Lunch in Brussels

Could be too tight. Trains run from Brussels national airport 4 times an hour to downtown Brussels (Centraal station) and they make the run in about 20 minutes...count on half an hour from the train leaving the airport until you're on Grand Place. Subtract the time it'll take to get through customs and immigration on the way in....and the hour or more to get through security on the way back for your Budapesst flight...maybe 2 1/2 hours already taken up. If you just miss the train from the airport, then back again, and have to wait for the next one, there's another half hour.

I have found that by rail times, the university city of Leuven is actually a shorter trip than the Grote Platz in Brussels from the international airport. In theory, is it possible to make such a trip? Yes. Is there a large chance you could miss your flight? YES!

Thanks for your quick responses. Have either of you taken a taxi? Would that be quicker? Thanks!

Judy, it will take about the same amount of time to get into central Brussels via taxi. Additionally, at some times (particularly on weekday mornings), the taxi queue can be fairly long. The taxi is around 30 to 35 Euro one way. I think you would really be pushing it.

Brussels suffers from the same traffic congestion problems as any large European city. You might get a great view of your plane taking off while you sit in bumper-to-bumper traffic.

Thanks again -- guess we'll just peruse the airport and eat chocolate!

Not a direct answer to your Brussels questions, but don't miss Cafe Kor in Budapest. You'll need a reservation at this popular local spot. We visited in October and had an awesome meal.

Judy, I live in Belgium and make the trip between Brussels and the airport often. I think Norm has it right. Four hours seems like a long time, but given the state of airports today, it's not that much time. The Brussels airport is particularly busy, and it can take a while to get back through security at mid-day. That's too bad, because Brussels is worth a visit.