Flights to Brussels

Neighbourhood Overview

The historic centre

If you're booking flights to Brussels and you want to stay as close as possible to the main sites, find a hotel in the city's historic centre. You'll be right around the corner from the opulent Grand Place, Manneken Pis and the imposing St. Michael and St Gudula Cathedral. You'll also be nearby Brussels' largest park and the Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium.

The European district

For travellers buying tickets to Brussels for business, you'll want to stay in the European district. It's located in the Schuman area and is home to the European Union Parliament buildings. There are plenty of luxury hotels in the area, and you can grab dinner at one of the Michelin-rated restaurants.

Ixelles

Ixelles is the perfect neighbourhood for shopaholics buying return flights to Brussels. It's main street, Avenue Louise, is home to designer boutiques, fine dining and luxury hotels. Nearby attractions include the Forest de Soignes, Bois de la Cambre and the Ixelles Ponds.

Heysel

Heysel is a popular neighbourhood for families booking flights to Brussels. The area is primarily residential and is where you'll find kid-friendly attractions like the Atomium, Mini-Europe, and Oceade.

Best Things To Do on Weekends For Those With Cheap Flights to Brussels

Grand Place

Start your weekend in Brussels off right with a morning visit to the Grand Palace. The plaza is in excellent condition, and you'll find beautiful architectural elements like ornate stonework and gold decoration. What most travellers booking flights to Brussels don't know is that the plaza dates back to the 11th century. Make sure you visit the Town Hall; it was built in 1402 and features rooms full of magnificent tapestries, a banqueting hall, and a Marriage Chamber.

Belgian Comic Strip Center

If you grew up with the Smurfs and Tintin, make your way to the Belgian Comic Strip Center. Fans from around the world buy an airfare to Brussels every year to marvel at the collection. Inside the museum, you'll find an exhibition of 200 original drawings as well as a history of Belgian and French comic strips.

Belgian Royal Museum of Fine Arts

Belgium's Royal Museum of Fine Arts is one of the best things to do in Brussels. The museum first opened its doors in 1797 and is considered one of the best art galleries in the world. You'll need a couple of hours to see everything, so visit the museum the day after your flights to Brussels have landed.

Public Transport and How to Get Around When Landing on Cheap Flights to Brussels

Public Transport

Once your flights to Brussels have landed at Brussels Airport (BRU), the best way to get to your hotel is with the city's public transport system. Six trains depart the airport every hour to the city. You can also take the STIB Airport Line bus that will take you from the airport to the European Quarter in 30 minutes. It's a good idea to buy a transport card for the city, so you can use the entire network of buses, trams, and metro to get around Brussels.

Taxis

If you're arriving at Brussels Airport (BRU) with a lot of luggage or you’re buying flights to Brussels as a large group, it's a good idea to take a taxi to your hotel. You'll find the drivers waiting outside of the arrivals hall. One thing to keep in mind is that you can't hail a taxi in Brussels. You need to line up at one of the taxi stands throughout the city.

Car rental

It's not advised to rent a car while in Brussels. The city's traffic is usually congested and finding a parking spot is a hassle. However, if you need one for your trip, you can book one in advance with Webjet or hire one as soon as your flights to Brussels land. Several car rental companies in the arrivals hall can help you with your vehicle needs.

Tips for First-Time Travellers to Brussels

Visit the Grand Place in the morning

If you want to avoid the crowds, visit the Grand Place at 7am. You'll have the entire plaza to yourself, and no one will be around to photobomb your shots.

Charleroi Airport shuttle

If you've booked cheap flights to Brussels with a budget airline from another European destination, you're going to fly into Charleroi Airport (CRL) instead of the main Brussels Airport (BRU). Keep in mind that the airport is located an hour outside of the city and you'll need to book your spot on the shuttle in advance as tickets sell out.

Languages in Brussels

The first thing you'll notice once your flights to Brussels land is that a lot of the signage will be in either Dutch or French. The good news is that most people speak English as the city is a business hub and the locals need to know multiple languages.