Getting from Brussels Charleroi Airport to Brussels

The terminal building at Brussels South Charleroi Airport. Image credit: Fernandopascullo/Creative Commons

Brussels is a city known for many things, and whether you’re visiting for its waffles, chocolate, beer, or one of its many sites such as the Atomium, Grand Place and Manneken Pis, if you’re flying there it will most likely be to one of two airports – Zaventem or Charleroi.

Brussels Airport, or Zavantem, is the city’s main, and closest, airport and serves many major carriers including flag carrier Brussels Airlines, Emirates and Qatar Airways. While Charleroi, also known as Brussels South Charleroi Airport, is a hub for budget carriers with the likes of Ryanair, Lauda and Wiz Air operating flights to and from Charleroi.

The airport lies approximately 34 miles south of the Belgian capital, meaning it isn’t as close as its counterpart to the north. However, no need to fret, because here’s a rundown of how you can get from Brussels Charleroi Airport to Brussels.

Brussels City Shuttle

The Brussels City Shuttle is not only the cheapest way of getting from Charleroi Airport to Brussels, but it is also convenient. These busses are conveniently in a well-signposted location out the front of the terminal building and run on a regular timetable to and from the city centre. There is also plenty of room for your luggage underneath the bus, and to make things easier when you arrive, you can book your tickets online.

Taxi

Taxis are always going to be one of, if not the, most convenient ways to travel between an airport and your destination, and travelling to Brussels from Charleroi Airport is no exception. But due to the distance between the two and with Belgium not being the cheapest country in the world, expect a taxi to set you back at least an eye-watering €100.

Train

Charleroi is not only the name of an airport, but it is also a city. An alternative method of transport between the airport and Brussels is to first get a bus to Charleroi Sud station, then continue on to Brussels on a direct rail route. However, this isn’t any cheaper than the shuttle bus, nor is it as regular.