GETTING TO LLN & UCL

Louvain-la-Neuve (LLN) is easily accessible by car and train. If you are arriving to Belgium by plane, LLN is well connected to both Brussels airports.

By car

Take the E411 Brussels-Namur-Luxembourg Motorway to Louvain-la-Neuve. If travelling from Brussels, take exit 8A. If travelling from Namur, take exit 9.

By train

When buying the train ticket, be careful to buy the ticket for Louvain-la-Neuve, and not the ticket for Louvain/Leuven.

*Louvain/Leuven is another city in the Flemish part of Belgium, some 30km away from Louvain-la-Neuve, which in the Wallonian part of Belgium, and hosting a different university with the same name: Katholieke Universiteit Leuven!

FROM BRUSSELS

Trains to Louvain-la-Neuve (via Ottignies) depart from all Brussels railway stations: Brussels-Midi, Brussels-Nord, Brussels-Central, Brussels-Nord, Brussels-Schuman and Brussels-Luxembourg.

You can either take an intercity train (IC) which is faster but requires a change in Ottignies, or you can take a direct commuter train (S8) which takes longer.

If you are taking the intercity train from Brussels, look for the train that goes in the direction of Namur or Arlon-Luxembourg, and then change at Ottignies. Trains depart every 30m, and the ride to Ottignies lasts between 45m (from Brussels-Midi) and 20m (from Brussels-Luxembourg). The train from Ottignies to Louvain-la-Neuve takes about 8 minutes.

If you are taking the commuter train, look for the train that goes in the direction of Ottignies/Louvain-la-Neuve. Note that the direct connection of the commuter train is not available at all times; you may still need to change trains in Ottignies.

*EUROSTAR trains arrive at Brussels-Midi railway station. From Brussels-Midi you can take the train for Louvain-la-Neuve (via Ottignies).

FROM OTHER BELGIAN CITIES

Take the train for Ottignies and change trains to continue to Louvain-la-Neuve.

From airport

BRUSSELS NATIONAL AIRPORT (ZAVENTEM)

Take the train to Brussels-Nord (first stop after Zaventem, departures every 30m, duration 20m) and change there for Louvain-la-Neuve (via Ottignies).

BRUSSELS SOUTH CHARLEROI AIRPORT (serves low-cost airlines)

To take the train to Louvain-la-Neuve, you will need to reach either the Charleroi South or the Brussels-Midi railway station.

To get to the Charleroi South railway station, take the local TEC bus from the airport (line A). The ride to the railway station lasts about 15m, and there are 2 buses/hour during weekdays and 1 bus/hour during weekends. The journey from Charleroi railway station to Louvain-la-Neuve (via Ottignies) takes a little over an hour.

To get to the Brussels-Midi railway station, take the coach shuttle from the airport. Shuttles leave every 30m, and it takes some 50m to reach Brussels-Midi. You can also buy your tickets online; discounts are available if you buy early enough.