Airport
Brussels International Airport
IATA Code: BRULocation: The airport is located eight miles (13km) northeast of the city centre.
Time: GMT +1 (GMT +2 from March to October).
Contacts: Tel: +32 (0)2 753 7753.
Transfer to the city: The train station is located on the lower level (1st Floor). There is a train shuttle service from the airport to the North, South and Central stations of Brussels. The shuttle runs every 15-20 minutes and the journey takes approximately 20 minutes. It operates between 5.30am and 12.20am from the airport and costs EUR2.60. A bus station is below the Arrivals hall. The #12 bus on weekdays before 8pm and the #21 at all other times takes passengers to the European Quarter of the city and costs EUR3. There are also buses that serve Brussels Airport to Antwerp;. An airport bus link also operates between the Brussels railway lines and the airport (Tel. +32 70 22 02 00). There are licensed metered taxis available outside the Arrivals hall; the 30-minute journey to Brussels costs around EUR35 (Tel: +32 2 752 98 00).
Taxis: From Brussels International Airport metered taxis available outside the arrivals hall. The drive takes 30-minute journey to Brussels city centre and costs around US$44. Licensed Taxis are recommended and can be recognized by a blue and yellow sign.
Car rental: Major car hire companies are represented at the airport, including Avis, Budget and Hertz; their desks are in the Arrivals hall.
Facilities: Airport facilities include ATMs and bureau de change, a post office, duty-free shops, cafes/restaurants, a beauty shop, a Communications Centre with Internet access, religious services, train information and reservation, travel agency, and luggage lockers. There is also a mobile phone rental office and Wireless LAN hotspot service.
Parking: The Express Parking Lot is immediately across from the terminal building. The charge is EUR5 per hour, and you're limited to three hours. The short-term P1 and P2 Lots charge EUR4 and EUR3.50 per hour respectively. The Economy Lot is good for long-term parking (up to a week), costing EUR16 per day.
Departure tax: None.
Website: www.brusselsairport.be
Antwerpen International Airport
IATA Code: ANRLocation: The airport is located one mile (2km) east of Antwerp.
Time: GMT +1 (GMT +2 from March to October).
Contacts: Tel: +32 (0)3 285 6500.
Transfer to the city: Bus 14 leaves for Antwerp Central Station regularly. Taxis are available outside arrivals.
Car rental: Avis and Hertz operate from the airport.
Facilities: Airport facilities include a bank, restaurant, duty-free and a business centre.
Parking:
Departure tax: None.
Website: www.antwerpairport.be
Brussels South Charleroi Airport
IATA Code: CRLLocation: Brussels South Charleroi Airport is 28.5 miles (46km) from the city.
Time: GMT +1 (GMT +2 from March to October).
Contacts: +32 71 251 211
Transfer to the city: There is access to Brussels from Charleroi Brussels South airport by car, train or shuttle coach. The highway network connects the airport to northern France and the Netherlands.
Taxis: Taxis are always available outside the passenger terminal and may offer a fixed price to certain destinations. The pick-up charge is EUR2.40 during the day and EUR4.20 at night. After this, it is between EUR1.20 and EUR2.40 per kilometre. The city is about a half hour drive from the airport.
Car rental: Rental companies include Avis, Europcar and Hertz.
Facilities: There is a tourist help desk in the arrivals terminal. Other facilities include shops, bars and restaurants, first aid and baby/parent rooms, travel agent and Internet stands, a VIP lounge and a well equipped business centre. There is a bank, a bureaux de change and several ATMs. Facilities for the disabled are also good.
Parking: There are four parking options at Charleroi Airport: Express, Locked, Long-term, and Regular. Express parking is located closest to the terminal, and charges EUR2 for 30 minutes, EUR4 for an hour, and EUR8 for two hours. The Regular lot offers half an hour for free, and then EUR3 per hour up to a daily limit of EUR18. Long-term rates are EUR3 for the first hour, and EUR2.50 per hour after that to a daily maximum of EUR15.
Departure tax: EUR3.49
Website: www.charleroi-airport.com
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Brussels
Home of the European Union, Brussels has become a bustling centre for bureaucrats and businessmen and is a thriving cosmopolitan metropolis. The buildings in the city are a fascinating mix of architectural styles, and there are numerous museums of interest throughout. Within the 14th-century city walls is the compact centre of the old city with the beautiful Grand Place at its heart. Visitors rarely stray beyond the walls of the 'petit ring' of the city centre, clearly defined from the newer glitzy quarters by its narrow maze of streets. This is where the key sights can be enjoyed, together with the best bars and restaurants.
Visitors can experience the beauty of the art and architecture, marvel at the bizarre sight of the Mannekin-Pis statue, and spend time shopping for traditional souvenirs such as Belgian chocolate and lace. The National Opera House and many other theatres host a variety of events and concerts for those wanting some high culture, and there are plenty of restaurants offering gastronomic delights. These outings can be rounded off by a drink or two in any one of the lively bars located near the Grand Place.
Vibrant and energetic, Brussels is a city of museums and architecture among Europe's finest, a shopper's fantasy and a diner's capital.
