Overview
Belgium packs a lot into a compact, easily explored country: medieval cities, world-class art, celebrated beer and some of Europe's best food. It is one of the quickest hops from the UK, with frequent flights and a fast train from the airport into central Brussels. Whether it is a weekend in Bruges, business in the EU capital or the festive markets, cheap flights to Belgium are easy to find if you book with a little planning.
Best time to fly to Belgium
Belgium has a mild, changeable maritime climate, so pack a waterproof in any season. Late spring (April to June) and early autumn (September) offer the best balance of pleasant weather, lighter crowds and sensible fares. July and August are the warmest and busiest months, while December draws visitors to the Christmas markets in Brussels, Bruges and Ghent. January and February are cold and quiet, which is often when airfares dip — see the When to book chart above.
Main gateway cities & airports
Most UK travellers arrive into Brussels Airport (BRU) at Zaventem, about 12km from the centre, with trains reaching Brussels-Central in under 20 minutes. Brussels South Charleroi Airport (CRL) lies around 50km south and is the main low-cost base, with a shuttle bus to Brussels taking roughly an hour. Antwerp Airport (ANR) handles a few flights from London City and is handy for the Flemish cities.
Airlines and routes
Brussels Airlines has the widest UK network, with direct flights from London Heathrow, Manchester, Birmingham, Newcastle and Edinburgh. British Airways flies from Heathrow, easyJet serves Brussels from Gatwick, Luton, Bristol and Belfast, and Ryanair links Stansted, Manchester and Edinburgh with Charleroi and Brussels. London to Brussels takes about 1 hour 15 minutes; from Manchester allow around 1 hour 25 minutes. Direct flights are the norm, so connecting itineraries are rarely needed.
Popular places to visit in Belgium
- Bruges: a beautifully preserved medieval centre of canals, cobbled lanes and gabled houses.
- Brussels: the grand Grand-Place, Art Nouveau streets, fine museums and the space-age Atomium.
- Ghent: a lively student city with a moated castle and Van Eyck's celebrated altarpiece.
- Antwerp: Belgium's fashion and diamond capital, with Rubens masterpieces and a grand railway station.
- Ypres and Flanders Fields: moving First World War memorials and the nightly Last Post at the Menin Gate.
Top tips for finding cheap flights to Belgium
- Book city breaks roughly two to three months ahead, and use the price charts on this page to find the cheapest dates.
- Fly midweek — Tuesday and Wednesday departures are usually cheaper than weekends.
- Compare Brussels Airport with Charleroi, allowing for the longer, pricier transfer from Charleroi.
- Travel with hand luggage only on the low-cost carriers to keep the headline fare down.
Travel essentials
UK passport holders do not currently need a visa for stays of up to 90 days in any 180-day period across the Schengen area for tourism or business, but check the latest entry rules — including the EU's Entry/Exit System and the forthcoming ETIAS authorisation — before you travel. Your passport should be valid for at least three months beyond your departure date and less than 10 years old. The currency is the euro and cards are widely accepted. For the best value, book a few weeks to a couple of months ahead and keep an eye on the price charts above.
