The cheapest and fastest trains from Mechelen to Leuven
Cheapest price
€6
Average price
€7
Fastest journey
26 m
Average duration
37 m
Trains per day
3
Distance
23 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Mechelen to Leuven is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Mechelen to Leuven will cost around €7 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only €6.
Of the 3 trains that leave Mechelen for Leuven on Sun, Nov 09, 3 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Sun, Nov 09 the direct trains cover the 23 km distance in an average of 37 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 26 m .
On Sun, Nov 09 the slowest trains will take 57 m and usually involve a change or two along the way, but you might be able to save a few pennies if you’re on a budget.






Travel Information
Compare train and bus for Mechelen to Leuven
Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Mechelen to Leuven among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from €3. For those with little time consider booking a train which can get you there in 28m. In case you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint the train is your best bet as it emits only 0.0 - 0.0kg. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of €3, and a train costs an average of €4.
Distance: 23 km
Compare train with
Most popular Train | Bus |
|---|---|
€8 Average price | €3 Average price Cheapest |
58m Average total duration Fastest 28m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 1h 17m Average total duration 47m Onboard + 30m Additional time* |
0.0 - 0.0kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 0.0 - 0.1kg CO2 emissions |
Direct Options | Direct Options |
Additional time: Average total travel duration to departure point, security checks and transfers.
Live departures
Mechelen to Leuven train times
The table below shows live departures for Mechelen to Leuven trains for today, Saturday, November 8. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 6:36 AM Mechelen | 0h29 | 7:05 AM Leuven | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 6:45 AM Mechelen | 0h50 | 7:35 AM Leuven | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 2:17 PM Mechelen | 0h48 | 3:05 PM Leuven | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 2:36 PM Mechelen | 0h29 | 3:05 PM Leuven | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 3:36 PM Mechelen | 0h31 | 4:07 PM Leuven | 0 transfersDirect |
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare prices and tickets Mechelen to Leuven by train or bus
Compare train and bus prices over the next three weeks. See the best deals at a glance, find the lowest fares, and choose the option that fits your budget.
Nov 09
Nov 10
Nov 11
Nov 12
Nov 13
Nov 14
Nov 15
Journey information
Overview: Train from Mechelen to Leuven
Trains from Mechelen to Leuven run on average 11 times per day, taking around 28m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at €4 but you can travel from only €3 by bus.
There are 9 trains per day. The earliest train runs at 00:14, the last at 23:54. The fastest train covers the 23 km distance in 26m.
Distance 23 km |
Average train duration 28m |
Cheapest ticket price €4 |
Trains per day 11 |
Direct trains 9 |
Fastest train 26m |
First train 00:14 |
Last train 23:54 |
Train companies: Regional, PKP Intercity, SNCB from Mechelen to Leuven trainsRegional, PKP Intercity, SNCB trains will get you between Mechelen and Leuven from €3. With over 1000 travel companies on Omio, you can find the best train times and tickets for your trip.
PKP Intercity
Regional
SNCB
FAQs: Trains from Mechelen to Leuven
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Mechelen to Leuven by train. From journey times and ticket prices to direct connections, first and last departures, and even whether the route is scenic, our FAQs cover everything you need to plan your trip. Whether you’re looking for the fastest train, the cheapest option, or tips for making the most of your visit at Leuven, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

Passengers board the train most frequently from Mechelen, which is located around 1.2 miles (1.9 km) away from the city centre, and they get off the train at Leuven, located 1.4 miles (2.2 km) away from the city centre.
popular train stations
Popular train stations from Mechelen to Leuven
- 6:00 AM - 10:00 PM Monday - Sunday
- Free
- The car park is open 7 days a week, 24 hours a day. Access via Stationsstraat.
- Restaurant De Graspoort
- Il Cardinale
- Outside the main entrance.
- Ramps.
- €0.50
- NH Mechelen
- Hotel Elisabeth
- Martin's Patershof
- Located in the main hall
- Avis
- Europcar
- Located in the main hall
- Free
- Hall 1: main entrance, platform 1-10 for trains to Brussels, Antwerp, and regional destinations
- Train: IC, S-train
- Bus: Several lines available
- 6:00 AM - 10:00 PM Monday - Sunday
- Free
- The car park is open 7 days a week, 24 hours a day. Access via Martelarenplein.
- De Klimop
- Domus
- Outside the main entrance.
- Elevators, ramps.
- €0.50
- Hotel La Royale
- Park Inn by Radisson Leuven
- Hotel Mille Colonnes
- Located in the main hall
- Avis
- Europcar
- Hertz
- Located in the main hall
- Free
- Hall 1: main entrance, platform 1-9 for trains to Brussels, Antwerp, and Liège
- Bus: Several lines available
- Train: Direct connections to Brussels, Antwerp, and Liège
More options for your journey from Mechelen to Leuven
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need


