Layovers aren’t usually the highlight of a trip, but Brussels Zaventem Airport offers enough food, shops, and quiet corners to make a few hours feel manageable. Short layovers are best spent eating, browsing, or finding a place to rest, while longer stopovers may allow time to head into the city. Here’s what you can realistically do during a layover at Brussels Zaventem Airport, depending on how much time and energy you have.
1. Enjoy a meal
Brussels Airport offers a fairly good mix of cafés, bars, and quick-service restaurants, with the widest selection in Pier A. You’ll find Belgian and European classics alongside familiar international chains, making it easy to grab something whether you have 20 minutes or a couple of hours.
For a taste of Belgium, look for Belgian beer bars branded around well-known labels such as Leffe, where you can sample local ales without committing to a full sit-down meal. Some cafés and brasseries serve Belgian-style comfort food like croque-monsieur, soups, salads, and sandwiches made with local bread and cheese. Sweet treats are easy to find too — Belgian waffles, pastries, and chocolate appear at several cafés and specialty shops throughout the terminal.
If you’re short on time, there are plenty of grab-and-go options, including bakeries, coffee counters, and convenience-style food outlets. Healthier items such as salads, yogurts, and fresh juices are available but more limited. Overall, food options are solid for an airport, though prices are predictably high and late-night choices thin out.
2. Check out a lounge
If you’re looking for a quieter place to sit, Brussels Airport has a few lounges that accept walk-in passengers for a fee, regardless of airline or ticket class. These lounges typically offer comfortable seating, food and drinks, Wi-Fi, and workspaces. Diamond Lounges are among the options available and are reported to include shower facilities. Availability, pricing, and amenities can change, so it’s best to check access options in advance or refer to our Brussels Zaventem Airport Guide for current details. [ read more ]
3. Shop
Shopping at Brussels Airport is concentrated mainly in Pier A, with fewer options in Pier B. While it’s not a major shopping destination, there’s enough variety to browse or pick up distinctly Belgian souvenirs during a layover.
Food gifts are the highlight here. Look for Belgian chocolate, biscuits, and packaged sweets at specialty chocolate shops and food markets — these make easy, compact souvenirs. Stores like Louis Delhaize and other gourmet food outlets stock local snacks, spreads, and drinks that travel well. You’ll also see Belgian beer in duty-free areas, though liquid limits apply for carry-ons.
Beyond food, the airport has the usual mix of duty-free shops, bookshops, pharmacies, and convenience stores, plus a small selection of higher-end retailers. Brussels Airport also reflects Belgium’s diamond trade, with jewellery shops linked to Antwerp, though these are more for browsing unless you’re already in the market.
Overall, shopping here is best viewed as time-filling or souvenir-focused, rather than a reason to arrive early.
4. Get your hair done
If you want to freshen up, a hair salon operates at the airport on weekdays (Monday to Friday). Services and hours are limited, so this is best suited to longer daytime layovers rather than quick connections.
5. Go sightseeing
Brussels Zaventem Airport sits northeast of the city and is close enough to make a short city visit possible if your layover is at least 8+ hours and you’re comfortable navigating transit and security twice in one day.
Trains are the fastest and most reliable option, running frequently from the airport station to Brussels Central and other major stations, with travel times of roughly 20 minutes. Buses and taxis are also available, but road traffic can be unpredictable.
Once there, the Grand Place is a logical starting point. Nearby, you’ll find landmarks like Manneken-Pis and Jeanneke-Pis, as well as museums such as the Magritte Museum and the Belgian Brewers Museum.
If Brussels city centre feels too busy or ambitious for your layover, there are closer, lower-stress train options worth considering. Leuven and Mechelen are both reachable in about 15–20 minutes by direct train from the airport and offer compact historic centres, cafés, and pleasant streets that are easy to explore in an hour or two. Antwerp is slightly farther (around 30–35 minutes) but still feasible on longer layovers, with its famous central station and walkable old town.
Keep your visit simple, allow generous return time, and monitor your flight status closely before heading back to the airport. Visit Tripadvisor for more things to do in Brussels.
6. WiFi
Free, unlimited Wi-Fi is available throughout the airport. You’ll need to sign in using an email address or social media account before connecting.
7. Sleep
For those trying to rest, Pier A tends to be the more comfortable area, with longer benches and a few larger seating areas. Quieter, dimmer corners are often found on upper levels, which may suit travellers using a sleep mat or inflatable mattress. That said, overnight comfort is limited, and lighting and noise can still be an issue. [ read more ]
If proper sleep matters, there are several airport hotels nearby, including a hotel directly opposite the terminal that offers day-use rooms during daytime hours. For specific hotel names, hours, and traveller reviews, see our Brussels Zaventem Airport Guide. [ read more ]
These are just a few things to do on a layover at Brussels Zaventem Airport. Visit our Brussels Zaventem Airport Guide for more information about more services and facilities available, such as food, WiFi, mobile charging, luggage storage, nearby airport hotels, and much more.