Charleroi Airport to Brussels: bus, train, taxi or private transfer compared (2026)

Brussels South Charleroi Airport is 60 km from the capital with no train station. Here is what each option really costs and takes, from the 17€ Flibco bus to a 25€ shared shuttle and a fixed-price private minivan.

Brussels South Charleroi Airport (CRL) sits in Gosselies, 60 km south of Brussels, and it has no railway station. There are four realistic ways into the city: the Flibco shuttle bus to Brussels-Midi, a TEC bus plus train via Charleroi-Central, a metered taxi, or a pre-booked transfer. For one person with hand luggage the Flibco bus at about 17 to 20€ is the cheapest. For two or more people, families, late Ryanair arrivals or anyone staying away from Brussels-Midi, a Helicro shared shuttle at 25€ per person or a private minivan from 70€ per vehicle takes you door to door in 55 to 70 minutes.

Flibco bus: cheapest, but only to Brussels-Midi

The Flibco coach leaves from the bus zone outside the terminal roughly every 20 to 30 minutes and takes about an hour to Brussels-Midi station in normal traffic. Online tickets cost around 17 to 20€ one way; walk-up fares are higher and the bus fills after each wave of arrivals. From Midi you still need a metro, tram or taxi to your hotel, with your suitcases, and after a late-night landing the queue can be long.

TEC bus and train via Charleroi-Central

TEC bus A links the terminal with Charleroi-Central station in about 20 minutes; from there trains to Brussels-Midi take about 55 minutes and continue to Central and Nord. The combined ticket is cheaper than Flibco and the train runs late into the evening, but you change twice with luggage and the total is 90 minutes or more. Reasonable for a flexible solo traveller, poor for a family.

Taxi from the rank

Official taxis wait outside arrivals. For the 60 km to Brussels the meter typically lands above 100€ and more at night, with the price only known at the end. It is the fallback when nothing is booked.

Shared shuttle: 25€ per person, door to door

Helicro runs a shared minivan between Charleroi Airport and any address in Brussels for 25€ per person by day and 30€ at night. You share the van with a few passengers from the same arrival window, the driver waits inside the terminal with a Helicro sign, and everyone is dropped at their own door. Two people pay 50€, three pay 75€: close to the bus once you add the Midi connection, without the connection.

Private transfer: fixed price per vehicle

A private Helicro minivan from Charleroi Airport to any Brussels address costs a fixed 70€ for 1 passenger, 80€ for 2, 90€ for 3, 110€ for 4 and up to 180€ for 8, at any hour, including luggage, child seats and 60 minutes of complimentary waiting after actual landing for all arriving flights. The driver tracks the flight, so a delayed Ryanair arrival at 23:50 costs the same fare as one at noon. For four people it is 27.50€ per head, door to door.

Cost and time by group size

• 1 person, light luggage: Flibco (about 17 to 20€ plus 3 to 10€ to reach your hotel), 90 to 120 minutes door to door.
• 1 person, late arrival or hotel far from Midi: shared shuttle 25€, about 75 to 90 minutes with the other pickups.
• 2 people: shared shuttle 50€ or private 80€; both beat the bus plus taxi combination on comfort and often on price.
• Family of 4 with child seats: private minivan 110€, seats included, about 60 minutes.
• Group of 6 to 8: private minivan 140 to 180€, one vehicle for everyone and all the bags.

Where the Helicro driver waits at Charleroi

Inside the terminal in the arrivals hall, holding a Helicro sign, or at the official Kiss & Ride zone in front of the building. Send your flight number when booking; the pickup time follows the real landing time automatically.

Going the other way

From Brussels to Charleroi Airport the same prices apply. Plan the pickup so that you reach the terminal 2 hours before departure, and in the weekday morning rush allow up to 80 minutes for the E19.