Overview
Belgium's capital packs grand squares, world-class museums, chocolate shops and some of the best beer in Europe into a city you can happily explore on foot. As the home of the EU and NATO, Brussels is exceptionally well connected to the UK, which keeps competition between airlines healthy and makes it one of the easier short breaks to arrange. Whether you're after a weekend of galleries and good food or a midweek business trip, cheap flights to Brussels are rarely hard to find once you know when to look.
Best time to fly to Brussels
Late spring (April to June) and September bring the most reliable weather, with mild days of around 18-22°C and lighter crowds. July and August are warm but can be showery, while winter is cold and grey, though the Christmas market known locally as Winter Wonders is a genuine December draw. Fares tend to ease outside the UK school holidays and around the shoulder seasons; check the When to book chart above to see how prices shift through the year.
Airlines and routes
British Airways and Brussels Airlines operate direct flights from London to Brussels, chiefly from Heathrow, with Brussels Airlines also flying from London City. From the regions, Brussels Airlines runs direct services from Manchester and, at times, other UK airports. Ryanair links several UK cities with Brussels Charleroi, a separate airport well south of the city. The direct flight from London takes around 1 hour 10 minutes; from Manchester, allow roughly 1 hour 20 minutes. Connecting flights via Amsterdam, Paris or Frankfurt add little on such a short hop.
Things to do in Brussels
Compact and walkable, Brussels rewards curiosity:
- Grand-Place: The UNESCO-listed central square, ringed by gilded guildhalls and best seen early in the morning or floodlit at night.
- Atomium: A giant 1958 model of an iron crystal in Heysel, with viewing pods and wide city panoramas.
- Magritte Museum: The world's largest collection of works by the Belgian surrealist, beside the Royal Palace.
- Manneken-Pis: The tiny, frequently costumed fountain statue that has become the city's cheeky mascot.
- Belgian Comic Strip Center: A tribute to Tintin, the Smurfs and the country's comic heritage, in an Art Nouveau building.
At Brussels Airport (BRU)
Brussels Airport, also known as Zaventem, sits about 12km north-east of the centre. The quickest way in is the train from the station beneath the terminal, reaching Brussels-Central in around 20 minutes. Airport buses serve the EU quarter and beyond, and taxis take roughly 20-30 minutes depending on traffic. Charleroi lies about 50km south, connected to the city by a dedicated shuttle bus.
Top tips for finding cheap flights to Brussels
- Book roughly four to eight weeks ahead for the best balance of price and choice; last-minute city-break fares seldom fall.
- Fly midweek where you can, as Tuesday and Wednesday departures are usually cheaper than Friday or Sunday.
- Use a flexible-date search to spot quieter days, and compare the price charts on this page before you commit.
- Check both Brussels Airport and Charleroi, weighing any lower fare against the extra transfer time and cost.
Travel essentials
UK passport holders do not need a visa for short stays in Belgium: up to 90 days in any 180-day period within the Schengen area. Your passport should be less than 10 years old and valid for at least three months after you plan to leave. The EU's new entry measures, including the ETIAS travel authorisation, are being phased in, so check the latest requirements before you fly. The currency is the euro, cards are widely accepted, and UK travellers should carry a GHIC or EHIC for state healthcare cover.
