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Explore Brussels Airport (BRU) – Gateway to Belgium

Brussels Airport is a major European hub and hosts a wide range of airlines. Learn more about the airport and its facilities in our extensive guide.

Brussels Airport (BRU), officially known as Brussels-National, is located approximately 12 kilometers northeast of Brussels, the capital city of Belgium. The proximity to the city center makes it a convenient gateway for travelers, with efficient train, bus, and taxi services linking the airport to various parts of Brussels and the broader region.

One of the unique features of Brussels Airport is its dedicated train station located directly beneath the terminal, providing rapid rail service to Brussels Central in just 20 minutes. Brussels Airport is also recognized for its efficiency and passenger services, which include a wide range of shopping and dining options.

Brussels Airport information
Brussels Airport consist of one single terminal structure and here you can find flights to most parts of the world.

Brussels Airport hub information

Brussels Airport is considered a major hub in Europe, particularly for international travel within the European Union and beyond. The airport hosts a wide range of airlines, including Brussels Airlines, which uses BRU as its home base and primary hub.

See all airlines operating at Brussels Airport

At the airport you find everything from shopping and dining to lounges and business services, making it a convenient transit for travelers passing by.

Find your way at the airport – terminals and piers

Brussels Airport consists of a single terminal structure, which handles both Schengen and non-Schengen flights through two different piers. The main terminal building houses all the key facilities such as check-in, baggage claim, customs, and airport services. It branches out into two main piers – Pier A and Pier B.

  • Pier A: Dedicated primarily to flights within the Schengen area, Pier A is accessible via a connector from the main terminal building. It features numerous gates and a modern setup to facilitate easy movement of passengers traveling within the Schengen zone.

  • Pier B: Used for flights outside the Schengen area, Pier B handles international traffic to non-Schengen countries. It is equipped with additional security and customs facilities to manage international entry and exit protocols effectively.

Luggage routine

The luggage handling process for connecting flights depends on a few key factors, such as whether your flights are on the same ticket and if the airlines involved have an interline agreement. Below is a general overview of what you might expect.

  • Same ticket connections: If your connecting flights are booked under the same ticket, your checked baggage will usually be tagged to your final destination. This means you won’t need to reclaim and re-check your luggage at Brussels Airport. It will be automatically transferred from your incoming flight to your outgoing flight.

  • Separate tickets/different airlines: If your flights are on separate tickets or with airlines that do not have an interline agreement, you will likely need to collect your baggage upon arriving at BRU, go through customs and immigration if necessary, and then check in again for your onward flight. This includes taking your luggage to the check-in counter of your next airline.

  • International to Schengen or Vice Versa: For flights where you change from an international (non-Schengen) flight to a Schengen flight, or the opposite, you will generally need to go through passport control. Brussels Airport is designed with a clear separation between Schengen and non-Schengen areas, so ensure you allow enough time for these procedures.

Always check your baggage allowance and transfer details with the airlines before traveling, as policies can vary, especially if you are flying with different carriers for your connecting flights.

Brussels Airport shopping restaurants
At Brussels Airport you find a large variety of shops and restaurants.

Restaurants at Brussels Airport

Brussels Airport offers a variety of dining choices ranging from fast food to sit-down restaurants, featuring both international and local Belgian cuisine. Listed below you find some of the dining options available.

  • Black Pearls: Situated in the main terminal, Black Pearls serves seafood and grill options.

  • Panos: Found in multiple locations throughout the terminal and piers, Panos offers quick dining with a range of sandwiches, salads, and pastries, focusing on Belgian flavors.

  • Starbucks: With locations in both the main terminal and Pier A, Starbucks provides familiar coffee and snack options for travelers looking for a quick bite or a coffee fix.

  • EXKi: Located in the main terminal, EXKi features natural and fresh food, focusing on organic ingredients and quick service.

  • Bistrot Brussels Airport: Found in Pier A, this restaurant offers a taste of authentic Belgian cuisine.

  • Amo: Specializing in Italian cuisine and located in Pier A, Amo offers travelers pizzas, pastas and other Italian favorites.

Hotels at or near the airport – find free shuttle

Several hotels are conveniently located near Brussels Airport, catering to a range of preferences and budgets. Here we present some most popular hotels.

  • Sheraton Brussels Airport Hotel: Located directly in front of the airport terminal and offers immediate access to the airport with soundproof rooms, conference facilities and a fitness center.

