Brussels South Charleroi Airport (CRL) is located around one hour by road from Brussels. Although it is some distance from the Belgian capital, there are several convenient ways to travel from Charleroi Airport to Brussels.
Keep in mind that this is not Brussels’ main airport. The main airport is Brussels Airport in Zaventem. But if you’re flying to Brussels on a budget, there’s a good chance you’ll arrive to Charleroi Airport.
Over the years, Charleroi has become increasingly popular thanks to the large number of low-cost airlines operating from the airport.
Today, the airport is almost entirely dedicated to budget carriers. It offers flights to many of Europe’s major capitals as well as several destinations in North Africa, making it a busy hub for affordable travel.
Charleroi Airport is relatively small. It’s practical and easy to get around, but don’t expect the facilities you’ll find at larger international airports.
There are no shopping areas, and the range of services is fairly limited. You’ll find a small self-service restaurant, a café, a kiosk, and little else while waiting for your flight or after landing.
Several popular low-cost airlines, including Ryanair, Jetairfly, and Wizz Air, operate from Charleroi, offering plenty of daily flights to destinations across Europe.
There are several transport options for getting from Charleroi Airport to Brussels. Each one has its own advantages depending on your budget, arrival time, and how much comfort you’re looking for.
How to Get from Charleroi Airport to Brussels
1. Shuttle Bus, The Best Way to Get from Charleroi Airport to Brussels
If you’re wondering how to get from Charleroi Airport to Brussels, the shuttle bus is the option I recommend most. I’ve used it several times, and it offers the best balance of price, comfort, and convenience.
The shuttle runs directly from the airport to Brussels-Midi railway station. While it doesn’t take you all the way to the city centre, this is actually one of the best places to arrive if you’re planning to continue your journey.
Gare du Midi is Brussels’ main transport hub, with excellent connections to the metro, trams, and local buses. From here, it’s easy to reach almost any neighbourhood or tourist attraction in the city.
If your accommodation is in the historic centre, you may not even need public transport. The walk from Brussels-Midi to the Grand Place area takes around 20 – 25 minutes, making it a pleasant option if you’re travelling light.
The service is operated by Flibco, and a one-way ticket costs €19.95. The journey takes just under one hour, and buses usually leave every 30 minutes, so you rarely have to wait long after landing.
The shuttle generally operates during the following hours. Keep in mind that these are approximate schedules, as they are regularly updated to match new flight timetables.
- From Charleroi Airport to Brussels: 7:40 am – 12:40 am
- From Brussels to Charleroi Airport: 3:00 am – 11:40 pm
You can check the latest timetables and buy your tickets in advance on the following website:
2. Taxi, The Most Expensive Way to Get from Charleroi Airport to Brussels Unless You Share the Ride
A taxi is undoubtedly the most expensive option for travelling from Charleroi Airport to Brussels. Even so, it can be a great choice if you arrive late at night, in the early hours, or simply want to leave the airport without waiting.
One of the main advantages is that taxis are always available outside the terminal. You won’t have to worry about timetables or whether you’ve missed the last bus.
The journey from Charleroi Airport to Brussels city centre usually costs between €120 and €180. The final fare depends on traffic, the time of day, and your exact destination.
If you’re travelling with family or friends, sharing the cost can make this option much more affordable. For solo travellers, however, it is by far the most expensive way to reach Brussels.
Something many visitors don’t know is that taxi drivers sometimes offer the chance to share the ride with other passengers. Whether this is available depends on the day and on how easy it is for drivers to find customers.
If you choose a shared taxi with a fixed fare, keep one important detail in mind. You’ll normally be dropped off at the Shuttle Bus stop at Gare du Midi, rather than at your hotel.
3. Private Airport Transfer, Travel in Complete Comfort
If convenience is your priority, a private airport transfer is one of the most comfortable ways to travel from Charleroi Airport to Brussels.
The service must be booked in advance. Once your reservation is confirmed, a driver will be waiting in the arrivals hall to take you directly to the address you have chosen.
One of the biggest advantages is the flexibility. You can book a standard car or a larger vehicle if you’re travelling in a group, and minibuses are usually available without any difficulty.
Check prices here: Private Transfers from Charleroi Airport
4. Train + Bus, Not Really Worth It When the Shuttle Bus Is Available
Although travelling by train and bus is possible, I don’t think it is an interesting choice. Since there’s a direct shuttle bus to Brussels, this option doesn’t offer many advantages unless you have a specific reason to travel by train.
One thing to know is that Charleroi Airport does not have a train station. To reach the rail network, you’ll first need to take a shuttle bus from the airport to Charleroi Central railway station.
The connection is provided by the TEC A1 bus, which runs directly between the airport and Charleroi Central. Once there, you can board one of the frequent trains to Brussels.
The TEC A1 bus runs every 30 minutes, making it a fairly convenient connection. However, it does not operate between 10:30 pm and 4:30 am, so keep this in mind if you’re arriving on a late-night or early-morning flight.
A one-way ticket on the TEC A1 bus costs €6. You can check the latest bus timetables and fares here:
– Letec
From Charleroi Central, you can take a train to Brussels Central. A second-class ticket costs around €12.10, while a first-class ticket is approximately €19.30.
You can check the latest train timetables and fares for the journey from Charleroi to Brussels on the following website:
Train tickets can be purchased through SNCB/NMBS. You also have the option of buying a combined ticket, which includes both the TEC A1 bus from Charleroi Airport to Charleroi Central and the onward train journey to your destination anywhere in Belgium.