A trip from Luxembourg to Arlon, the nearest Belgian town

Arlon is the shortest international trip you can make from Luxembourg City. It’s in Belgium, in the Belgian province that’s also called Luxembourg, and the direct train takes about 20 minutes. It doesn’t have the weight of Trier or the cathedral of Metz, but for a free afternoon I think it’s a neat plan, with Roman history, a fine view and an aperitif you’ll only drink there. If you want something bigger, France offers the Luxembourg to Metz day trip.

Why is a Belgian province called Luxembourg?

It’s the question almost everyone asks on seeing the road signs. The old duchy of Luxembourg was far larger than today’s country, and the 1839 Treaty of London handed its western part to Belgium. Hence a Belgian province with the same name, which Arlon belongs to, and the strong family resemblance between the two sides of the border. Visiting Arlon is, in a sense, a look at the Luxembourg that stopped being Luxembourg.

How do you get there?

On CFL’s line 50, which mobiliteit.lu describes as Luxembourg, Kleinbettingen and Arlon. On CFL’s timetable, which runs until 12 December 2026, direct trains take about 20 minutes, such as the 8:11 arriving at 8:31, and stopping trains, calling at Bertrange-Strassen, Mamer and Capellen, about 30. There are trains throughout the day in both directions.

The usual rule with borders applies. Luxembourg’s free travel runs to the last point in the country, and the Belgian leg is paid. And watch out for the weekend of 3 and 4 October 2026, when a replacement bus runs because of works. The wider picture on cross-border rail is in train to Luxembourg.

Once your dates are set, check which hotels are still free in Luxembourg before prices climb.

Roman Orolaunum

The Maison du Tourisme du Pays d’Arlon presents the town as one of Belgium’s three oldest. In Roman times it was called Orolaunum and stood where two important roads crossed, from Metz to Tongeren and from Reims to Trier. Two Roman towers survive from that period. The Jupiter Tower can be seen from rue du Marquisat, while the Neptune Tower, on the Grand-Place, is shown only on a guided tour.

The Archaeological Museum holds Gallo-Roman remains, and there’s an archaeological park on rue des Thermes Romains. Until 2028 Arlon is also part of a European project on the Roman heritage shared by Belgium, Luxembourg, Germany and France, alongside the Gallo-Roman theatre at Dalheim, in the south-east of the Grand Duchy.

What else is there in Arlon?

The church of Saint-Martin stands out from far across the Arlon landscape. Its tower is 97 metres tall, it’s been a listed monument since 2002, and the tourist office recommends visiting late in the afternoon, when the sun streams through the rose window. The viewing tower, with 144 steps, offers a 360-degree view on a clear day over the surroundings and the three neighbouring countries.

Then there’s Maitrank, the local aperitif, made with white wine and sweet woodruff. Since 2013, bars and restaurants serving the craft version display an Ambassadeur du Maitrank plaque. For me, having one is part of the visit, and a far better souvenir than anything on a fridge magnet. If you’d like to take a bottle home, the tourist office sells it too, which saves hunting for a shop before your train back.

Once your dates are set, check which hotels are still free in Luxembourg before prices climb.

If you have a car

Around Arlon, the tourist office highlights two places. Nobressart, one of the most beautiful villages in Wallonia according to its label, with a 5 km walk, and the ruins of Clairefontaine abbey, deep in the woods, with a 19th-century chapel and small underground galleries. Without a car, I’d stick to the town.

Practical information

The tourist office is at rue des Faubourgs 2. It’s closed on Mondays, open Tuesday to Saturday 9:30am to 5pm and, from April to October, on Sundays and holidays 10am to 2pm too. It sells brochures, walking maps and Maitrank.

If you would rather have a local show you round, book a guided tour in Luxembourg and choose by the reviews.

My plan for half a day

A direct train after lunch, the Jupiter Tower and the archaeological park, the museum, up the viewing tower and, as the light fades, the church of Saint-Martin with the sun through the rose window. A Maitrank before heading back, and twenty minutes later you’re having dinner in Luxembourg.

Weighing Arlon against Trier and Metz? That’s what places to visit near Luxembourg is for, while more ideas for a day away from the capital sit in day trips from Luxembourg. And if Arlon leaves you wanting more of Belgium, I plan a longer trip across both in my Belgium and Luxembourg itinerary.

A car frees you from timetables: search car hire in Luxembourg on DiscoverCars and compare companies.

So you do not pay over the odds, look at trains, coaches and flights to Luxembourg on Omio and pick the one that suits you.