Here’s something that catches people out constantly. You book a flight to Brussels, land somewhere called Charleroi, and only then find out that central Brussels is 55 kilometers away. The money saved on the ticket? It tends to disappear fairly quickly after that.
The airport code is what matters. BRU and CRL are completely different arrivals, and treating them as interchangeable is where the trouble starts. If you’ve got bags, kids, or anywhere specific to be at a particular time, sorting a Brussels airport transfer before you land cuts out a lot of the guesswork.
Two airports, one city name
Brussels Airport is the one in Zaventem, around 12 kilometers northeast of the center. The main carriers fly here. There’s a direct train from under the terminal to Brussels Central, Brussels Midi and Brussels North. The journey to Central takes roughly 18 minutes, and trains run regularly throughout the day.
Brussels South Charleroi (CRL) is different. It’s used mainly by budget carriers, Ryanair included. The airport isn’t in Brussels at all — it’s in Charleroi, about 55 kilometers to the south. Getting to the capital means either a coach (over an hour, depending on traffic and connections) or a taxi covering a lot of ground. No direct train runs from the Charleroi terminal, though you can reach Brussels by taking a bus to Charleroi Central station and connecting from there.
The price difference between a Zaventem and a Charleroi flight can look good at the booking stage. Run the full numbers before you commit.
What arrival actually looks like
Zaventem is manageable. Travelling alone with light bags and a flexible schedule, the train does the job. It runs on time, it’s frequent, and it gets you to the center in under 20 minutes. It won’t drop you at your hotel and it won’t wait for a delayed flight — but for most people arriving at BRU it’s perfectly fine.
Charleroi needs more thought. Coaches run to Brussels but on fixed timetables. Miss one and you’re waiting for the next. Taxis exist, but the distance adds up fast. And once you’re standing outside arrivals at Charleroi trying to work out the next move, the cheap fare doesn’t feel quite so cheap.
Getting from CRL to the EU Quarter, hotels around Brussels Midi, or the business district near Brussels North is doable with a plan. Without one, it’s a longer evening than it needs to be.
When it’s worth booking ahead
A few situations where having transport sorted makes a real difference:
- Arriving at Charleroi with more than a carry-on
- Travelling with others, where splitting a transfer fare can compare well against separate coach tickets
- Evening arrivals when coach connections are less frequent
- Any business trip with a same-day meeting
- Families, because airports with tired children need fewer moving parts
Solo to Zaventem with light luggage and nowhere specific to be? The train is fine. Everyone else should probably sort transport before they fly.
On the taxi question
Official taxis are available at both airports. The fare depends on route, destination and traffic — Brussels at peak hours can stretch any journey. Rank waiting times vary during busy periods.
For Charleroi especially, knowing the price before travel removes one variable from an already full day.
Running the real numbers
Pre-booked transfers run from both Zaventem and Charleroi. A Charleroi airport taxi is worth considering for evening arrivals, groups and anyone heading somewhere the main rail lines don’t reach.
Before deciding between flights, add the realistic transport cost to each total. The cheaper ticket doesn’t always stay cheaper once the journey into the city is included.
The short version
Check the airport code. BRU is 12 kilometers from the center with a direct train. CRL is 55 kilometers away with a coach connection. One of them is more straightforward than the other.
Travelling to Zaventem with light bags, the train gets you there without fuss. In most other situations, sorting transport before departure saves that decision for when you’re least equipped to make one.
This content is provided for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional advice. AFP editorial staff were not involved in the creation of this content.
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