Zaventem to London (BRU–LGW) — Airlines, Schedules & Connections

Belgian passport holders can visit the UK for up to 6 months without a visa but must obtain an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before departure. The ETA costs GBP 16, is valid for 2 years or until your passport expires, and covers multiple trips. Apply through the UK ETA app. Most approvals come through in minutes.

The Airport Express train runs every 15–20 minutes from Brussels Central, Midi (South), and Nord stations to BRU in 17–25 minutes (€11.80 one-way, free with Brussels Card). Traffic on the Ring road (R0) is heavily congested during morning rush, making the train the consistent choice for peak departures.

Taxis from central Brussels cost €40–55 and take 25–40 minutes. Ride-shares (Uber) run €30–45. Parking at BRU starts at €10/day in the P-Long facility with free shuttle.

The Gatwick Express departs the South Terminal every 15 minutes to London Victoria (30 min, from £21.50). Thameslink services are cheaper and provide direct access to Farringdon, City Thameslink, Blackfriars, and London Bridge; useful for destinations in the City and East London. Both terminal buildings are connected by a free inter-terminal monorail shuttle (2 min).Taxis from arrivals queue outside; metered fares to central London typically run £70–100 and can exceed this during peak hours. Uber and other ride-shares operate from a designated zone. Rental car desks are in both terminal buildings.

Temperate maritime climate. Winters (November–February) are cool and grey at 3–9°C, with fog, low cloud, and occasional light snow causing moderate delay risks. Summers (June–August) are mild at 18–25°C. Heat waves are increasingly common and can affect ramp operations. Rain falls year-round with no dry season.

Wind is a more frequent disruption factor than snow at Gatwick. The airport has a single active runway and is sensitive to crosswinds. Autumn storms (October–November) occasionally cause significant delays.