Cheap flights to Ostend
Set your departure airport and maximum budget: SniperAir tracks prices to Ostend and alerts you the moment a deal matching your criteria appears.
Quick summary
Country
Belgium
Continent
Europe
Airport
BRU
Currency
Euro
Time zone
UTC+1
Deals already spotted to Ostend
Real flight examples detected by SniperAir, with their reference price.
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The queen of the seaside
Ostend, Belgium's best-known beach city
Few people think of Belgium as a beach destination, yet Ostend is its best-known seaside resort. On the North Sea coast of West Flanders, this city of about 72,000 people combines a long sandy beach, a busy fishing and ferry port, a casino and a real art scene. That mix of working harbour and holiday town is rare in Belgium.
The beach has two main parts: the Klein Strand next to the pier, closest to the train station, and the larger Groot Strand preferred by locals. It is busiest in July and August, when day-trippers arrive by train. The climate is oceanic, mild but windy, with about 1,840 hours of sunshine a year.
Why watch Ostend with SniperAir
Your flight to the Belgian coast at the right moment
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A fortress and a royal resort
From the siege of 1601 to Leopold II
| Period | What happens |
|---|---|
| 1601 to 1604 | A Spanish siege that is described as the bloodiest battle of the Eighty Years' War |
| 1722 to 1727 | The Ostend Company trades with the East Indies under Emperor Charles VI before being dissolved |
| 1834 | Leopold I builds a summer residence, starting the royal seaside era |
| 19th century | Leopold II turns Ostend into a glamorous resort, with the Royal Galleries and the Wellington Hippodrome |
| 1846 | The first ferry service to Dover begins |
| 1940 to 1944 | Heavy bombing in May 1940, liberation by Canadian troops on 8 September 1944 |
Art on the seafront
Ensor, Mu.ZEE and the Mercator
James Ensor
The painter's house, where he lived from 1917 to 1949, is now a museum. His carnival masks were inspired by Ostend itself.
Mu.ZEE
The modern art museum holds works by Ensor, Spilliaert, Permeke and the COBRA artists.
The Mercator
A three-masted former training ship, now a museum afloat in the marina.
Royal Galleries
Covered colonnades along the seafront, built in the age of Leopold II.
History on the coast
The Atlantic Wall at Raversijde
At Raversijde, the Atlantic Wall Open Air Museum preserves a coastal fortification from both world wars, with more than 60 structures and more than 2 km of underground passages. It is a sobering counterpoint to the beach and the casino.
At the table
Grey shrimp croquettes and fish from the harbour
The local icon is the grey shrimp croquette, made with shrimp caught by Ostend fishermen and recognised as a regional Flemish product. Mussels and fresh fish complete the menu at the many restaurants along the harbour quay, the Visserskaai. A local treat is coffee served with a small glass of advocaat.
Along the coast
The coast tram, Bruges and De Haan
The Kusttram, the coast tram, runs the full length of the Belgian coast from De Panne to Knokke-Heist, passing through resorts such as De Haan. Bruges is only about 15 minutes away by train, so beach and heritage are easy to combine in a single stay.
A free ferry crosses to the wild dune beaches towards Bredene, and in summer the Zeeheldenplein hosts sand sculptures. The Wellington Hippodrome runs horse races in July and August.
Getting there
Fly to Brussels, then take the train
Brussels Airport
Ostend has no major international airport for tourism. Most visitors fly to Brussels, then take the train to the coast, which takes a little over an hour from Brussels-Midi. Charleroi is another option. Ostend-Bruges Airport, about 5 km from the centre, mostly handles cargo and holiday charters.
In pictures
Ostend in pictures
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FAQ
Frequently asked questions about flights to Ostend
How do I reach Ostend by plane?
Ostend has no major international airport for tourism. The easiest way is to fly to Brussels Airport (BRU), then take the train to the coast, which takes a little over an hour from Brussels-Midi.
When is the beach at its busiest in Ostend?
In July and August, when many day-trippers arrive by train. The Klein Strand by the pier is closest to the station, while locals prefer the larger Groot Strand.
What is there to see in Ostend besides the beach?
Mu.ZEE and its modern art, the James Ensor House, the Mercator museum ship, the Royal Galleries, Fort Napoleon and the Atlantic Wall museum at Raversijde.
Can I visit Bruges from Ostend?
Yes, Bruges is about 15 minutes away by train, and the coast tram serves the other resorts of the Belgian coast, from De Panne to Knokke-Heist.
How much does a flight to reach Ostend usually cost?
It mostly depends on your departure city, the season and how far ahead you book. The "deals" section above shows real examples of prices already detected by SniperAir for this destination.
How do I get alerted when a flight to Belgium drops below my budget?
Create an alert profile with your departure airport, Brussels as the destination and your maximum budget. You'll be notified automatically the moment a matching price is detected.
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