Abidjan–Brussels Flight: Cheap Flights

Abidjan and Brussels are approximately 5,100 km apart. The route is used as much by Ivorian students enrolled in Belgian universities as by families in the diaspora and business travelers dealing with European institutions. {carrierCount} airlines currently offer flights between the two cities. Brussels Airlines operates the direct flight, with about seven departures per week, always in the late afternoon. The other options involve a layover: Casablanca with Royal Air Maroc, Paris with Air France, Istanbul with Turkish Airlines, or Addis Ababa with Ethiopian Airlines. The direct flight saves several hours. Flights with layovers, on the other hand, often allow for more baggage and are sometimes cheaper.

Airports: You’ll depart from Félix-Houphouët-Boigny International Airport (ABJ) in Port-Bouët, about 15 km from the Plateau. The trip takes 30 to 45 minutes depending on traffic—a little longer during rush hour—and flights to Brussels depart in the late afternoon or evening. Be at the check-in counter at least three hours before takeoff. Upon arrival, you’ll land at Brussels Airport (BRU) in Zaventem, about a dozen kilometers northeast of Brussels. The train station is located beneath the terminal, and the train reaches Brussels-Central in about 20 minutes. Don’t confuse this with Charleroi (CRL), about 50 kilometers away, which is not served by flights from Abidjan.

Prices and tips for saving money: A flight from Abidjan to Brussels starts at 332,700 FCFA . Prices rise in July and August, at the start of the academic year, and during the end-of-year holidays, when the diaspora returns home and students head back to school. October and November are among the cheapest times to travel, as are February and March. Book two to three months in advance if you can, and try to travel midweek. A flight with a layover is often cheaper than a direct flight, in exchange for a few extra hours of travel time. Right now, the next cheapest date we’ve found is Sunday, 4 Oct 2026.

Flights with layovers, two 23-kg bags: If you’re traveling with a lot of luggage, be sure to check out flights with layovers as well. Royal Air Maroc via Casablanca, Turkish Airlines via Istanbul, and Ethiopian Airlines via Addis Ababa allow two 23-kg bags in economy class. For a student moving abroad or a family returning home with gifts, this makes a big difference. Air France flies through Paris-Charles de Gaulle before connecting to Brussels. In this case, you enter the Schengen Area as soon as you arrive in Paris: keep your visa and supporting documents with you from the very first leg of the trip. Regardless of the airline, check the layover duration before booking, as it can add several hours to your trip.

Brussels Airlines: Departures from Abidjan take place between 5:45 p.m. and 8:00 p.m., depending on the day, with arrival in Brussels around 5:00 a.m. the next morning. You can sleep during the flight and have the whole day ahead of you when you arrive. The direct flight takes about 9h45min, compared to an average of 12h28min for all flight options combined. The airline offers three classes—Economy, Premium Economy, and Business—with meals and drinks included. The baggage allowance depends on the fare, so be sure to check it when booking. Since Brussels is the airline’s hub, it’s also a great gateway for connecting to other cities in Europe.

Visas and Requirements for Belgium: Travelers who are citizens of Côte d'Ivoire need a short-stay Schengen visa to enter Belgium. Applications must be submitted to the VFS Global center in Abidjan, which processes applications on behalf of the Belgian Embassy. Begin the application process several weeks before departure, and even earlier if you’re traveling in the summer. You will generally be asked to provide a valid passport, travel insurance, proof of accommodations, proof of financial means, and a flight reservation. For the flight reservation, Ease Travel can provide you with a booking confirmation for visa purposes without requiring you to pay for the full ticket until you receive a response.