Flying from Brussels Airport
Brussels has two airports: Brussels Airport (Zaventem) for scheduled and long-haul flights, and Brussels South Charleroi for low-cost. For travellers from the southern Netherlands, Brussels is often as close as Schiphol, and sometimes cheaper.
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Quick answer: Brussels has two airports: Zaventem (Brussels Airlines, Lufthansa, KLM, long-haul) with a train station under the terminal, and Charleroi about 60 km to the south (Ryanair and Wizz Air, low cost). From the Netherlands, Zaventem is easiest, or drive to Charleroi for the cheapest flights to Barcelona, Porto, Krakow or Marrakesh. Book at least 6 weeks in advance and stick strictly to the hand luggage rules of Ryanair and Wizz Air.
Two airports: Zaventem and Charleroi
Brussels Airport (Zaventem) is the large airport with Brussels Airlines, the Lufthansa group and lots of long-haul; Brussels South Charleroi lies about an hour further south and is the domain of Ryanair and Wizz Air. Choose Zaventem for comfort and direct long-haul, Charleroi for the sharpest low-cost prices.
Direct destinations from Brussels
From Zaventem you fly direct to European capitals like Vienna, Rome, Madrid and Lisbon, plus long-haul to Africa, North America and Asia. Charleroi focuses on city breaks and sun: Barcelona, Porto, Krakow, Budapest and Moroccan cities.
Cheapest destinations from Brussels
The lowest prices are on the Ryanair and Wizz routes from Charleroi, comparable to Eindhoven. Zaventem is more comfortable but rarely the very cheapest. If you live in the southern Netherlands, compare Brussels with Eindhoven and Schiphol in the trip planner with Brussels (BRU) as departure point.
When to book for the best price
Just like from the Netherlands: city breaks 6 to 12 weeks ahead, sun holidays 3 to 4 months, long-haul 4 to 6 months. More tips in our guide on when to book flights.
Parking and access
Both airports have car parks that you'd best reserve in advance. Zaventem has its own train station under the terminal with direct connections, including towards the Netherlands. Charleroi is reached by shuttle bus from Brussels-South. From the Netherlands, factor in the travel time to the airport in your overall planning.
How early should you arrive?
For European flights 2 hours, for long-haul from Zaventem 3 hours. Charleroi is compact but can get busy at security in peak times; allow 2 hours there too.
Hand luggage per airline
Ryanair and Wizz Air (Charleroi) are strict on hand luggage and charge for a trolley; Brussels Airlines (Zaventem) is usually more generous. Check your fare in advance to avoid surprises at the gate. Details in our hand luggage guide.
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Frequently asked questions
Which airports does Brussels have?
Brussels Airport (Zaventem) for scheduled and long-haul flights, and Brussels South Charleroi for low-cost with Ryanair and Wizz Air. Charleroi lies about an hour south of the city.
Is Brussels cheaper than Schiphol?
From Charleroi often yes for low-cost routes, comparable to Eindhoven. For long-haul and comfort, Zaventem is a good alternative. Always compare including travel time to the airport.
How early should I be at Brussels?
Allow 2 hours for European flights and 3 hours for long-haul from Zaventem. Charleroi is compact but plan 2 hours there too in peak season.
How do I get to Brussels from the Netherlands?
Zaventem has a train station under the terminal with direct connections, including from the Netherlands. Charleroi is reached by shuttle bus from Brussels-South or by car.