Airports in Belgium : The Complete Guide
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Are you wondering about the different airports in Belgium? You’ve come to the right place!
As a Belgian, I can say that I know the different Belgian airports fairly well and I’ve travelled to and/or from nearly all of them.
While Brussels Airport is the main international hub, there are 4 smaller ones that are used for European air travel.
Let’s dive into all of them and see what they look like, how big they are, what facilities they have and how you can reach them.
This article may contain affiliate links. This means we receive a small commission whenever you book or purchase something through our links (at no extra cost to you!). You can find more information in our disclaimer.
How many airports does Belgium have?
So, you’re probably asking yourself how many international airports Belgium has.
Well, there are 5: Brussels Airport, Brussels South Charleroi, Antwerp Airport, Liège Airport and Ostend-Bruges Airport.
Airports in Belgium map
To help you visualize the airport locations in Belgium, here is a map highlighting them all:
The Airports of Belgium
Belgium has several airports, each serving a specific purpose and catering to different travel needs.
Let’s take a closer look at each one of them.
1. Brussels Airport
📍 Address: Leopoldlaan, 1930 Zaventem, Belgium
🎫 Airport code: BRU
Brussels Airport is an international airport that serves as Belgium’s primary international gateway. It is located in Zaventem, just outside the capital city of Brussels.
This airport is named one of the busiest airports in Europe because of its strategic location in the centre of Europe.
Brussels Airport has 1 terminal with 5 levels:
- Level -1 is for access by train
- Level 0 is for bus and taxi drop-offs
- Level 2 is for departures
- Level 3 is for arrivals
- Level 4 is for services (shops, restaurants, meditation room, lounges)
The departure zone is divided into 2 concourses:
✔️ Concourse A: This concourse is dedicated to handling Schengen flights and some flights to Africa (operated by TUIfly). Gate numbers start with an A (Schengen) or a T (Africa).
💡 Good to know: The Schengen countries are Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland.
✔️ Concourse B: Non-Schengen flights depart from the gates in Concourse B. The gate numbers start with the letter B.
There’s a shuttle bus connecting Concourse A with Concourse B for transferring passengers.
How to get from Brussels Airport to the City Centre?
To travel the 11 km from Brussels Airport to the City Centre, you can choose between the train, bus, taxi or private transport.
🚌 Go to level 0. Hop on Line 12 and get off at Troon (the bus stop at the Royal Palace). From there, walk the rest of the way or catch a connecting subway | 40 minutes | €7
🚆 Go to level -1. Catch a train to Brussels Central Station | 15 – 20 minutes | €9
🚕 Go to level 2. Take a taxi at the Arrival Hall OR book your private transport in advance to avoid waiting times | 30 minutes | €70
🛏️ Prefer staying close to Brussels Airport? Check out our guide to the best hotels near Brussels Airport.
2. Brussels South Charleroi Airport
📍 Address: Rue des Frères Wright 8, 6041 Charleroi, Belgium
🎫 Airport code: CRL
Situated near the city of Charleroi, this airport is the second-largest in Belgium. It mainly handles low-cost international flights such as Ryanair.
As it’s located 46km south of Brussels, this airport provides an alternative gateway for travellers looking to explore Brussels and the surrounding areas. But Belgium is small and you can get anywhere in no time, really.
It is also a busy general aviation airfield, being home to 3 flying schools.
Brussels South Charleroi Airport has 2 terminals. Each terminal consists of a single floor:
- Terminal 1, the main terminal, has 18 gates (gates 7-24) and offers easy access to transportation for arriving passengers.
- Terminal 2, the smallest terminal, has only 3 gates (gates 26-28).
how to get from Charleroi Airport to Brussels?
To get from Brussels South Charleroi Airport to Brussels, you have 3 options:
🚌 Flibco offers a shuttle bus service that runs every 20 minutes from Charleroi Airport to Brussels, and stops at Bruxelles-Midi railway station | 55 minutes | €17
🚕 You can also take a taxi or book private transportation from the airport to Brussels, but this will be more expensive, as the airport is located about 50 km from the city centre | 45 minutes | €90 – €100
🚆 Take the A1 bus to Charleroi South train station + train to Brussels Central Station | About 90 minutes | €17.40 (combo ticket)
3. Antwerp International Airport
📍 Address: Luchthavenlei, 2100 Antwerpen, Belgium
🎫 Airport code: ANR
Antwerp International Airport is a small international airport serving the city of Antwerp, the second most populous city in Belgium,
This airport provides convenient access for locals and travellers visiting Antwerp and its surrounding areas.
