Route guide

Rotterdam → Antwerp

79 km · Netherlands to Belgium · Fastest: 1h by train · Cheapest: €9+ by car

How to travel from Rotterdam to Antwerp

There are 3 ways to travel between Rotterdam and Antwerp — compare duration, price and operators below.

🚄Train

€20–54

Duration: 39m

via Eurostar (ex-Thalys), IC Brussels

~1.1 kg CO₂ per passenger

🚌Bus

€11–25

Duration: 1h 7m

via FlixBus, BlaBlaCar Bus

~2.2 kg CO₂ per passenger

✈️Flight

Not practical for this route.

🚗Car

€9–17

Duration: 52m

~13 kg CO₂ per passenger

Where they are on the map

Rotterdam and Antwerp highlighted among the 50 European cities we cover. Map is schematic, not to scale.

Travel tips for this route

At 79 km this is short-haul — feasible as a day trip if you start early.
Direct or connecting trains cover this route. Advance fares (1–2 months out) drop prices significantly.
This route crosses from Netherlands into Belgium. Check passport/ID requirements with your operator before booking.
Long-distance coaches (FlixBus and similar) are typically 30–50% cheaper than train, but 2–3× slower.

Rotterdam to Antwerp — every option in detail

Rotterdam to Antwerp by train

Trains link Rotterdam (Netherlands) and Antwerp (Belgium) through the European rail network. Most journeys take around 39m including one or two connections at major hubs.

Operators on this corridor include Eurostar (ex-Thalys), IC Brussels.

Train fares are dynamic — typical range is €20 to €54. Advance-purchase tickets (1–2 months ahead) almost always beat walk-up prices.

On routes under 600 km like this one, train often beats flight door-to-door once you factor in airport check-in and transfers.

Rotterdam to Antwerp by bus

Long-distance coaches connect Rotterdam and Antwerp with a typical journey of 1h 7m. Buses are usually the slowest mode for this corridor but consistently the cheapest.

Operators include FlixBus, BlaBlaCar Bus.

Fares start from around €11 when booked in advance, rising to €25 for last-minute travel.

Most modern coaches offer Wi-Fi, USB charging and reclining seats. Overnight services exist on longer corridors and can save a hotel night.

Rotterdam to Antwerp by flight

Flight is not a typical choice for this 79 km route.

Rotterdam to Antwerp by car

The driving distance from Rotterdam to Antwerp is approximately 90 km. At motorway speeds, plan on around 52m of driving plus stops.

Fuel-only running cost is in the €9–17 range for a typical car. Toll roads may apply, especially in France, Italy, Spain, Austria and Switzerland — budget extra accordingly.

Crossing the Netherlands–Belgium border by car is straightforward within the Schengen Area; check current rules with the operator or border authority if either country is outside it.

Climate footprint: approximately 13 kg CO₂ per passenger assuming 1.5 occupants per car.

About this route

The distance between Rotterdam and Antwerp is approximately 79 kilometres. Direct or connecting trains link the two cities through the European rail network. Long-distance coaches offer a budget-friendly alternative on this route. Estimates below reflect typical operator schedules and fare ranges; book in advance for the best prices.

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