Brussels Travel Forum

We'll probably be flying Brussels Airlines in June and have a four-hour connection. We will already have our boarding passes and all, and our luggage will have been dealt with (since it is just a connection with the same airline), so we would just have to go through security and not check in or anything. Would four hours be enough to pop in the city, take a quick look around, and come back? If so how much time do you think we could stay in the city?

Yes you can arrange a quick visit of the city!
The airport is linked to the city by rail. It's about 30 minutes onw way. So you have at least 2 hours to walk around and see the major attractions.
Greetings
gmg

Provided that you get off at Gare centrale, of course (not the first stop which is Gare du Nord). From there it is just 5 minutes down the hill to the Grand' Place and Galeries St. Hubert, which you can therefore easily see before going back to Gare centrale for your transfer.
However, you have to bear in mind time to get from the plane to the train, to wait for the train (should be 15 minutes max), to get back to the airport, AND I would strongly advise you to do so at least an hour before the flight because even if you don't have to check in again, you have to go through passport control and security, both of which can have long lines at busy times, and it can be a very long walk from there to certain gates. Therefore I would say you do not have 2 hours in town, but maximum 1h30! This is assuming, with potential waiting time, 45 mins from plane to Gare centrale (which would be going some!) 45 mins from centre to airport, 1 hour for formalities etc. at airport = 2h30).

Thanks! Hopefully my flight won't be late so I can actually make this happen. I've never been to Belgium before--granted a short walk around like this won't replace a real visit, it'd be nice to say "hello" to the city.

Thanks for the itinerary as well! I really hope it works out.

I'm so sorry to hear that you only have four hours to visit Brussels. This city deserves more time to spend.
But still I wish you a very nice time in this beautiful city.

P.