Roberta Aguirre
If you're wondering whether you can leave Brussels Airport during a layover, the answer depends on a few factors. Firstly, it's important to consider the length of your layover. If you only have a few hours, it might not be worth leaving the airport, as you'll need to account for travel time to and from the city centre, as well as any potential delays. Additionally, your nationality and the country you are travelling from will determine whether you need a visa to enter Belgium and how long you can stay. If you are an EU citizen or have a Schengen visa, you can leave the airport during your layover and explore Brussels. If you are travelling from outside the Schengen area, such as the US, Canada, or Australia, you can stay in Belgium without a visa for up to 90 days, as long as your passport is valid for at least six months after your departure. However, you will need to go through immigration and security checks, which can take additional time.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Leaving the airport during a layover | Allowed, but depends on the traveller's country of origin, destination, and duration of the layover |
| Recommended layover duration for leaving the airport | 5 hours or more |
| Transportation to the city centre | Train to Brussels Central Station (20-23 minutes) |
| Time required to return to the airport | Arrive at least 1 hour before departure |
| Immigration requirements | Passport with at least 3 months' validity and 6 months remaining before expiration |
| Luggage considerations | Store heavy hand luggage in lockers at the airport |
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What You'll Learn
Requirements for leaving the airport during a layover
If you're wondering whether you can leave Brussels Airport during a layover, the answer depends on several factors, including your nationality, the length of your layover, and your destination after Brussels. Here are the requirements you need to meet to leave the airport during a layover:
Check your travel documents
Before leaving the airport, ensure that you have all the necessary travel documents, such as your passport, visa (if required), and boarding pass for your next flight. If you don't already have your boarding pass for the next flight, you may need to go to the Customer Service Desk (airside) to collect it before leaving the airport.
Allow sufficient time to return to the airport
When planning to leave the airport during a layover, ensure you allow enough time to return and go through security and passport control before your next flight. It is recommended to be back at the airport at least one hour before departure.
Comply with visa and passport requirements
If you are a citizen of the EU, Schengen area, US, Canada, or Australia, you can enter Belgium without a visa and stay for up to 90 days. However, your passport must have at least six months of validity remaining for entry into Belgium.
Consider the length of your layover
If your layover is relatively short (three hours or less), it may not be practical to leave the airport, as you need to factor in travel time to and from the city centre, as well as time for security and passport control upon your return.
Ensure your luggage is secure
If you decide to leave the airport during your layover, you may need to collect your luggage before exiting, depending on your travel arrangements. You can store your luggage in lockers at the airport or leave it at the left luggage service if you don't want to carry it with you.
Be mindful of your destination
If you are arriving from or departing to a non-Schengen country, you may need to go through additional immigration checks when leaving and returning to the airport. This may impact the time required for your trip outside the airport.
By following these requirements and planning your time effectively, you can make the most of your layover in Brussels and explore the city during your stopover.
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Transport options for leaving the airport
If you're wondering whether you can leave Brussels Airport during a layover, the answer depends on where you're travelling from and to. Those flying within the EU have reported no problems with leaving the airport during a layover. However, if you're flying internationally, you'll need to be at the airport 3 hours before your flight, so you won't have time to leave and explore the city.
If you're able to leave the airport during your layover, there are several transport options for getting into Brussels. Here are the top four:
- Train: The Brussels Airport train station is located directly underneath the terminal. The train into Brussels takes just 17 minutes and costs €10.80 per adult for a second-class ticket or €12.10 for first class. You can also travel with your luggage for free. However, a ticket for your pet costs €3. There is a mandatory Brussels Airport Supplement of €6.70, which is included in the aforementioned prices.
- Taxi: Taking a taxi is the quickest and easiest way to get from Brussels Airport to the city centre. The journey will take you directly to your accommodation and takes less than 20 minutes. Taxis are available 24/7 at the airport, but it's recommended to pre-book during busy periods. Most airport taxi drivers speak English, but it's helpful to write down your destination just in case.
- Bus: Taking the bus is a budget-friendly option, with tickets costing €7 if you pay with a contactless card or €7.50 from the kiosk in the Arrivals Hall. The journey time isn't much longer than a taxi, but once you arrive, you'll need to find another form of transportation to get to your accommodation. Seating and luggage space are limited on the bus.
- Brussels Airport Transfer: This is another door-to-door service that will get you to Brussels in less than 20 minutes.
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How much time is needed to return to the airport
If you're travelling within the EU, you shouldn't have any problems leaving the airport during your layover. However, if you're flying internationally, you should be at the airport 3 hours before your flight, so you won't be able to leave. If you do decide to leave the airport during your layover, make sure you have your boarding pass, as you'll need it to get back into the "airside" of the airport. It's also recommended that you return to the airport at least 1 hour before your second flight to go through passport control and security.