Despite its smaller size compared to other major airports in Belgium, Antwerp International Airport connects passengers to various destinations in West and South Europe.
- London
- Innsbruck
- Bolzano
- Tanger
- Nador
- Split
- Palma de Mallorca
- Ibiza
- Murcia
- Malaga
- Alicante
- Gran Canaria
- Tenerife
- Crete
- Antalya
- Tel Aviv
The airport’s terminal has a fairly simple design, and both departures and arrivals can be found on the ground floor. It also has 8 check-in desks and 2 boarding gates.
At Antwerp Airport, you skip the crowded buses and stroll right onto the tarmac to your plane. It’s like a nostalgic nod to simpler times in air travel.
And finally, if you’re looking for a snack or a quick caffeine fix at Antwerp Airport, there’s only one café to hit up. It’s not a gourmet kind of cafe, but it gets the job done.
💡 Good to know: Don’t show up 3 hours in advance unless you don’t mind waiting for a long time with a good book or podcast.
How to get from Antwerp International Airport to the City Centre?
🚆 To get to Antwerp-Central station quickly with public transportation, you can take a train that runs often between Antwerp-Berchem Station and Antwerp-Central Station | 5 minutes
🚌 Buses 51, 52, and 53 run every 15 minutes and stop right in front of the airport at “Deurne Luchthavenlei” which will take you to Antwerp-Berchem Station. From there you can choose to take a train, another bus, or a tram that will take you to the City Centre | 10 minutes
🚗 For convenience, you can also book a private transportation or take a taxi to get to your destination | 30 minutes | €30 – €40
4. Ostend-Bruges International Airport
📍 Address: Nieuwpoortsesteenweg 889, 8400 Ostend, Belgium
🎫 Airport code: OST
Ostend-Bruges International Airport is situated just 5 kilometres southwest of the city centre of Ostend. It serves the Bruges and Ostend regions, but to be honest, very few airlines fly to and from the airport.
While the airport primarily serves as a hub for air freight operations, the number of passengers and commercial flights has increased in the last few years.
TUIfly covers the following destinations:
- Antalya
- Alicante
- Ibiza
- Malaga
- Murcia
- Palma de Mallorca
- Gran Canaria
- Tenerife
- Crete (Heraklion)
- Crete (Chania)
- Kos
- Rhodes
- Eskişehir
How to get from Ostend-Bruges International Airport to Bruges or Ostend?
🚌 The most affordable way to travel from Ostend Airport (OST) to Bruges is by taking a bus | 2 hours and 21 minutes | €6
🚕 If you want to get there faster, you can choose a taxi or book a private transportation | 25 minutes | €95 to €120
🚌 Bus number 6 goes between Ostend train station and the bus stop called Raversijde Luchthaven, right in front of the airport building | 15 minutes
5. Liege Airport
📍 Address: Rue de l’Aéroport, 4460 Grâce-Hollogne, Belgium
🎫 Airport code: LGG
Liege Airport is also known as Liege-Bierset Airport. The airport is primarily focused on air freight. It is also the 22nd-largest cargo airport in the world and the 7th-largest in Europe.
It is the global hub of ASL Airlines Belgium (the former TNT Airways) and is also used by several other cargo carriers on a scheduled or irregular basis.
The following destinations are connected to Liège Airport:
- Casablanca
- Alicante
- Djerba
- Enfidha
How to get from Liège Airport to the rest of Belgium?
🚌 Take Bus 57 (on weekdays) or Bus 53 (on weekends) to the main railway station of Liege (Liège, Gare des Guillemins) | 20 – 30 minutes | €2.60
🚕 You can choose to take a taxi or private transportation for a more comfortable way | 1 hour | €90 – €110
Getting around Belgium from Brussels Airport
When you arrive at Brussels Airport, there are various ways to travel around Belgium easily.
🚕 Taxi
Taxis are available at the airport and provide direct transportation to your destination. Just hop in and enjoy a comfortable ride.
Taxi drivers in Belgium should and will always use the meter.
🚗 Rental cars
Renting a car at Brussels Airport offers flexibility and independence. Many car rental companies operate at Brussels Airport and have a list of vehicles to choose from.
Remember to bring the necessary documents, such as a valid driver’s license and credit card, to rent a car.
🚌 Bus
Affordable bus services connect Brussels Airport to different parts of Belgium. Bus lines 272 and 471 run regularly, which allows you to explore various destinations. Please check the bus schedules and plan your trip accordingly.
Flixbus, and Flibco offer intercity bus services from Brussels Airport to Antwerp, Ghent, Bruges and vice versa.
