Flights to Brussels — What to Expect
Most flights into Brussels land at Brussels Airport (BRU) in Zaventem, about 12km northeast of the city centre — this is the main international hub served by full-service carriers. If you're hunting for cheap flights to Brussels, keep an eye on Brussels South Charleroi Airport (CRL), roughly 55km south of the city, which Ryanair uses heavily for routes across Europe. The trade-off is a 60-minute bus ride into town, so factor that into your total travel time. From most Western European cities, flights to Brussels take between 1 and 2.5 hours, making it genuinely one of the easier short-haul European capitals to reach.
On the airline front, Brussels Airlines is the flag carrier and operates out of BRU with solid connections across Europe and beyond. Lufthansa, Air France, British Airways, KLM, easyJet and Ryanair all run regular flights from [origin] to Brussels depending on your departure city. Flights from London run as low as €30–60 one-way during sales, while flights from Frankfurt, Paris or Amsterdam typically fall in the €40–90 range return in shoulder season. High summer and the Christmas market period push prices up noticeably — budget €120–200 return from major hubs if you're booking late for those windows.
Best Time to Visit Brussels
Brussels has a classic oceanic climate — mild but reliably damp. Rain falls on roughly 200 days a year here, so there's no truly dry season to aim for. That said, mid-May through mid-September gives you the most comfortable temperatures, with July and August hitting highs around 23°C (73°F). It's still jacket weather most evenings, and the odd downpour is basically guaranteed, but the city is lively and the outdoor terraces are full. The Belgian beer garden experience — cold Trappist in hand, cobblestones underfoot — is at its best in June and July.
April and May are genuinely lovely: the parks (particularly the Parc du Cinquantenaire) come alive, crowds are thinner than summer, and Brussels flight deals are easier to find. September and October are underrated — still mild, cultural events pick up, and you'll pay less than peak summer for accommodation. December brings the famous Brussels Christmas market around the Grand Place, which is atmospheric but busy and pricey. January and February are the low points — cold, grey, limited daylight — but if you're after the cheapest possible flights to Brussels and don't mind dressing warmly, this is when prices drop hardest. Winter highs sit around 4–7°C (39–45°F), with nights near freezing.
Getting Around Brussels
From Brussels Airport (BRU), the Airport Express train runs directly to Brussels-Midi, Brussels-Central and Brussels-Nord stations every 15–30 minutes. The journey to Central takes about 17 minutes and costs around €12 — it's fast, reliable and the right call over a taxi for most travellers. From Charleroi Airport (CRL), TEC buses connect to Brussels-Midi station in about an hour, costing €19 one way. Within the city, Brussels has a decent network of metro, trams and buses run by STIB/MIVB. A single ticket costs around €2.10; a day pass runs about €7.50. The metro covers the main tourist corridors but trams fill in the gaps well. Central Brussels is genuinely walkable — the Grand Place to the Atomium is too far on foot, but most of the historic centre and Ixelles are manageable without public transport.
Where to Stay in Brussels
The historic centre (Pentagone) puts you walking distance from the Grand Place, Manneken Pis and the main museums — expect to pay €90–160 per night for a decent mid-range hotel. Ixelles, southeast of the centre, is where the good restaurants, independent cafes and a younger crowd live — better value and more local atmosphere, typically €70–120 for a solid guesthouse or boutique hotel. Ste-Catherine (the old fish market district) has become one of the cooler neighbourhoods in the city, great for eating and drinking, with mid-range accommodation at reasonable prices. For budget travellers, hostels in the centre start around €25–35 per night. If you want genuine luxury, the Avenue Louise area has the upscale hotels and designer shopping to match — budget €200+ per night.
Top Things to Do in Brussels
- Grand Place: The gilded Gothic centrepiece of Brussels — go in the evening when the light hits the facades properly. The flower carpet event in August (every two years) is genuinely worth timing a trip around.
- Musées Royaux des Beaux-Arts: Six interconnected museums covering Flemish masters through Belgian surrealists. Magritte has his own dedicated museum within the complex — allow at least half a day.
- Belgian Beer Culture: Skip the tourist traps around Grand Place and head to Moeder Lambic in Ixelles or Delirium Café near the centre for serious beer selection. Belgium has over 1,500 beer varieties — this is not a country where you order the first thing on the menu.
- Atomium: The 1958 World Expo structure is genuinely strange and worth the trip to the Laeken neighbourhood. The views from the top sphere are decent; the retro-futurist interiors are the real draw.
- Comic Strip Route: Brussels takes its comic heritage seriously — Tintin, the Smurfs and Lucky Luke all came from here. Murals are scattered across the city; grab a free map from the tourist office and turn it into a walking tour.
- Waffles and chocolate, done properly: Avoid the chains and go to Maison Dandoy for Brussels-style waffles (rectangular, lighter) and Pierre Marcolini for serious chocolate. Yes, this counts as a cultural activity.
Practical Travel Tips
Visa: EU citizens need only a national ID card. UK passport holders can enter Belgium visa-free for up to 90 days within any 180-day period under current post-Brexit rules — no visa required, but ETIAS (the EU travel authorisation) is expected to come into effect in 2025/2026, so check the latest before you travel. Currency: Euro (€). Card payments are widely accepted, but carry some cash for smaller cafes, markets and the odd traditional estaminet. Language: Brussels is officially bilingual — French and Dutch (Flemish) — though French dominates day-to-day in the city. English is spoken widely, especially in hospitality. Tipping: Not obligatory but rounding up or leaving 10% in restaurants is appreciated. Safety: Brussels is generally safe for tourists. The Molenbeek neighbourhood gets an inflated reputation — it's fine during the day. As in any capital, keep an eye on your belongings on public transport and around tourist-heavy areas like the Grand Place.
FAQ — Flights to Brussels
How much do flights to Brussels cost?
From major European cities, return flights to Brussels typically range from €40–90 in shoulder season (April–May, September–October) and €30–60 one-way during easyJet or Ryanair sales. Peak summer and the December Christmas market period push return prices to €120–200 from hubs like London, Paris or Frankfurt. January and February offer the lowest fares if you can handle the cold.
Which airlines fly to Brussels?
Brussels Airlines is the main carrier at Brussels Airport (BRU) and has the widest European network from the city. British Airways, Lufthansa, Air France and KLM all serve BRU on short-haul routes. Ryanair and Wizz Air use Brussels South Charleroi Airport (CRL) for cheaper — if less convenient — Brussels flight deals across Europe. easyJet operates from both airports depending on the route.
What is the cheapest month to fly to Brussels?
January and February consistently produce the cheapest flights to Brussels, when tourist demand drops sharply after the Christmas market season. If you want decent weather alongside lower prices, April and early October are the sweet spot — shoulder season fares with genuinely pleasant conditions for exploring the city on foot.
How long is the flight to Brussels from London?
Flights from London (Heathrow, Gatwick or Stansted depending on the airline) to Brussels take approximately 1 hour to 1 hour 15 minutes in the air. Factor in Eurostar as a genuine alternative — the train from London St Pancras to Brussels-Midi runs in about 2 hours and drops you directly in the city centre, often at competitive prices when booked in advance.