  • Van der Valk Hotel Brussels Airport: Found about three kilometers from the airport, with a shuttle service provided. The hotel has modern rooms, dining options and meeting spaces.

  • NH Brussels Airport: Also located approximately three kilometers from the airport, and includes a free airport shuttle service. This option has comfortable accommodations with a gym, sauna and meeting rooms.

  • Crowne Plaza Brussels Airport: Luxury accommodations with lake views, a well-equipped fitness center and extensive conference facilities. Found roughly three kilometers from the airport and offers a free shuttle service.

Do you want to compare all airport hotels at Brussels Airport? Follow the link below to learn more about the different hotel options.

See airport hotels at Brussels Airport

Getting from the airport to Brussels – taxi or Uber

At Brussels Airport you have access to various taxi and rideshare services that offer convenient transportation to and from the airport. Several licensed taxi companies operate at Brussels Airport. Taxis can be found outside the arrivals hall, and they are typically metered. The fare to central Brussels is generally about €45, depending on traffic and the exact destination.

Rideshare services, such as Uber, are also available at Brussels Airport. The rideshare pickup area is clearly marked outside the arrivals hall. Prices can vary depending on the time of day and demand. An UberX to central Brussels might cost around €30-€40. You can also choose to book a transfer – find available options through the following link.

Brussels Airport – airport transfer

Brussels Airport facts
Location
The flag of BelgiumBrussels, Belgium
Timezone
Europe/Brussels
IATA - ICAO
BRU - EBBR
Destinations
Airlines
Coordinates
In Schengen Area?
The flag of EUYes
Known as
Brussels Airport
Aéroport de Bruxelles-National
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Current BRU flights delays

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Airlines at Brussels Airport airport

From BRU, you can choose from 62 different airlines to 172 different destinations

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TUI Airlines Belgium logotype
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Ryanair logotype
SunExpress logotype
Air Arabia Maroc logotype
Brussels Airport car rental

If you are in need of a rental car, there are several options at BRU.

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avis logotype
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Airport transfer and taxi

Taking a car transfer from Brussels Airport to Brussel-Centraal takes 18 minutes.

Airport transfer picture
The graph above shows the number of departing passenger seats (with passengers or not) for the next 24 hours. This will give you a hint on how many people to expect at the terminal including check-in and security. Updated 12:02.
This graph shows the number of arriving passenger seats (with passengers or not) for the next 24 hours. With this information you may predict how many people will be arriving at the border check or taxi line for example. Updated 12:02.
Brussels Airport airport hotels

If you are in need of a good night sleep, before or after you flight, we can help you decide where to stay. Within a distance of 3km we found hotels like NH Brussels Airport , Crowne Plaza Brussels Airport, an IHG Hotel and Sheraton Brussels Airport Hotel

NH Brussels Airport logotype
Crowne Plaza Brussels Airport, an IHG Hotel logotype
Sheraton Brussels Airport Hotel logotype
Van der Valk Hotel Brussels Airport logotype
Novotel Brussels Airport logotype
Park Inn By Radisson Brussels Airport logotype
Brussels Airport lounges
There are several lounges at Brussels Airport, a couple of them hosted by Brussels Airlines.

Lounges

You can find a couple of lounges at the airport, one of them being the Diamond Lounge. This lounge is accessible to passengers flying within and outside the Schengen area, and offers food, drinks and a seating area.

The other major lounges found at the airport are hosted by Brussels Airlines. The Loft is available if you are traveling with Brussels Airlines or if you are a Star Alliance Gold member and is located in Pier A. Here you can find everything from showers to sleeping areas, meeting rooms and lockers. Brussels Airlines also has a lounge called Sunrise which is available for Gold members or if you travel economy and pay an extra fee. This lounge features for example showers and a relaxing area.

Things to do in Brussels

Whether you're just passing through or staying in Brussels, you'll find plenty of fun activities to do after landing at Brussels Airport.

  • Bruges and Ghent - Belgium's Fairytale Cities - from Brussels
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  • Hungry Mary's Famous Beer and Chocolate Tour in Brussels
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  • Luxembourg and Dinant Day Trip from Brussels
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  • Brussels Chocolate Walking Tour and Workshop
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  • Amsterdam Day Trip from Brussels With Cheese, Clogs and Windmills
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