Cheap Flights to Brussels

Discover Brussels

Cheap Flights to Brussels, Belgium (BRUS)

Why visit Brussels?

Often overlooked for romantic Paris, trendy Berlin, or historical Prague, Brussels is in fact just as romantic, trendy and historical as any European heavy hitter, and packs just as much of a punch. The brain centre of the European Union, and the capital of beautiful Belgium, visitors will fall in love with Brussels’ architecture, its art, its past, and of course, its world-famous chocolate.

Things to do in Brussels

The Brussels Old Town is one of Europe’s most beautiful, and one of the best preserved. Most of the architecture hails from the late 17^th century, and is made up of gorgeous guild houses, with unique decorative facades. Nowhere is this more noticeable than in the Grote Markt, or Grand Place. The most impressive building in the plaza is the city hall, but there are several chambers buildings that are worth seeing. Beyond the architecture, this square is filled with cafes and coffee shops where you can sit and watch people pass by.

Outside of the square, but still in central Brussels, there are lots of landmarks worth seeing. Such as the Saint Michel Cathedral, an imposing Gothic church whose foundations reach back to the 13^th century. There is also the gorgeous Mannekin Pis, a prominent fountain on the Rue de l’Etuve dedicated to the cheeky character that sits atop it.

You should also make time for the City Museum, where you can learn the history of Brussels, and a bit about the folklore character that inspired the Mannekin Pis. From history to art, travellers can go to the Royal Museums of Fine Arts, one that looks at ancient art, and the other modern works.

Lastly, for a spot of shopping in this cosmopolitan city, head for the Galleries if you are after some designer gear, the Jeu de Belle Flea Market for bargains, or the Place du Grand Salon for antiques.

Best time to visit Brussels

· Spring (March-May) and autumn (September-November) are traditionally the best seasons to visit Brussels if you want to avoid tourists and still have nice weather.

· However, if the weather is more important than room rates, visiting during the summer months is preferable, when the days reach highs of a pleasant 22-23°C.

· Winters are very cold, hovering around 0°C and often snowing. It can be a wonderful time to see the city, especially if you love the Christmas season, just make sure you bring a warm jacket.

Best time to book

· Flights to Europe should be booked 12-17 weeks ahead of time for competitive prices.

Expect to pay

· Euro (EUR).

· A hot cappuccino in the city centre of Brussels should come to about 2.75EUR ($4).

Arriving in Brussels by plane

· You’ll find two international airports, the primary hub of Brussels Airport (BRU) or Brussels Charleroi Airport (CRL). Most flights from Australia will be directed to Brussels Airport, and the airlines that run the flights are operated by

· Brussels Airport is the closest one to the city at 15km from the centre, whilst Charleroi is 60km from the downtown area. Both airports provide paid-for access to WiFi, ATMs, foreign exchange counters, duty free retail stores, plus lots of restaurants.

· Flights to Brussels are usually routed past Doha (DOH), or cities like London (LHR), Hong Kong (HKG), Singapore (SIN), Guangzhou (CAN) and Amsterdam (AMS).

Visa requirements

· You do not need to apply for a visa if you hold an Australian passport, and should be granted entry of up to 90 days. These conditions can change, so please check with the Belgian Embassy or the Australian Foreign Affairs website before you travel.

Transportation to city centre

· Taking a taxi from Charleroi to central Brussels is expensive and can cost up to 160EUR ($236), or from Brussels Airport into downtown, about 45EUR ($66).

· From Charleroi you can take a bus into town, but from Brussels Airport, you can take the rail, a bus, or a coach. For ease, sort out an airport transfer to meet you when you disembark your flight.

· Car rental agencies operate out of both airports, so you can organise a rental when you arrive, or use the car hire search tool through our site.

Where to stay in Brussels

· The Lower Town is where you should book to stay if you want to be within a stone’s throw of Brussel’s Old Town attractions. There are a good amount of eateries here, and lots of shopping areas if you’re so inclined.

· The Upper Town is more affordable, but still close to major sites like the Grand Place, and several of the big museums.

Useful tips before you go

· Tipping is not the norm in Belgium, and so you are not obligated to leave gratuity if you don’t want to. Many travellers round up their check as a way of tipping, or leave about 10% for excellent service.

Please note that the information provided above is accurate as of June 2016