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How to get from Antwerp to Ghent
The quickest and simplest way from Antwerp to Ghent is the direct SNCB/NMBS train from Antwerpen-Centraal to Gent-Sint-Pieters, about 50 minutes to 1 h. Driving on the E17 takes about 45 minutes to 1 h outside rush hour but parking in Ghent is restricted.
Best option: Train. Direct trains run at least twice an hour for a fixed fare, and both stations have trams into the centre.
All the ways to make the trip
| How | Time | How often | Price* | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| train SNCB/NMBS intercity trains from Antwerpen-Centraal to Gent-Sint-Pieters | about 50 min to 1 h | about every 30 minutes | about €10–12 one way | No reservation needed; weekend return discounts are usually available. Tram 1 links Gent-Sint-Pieters with the centre. |
| car E17 motorway | about 45 min to 1 h, longer in rush hour | fuel only, no motorway tolls for cars | Both cities have low-emission zones; foreign cars must register before entering. Ghent's circulation plan blocks driving across the centre, so use a park-and-ride. | |
| bus Long-distance coaches such as FlixBus | about 1 h | a few a day | about €5–10 | Fewer departures than the train and the stops are less central. |
*Approximate prices and times for 2026. Timetables change by season: check with the operator before you travel.
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Tips
- Gent-Sint-Pieters is about 2 km from the old centre; take tram 1 or walk 25 minutes.
- Register a foreign-plated car for the Antwerp and Ghent low-emission zones before you drive.
- Weekend return tickets on SNCB/NMBS are much cheaper than two singles.
- Avoid the E17 between about 7:00–9:30 and 16:00–19:00 on weekdays.
Common questions
Is there a direct train from Antwerp to Ghent?
Yes. SNCB/NMBS runs direct intercity trains from Antwerpen-Centraal to Gent-Sint-Pieters about every 30 minutes, taking about 50 minutes to an hour. Some services also stop at Gent-Dampoort, which is closer to the north-east of the centre. You can buy tickets in the SNCB app or at station machines; there is no seat reservation.
Can I do Antwerp to Ghent as a day trip?
Yes, easily. With trains every half hour and a journey of under an hour, you can spend a full day in Ghent and return to Antwerp in the evening. Trains run until late. A weekend return ticket makes the trip cheaper if you travel on a Saturday or Sunday.
What is the cheapest way from Antwerp to Ghent?
A coach booked early can cost around €5–10, but the train at about €10–12 is close in price and far more frequent. Weekend returns, youth fares and multi-trip cards bring the train fare down further. Driving costs only fuel, but city-centre parking in Ghent adds a lot.
Should I drive from Antwerp to Ghent?
Usually not. The E17 is often congested, both cities have low-emission zones that require advance registration for foreign cars, and Ghent's circulation plan prevents driving straight through the centre. If you do drive, leave the car at a park-and-ride on the edge of Ghent and take a tram in.
Compiled by TonyPlan from operator and transport information and travel knowledge; updated 2026-10-05. Anything we could not confirm is marked as approximate.