Brussels Airport
Also known as: Brussels Zaventem Airport, Zaventem Airport, Brussels National Airport, BRU Airport.
Private transfer from BRUSee pricesSee pricesAbout Brussels Airport
Brussels Airport (BRU) is the main international airport for Brussels, Belgium, located in Zaventem about 12 km northeast of the city. It handled 24.4 million passengers in 2025 and is run by Brussels Airport Company.
Brussels Airlines is the home carrier, with flights across Europe, to many cities in West and Central Africa, and to New York. TUI fly Belgium serves holiday routes to the Canary Islands, Morocco, Egypt, Turkey and Greece. Long-haul links include Delta Air Lines to Atlanta, United Airlines to Newark, Washington and Chicago, Emirates to Dubai, Qatar Airways to Doha and Cathay Pacific to Hong Kong.
The airport has one terminal building with two piers: Pier A for Schengen flights and Pier B for non-Schengen flights, joined by a building called the Connector. Arrivals are on level 2, buses and taxis on level 0, and the railway station on level -1.
Brussels Airport is not the same as Brussels South Charleroi Airport (CRL), a separate airport near Charleroi. From BRU, direct trains reach Brussels-North in about 11 minutes and Brussels-Central in about 18 minutes. Most travelers continue to central Brussels and the European Quarter, or by train to Leuven, Mechelen, Antwerp, Ghent and Bruges.
Airport operator, runways and traffic
- Operator
Brussels Airport Company
- Passengers per year
24.4 million in 2025
- Runways
Three: 07L/25R, 07R/25L and 01/19
- Main airline
Brussels Airlines
- Location
Zaventem, about 12 km northeast of Brussels
Arrival tips for Brussels Airport
If you arrive on a flight from outside the Schengen Area, you land at Pier B and pass passport control before baggage claim; non-EU visitors are registered in the EU Entry/Exit System (fingerprints and a facial image) instead of getting a passport stamp. Flights from Schengen countries arrive without a passport check.
After collecting your bags, you exit customs into the arrivals hall on level 2. The taxi point is just outside the arrivals hall. For trains, take the escalators or lifts down to level -1, where the station sits directly beneath the terminal. City and regional buses leave from the bus station on level 0, about 100 m from the arrivals hall through a covered walkway.
If someone is collecting you, the official meeting point is in the bus zone on level 0, marked with a "Hello" sign. Use only licensed taxis, which carry a blue and yellow emblem, and decline rides offered inside the terminal.
Belgium uses the euro and runs on Central European Time (UTC+1), switching to summer time (UTC+2) from late March to late October.
Ground transportation
The train is the quickest way to central Brussels for most travelers, with taxis better suited to heavy luggage or late arrivals.
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Book a transfer from BRUTrain to Brussels and Belgian cities
The station is on level -1, directly beneath the terminal, with six direct trains an hour to Brussels from early morning until around midnight. Brussels-Central is about 18 minutes away, Antwerp about 30 minutes and Ghent about 55 minutes. An airport rail supplement applies, usually already included in the ticket.
Taxi from Brussels Airport
The taxi point is just outside the arrivals hall. The airport is about 12 km from central Brussels, so road time depends heavily on traffic around the Brussels Ring.
Bus to the European Quarter
STIB Airport Line 12 leaves from the bus station on level 0 and runs to Schuman, Maelbeek and Luxembourg stops in the European Quarter. De Lijn buses serve Zaventem, Vilvoorde and other nearby towns.
Rideshare
Uber operates in Brussels, and the app shows the pick-up spot after you request a ride. The location is not always next to the nearest exit.
Private transfer
Pre-booked drivers usually meet passengers in the arrivals hall or at the official meeting point on level 0. This avoids taxi queues but needs to be arranged before you land.
Terminals
Main Terminal
Single terminal building with check-in, arrivals and the railway station under one roof. Pier A handles Schengen flights and Pier B handles non-Schengen flights, linked by the Connector.
Airlines commonly assigned here: Brussels Airlines, Cathay Pacific, Delta Air Lines, easyJet, Emirates, Ethiopian Airlines, Hainan Airlines, Qatar Airways, Royal Air Maroc, Ryanair, Singapore Airlines, TUI fly Belgium, Turkish Airlines, United Airlines, Vueling
Airlines and destinations
Frequently asked questions
How far is Brussels Airport from the city center?
