Whenever you need to get to Brussels Airport (Zaventem), the same question comes up:
Should I take the train, book a taxi or ride-hailing service, or drive and use a car park?
On paper, each option has its pros and cons. But if you look at real cost, comfort and flexibility, the combination your own car + private car park with shuttle (like GoPark) is often the most logical choice, especially for trips of several days.
Let’s compare, calmly and concretely.
1. Taxi or ride-hailing: comfortable, but very expensive round trip
A taxi or ride-hailing service (Uber, Bolt, etc.) has a big advantage:
you leave your home, get into the car, and step out in front of the terminal. Maximum simplicity.
The downside is just as clear: the price.
- You pay one full trip to Brussels Airport,
- then another full trip back home when you return,
- with higher fares at night, early in the morning, on weekends or with extra luggage.
In practice:
👉 For many travellers, one taxi to the airport + one taxi back ends up more expensive than leaving your car for a week in a private car park near Brussels Airport like GoPark.
And that’s even after you’ve added the fuel cost to drive yourself.
On top of that, there’s always a bit of stress:
- Will the taxi arrive on time?
- Will there be last-minute changes or surcharges?
- What if you need to move the pick-up time?
2. Train or bus: economical, but not ideal for everyone
On paper, train or bus to the airport looks like the smart choice:
- often cheaper than a taxi,
- you don’t have to think about parking,
- no car left behind.
In real life, you also have to deal with:
- fixed timetables (sometimes very early or very late, sometimes with changes or connections),
- managing luggage in public transport,
- children in busy trains or buses,
- delays, strikes or cancellations,
- the total cost of tickets if you’re 3 or 4 people travelling together.
For a solo traveller with light luggage, on a weekday, public transport can work very well.
For a family heading off for two weeks with suitcases and a stroller, it can become a lot less convenient.
3. Driving and using the official airport car parks
Another option is to take your own car and park directly in an official Brussels Airport car park.
The positives:
- very close to the terminal,
- no shuttle needed,
- convenient for a short stay or one night.
The negatives:
- high daily rates,
- the total cost climbs quickly for a week or more.
For a short trip or a single overnight stay, it may be fine.
For a long holiday, the parking bill can take a big bite out of your budget.
4. Driving and using a private car park with shuttle (GoPark)
Then there’s the option that combines comfort, budget control and flexibility:
using your own car and leaving it in a private car park close to the airport with shuttle service.
That’s exactly what GoPark offers.
How does it work in practice?
- You book your space online on the
👉 GoPark booking page - On departure day, you drive your own car to the GoPark site, just a few minutes from Brussels Airport.
- You leave your vehicle in a fenced, lit car park with surveillance.
- A shuttle takes you directly to the departures area at Brussels Airport.
- When you return, the shuttle picks you up and brings you back to your car.
And what about the price?
Without quoting specific numbers (they can change over time), the idea is simple:
- for a stay of several days, the total cost of GoPark + your fuel
- is very often lower than one taxi to the airport + one taxi back,
especially if you live outside the city centre or if several people are travelling.
In other words:
👉 One car + GoPark for several days is often cheaper than two taxi rides.
On top of that:
- your car is waiting for you as soon as you land,
- no need to wait for a taxi or ride-hailing car,
- you’re not dependent on train or bus timetables.
For practical details about how the service works (shuttle, timings, organisation), you can check the
5. Quick comparison: which option fits which traveller?
Here’s a simple way to compare the main options:
| Profile / criteria | Taxi / ride-hailing | Train / bus | Official airport parking | Own car + GoPark (shuttle) |
| Cost for 1 week | High (two full trips) | Low to medium (depends on number of people) | High | Often very competitive |
| Comfort with luggage / kids | Good | Medium (depends on time and crowding) | Good | Good (shuttle + organised parking) |
| Flexibility on schedule | Reasonable, but needs booking | Limited by timetables and routes | Very good | Very good (your own car + shuttle) |
| Stress on departure day | Waiting for the taxi | Watching the clock, connections | Finding a spot, price worries | Drive yourself, park, shuttle to the terminal |
| Late-night return / delays | Can be expensive | Not always easy or available | OK but costly | Shuttle + your car ready on site |
What this shows:
- Train / bus can be a smart budget option, but not for every family, route or time of day.
- Taxi / ride-hailing is comfortable, but round-trip costs add up very quickly, especially for several passengers.
- Official parking is convenient but expensive over time.
- Own car + GoPark often hits the sweet spot between price, comfort and flexibility, especially once you’re away for more than a couple of days.
6. How to choose in a simple way
Instead of drowning in details, ask yourself three quick questions:
- How many of us are travelling?
- With 3 or 4 people, two taxi rides become very expensive.
- Public transport tickets for several people add up too.
- How long are we going away for?
- 1–2 days: any option might work.
- 5–7 days or more: private long-term parking starts to make real financial sense.
- Do we want to depend on other people’s schedules?
- Taxi, train and bus all depend on someone else’s timing.
- With your own car + GoPark, you decide exactly when you leave and when you go home.
If you’re looking for a mix of reasonable cost, comfort and control, the “own car + private parking + shuttle” setup is often the best overall package.
In summary
- Taxi / ride-hailing: very convenient, but in many cases more expensive than a week at GoPark when you count both journeys.
- Train / bus: economical, but less comfortable with children, heavy luggage or awkward flight times.
- Official airport parking: close to the terminal, but costly for longer stays.
- Own car + GoPark:
- controlled cost over several days,
- secure car park close to Brussels Airport,
- shuttle directly to and from the terminal.
If you’re planning your next departure from Brussels, you can already check availability here:
👉 Book your parking near Brussels Airport with GoPark
And if you still hesitate between several options, the team is easy to reach via: