Brussels Airport Map & Terminal Guide 2026
One terminal, two piers, 70+ gates. Everything you need to navigate Brussels Airport (BRU) — Belgium’s main international airport and the home base for Brussels Airlines and TUI fly Belgium.
Brussels Airport Map
The Brussels Airport map below shows the full layout of Brussels Airport (BRU/EBBR), officially known as Brussels Airport and also called Brussels National or Brussels Zaventem. BRU handled 23.6 million passengers in 2024, making it the main international gateway for Belgium and one of the busiest airports in Europe. It is the home base for Brussels Airlines, the country’s flag carrier and a Star Alliance member, as well as TUI fly Belgium. 54 airlines serve 135 direct destinations from BRU.
As the Brussels Airport map shows, the layout follows a single terminal concept. One large terminal building connects to two passenger piers via the Connector, an above-ground building that also houses the main security checkpoint. Pier A handles Schengen flights (and some long-haul Brussels Airlines routes via the T-zone). Pier B handles all non-Schengen international traffic. Study the BRU airport map before you travel so you know which pier your airline uses.
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Brussels Airport Location Map
Brussels Airport is located in Zaventem, in the Flemish Brabant province, approximately 12 km (7.5 miles) northeast of Brussels city centre. The airport sits close to the E19 motorway (Brussels to Antwerp) and is well connected by road, rail and bus. The location map below shows BRU’s position relative to the capital.
Interactive map showing Brussels Airport’s location northeast of Brussels city centre
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Brussels Airport Terminal Layout
Brussels Airport uses a single terminal concept. All check-in, arrivals, departures, dining and services are under one roof. The terminal is split across several levels, with Pier A and Pier B branching off the central building via the Connector. There are no inter-terminal buses or trains for passengers. All movement between piers is on foot, with moving walkways in the Connector to speed things up.
| Level | Function |
|---|---|
| −1 | Railway station. Direct trains to Brussels Central, Brussels North, Brussels Midi/South, Antwerp, Ghent, Leuven and beyond. |
| 0 | Ground transport. Bus station (multiple operators), taxi rank, ride-share pick-up, car rental desks, drop-off zones. |
| 2 | Arrivals Hall. Baggage claim carousels, customs exits, meeting area, ground transport access, car hire. |
| 3 | Departures Hall. Check-in counters (Zones 1 and 2), self-service kiosks, bag drop. Security and Connector access to Pier A and Pier B beyond. |
Brussels Airport Security
Security screening at Brussels Airport is centralised in the Connector building. All departing passengers pass through the same checkpoint regardless of pier. The screening platform has 25 lanes, making it one of the largest in Europe. A Fast Track lane is available for eligible passengers. After clearing security, the Connector splits toward Pier A (Schengen) or Pier B (non-Schengen). Passengers heading to Pier B must also clear exit passport control at the Connector/Pier B junction before entering the non-Schengen departure area.
Brussels Airport Pier A — Schengen Gateway
Pier A is the newer of Brussels Airport’s two piers, opened in May 2002. It handles all Schengen flights from gates A1 through A60. The T-zone at the far end of Pier A (gates T61–T72) was created when Brussels Airlines began operating non-Schengen routes from this pier, requiring border control to be installed partway along the concourse. The T-zone handles Brussels Airlines flights to African destinations and the daily Brussels Airlines service to New York JFK. Note that gates in Pier A are not in strict numerical order, so always check the gate on your boarding pass and follow overhead signs carefully.
The Loft lounge is open 05:00–21:00 daily and offers shower facilities, meeting rooms and full catering for Brussels Airlines and Star Alliance Gold members. The Sunrise Lounge near T72 is a smaller alternative for early departures to African destinations.
Brussels Airport Pier B — International Gateway
Pier B is Brussels Airport’s older pier and handles all non-Schengen international flights. It is the primary pier for long-haul carriers including British Airways, Emirates, Qatar Airways, Turkish Airlines, United Airlines and Delta. Arriving international passengers clear Belgian border control and collect baggage within the Pier B arrivals corridor before exiting to the Arrivals Hall. Immigration queues in Pier B can be significant during peak arrival banks, occasionally backing up into the arrivals corridor itself. Allow extra time if you have a connecting flight.
The Diamond Lounge in Pier B is larger than its Pier A counterpart and open to passengers of multiple airlines via day pass (€32). The Suite, at the far end of the lounge corridor, is limited to Business/First Class passengers and Star Alliance Gold members on Brussels Airlines and partner carriers.
Airlines at Brussels Airport
Brussels Airport is a Star Alliance hub, anchored by Brussels Airlines. As a result, most Star Alliance carriers including Lufthansa, Air France, KLM, United Airlines and ANA operate from BRU. Non-Schengen long-haul carriers operate primarily from Pier B. Check your airline’s gate zone carefully before heading to security.
Getting to Brussels Airport
All ground transport for Brussels Airport departs from Level 0 (buses and taxis) and Level -1 (trains). The railway station is built directly beneath the terminal, making the train the most convenient option for most travellers. Car hire desks are on Level 0.
Brussels Airport Parking
Pre-book parking at brusselsairport.be for guaranteed availability and better rates, particularly during summer and Belgian public holidays when the front car parks fill quickly.
