Brussels Airport crowds at departures, arrivals and parking
Crowds and wait times at departure
When departing from Brussels Airport, keep in mind that the parking lot, departure hall and security check are crowded.
- It is always busier at times of high commuting traffic ( rush hour between 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.). This applies to both freeways towards the airport and public transportation.
- Brussels Airport has a handy tool to calculate when you need to be at the airport.
- The earlier you get to the checkin desk, the less you have to wait.
- On normal days, wait times at the security checkpoint are rather short (5 - 10 minutes). At busy times, they can reach 30 minutes or more.
🛬 Crowds and wait times on arrival
On arrival, you may experience wait times mainly at passport control (for non-Schengen flights) and at the baggage belts.
Depending on how busy it is at passport control, you have to wait here for 5 to 15 minutes.
Waiting time at the baggage carousel is usually 5 to 10 minutes during quiet periods, but can reach 20 minutes or longer during rush hours and vacations.
🅿️ Crowded parking lot
Brussels Airport has more than 10,000 parking spaces available. Nevertheless, previous years have reported that parking spaces were almost full. So it is advisable to book parking in advance if you are coming by car. This way you will also benefit from a more advantageous rate.
Please be aware of traffic disruption due to possible road works around the airport (such as on the A201). So leave early for the airport if you are coming by car.
There are specific zones for short-term parking (e.g. P1, P2, P3 for €5 per 30 min) within walking distance of the terminal. In addition, you can use the Kiss & Fly zone.
💡 Recommended attendance times
How early do you have to be at Brussels Airport?
To avoid pressure stress, the following general advice applies (considering check-in, baggage, and security):
- Schengen flights: Be present at least 2 hours before departure.
- Non-Schengen flights: Be present at least 3 hours before departure.
🛏️ Avoid the crowds with a Park, Sleep & Fly package
Brussels Airport is often very busy. This causes a lot of stress and nervousness among travelers.
The solution? A Park, Sleep & Fly package at Imperia Short Stay. Our apartments are only 5 minutes from the airport terminal. Plus, you can park for free at our short stay hotel.
There are apartments with 1, 2 or 3 bedrooms, making our Park, Sleep & Fly formulas suitable for both families and business travelers.
Book? Check availability: