Home / Brussels /Brussels Airport / STIB bus 12, the Airport Line vs Pre-booked private transfer

BRU → Brussels · head to head

STIB bus 12, the Airport LineorPre-booked private transfer?

The short answer

These do not go to the same place, so price is not the comparison. The Pre-booked private transfer reaches central Brussels — Bruxelles-Central, Brussel-Noord and Rogier; the STIB bus 12, the Airport Line does not. The European quarter — Schuman, Luxembourg and Trône — and not the centre: for the Grand Place, Central or Noord, take the train or the De Lijn bus.

The Pre-booked private transfer is quicker: 18 min against 27 min. The STIB bus 12, the Airport Line varies between 27 and 52 minutes.

STIB bus 12, the Airport Line: 05:08–00:30. Pre-booked private transfer: Runs all night.

Priced against each other

Whole-party totals · adult fares
What each costs for the whole party, in EUR. The cheaper of the two is marked on every row.
TravelersSTIB bus 12, the Airport LinePre-booked private transferDifference
1€7.90€52€44.10
2€15.80€52€36.20
3€23.70€52€28.30
4€31.60€52€20.40
5€39.50€73€33.50
6€47.40€73€25.60
7€55.30€73€17.70
8€58€88€30

Side by side

Where each one leaves you
12 · STIB-MIVBSTIB bus 12, the Airport Line
From
Platform D of the bus station — since 7 May 2026 a temporary one, about 100 m from the terminal on level 0, under a covered walkway
To
Schuman (metro 1 and 5), then Luxembourg and Trone (metro 2 and 6)
Luggage
A city bus with a luggage area, since the route exists for this traffic.
Runs
05:08–00:30
Journey
27–52 min

You are paying EUR 7.90 for a journey that costs EUR 2.40 in the other direction. That is not a mistake on the fare machine — every ordinary STIB ticket is written to be void leaving this airport.

It is the best option for the European quarter: Schuman in about 27 minutes puts you where neither the cheap bus nor the train leaves you.

Paper costs EUR 0.50 more than contactless or a card.

Seven of you should still buy singles. The 10-journey card only wins from eight once the EUR 6.00 MOBIB card is counted, and from seven if you already have one.

Peak traffic nearly doubles it — 52 minutes to Trone against 38 off-peak.

STIB bus 12, the Airport Line: price for every party size

Check the Airport Line fare with STIB
transfer · Welcome PickupsPre-booked private transfer
From
Driver meets you in arrivals with a name board
To
Any address
Luggage
Stated when booking; choose the vehicle by luggage as well as seats.
Runs
All night
Journey
18 min

This price is indicative: the operator sets it, and it moves with vehicle size, luggage and the exact address. Confirm the total at the time you book.

Pre-booked private transfer: price for every party size

Book transfer through Welcome Pickups

Partner link

This compares two of 14 options. See all of them ranked for your party size

The other comparisons at Brussels Airport