The central pedestrian zone restricts private cars, so foot travel is usually faster than vehicular detours.

Getting from Brussels Airport (BRU)

• Direct train: Domestic trains depart directly from beneath Brussels Airport to Gent-Sint-Pieters station. This route requires minimal effort, bypasses highway traffic, and takes roughly an hour. Cost band: moderate.
• Taxi: Taxis wait outside arrivals. Travel times vary with Brussels ring-road congestion, and costs are substantially higher. Cost band: high.

Tickets and Passes

De Lijn runs all city trams and buses. Contactless payment at onboard readers is standard for single journeys. Day passes or digital multi-trip cards suit visitors staying outside the centre. They do not suit travelers lodging in the historic heart, where nearly everything is within walking distance.

Practical Transit Advice

• Luggage and cobblestones: Historic streets feature uneven stones. Ride the tram into the center from Gent-Sint-Pieters to avoid pulling luggage over rough paving.
• Schedules and night travel: Tram frequencies drop in late evening, with daytime routes ending near midnight. Limited night buses run on select corridors.
• Accessibility: Major tram lines deploy low-floor cars, though historic stone paving can challenge mobility devices.