Getting There & Away: Liege

Air Travel to Liège

Main Airports

Brussels Airport (BRU) is the main international gateway. Brussels South Charleroi Airport (CRL) serves low-cost carriers. Liège Airport (LGG) mainly handles cargo with limited passenger flights.

Airport Details

BRU: Approximately 90 km (56 miles) northwest of Liège, with extensive global connections.
CRL: Located about 80 km (50 miles) west of Liège, focuses on European low-cost routes.
LGG: Passenger services are more limited, often serving specific holiday destinations.

Flight Options

For travelers originating from North America, Asia, Africa, or other distant continents, the vast majority of direct flights into Belgium will land at Brussels Airport (BRU). There are no direct transcontinental flights to Liège Airport (LGG).

Airline Choices

BRU: A hub for Brussels Airlines, it also serves major international carriers like Lufthansa, KLM, British Airways, Air France, and various North American and Asian airlines.
CRL: Dominated by low-cost airlines, mainly Ryanair and Wizz Air, offering numerous routes to European cities.
Prices tend to peak during the high season (June-August) and around major holidays. Shoulder seasons (April-May and September-October) often present better value.

Airport Facilities

Brussels Airport (BRU) offers a full range of facilities, including duty-free shops, restaurants, car rental agencies, currency exchange services, lounges, and on-site hotels. It is a modern and well-equipped airport.

Basic Services

Liège Airport (LGG) facilities are more basic, providing a few shops and cafes, suitable for its smaller passenger volume. Brussels South Charleroi Airport (CRL) provides essential services for budget travelers, including car rentals, fast-food options, and basic shops.

Transport Links

Efficient transfer options are available from airports to Liège city center via train or bus connections, ensuring a smooth arrival.

Airport Transfers to Liège

From Brussels Airport BRU

Train: This is the most efficient and recommended option. Direct trains run from the airport's train station (Brussels Airport-Zaventem) to Liège-Guillemins station.
The journey takes approximately 1 hour. Tickets are available at the station or through the SNCB app. Trains are frequent and comfortable.
Bus/Taxi/Ride-share: Taxis are available outside the terminal but can be expensive for a direct trip to Liège. Ride-sharing services like Uber operate in Belgium, but a long-distance transfer from BRU to Liège will be costly compared to the train.
This method offers direct, comfortable travel.

From Brussels South Charleroi Airport CRL

Bus + Train: Take the "Airport Express" bus (FlixBus or TEC) from CRL to Charleroi-Sud train station.
From Charleroi-Sud, take a direct train to Liège-Guillemins. The total journey takes approximately 1.5 to 2 hours, depending on connections.
This is the most practical way to Liège from Charleroi.
Bus tickets are generally cheaper than train tickets, good for budget travelers.

From Liège Airport LGG

Bus Connection

TEC bus lines connect the airport to the Liège city center. This is a convenient and affordable option.

Taxi Service

Taxis are readily available outside the terminal for a direct ride to your accommodation.

Car Rentals

Car rental agencies are available at LGG for self-driving exploration of the region.

Land Transportation to Liège

Train Travel in Belgium

Belgium boasts an excellent railway network operated by SNCB/NMBS (Belgian National Railway Company). Liège-Guillemins is a major and modern train hub.

High-Speed Links

Thalys connects Liège-Guillemins directly to Paris (approx. 2 hours), Cologne (approx. 1 hour), and Aachen (approx. 30 minutes).
ICE (Intercity-Express) connects Liège to Frankfurt, offering further international reach.
Purchasing tickets in advance is often recommended for high-speed international routes to secure better prices.

Domestic & Bus Travel

Frequent and reliable domestic train connections. Long-distance bus travel is a more budget-friendly alternative to trains, though typically slower.

Connecting Cities

Domestic Trains: Reach Brussels (approx. 1 hour), Antwerp (approx. 1.5 hours), Ghent (approx. 2 hours), and Bruges (approx. 2.5 hours).
FlixBus: Offers international and some domestic routes to and from Liège. The FlixBus station is usually near the Liège-Guillemins train station.
Bus tickets are usually cheaper than train tickets, making them a good option for budget-conscious travelers.

Self-Driving & Roads

Renting a car can be useful for exploring the wider Wallonia region and the Ardennes, but it is not necessary for exploring Liège city center.

Driving Guidelines

License: A valid domestic driving license is needed. An International Driving Permit (IDP) is recommended or needed for non-EU/EEA licenses. Carry both.
Roads: Roads in Belgium are generally well-maintained and clearly signposted. Driving is on the right-hand side of the road. No tolls on Belgian motorways.
Traffic: Traffic can be heavy in and around major cities, including Liège, during peak hours. Avoid driving during these times if possible.

Border Crossing & Road Safety

Belgium shares land borders with France, Germany, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands. All these countries are part of the Schengen Area, simplifying crossings.

Road Safety

Road conditions are generally good. Belgium has a high density of traffic cameras, and speed limits are strictly enforced.
Drink-driving laws are strict, with a low legal alcohol limit.
Always be aware of cyclists, especially in urban areas and on shared roads, as cycling is popular.

Parking in Liège

Parking in Liège city center can be challenging and expensive.
Look for underground parking garages (e.g., Parking Saint-Lambert, Parking Cathédrale).
Park and Ride (P+R) facilities on the outskirts of Liège offer cheaper parking with public transport connections to the center.

Not recommended for navigating the compact city center.
Avoid driving during peak hours to save time and frustration.

Sea/River Arrivals in Liège

Ferry Services & Cruise Ports

Liège is an inland city, so direct sea or river arrivals are not typically a main mode of transportation for international travelers.

Sea Access

Liège does not have direct ferry services or cruise ports for international travel.
Major Belgian ferry ports like Ostend and Zeebrugge are on the North Sea coast and mainly serve routes to the United Kingdom.
Immigration procedures at seaports are not applicable to Liège as a main arrival point. Any customs or immigration checks would occur at coastal ports.

River Transportation

The Meuse River flows directly through Liège. Leisure boat tours operate on the Meuse, offering scenic views of the city from the water.

Scenic Cruises

These tours are mainly for sightseeing and enjoyment, not for inter-city transportation for arrival or departure.
Tours usually depart from central quaysides along the Meuse during warmer months.
There are no regular passenger river services connecting Liège to other major cities.

Scenic River Views

Boat tours on the Meuse provide unique perspectives of Liège's cityscape and bridges. A relaxing way to see the city from the water.

Limited Transport

River transportation is not a main mode for arrival or departure to Liège, as there are no regular inter-city passenger services.

Coastal Connections

As sea/river arrivals are not main for Liège, connections to land transportation from such points are generally not relevant for planning. Travelers arriving at coastal ports would typically use the Belgian train network to reach Liège.

Departure Information from Liège

Smooth Departures

No specific exit fees or taxes are charged when departing Belgium by air, land, or rail. Any applicable taxes are typically included in the price of your flight or train ticket. This simplifies the departure process, as you do not need to account for extra payments at the airport or station.

Getting There & Away