Airport Express operates direct buses between Antwerp and Brussels Airport every two hours and it costs only €10. When I used to live in Antwerp, this was my favourite way of getting to Brussels Airport! It’s so convenient.
🚈 Train
Brussels Airport has its own train station (located at floor -1) which provides convenient access to Belgium’s extensive rail network.
Belgian Railways (SNCB/NMBS) has frequent trains that connect the airport to major cities and towns within the country.
This is your best option if you’re looking to explore Belgium by public transport but mind that you’ll have to pay an extra fee on your train ticket when travelling to and from the airport (Diabolo Tax).
🚐 Hotel shuttles
Some hotels near Brussels Airport offer complimentary shuttle services for their guests. If you have a reservation with one of these hotels, take advantage of the free shuttle service for convenient transportation.
Hotels that provide free airport shuttle services in Brussels
🛏 Crowne Plaza Brussels Airport
The Crowne Plaza Brussels Airport is a premium hotel conveniently located near Brussels Airport. It offers elegant accommodations and many amenities to ensure a comfortable stay for guests.
The hotel has easy access to the airport and a convenient shuttle service which makes it a great choice for both business and leisure travellers.
🛏 NH Brussels Airport
NH Brussels Airport is a modern hotel situated close to Brussels Airport. It has contemporary rooms and excellent facilities, including a fitness centre and a restaurant.
The hotel offers a complimentary shuttle service to and from the airport.
🛏 Courtyard by Marriott Brussels
The Courtyard by Marriott Brussels is a stylish hotel located a 10-minute drive from Brussels Airport. It offers spacious rooms, a fitness centre, and a restaurant.
The hotel provides a complimentary shuttle service, making transportation to and from the airport hassle-free.
🛏 Park Inn by Radisson Brussels Airport
The Park Inn by Radisson Brussels Airport is a modern hotel located near Brussels Airport. It offers comfortable rooms, a fitness centre, and a restaurant serving delicious food.
The hotel provides a complimentary shuttle service for guests to travel to and from the airport.
International Flights to Belgium
Belgium is well-connected to various parts of the world, with international flights arriving from different regions.
🗺 Europe & North America
From Europe and North America, there are numerous direct flights to Belgium. Major airlines operate regular routes connecting Belgian cities such as Brussels, Antwerp, and Charleroi with destinations across Europe and North America.
🗺 Africa
Travellers from Africa can also find direct flights to Belgium. Airlines such as Brussels Airlines and other international carriers offer routes connecting major African cities to Brussels Airport.
🗺 Asia
Belgium is easily accessible from Asia as well. Several airlines offer direct flights from major Asian cities to Brussels Airport, including Beijing, Shanghai, Tokyo, and Dubai.
Traveling to Belgium Tips
Here are some tips to ensure a smooth and safe journey trip to Belgium:
🛂 Check your visa: Ensure you have the necessary visa for your nationality and purpose of visit. Make sure your passport is valid for at least six months beyond your stay.
💶 Currency: Carry some cash in Euros (€) for small expenses, although credit cards are widely accepted.
🎒 Pack for the weather: Pack accordingly for Belgium’s temperate climate with mild summers and cool winters. Prepare for rain at all times.
🚄 Transportation: Take advantage of Belgium’s well-developed transportation system, including trains, buses, and trams.
🌐 Language: While Belgium has three official languages (Dutch, French, and German), English is widely spoken, especially in tourist areas.
🙇🏻 Respect local customs: Familiarize yourself with local customs and etiquette, such as greetings and personal space.
✨ Stay safe: Belgium is generally safe, but exercise caution and keep your belongings secure. Follow any safety advisories or instructions provided.
Frequently Asked Questions
BELGIUM TRAVEL PLANNING RESOURCES
Getting to Belgium: Fly into one of the main international airports: Brussels Airport (BRU) or Charleroi Brussels South Airport (CRL). Take an international train to Brussels South Station. Or take a ferry to Dover or The Netherlands, then drive or take the train to Belgium.
Getting Around: For the major destinations, the train is by far the best option. You can book your train tickets here. If you’d like to visit smaller places, the most convenient way would be to rent a car. We always use Discover cars, they compare all the rental companies and give you the best rates.
Accommodation: Booking.com is the most popular accommodation platform in Belgium. It’s what I use every single time.
Guided tours: Use Get Your Guide or Viator to find fun tours in Brussels, Bruges, Ghent and Antwerp. Or Guruwalk to find free walking tours in multiple destinations.
If this helped you plan your adventure, a coffee would go a long way in fueling my next guide! 😉
