Most visitors like to fly into Brussels - National Airport (BRU) when visiting the vibrant city of Lokeren. However, you’ll find more than one airport in the region, so bear that in mind when organizing your travel plans.

The trip between Brussels - National Airport (BRU) and downtown Lokeren is reasonably long. You’ll have to travel 40 kilometres before you can check in to your hotel in the city.

If you’re planning to fly to Lokeren, you’ll likely touchdown at Brussels Airport (40 kilometres from downtown). Brussels South Charleroi Airport (CRL) (80 kilometres from downtown) is the other main airport here.

There are 56 airlines that service Lokeren from 187 airports around the world.

In general, travelers opt to fly with Iberia, Brussels Airlines and Air Europa when heading to Lokeren. The majority of these flights originate in Madrid, with Iberia flying this route the most.

With approximately 1,906 direct flights running every week, you’ll be hitting the tarmac in Lokeren before you can say, “Are we there yet?”

Flights to Lokeren from Madrid, Frankfurt and Vienna airports are in high demand.

If it’s Madrid you’re leaving behind, you’ll be in the sky for around 2 hours and 25 minutes before you touchdown in Lokeren. Tarmac to tarmac from Milan takes around 1 hour and 32 minutes and from London, it’s 1 hour and 10 minutes.

If you want to save some cash on your Lokeren vacation, then listen up! As every experienced jet-setter will tell you, don’t leave booking until the last minute. Prices are generally more expensive just prior to the departure date. Also, do some online research and compare your options. If your destination has several airports, you may be able to score a better deal by flying into one a little farther out. Lastly, another simple way to save a few dollars is be ready to book at a moment’s notice. If you find an amazing bargain, don’t hesitate — grab it while you’ve got the chance.

If you’re poorly prepared, air travel can be overwhelming. But there’s no need to worry. Follow these tips and tricks for a worry-free start to your getaway in Lokeren.What to pack in your hand luggage:

• First and foremost, put in your passport, travel docs, cash and daily medications. Next, you’ll need some in-flight entertainment to while away the hours. A thrilling novel and a tablet crammed with your favorite shows are some terrific options. If you intend to take a quick nap, a quality neck pillow and some earplugs will also be useful. Finally, leave space for a toothbrush and some facial wipes so you’ll arrive at your destination looking and feeling fresh.

Do not pack the following items in your hand luggage:

• While the list of restricted items can differ between air carriers, the general rule to follow is nothing flammable, sharp or explosive. This includes things like screwdrivers, blades, spray paint and flares. Sporting equipment like baseball bats, and objects that could injure passengers, such as pepper spray and guns, are also banned from the cabin.

What to wear on a flight:

• Comfort really should be your highest priority when deciding what to wear on your flight. Consider your choice of footwear with care too, as swelling of the feet and ankles can be a side effect of flying. Roomy, closed-toed shoes are always a sensible way to go.
• Most travelers are aware of DVT (deep vein thrombosis), a blood clot condition caused by long periods of sitting. There are numerous ways to reduce your risk. Wear compression socks, drink plenty of water and keep your legs and feet moving. Wander up and down the aisles of the cabin or perform some simple exercises in your seat.

It’s all about being organized. We’ve rounded up some top tips for a hassle-free trip through airport security. Look out Lokeren, here you come:

• Security personnel first need to establish that you have a valid ID and boarding pass before you can proceed any further. Have them ready for inspection.
• Next up, both you and your carry-on bag will be X-rayed. To speed things up, remove anything that might trigger the alarms. Personal belongings such as your belt, coat and headphones will be required to go through the machine.
• For just a few moments, you’ll need to unplug from the digital world. Your laptop, phone and any other electronic gadgets will also need to go through the scanner.
• Remove all gels and liquids from your hand luggage. They often need to be sent through the X-ray separately. Each item should be in a container no larger than 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) and everything must fit in a quart-size (one liter), clear zip-close bag.
• Slip-on shoes are a clever footwear choice as you’re less likely to have to remove them when going through security. Hiking boots and other bulky shoes are usually subjected to additional screening.
• Airlines will not allow any sharp items or pocket knives in your hand luggage. If you need to bring these kinds of items, pack them safely in your checked luggage.