Brussels by boat: the Waterbus makes the canal feel like a real boulevard

From Vilvoorde to the heart of Brussels, there is another “transport line” besides the tram and metro: the Waterbus, a canal shuttle that travels roughly ten kilometres along the Brussels–Scheldt canal. It runs from spring to autumn and lets you skip traffic jams while rediscovering the canal area from the water, between industrial docks, new neighbourhoods, street art and urban nature.

The concept is straightforward: a metropolitan boat-bus with fixed stops, regular timetables and space for bikes on board, all for just a few euros per ride. It is both genuine public transport and a laid‑back mini‑cruise, designed for locals and visitors who want to see the city from a different angle.

A mobility project that doubles as a day out

Launched in 2013, the Brussels–Vilvoorde Waterbus was created as a sustainable mobility project for a canal zone in full transition. The route links stops such as Sainctelette/Yser, the surroundings of KANAL – Centre Pompidou, Tour & Taxis, the shopping district around Docks Bruxsel, Laeken and the centre of Vilvoorde, in a journey of about one hour end to end.

Along the way, the stops connect with the regular public transport network and shared bike stations, turning the Waterbus into a real part of Brussels’ mobility puzzle. For commuters with a little time, it is a calmer alternative to clogged tunnels; for everyone else, it is a ready‑made canal tour, sliding between industrial heritage, new housing projects and slices of greenery.

Why it feels very “Brussels”

The Waterbus brings together several very Belgian obsessions: DIY solutions, soft mobility, love of old infrastructure and a quiet pride in the canal. It is a slow but efficient way to move around, one where you actually see the city change in front of you, and where the valley of the Senne suddenly makes sense as a single landscape.

For a queer crowd (and allies) who like to explore beyond the inner ring, it is also a playful way to draw new maps of the city: hopping off for an exhibition in Laeken, an event at Tour & Taxis or a terrace in Vilvoorde, all without leaving the water. Think of it as Brussels’ answer to the coastal tram – a bit rougher around the edges, but with that very local charm.

Useful links

• Waterbus – official presentation
• Brussels by Water – visit and cruise info
• Practical article – Boat transport in Brussels (FR)
• Practical article – Boat transport in Brussels (EN)

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