A new high-speed rail connection will link Cologne directly with Brussels Airport from 7 September 2026, marking a significant step forward in rail-air integration between Germany and Belgium.
Operated by Deutsche Bahn in cooperation with Brussels Airlines, the international ICE service will connect Cologne Central Station with Brussels Airport in around two hours, before continuing to Antwerp. The trains will also call at Aachen, Liège, and Leuven, improving cross-border accessibility for passengers in western Germany and eastern Belgium.
Two daily return services are planned, with tickets already available through travel agents, airline websites, and rail booking platforms.
Seamless train and flight in one ticket
The new route is based on a codeshare agreement between Deutsche Bahn and Brussels Airlines, allowing passengers to book their train and flight in a single transaction. Travellers will receive a Brussels Airlines flight number for the rail segment and benefit from protected connections in case of delays.
Passengers can also earn Miles & More points and enjoy additional services similar to those offered under the Lufthansa Express Rail programme. These include reserved seating on the train, integrated city transport tickets in Cologne and Aachen, and lounge access at Cologne Central Station for eligible premium passengers.
ICE connections to Brussels Airport will be integrated into global airline reservation systems, enabling other carriers to use the service as a feeder link. Deutsche Bahn, an intermodal partner of Star Alliance, said the move reflects broader efforts to better coordinate rail and aviation networks across Europe.
Strengthening Brussels Airport’s intermodal role
For Brussels Airport, the new service represents a return to the European high-speed rail network and supports its ambition to position itself as a key intermodal hub.
“We are delighted that Brussels Airport is once again connected to the high-speed rail network, which is an important step for Belgium’s international connectivity,” said Arnaud Feist, CEO of Brussels Airport. “Intermodality is one of our strategic goals, and we are strongly committed to developing a robust, future-proof network that strengthens our role as a key intermodal hub.”
A morning departure from Cologne is scheduled to arrive at Brussels Airport at 08:29, facilitating onward connections to long-haul flights across the airport’s network of more than 180 destinations worldwide.
The service will be operated with the ICE 3neo, the latest addition to Deutsche Bahn’s high-speed fleet.
Expanding sustainable travel options
The initiative comes amid growing demand for climate-friendly alternatives to short-haul flights. By integrating rail into airline booking systems, the partnership aims to provide passengers with a more sustainable and efficient way to access international flights.
“More and more people are choosing climate-friendly travel options to their flights,” said Michael Peterson, DB Board Member for Long-Distance Passenger Transport. “The integration of rail and air transport is very much in line with current trends.”
The cooperation builds on Deutsche Bahn’s long-standing partnership with Lufthansa, which has enabled combined train-and-flight bookings within Germany for more than two decades. The addition of Brussels Airlines expands this intermodal model beyond Germany’s borders.
Dorothea von Boxberg, CEO of Brussels Airlines, highlighted the strategic importance of western Germany for the airline’s network. “Western Germany is home to a significant African community, which we can now connect to our network in sub-Saharan Africa. Our codeshare agreement with Deutsche Bahn ensures seamless, climate-friendly connections. We are working to offer further connections in the future.”
