Flights from Bilbao to Belgium

Flights to Belgium from Bilbao

Vueling flies direct from Bilbao to Brussels in just under 2 hours. It is the only way into the country from Bilbao, and it works well because everything in Belgium is close together: Bruges, Ghent and Antwerp are all less than an hour by train from the capital.

That turns a weekend into a trip across several cities without changing where you stay. With 3 or 4 days there is time to see a bit of each one at an easy pace.

What documents you need to travel to Belgium

Belgium is part of the European Union and the Schengen Area, so Spanish and other EU citizens only need a valid national ID card or passport, with no visa.

On Schengen flights you must show the physical Spanish ID card (DNI). The digital version is only valid on flights within Spain, and that detail catches people out at the check-in desk. If you are travelling with children, each one needs their own valid document. If you have a different nationality, check what applies to you on the travel documents page before booking.

What to know when you land in Belgium

From the airport into the centre. You land at Brussels-Zaventem, the country’s main airport. Trains leave from the terminal itself and reach central Brussels in about 20 minutes, and the central station is where connections to Bruges, Ghent and Antwerp depart.

The train takes care of everything. The Belgian network is dense and frequent, and distances are short: the 4 main cities are no more than 60 km apart. That is what lets you stay in Brussels or Ghent and see the rest on day trips, with no car and very little planning.

3 official languages. French in Brussels and Wallonia, Dutch in Flanders and German in the east. Signs change from one region to the next, and Brussels is bilingual, which can be confusing at stations. English gets you by easily in tourist areas.

Climate. Changeable all year round, with mild summers of around 20°C and cold, wet winters. A waterproof layer is all you really need.

The currency is the euro. Belgium uses type C and E plugs, at 230V.

What to do in Belgium

Brussels

Brussels is where you land and the natural starting point. The Grand Place, the Atomium and the European Quarter are the obvious sights, but Ixelles and Saint-Gilles show a more everyday side of the city, with the Horta House and Victor Horta’s art nouveau, and a food scene that goes well beyond the clichés Belgium tends to be known for.

Bruges

Just over an hour away by train. Canals, medieval buildings and cobbled streets that have survived almost untouched. It is the most photogenic place in Belgium and also the busiest, so arriving early or staying the night makes it a completely different experience from the midday day trip.

Ghent

30 minutes from Brussels and far less crowded than Bruges. A university city with flea markets, craft beer bars and one of the best-preserved historic centres in Europe. It tends to be the biggest surprise for anyone expecting little more than a smaller Bruges.

Antwerp

45 minutes by train. The capital of diamonds and Belgian fashion, with first-rate museums of Flemish art and the largest port in continental Europe. The central station is one of the most spectacular on the continent in its own right, and you see it the moment you arrive.

Luggage for your flight to Belgium

What you can take depends on the fare you choose when booking. The simplest fare includes a personal item that goes under the seat in front, and from there you can add cabin or checked luggage.

For a weekend moving between Belgian cities, cabin luggage is usually enough, and it makes life easier when you are hopping from one train to the next. Sorting out your luggage while you book saves you surprises at the airport. Check the current conditions in Vueling’s luggage policy.