Antwerp — with 530,000 inhabitants the second largest city in Flanders — has an extensive De Lijn transport network serving the metropolitan region. For wheelchair users, the combination of tram + premetro + bus is the key to crossing the city without a car. In 2026, De Lijn has completed a major accessibility rollout, but not all stops are equally far along — knowing which lines are prioritised is essential.
In this guide: how to cross Antwerp by wheelchair in 2026 using De Lijn, with concrete lines and tips. Part of our urban public transport accessibility series.
Antwerp De Lijn — overview
De Lijn Antwerp serves the city with 3 modalities:
| Modality | Offer | Wheelchair accessibility |
|---|---|---|
| Premetro | 3 lines (2, 3, 15) through the tunnel | Accessible stations growing, ~60% of tunnel stations |
| Tram | 12 lines above ground | Majority low-floor since 2023 |
| Bus | 60+ lines | Nearly 100% accessible |
Rule of thumb for wheelchair users: bus is the default, tram for tourist routes, premetro for quick crossings through the centre.
🚇 Premetro — underground trams
The Antwerp premetro is the underground variant of the tram — trams that dive into a tunnel at certain stations and come back above ground elsewhere.
Accessible premetro stations (2026 status):
- Astrid Groenplaats Diamant — accessible, lift to platform
- Groenplaats — accessible, central in the shopping district
- Meir — accessible, main shopping street
- Rooseveltplaats — accessible, close to Antwerp Central
- Nationale Bank — accessible
Not accessible (verify via delijn.be):
- A few older smaller stations — no lift
- Certain emergency exits without an accessible alternative
Practical:
- Lift from street level to platform in accessible stations
- Accessible ticket sales at the MoBIB machine
- Gap management: some older lines have a small height threshold between platform and carriage — ask the driver for a ramp
🚋 Tram — largely low-floor
De Lijn Antwerp carried out a major low-floor rollout in 2023-2024. ~80% of the tram network is now served by fully low-floor rolling stock.
Most accessible tram lines (2026):
- Tram 2, 3, 7: almost 100% low-floor, accessible stops at most halts
- Tram 4, 6, 8: largely low-floor
- Tram 15 (to Melsele): variable
- Older high-floor trams: avoid — check on the app
Accessible stop = raised platform so you can roll from stop-height into the carriage. Not all stops are accessible — check on the map.
At an old stop: the driver can fold out a ramp — signal with a hand gesture as the tram approaches.
🚌 Bus — reliable
Almost all De Lijn buses in Antwerp are low-floor with automatic ramps. For wheelchair users, the bus is the default for unfamiliar routes.
Practical:
- Signal to the driver when boarding — they operate the ramp
- Wheelchair space at the front of almost every bus
Best buses for tourist routes:
- Bus 34, 82: connect the centre with the Middelheim Museum and Linkeroever
- Bus 20/22: to the harbour attractions (MAS)
- Airport bus: accessible, to the airport
💳 Ticket + fares
MoBIB card: rechargeable transport card — buy at a MoBIB machine, at De Lijn agencies or at Antwerp Central station.
Wheelchair user fare: free with PWB-Mobib for people with a recognised disability. Companion free with PWB-Mobib. See our disability rights article for the application.
Tourist single tickets: valid for 1 hour including all transfers. Day pass = 6 tickets = better value from 3 rides onwards.
🎯 Planning an accessible Antwerp day
Morning: NMBS/SNCB to Antwerp Central — the station is accessible with a lift to all platforms. Walk or take tram 3 to Grote Markt / Main Square + Cathedral of Our Lady within walking distance.
Afternoon: Museum district — KMSKA (recently renovated, fully accessible). By tram back towards MAS (MAS Antwerp) — accessible panorama museum at the harbour.
Evening: Zuid district De Roma for culture, or Zoo district with Antwerp Zoo — both reachable by tram.
🚫 What not to do — warnings
Cobblestones in the centre: around the Grote Markt / Main Square and the Vlaeykensgang there are cobblestones — plan for a slower pace or take alternative streets.
Limited lift capacity premetro: rush hour (7-9am, 5-7pm) is busiest. Plan trips outside these hours where possible.
Night buses: not all are accessible — check per line.
Small streets in the University quarter + Zuid: some stops are not fully accessible — check the De Lijn app in advance.
Combine with other pillars
- Citytrip Antwerp 1 day
- Wheelchair day trip Antwerp
- Accessible parks Brussels + Antwerp
- MIVB/STIB Brussels guide — comparison with Brussels public transport
- NMBS/SNCB assistance guide — train travel to Antwerp Central
In conclusion
De Lijn Antwerp is for wheelchair users in 2026 one of the stronger Belgian urban public transport networks — the tram low-floor rollout since 2023, nearly 100% accessible buses, and the extensive premetro network with a growing number of accessible stations make the city inclusively usable. Bus as default, tram for most routes, premetro for quick crossings — that is the winning formula.
Our recommendation: start with a day trip Antwerp Central + Grote Markt / Main Square + KMSKA + MAS — combining the most accessible De Lijn routes with the classic sights.
Do you have a De Lijn Antwerp experience we should include here? Let us know — first-hand info about accessible stops, ramp service and rush-hour crowding helps enormously for the next visitor.