The train into Brussels (Bruxelles-Central, for the Grand Place) takes about 20 minutes, and train connections are very efficient. If you have a 6-hour layover, you should have enough time to spend an hour or two in the city. However, it's important to keep in mind that nothing will be open before 7 am, so if you arrive early in the morning, your options may be limited.
If you're arriving from a non-Schengen country, you'll need to go through immigration to leave the airport. As a U.S. citizen, this shouldn't be a problem as long as your passport has at least 3 months' validity left on it. Theoretically, you are entitled to stay for up to 3 months with a valid passport. However, if you're travelling from the U.S./Canada/Australia, you can stay for up to 90 days without a visa, but you must have at least 6 months left on your passport.
If you only have a short layover of 3 hours or less, it's not recommended that you leave the terminal. Brussels Airport is small but efficient, and you shouldn't have any problems with long lines at passport control. However, if you're uncomfortable, you can always book a flight with a longer layover to give yourself more time.
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Where to store luggage when leaving the airport
If you have a long layover in Brussels and want to leave the airport to explore the city, you can safely store your luggage at the airport or at several locations in the city.
Storing luggage at the airport
Brussels Airport offers luggage storage facilities located on Level 0, near the bus station exit. The lockers are available 24/7 and can accommodate various sizes of luggage. The cost of storing luggage at the airport depends on the size of the locker:
- Large (max. L57xW35xH43): €8 per 24 hours
- XL (max. L77xW50xH58): €10 per 24 hours
- XXL (max. L78xW50xH88): €12 per 24 hours
Storing luggage in the city
If you prefer to store your luggage in the city, there are a few options available:
- Railway stations: At least three of Brussels' railway stations offer left-luggage facilities, including Brussels North and Brussels Central. The lockers at these stations are typically restricted to 24 hours and cost between €3 and €4 depending on size.
- Nannybag: Nannybag partners with local businesses such as hotels, cafes, and shops to provide secure luggage storage solutions throughout Brussels, including near the airport. With Nannybag, you can store your luggage for €4.5 per bag, regardless of size, for 24 hours.
- Eelway: Eelway is another service that offers luggage storage in Brussels, with locations near the Centraal station and in the city centre.
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Things to do in Brussels during a layover
If you have a long layover in Brussels, you may be able to leave the airport and explore the city. The length of your stopover will determine how much time you have to pass in the city, so it's important to plan ahead. If you're flying internationally, you should be at the airport 3 hours before your flight, so a layover shorter than this may not be worth leaving the terminal for.
Brussels Central Station is only a 15 to 23-minute train ride from the airport, and there are up to 8 trains per hour. From the station, you can walk to the medieval Grand Place, a UNESCO-listed 17th-century square. Here, you can sit in a café, enjoy a Belgian waffle, and watch the world go by. Close by, you'll find the famous statue Manneken Pis, and his female counterpart, Jeanneke.
If you have more time, you can take a sightseeing bus to see more of the city. The Atomium Line includes stops at the Royal Greenhouses, the iconic Atomium, the Magritte Museum, the Marolles neighbourhood, and more. The Europe Line takes you past the Mont des Arts, the upscale Sablon neighbourhood, the Horta Museum, and the European Parliament.
If you have a 12-hour layover, you can really get a feel for Brussels' art and cuisine. Head to the Musical Instruments Museum, housed in an extraordinary Art Nouveau building, and then grab a Belgian waffle from a nearby yellow van. Visit the Magritte Museum, and then indulge in some Belgian seafood at La Quincaillerie in the Châtelain neighbourhood.
If you don't have time to leave the airport, there are still plenty of ways to keep entertained. You can visit the meditation room, send a postcard from the post office, or treat yourself to some new socks or underwear. If you want to relax in comfort, you can book access to Brussels Airport's Diamond Lounges, which offer fast wifi, food, drinks, and a quiet space away from the hustle and bustle of the airport.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, you can leave the airport during a layover, but you must have at least 6 months left on your passport and ensure you have enough time to get back to the airport and pass through security before your next flight.
It is recommended that you arrive at the airport 3 hours before your flight if you are flying internationally, and 1 hour before departure if you are flying within the EU.
The train to Brussels Central Station from the airport takes between 15 and 23 minutes, with at least 5 trains per hour.
There are plenty of things to do in Brussels during a layover, including visiting Cinquantenaire Park, the Royal Greenhouses, the Atomium, the medieval Grand Place, and the Sablon neighbourhood.