Brussels Airport Map — Arrivals
Arriving passengers follow signs after disembarking. If you have arrived on a non-Schengen flight from Pier B, passport control is in the Pier B arrivals corridor. EU/EEA/Swiss citizens can use e-gates. All other nationalities see a border officer. After passport control, collect your bags from the carousels in the Arrivals Hall (Level 2) and pass through customs (green channel for nothing to declare, blue channel for EU arrivals with eligible goods). Domestic and Schengen arrivals proceed directly to baggage claim without passport control.
Meeting a Passenger
The public Arrivals Hall is on Level 2. It has a clear meeting point area. The railway station entrance is immediately downstairs at Level -1, making it easy to continue your journey by train. The taxi rank is directly outside on Level 0. Flight arrival times are displayed on screens throughout the Arrivals Hall.
Brussels Airport Map — Departures
The Departures Hall is on Level 3. Check-in Zone 1 covers desks 1–10, and Zone 2 covers desks 11, 12 and 14. Self-service kiosks and bag drop are available for most airlines. After check-in, proceed through the Connector to security. From security, Pier A (Schengen) is straight ahead and Pier B (non-Schengen) is to the right, with exit passport control at the junction. Gate assignments are shown on departure screens throughout the terminal and on your airline’s app.
Lounges at Brussels Airport
Brussels Airport has lounges in both Pier A and Pier B. Access is generally available to Business and First Class passengers, Star Alliance Gold cardholders and eligible loyalty programme members. Day passes are available for purchase at several lounges.
Insider Tips
Brussels Airport is compact enough to walk across but has a few quirks. Gate zones in Pier A are not in numerical order: Zone A and Zone T (at the opposite end of the pier) involve a long walk between them. Always read the zone on your boarding pass, not just the gate number. After security, commit to your pier direction at the Connector split as backtracking is slow. Pier B immigration during peak arrival banks (typically midday and late afternoon) can take 60–90 minutes, so build generous connection time into any itinerary. The train at Level -1 is the fastest and most reliable route to the city centre and beats taxis in most traffic conditions. For Belgian specialities before your flight, Pier A has Belgorama for full sit-down meals and Leffe Bar for Belgian beer.
Brussels Airport Map — FAQ
How many terminals does Brussels Airport have?
One terminal building divided into two piers: Pier A (Schengen flights, gates A1–A60, plus the T-zone T61–T72 for select non-Schengen Brussels Airlines routes) and Pier B (all non-Schengen international flights). Both piers connect to the main terminal via the Connector building, which also houses the central security checkpoint. 70+ gates in total.
What is the Connector at Brussels Airport?
The Connector is an above-ground building opened in March 2015. It replaced an old underground tunnel and links the check-in hall to both Pier A and Pier B. It houses the 25-lane central security platform and allows passengers to reach any gate without changing levels. Moving walkways run through it. After security, it splits toward Pier A (left/straight) and Pier B (right, with exit passport control for non-Schengen passengers).
Which pier do I use at Brussels Airport?
If your destination is in the Schengen Area (most of EU/EEA countries), use Pier A, gates A1–A60. For non-Schengen destinations (UK, US, Canada, Middle East, Africa on most carriers, Asia), use Pier B. Brussels Airlines African and New York flights use the T-zone (T61–T72) at the far end of Pier A. Check your boarding pass carefully.
How do I get from Brussels Airport to the city centre?
Train from Level -1. Brussels North: ~12 min. Brussels Central: ~17 min. Brussels Midi/South: ~22 min. Several services per hour. Taxi: approximately €47–50, 20–40 min depending on traffic. STIB bus line 12: ~30–45 min to EU Quarter and city centre, €7.90 with contactless card.
Where is security at Brussels Airport?
In the Connector building, between the Departures Hall (Level 3) and both piers. All passengers use the same 25-lane screening platform regardless of pier. Fast Track is available. Non-Schengen passengers must also clear exit passport control at the Connector/Pier B junction before entering the Pier B gates area.
Where can I park at Brussels Airport?
P1, P2 and P3 (front parking, approx. €4/hr), P4 Economy (lower daily rate, free shuttle), and the Remote Car Park (lowest rates, free shuttle). Pre-book at brusselsairport.be. Drop-off zones are free for short stops at the terminal entrance.
How far is Brussels Airport from the city centre?
12 km (7.5 miles) northeast of Brussels city centre. By train: 12–22 minutes depending on the Brussels station. By taxi or ride-share: 20–40 minutes and approximately €47–50.
What does the Brussels Airport map show?
The Brussels Airport map shows the single terminal building, the Departures Hall (Level 3) and Arrivals Hall (Level 2), the Connector with central security, Pier A (A-gates and T-zone), Pier B (B-gates), parking zones P1 through P4, the railway station on Level -1, bus and taxi stands on Level 0, and road access from the E19, E40 and R0 ring road.
Can I walk between piers at Brussels Airport?
Yes. The Connector links Pier A and Pier B via a single above-ground walkway with moving walkways. However, moving from Pier A to Pier B (or vice versa) requires passing through exit passport control if crossing between Schengen and non-Schengen zones. Build 15–20 minutes into your schedule for this crossing.