Flying from Chicago to Brussels: what you need to know
Begin planning your holiday by considering the departure point for your flight from Chicago to Brussels. O'Hare International Airport (ORD) and Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW) are the main airports in Chicago.
When it comes to choosing where to land in Brussels, Brussels Airport (BRU) and Brussels S. Charleroi Airport (CRL) are the chief entry points.
Book a direct Chicago to Brussels flight and you'll be in the air for an average of 8 hours 5 minutes.
Brussels's timezone is UTC+1, which makes Brussels six hours ahead of Chicago.
O'Hare International Airport (ORD) to Brussels Airport (BRU) is the most popular route that connects these two cities. There are seven flights a week to pick from. If you prefer starting your day later, the last flight from Chicago to Brussels is with United Airlines at 18:00. Opt for the first ORD to BRU departure with United Airlines at 17:55 to make the most of your arrival in Brussels.
To ensure you don't miss your Chicago to Brussels flight, allow plenty of time to navigate the airport and find your gate. Arriving two hours before international departures and an hour before domestic flights is the standard rule.
Popular months like August or holiday periods such as Thanksgiving and Christmas/New Year will mean bigger queues at security and check-in. If you're travelling then, play it safe and head to the airport even earlier. Arriving two hours before domestic flights and four hours ahead of an international departure is a smart idea.
How to find the cheapest flights from Chicago to Brussels
To secure cheap Chicago to Brussels flights, book your trip three months before your departure date.
June is the best month for picking up an awesome deal on a plane ticket from Chicago to Brussels. If you're looking to travel during a different time of year, the 'Whole month' tool will show you the lowest prices for every month.
Locking in a cheap flight from Chicago to Brussels couldn't be easier with Price Alerts. Simply set up one of these automatic alerts and we'll let you know as soon as a better deal is available.
Choose your ideal departure and arrival times, airlines and number of stops with the filters. Alternatively, sort your Chicago to Brussels flight results by 'Best,' 'Cheapest' or 'Fastest.'
Flying from Chicago
O'Hare International Airport (ORD)
You can catch a direct flight from Chicago to Brussels leaving from O'Hare International Airport (ORD). Begin your trip at ORD and arrive at Brussels Airport (BRU).
Secure your Chicago to Brussels plane tickets with United Airlines. This carrier is a top choice for direct flights from ORD.
Think about adding a stopover to possibly find a cheaper Chicago to Brussels flight. Simply uncheck 'Direct flights only' when browsing departures from O'Hare International Airport. Take a pause at one of these popular airports:
London Heathrow Airport (LHR)
Keflavik International Airport (KEF)
Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG)
ORD is around 26 kilometres from central Chicago. If you're driving, ride-sharing or catching a cab from the centre, it'll take 35 minutes or so to get there, depending on the traffic. If you're taking public transport, expect the trip time to be around 55 minutes.
Looking for a handy hotel near O'Hare International Airport? If you've booked an early flight from Chicago to Brussels, these accommodation options will put you moments from check-in:
When it comes to O'Hare International Airport's on-time performance, data shows 74.85% of flights arrive within the expected time frame.
ORD is located at 10000 West O'Hare.
Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW)
MDW is about 14 kilometres from central Chicago. It takes 20 minutes or so to get to the airport if you're driving from the city centre. Public transport takes roughly 45 minutes.
You're off on holiday, so why not enjoy another night away? Think about kicking back in one of these hotels near Chicago Midway International Airport the day before your flight from Chicago to Brussels:
Chicago Midway International Airport has an on-time performance of 77.88%. This figure sheds light on how often flights that take off from this airport land at their destination on schedule.
You'll find MDW at 5700 South Cicero.
Arriving in Brussels
Brussels Airport (BRU)
The distance from Brussels Airport (BRU) to central Brussels is roughly 8 kilometres. It'll take you about 20 minutes to reach the centre driving.
If you're using public transport, expect a journey time of roughly 40 minutes.
If you're arriving on a late flight from Chicago to Brussels, nothing beats the convenience of staying close to the terminal. Collect your bags from the carousel and then be showered and snoozing not long after at one of these accommodation options near BRU:
Hit the road running by picking up a Brussels Airport rental car. Grab a set of wheels from Keddy By Europcar, Alamo or Europcar and explore beyond Brussels's usual tourist stops.
For the best deal, reserve your ride from Brussels Airport around three weeks ahead of your Chicago to Brussels flight.
Brussels S. Charleroi Airport (CRL)
Brussels S. Charleroi Airport (CRL) is roughly 48 kilometres from central Brussels. Once you've disembarked your flight from Chicago to Brussels, it'll take you approximately 55 minutes to reach the heart of the city in a ride-share or cab.
If you choose to travel on public transport, the journey will take you 1 hour 35 minutes or so.
Place the 'Do not disturb' sign on your door and unwind at a hotel near CRL. Here are a few options where you can check in after your flight from Chicago to Brussels:
The quickest way to get to where you're going is with a Brussels S. Charleroi Airport rental car. Collect a set of wheels from Keddy By Europcar, Thrifty or Budget and hit the road in a heartbeat.
Get the pick of the lot. Reserving your ride from CRL two weeks ahead of time often means lower prices and a greater range of vehicles.
Best time to go to Brussels
July is the most popular month for flights from Chicago to Brussels. To skip the crowds, visit Brussels in January.
The warmest month in Brussels is August, with temperatures ranging between 12ºC (54ºF) and 27ºC (81ºF). Lock in your Chicago to Brussels ticket then if this is the type of weather you enjoy.
Look for cheap flights from Chicago to Brussels in January if you'd rather travel during cooler conditions. Temperatures are at their lowest then, ranging between -2ºC (28ºF) and 8ºC (46ºF) on average.
More about Brussels
When it comes to looking for somewhere to rest your head, you'll find the best places to stay in Brussels right here. Explore these options once you've booked your flight from Chicago to Brussels:
Grand Place and Atomium are just two of the big attractions to add to your Brussels itinerary. Continue your sightseeing adventures at Manneken Pis.
Explore more of Belgium
Charleroi is just one of the many places in Belgium waiting to be explored after you've experienced Brussels. Around 48 kilometres to the south, its top attractions include Parc Gobbe, Maison Dermine (art déco — 1921) and Parc Ligny.
Around 88 kilometres east of Brussels, Liege is another favourite stop in Belgium. Start your sightseeing at Gare de Liege-Guillemins, Curtius Museum and Montagne de Bueren.
