The University of Antwerp is an international university where students and staff from all over the world connect. Travel for conferences, meetings, and research is part of academic life, and helps build global citizenship skills.
But international travel also drives a big share of Ƶ’s CO₂ footprint. In 2023, students and staff flew 26 million kilometres, accounting for 8% of total emissions. The university aims to change that: climate-neutral by 2030 and fully fossil-free by 2050: ambitious, but essential.
Ƶ is already taking action: promoting a “travel hierarchy” with greener options, cutting business-class flights, and adding a CO₂ contribution to flights. You can help make internationalisation more sustainable too.
Sustainable travel tips
- Go by train or bus when you can (, , , , , , )
- Use planners such as , , ,
- Curious about the difference between flying and taking the train?
- What’s the difference in price and travel time between flying, taking the train or the bus? Compare transport options using this .
- Flying anyway? Choose efficient airlines, avoid stopovers and short flights, pack light, and fly economy.
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Dries en Victor travelled to Montpellier by train
Green Erasmus
- Going on exchange through the Erasmus programme and travelling to your destination in an environmentally friendly way? You can receive extra financial support on top of your Erasmus grant.
- Did you know offers a special rail pass for Erasmus+ students? It makes travelling to and from your host country easy and affordable.
- Not keen on travelling alone by train? Sign up on the : they’ll connect you with other students heading to the same destination by train.
- Are you a student with some sustainable travel experience and eager to inspire others to reach their (Erasmus) destination in an adventurous, eco-friendly way? Join the European and become a Sustainable Travel Ambassador at Ƶ. Share your motivation via climate@uantwerpen.be.
- Looking for tips for a more sustainable Erasmus? Discover .
How far can you get from Antwerp Central Station in a single day?
- Belgium and the Netherlands (Brussels, Amsterdam)
- France (Paris, Lyon, Montpellier, Toulouse, …)
- United Kingdom (London)
- Germany (Berlin, Munich)
- Spain (Barcelona)
| Brussel | Frequent direct trains from Antwerpen-Centraal to Bruxelles-Central / Midi. Cost: ~10 euros. Total travel time: ~50 minutes. Plan your trip: |
| Amsterdam | Direct high-speed trains from Antwerpen-Centraal to Amsterdam Centraal. Cost: ~80-100 euros. Travel time: ~1.5 hours. Tickets: |
| Parijs | High-speed Thalys/Eurostar trains from Antwerpen-Centraal or via Brussels-Midi (Antwerp → Brussels by train). Cost: ~190 euros. Travel time: ~2.5 hours. Tickets: Cheaper options within France via Lille (Antwerp → Lille-Flandres by train). Cost: ~60 euros. Travel time: ~4 hours. Tickets: |
| Montpellier | Fastest route via Paris → Montpellier by Eurostar and TGV. Cost: ~330 euros. Typical travel time: ~7.5 hours. Plan via SNCF: Cheaper options within France via Tourcoing or Lille (Antwerp → Lille-Flandres by train). Cost: ~100 euros. Travel time: ~8 hours. |
| Londen | Take Eurostar from Brussels-Midi (Antwerp → Brussels by train). Cost: ~260 euros. Total travel time: ~3.5 hours. Tickets: |
*Prices and dates based on May 2026
How far can you travel from Antwerp Central Station on the night train?
- Austria (Vienna, direct from Brussels)
- Germany (Berlin)
- Czech Republic (Prague, direct from Brussels via Berlin)
| Wenen | Take the nightjet via Amsterdam-Centraal or Brussels: Travel time: ~17 hours. Cost: 150 euros. Plan your trip via B-Europe or Austrian Railways. European Sleeper (from September 2026): Go via Brussels and via Zürich to Vienna. |
Would you like to know more?
- In the 2025–2026 academic year, the interdisciplinary project group ‘Sustainability and Internationalisation’ was launched (under the International Policy Steering Group). Do you have any questions about this? Please contact Matthias Verstraeten.
- Read more on about the travel hierarchy and why Ƶ staff take the train to destinations that can be reached within an 8-hour journey by train from Antwerp Central Station.