Airports and Flights to Belgium

Belgium has two international airports — one in Brussels and one in Charleroi — which together offer a comprehensive range of destinations, with direct flights to virtually every European capital and numerous intercontinental connections. For travellers from across Europe, reaching Belgium by air is straightforward and often economical, thanks to competition between major flag carriers and low-cost airlines operating at both airports. Choosing the right airport — and understanding how to reach the city centre from each one — is the first step to planning a hassle-free trip.

It’s worth noting that Belgium sits at the heart of a densely served airport infrastructure area: Amsterdam Schiphol, Paris Charles de Gaulle, Düsseldorf and Luxembourg are all within three hours by train from Brussels, and in some cases may offer better fares or train-plus-flight combinations than direct flights to Belgian airports. Comparing your options before booking is always worthwhile.

Brussels Airport (BRU)

The Brussels International Airport — also known as Zaventem Airport, named after the municipality where it’s located — is the country’s primary airport and one of Northern Europe’s major hubs. Located approximately 12 km from Brussels city centre, it handles over 20 million passengers annually and offers direct flights to more than 200 destinations across Europe, Africa, Asia and the Americas. The IATA code is BRU.

The flagship carrier is Brussels Airlines, part of the Lufthansa Group, operating scheduled services to major European capitals and numerous African and North American destinations. The same airport is also served by easyJet, Ryanair, Vueling, Iberia, Air France, KLM, Lufthansa, British Airways and dozens of other international carriers.

The fastest connection between the airport and city centre is the Airport Express train, which reaches Brussels-Central station in approximately 17 minutes, with additional stops at Brussels-North and Brussels-South. Trains depart every 15–30 minutes during peak hours and every 30 minutes during quieter periods.

Charleroi Airport — Brussels South (CRL)

The Charleroi Airport, officially called Brussels South Charleroi Airport, is located approximately 60 km south of Brussels, near the city of Charleroi in Wallonia. The IATA code is CRL. Despite the Brussels reference in its name, it’s important to remember the distance from the capital when considering this airport as your entry point to the country.

Charleroi is Belgium’s second-busiest airport by passenger traffic and one of Europe’s most active Ryanair hubs, with a vast number of routes to destinations across Southern Europe, Eastern Europe and beyond. Fares at this airport are often highly competitive, and for many travellers represent the most economical way to reach the Brussels area.

The most direct connection to Brussels is the direct TEC bus to Brussels-South station, with a journey of approximately 60 minutes and regular departures timed to major flight arrivals. Tickets cost around €20 and can be purchased on board or booked online in advance. Alternatively, the train from Charleroi-Central station — accessible by shuttle bus from the airport — reaches Brussels in approximately 55 minutes.

Those hiring a car directly at the airport can reach Brussels in 45–60 minutes via the E42 motorway, or head directly towards the Ardennes or Walloon cities without passing through the capital. This flexibility makes Charleroi a particularly convenient airport for those planning a self-drive itinerary in Wallonia.

Flights to Belgium from across Europe

Belgium is served by an extensive network of direct flights from major European cities, split between the two main airports. London is served by British Airways from Heathrow and easyJet from Gatwick and Southend, with flights of approximately 1 hour 15 minutes. Madrid and Barcelona are served by Iberia, Vueling and Ryanair with flight times around 2 hours 15 minutes. Amsterdam is so close — roughly 45 minutes by air — that many travellers prefer the train, but flights exist and can be competitive under certain circumstances.

For travellers from Poland, Czech Republic, Romania and other Central and Eastern European countries, both BRU and CRL are well served by Ryanair, Wizz Air and LOT, often at very accessible fares. Brussels is particularly attractive to Central and Eastern European communities with a strong presence there, which maintains steady demand on these routes.

Practical flight tips

Booking flights to Belgium 4–8 weeks in advance typically provides a good balance between availability and price. During peak seasons — summer, Christmas and winter market weekends — booking 2–3 months ahead is advisable, especially for busy routes to BRU.

Those travelling with only hand luggage can benefit from the lowest low-cost fares without surprises: both Ryanair and easyJet charge significant supplements for checked baggage, which should be factored into your overall cost assessment. For short stays of 2–4 days, packing only carry-on luggage is a choice that saves money and time, avoiding the wait at baggage reclaim on arrival.

The choice between Brussels BRU and Charleroi CRL depends on several practical factors worth careful consideration. BRU is better when your final destination is Brussels or Flemish cities — Bruges, Ghent, Antwerp — easily reached by train from the central station, and when you prefer to avoid the longer transfer from Wallonia. CRL is better when fares are significantly lower, when your final destination is Wallonia or the Ardennes, or when you’re hiring a car and can bypass Brussels entirely.

A common mistake is underestimating the costs and time of transfers from Charleroi to Brussels: once you add bus, train or taxi costs to your flight ticket, the savings over a direct flight to BRU often shrink considerably. Always compare the total door-to-door cost, not just the flight price alone.