Brussels Airport is about 12 km northeast of central Brussels, in the municipality of Zaventem. Direct trains from the station under the terminal reach Brussels-North in about 11 minutes, Brussels-Central in about 18 minutes and Brussels-South (Midi) in about 23 minutes. By road, the trip depends on traffic on the Brussels Ring and the A201.
Is Brussels Airport in Brussels?
No, Brussels Airport is just outside the Brussels-Capital Region, in Zaventem in the province of Flemish Brabant. It sits about 12 km northeast of the city center. Despite this, it is the city's main airport and is closely linked to Brussels by direct trains, STIB city buses and taxis.
Is Brussels Airport the same as Brussels South Charleroi Airport?
No. Brussels Airport (BRU) is in Zaventem, northeast of Brussels, while Brussels South Charleroi Airport (CRL) is a separate airport near the city of Charleroi in Wallonia. Check your ticket for the airport code before traveling. A direct train from Brussels Airport to Charleroi takes about 1 hour 35 minutes.
How many terminals does Brussels Airport have?
Brussels Airport has one terminal building with two piers. Pier A handles flights within the Schengen Area and Pier B handles non-Schengen flights, including the United Kingdom. The two piers are linked by the Connector, so transfer passengers can change between them without a new security check.
Which airlines fly from Brussels Airport?
Brussels Airlines is the home carrier, flying across Europe, to many African cities and to New York. TUI fly Belgium focuses on holiday routes. Other airlines include Ryanair, Vueling, easyJet, Lufthansa, KLM, Turkish Airlines, Emirates, Qatar Airways, Etihad Airways, Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, Singapore Airlines and Cathay Pacific, all using the same terminal.
Where are the taxis at Brussels Airport?
The taxi point is just outside the arrivals hall, on the arrivals level of the terminal. Licensed taxis carry a blue and yellow emblem. Ignore anyone offering a ride inside the terminal and go straight to the official taxi point outside, where licensed cabs wait for arriving passengers.
How do I get from Brussels Airport to the city by train?
Take the escalators or lifts to level -1, where Brussels Airport-Zaventem station sits directly beneath the terminal. Six direct trains an hour run to Brussels from early morning until around midnight, stopping at Brussels-North, Brussels-Central and Brussels-South. Two trains an hour also serve the European Quarter. An airport rail supplement applies to tickets.
Is there a bus from Brussels Airport to the European Quarter?
Yes. STIB Airport Line 12 leaves from the bus station on level 0, about 100 m from the arrivals hall, and runs to Schuman, Maelbeek and Luxembourg stops in the European Quarter. De Lijn buses serve nearby Flemish towns, and the N62 night bus runs roughly every 30 minutes between about 00:55 and 04:45.
Can I use Uber at Brussels Airport?
Yes, Uber operates in Brussels and serves Brussels Airport. After you request a ride, the app shows the designated pick-up point, which is generally near the ground transport exit and not always next to the door you leave from. Allow a few extra minutes to walk there with your luggage.
What do I need to enter Belgium at Brussels Airport?
Belgium is in the Schengen Area. Non-EU visitors on short stays are registered in the EU Entry/Exit System, which records fingerprints and a facial image instead of stamping passports. The ETIAS travel authorization for visa-exempt visitors is not yet in operation, and the EU says it will announce the start date several months ahead.
How do I get from Brussels Airport to Antwerp, Ghent or Bruges?
Direct trains leave from the station beneath the terminal. Antwerp is about 30 minutes away, Ghent about 55 minutes and Bruges about 1 hour 25 minutes. Leuven is only 13 minutes and Mechelen is also on a direct line. Airport Express and Flibco coaches run to Antwerp from the bus station on level 0.
What time zone and currency does Brussels use?
Brussels uses Central European Time (UTC+1) and moves to summer time (UTC+2) from the last Sunday of March to the last Sunday of October. The currency is the euro. Brussels is officially bilingual, with Dutch and French both used on signs in the city.
Who operates Brussels Airport and how busy is it?
Brussels Airport is operated by Brussels Airport Company. It handled 24.4 million passengers in 2025, up 3.3% from 2024, and about 198,000 flight movements. Spain, Italy, Germany, Turkey and Morocco were the top countries by passenger numbers. The airport has three runways and is a hub for Brussels Airlines.