South Brussels Charleroi Airport (CRL) is popular with low-cost airlines such as Ryanair and Wizz Air. It is not the main airport of the Belgian capital but rather a smaller regional airport significantly to the south of the Brussels. However, transportation links are reasonably good. Shuttle buses run to Brussels, the nearby Charleroi mainline train station, and to Bruges.
- The cheapest way to travel to South Brussels Charleroi Airport (CRL) from any destination in Belgium is usually to buy a train and bus combination ticket.
By Car to South Brussels Charleroi Airport (CRL)
South Brussels Charleroi Airport (CRL) is as the name indicates to the south of Brussels near the town Charleroi. The distance from central Brussels is around 50 km (30 miles) but the location of the airport close to major highway crossings make for fast and easy access.
- Driving time from central Brussels to South Brussels Charleroi Airport (CRL) is around 45 minutes.
The easiest access to the airport is from highway A54 – from Brussels, use exit 24 (Ransart / Charleroi Airport). From highway E42, use exit 15 (Fleurus) and from highway R3, use exit 13 (Soleilmont) – other highway exits are closer to the airport but do not provide easy car access to the airport parking areas.
- Taxis between Brussels and Charleroi Airport are around €80 (up to four passengers).
Several private shuttle services are available from South Brussels Charleroi Airport (CRL) to Brussels, Bruges, and any other destination in the region. These services need to be reserved in advance. A private minibus (up to 8 passengers) is around €130 from the airport to Brussels and €240 to Bruges. Shared shuttles to hotels in downtown can be as low as €10 per person for small groups or €22 for individuals.
- Car rental desks at South Brussels Charleroi Airport include Avis, Europecar, Herz, National, T&C Location, and Sixt. Car hire is best reserved in advance.
By Train to South Brussels Charleroi Airport (CRL)
The closest train station to South Brussels Charleroi Airport (CRL) is Charleroi Sud station. TEC bus line A connects the station with the airport in just less than twenty minutes up to twice per hour.
From anywhere in Belgium, buying ticket “C61-Charleroi Airport” will include the train fare to Charleroi Sud and the bus fare from here to the airport. The fare is currently €11.20 to Brussels and at most €19.40 to any train station in Belgium.
- Note that the C61 refers to the fare code and not a train or bus number. Code C61 tickets are not available online or on trains – it must be bought at stations or from the newsstand at Charleroi Airport.
By Bus to South Brussels Charleroi Airport (CRL)
Autocar l’Elan operates several bus services from South Brussels Charleroi Airport (CRL) to Brussels, Bruges, and Lille in France. Tickets can be bought online in advance, at airport counter no 1 for buses departing from the airport, or on the bus for buses heading towards the airport. Return trips are slightly cheaper than two singles.
The following bus services are available:
- To Brussels South (Bruxelles-Midi) Train Station – around 20 buses per day make this one-hour journey to Brussels’ most important train station. The bus stop at the station is at the crossing of rue de France and rue de l’Instruction.
- Shuttle buses to Bruges / Brugge and Lille are seasonal only and do not operate year round.
For small groups, a shared shuttle bus directly to downtown Brussels hotels may not only be more convenient but often also cheaper than using the standard bus service.
South Brussels Charleroi Airport (CRL) is generally less convenient than Brussels National Airport (BRU). However, low fares and cheap tickets on low-cost airlines such as Ryanair and Wizz Air outweigh for many the additional planning required and fewer ground transportation options available when using Brussels’ second airport. Travelers to southern Belgium and Luxembourg may also find good deals and cheap flights to Frankfurt-Hahn Airport (HHN).
Henk Bekker - Henk Bekker is a freelance travel writer currently living on the shores of Lake Geneva in Switzerland.
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