Flying to Brussels

Brussels Airport

Airport details

Name: officially Brussels Airport but commonly called Zaventem Airport.

IATA code: BRU

Hub: Brussels Airlines, TUI fly Belgium, and Thomas Cook Airlines.

Number of terminals: 2.

Annual passenger capacity: 35 million.

Passenger traffic: 25,685,939 (2018).

Distance from city centre: 12 km northeast of Brussels.

Website: http://www.brusselsairport.be

Services

Sleeping at the airport

Transport to the city centre

Public transport:

Taxis:

Other nearby airports

From France

From Paris

Due to its proximity to Belgium and especially competition from trains, Paris only has one direct connection to Brussels. It is operated from Roissy Airport by Brussels Airlines, notably as a feeder service to its Brussels hub.

From the regions

Unlike Paris, the regions offer a wide range of direct flights (in addition to others, particularly to Charleroi). Around fifteen French cities have flights to Brussels. The significance of the Belgian capital for European administration, Brussels Airlines’ feeder flights, and, in the other direction, the tourist appeal of Corsica, Nice, or the Southwest for Belgian holidaymakers explain these extensive connections.

Biarritz: Thomas Cook (seasonal)

Bordeaux: Hop! and easyJet + Brussels Airlines (seasonal)

Corsica (Ajaccio, Bastia, Calvi, Figari): Brussels Airlines, TUI fly Belgium, and Thomas Cook (seasonal)

Lourdes: Brussels Airlines and TUI fly Belgium (seasonal)

Lyon: Brussels Airlines + Hop!

Marseille: Brussels Airlines

Mulhouse/Basel: Brussels Airlines + easyJet

Nantes: Hop! + Brussels Airlines

Nice: Brussels Airlines + easyJet + Thomas Cook (seasonal)

Strasbourg: Brussels Airlines

Toulouse: Brussels Airlines

Choosing your flight

While flying is not ideal from Paris—where the train is preferable—the situation is different for much of the regions. Given the substantial flight options (including those to Charleroi) and the range of prices, it’s best to prioritise direct flights where they exist. These generally offer a good balance of quality, duration, and price, unlike connections that can take nearly half a day. After that, compare options by checking the carriers’ websites, including low-cost airlines, and remember that trains or even buses from certain French cities are also good ways to reach Belgium.