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By Air in Brussels

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Arriving & Departing

By Air

Most international flights arrive at Brussels Airport at Zaventem (sometimes called simply Zaventem). American, Delta, Continental, United, and US Airways fly into Brussels from the United States. British Midland and British Airways fly to Brussels from London's Heathrow Airport; and British Airways from Gatwick. Several regional centers in the United Kingdom also have direct flights to Brussels, as do all capitals in Europe and a growing number of secondary cities. The no-frills airlines Virgin Express and SN Brussels Airlines offer flights between London and Brussels. Another low-cost carrier, Ryanair, runs 20 shuttles a day to European destinations from Brussels South Airport in Charleroi.

Airports

Zaventem airport (BRU) is 15 km (9 mi) northeast of the city center. The large international airport is easy to navigate, with signs in English as well as French and Dutch. It has plenty of facilities, including shops, a bank, a travel agency, a post office, Internet stations for last-minute e-mail, restaurants, and bars, including ones specializing in Belgian beer.

Brussels South Airport (CRL) in Charleroi is 55 km (34 mi) south of the city. This small airport serves only Ryanair, but is immensely popular due to the Irish airline's rock-bottom prices. The facilities are limited to a self-service restaurant and a newspaper shop, although a larger terminal will be built by 2007.

Airport Transfers

By Bus: The number 12 bus runs between the Zaventem airport and the city center every half hour. One-way tickets cost EUR 3. Courtesy buses serve airport hotels and a few downtown hotels; inquire when making reservations. A shuttle bus service runs between Brussels South Airport and the Gare du Midi. It leaves the station 2 1/2 hours before each flight is due to depart and the airport after each flight lands. The hour-long ride costs EUR 10 each way. Alternatively, you can take a train to Charleroi and board one of the shuttle buses that go to the airport. The journey costs around EUR 10 one way.

By Taxi: From Zaventem, a taxi to the city center takes about half an hour and costs roughly EUR 35. You can save 25% on the fare by buying a voucher for the return trip if you use the Autolux taxi company. Don't accept the offers of freelance taxi drivers who hawk their services in the arrival hall. A taxi from Brussels South Airport can cost up to EUR 100; if you miss the shuttle bus, you might ask other stranded passengers if they'd like to share the cab and split the cost.

By Train: SNCB's Airport City Express trains run between Zaventem airport and all three main railway stations in Brussels: Midi (South), Central (Central), and Nord (North). The trains leave every 20 minutes from about 5:30 AM to midnight, every day; the ride takes 23 minutes. A one-way ticket costs EUR 2.60.

Carriers

American (02/711-9977. www.aa.com). British Airways (02/711-3217. www.britishairways.com). British Midland (02/771-7766. www.bmi.co.uk). Continental (02/643-3939. www.continental.com). Delta (02/730-8200. www.delta.com). Ryanair (00353/818-303030. www.ryanair.com). SN Brussels Airlines (070/351-1111. www.flysn.com). United (02/713-3600. www.ual.com). US Airways (07/815-0026. www.usairways.com). Virgin Express (02/752-0505. www.virginexpress.com).