Brussels Airports: Getting to & from Zaventem and Charleroi

Brussels has two commercial airports — one convenient, one cheap. Most expats use both at different times, so understanding the transport links to each saves time and money from day one.

Brussels Airport — Zaventem (BRU)

Brussels Airport, officially Brussels Airport-Zaventem, is the main international airport. It sits 12 km northeast of the city centre in the Flemish municipality of Zaventem. This is where most long-haul flights, Brussels Airlines services, and full-service European carriers land.

By train (recommended)

The airport has its own SNCB/NMBS railway station on Level -1 of the terminal. Direct trains connect to:

Fares (2026): A standard single ticket from the airport to any Brussels station is €13.70. This includes the Diabolo supplement (€5.53), a surcharge for using the airport rail tunnel that Belgium applies to every airport train ticket, regardless of origin or destination.

To save: buy a return ticket on the same day (about €22 return). If you have a SNCB rail subscription for commuting, the airport supplement is waived for journeys to stations within your subscription zone.

Tip: Your SNCB ticket from the airport includes a free STIB transfer in Brussels. So if your final destination is in Ixelles or Uccle, take the train to Central or Midi, then metro or tram — no extra ticket needed.

By bus

STIB bus line 12 connects the airport to the city, but it is slow (45+ minutes) and less practical than the train. The Airport Line (De Lijn) bus 272 runs to the NATO area and is mainly for commuters.

For most expats arriving with luggage, the train is faster and easier than any bus route.

By taxi or rideshare

• Official taxis queue outside the arrivals hall. Fixed fare to central Brussels: approximately €45 (flat rate to the 19 communes, set by regulation).
• Uber operates at BRU. Prices vary with demand but typically €25–40 to the centre.
• Bolt also available; similar pricing to Uber.

A taxi makes sense if you are arriving late at night (after the last train around midnight) or have heavy luggage. Otherwise, the train is cheaper and faster.

By car

The airport is on the E40 motorway ring. Parking at the airport is expensive — short-term P1 costs around €32/day, long-term P3 about €15/day. For picking someone up, the "Kiss & Ride" drop-off zone gives 10 minutes free. The P1 short stay gives 20 minutes free.

Brussels South Charleroi Airport (CRL)

Charleroi Airport is Belgium's low-cost hub — Ryanair and Wizz Air dominate. Despite the name, it is not in Brussels. It sits 46 km south of the city centre, near the Walloon city of Charleroi. Budget airlines fly here because landing fees are lower.

By shuttle bus (recommended)

Flibco operates the main shuttle between Charleroi Airport and Bruxelles-Midi station:

• Duration: 55–70 minutes depending on traffic
• Frequency: Every 20–30 minutes, aligned with flight schedules
• Price: About €17 one-way, €29 return (book online for lower prices — walk-up fares can be higher)
• Drop-off/pick-up: Bruxelles-Midi (Gare du Midi), the international rail hub. From there, STIB metro and tram lines radiate across the city.

Book Flibco tickets at flibco.com. Buses depart from outside the terminal. Show your e-ticket on your phone.

IMPORTANT: The Flibco shuttle is separate from TEC local buses. Do not confuse it with the TEC line A bus to Charleroi city — that drops you at the Charleroi-Sud train station, not Brussels.

By train (indirect)

There is no direct rail link from Charleroi Airport to Brussels. The route is:

1. TEC bus A from the airport to Charleroi-Sud station (~20 min, €5)
2. SNCB train from Charleroi-Sud to Bruxelles-Midi (~50 min, ~€12)

Total time: about 90 minutes. This is slower and not much cheaper than Flibco, so most people take the shuttle.

By taxi or rideshare

A taxi from Charleroi Airport to central Brussels costs approximately €90–120 and takes 45–60 minutes. Uber and Bolt operate in the area but driver availability is unpredictable at CRL. Unless you are splitting the cost with several people, the shuttle bus is far better value.

By car

CRL is on the A54/E420 motorway. Parking is cheaper than Zaventem — outdoor lots from about €6/day if booked in advance. This makes Charleroi the better option if you are driving to the airport for a weekend flight.

Which airport should you use?

Rule of thumb: If the Charleroi flight is more than €50 cheaper than the Zaventem equivalent, Charleroi is worth the extra travel time. If the price difference is smaller, Zaventem saves you time and hassle — especially with luggage.

Practical tips for expats

1. First arrival in Belgium: If your relocation flight lands at Zaventem, take the train to Bruxelles-Central. Most temporary accommodations and hotels are walkable from there. You do not need a MOBIB card — just buy a train ticket at the machine with a debit/credit card.

2. Register your Diabolo preference: If you commute by train and your employer reimburses your SNCB subscription, check whether the Diabolo supplement is included. Some company plans cover it; others do not.

3. Late-night Charleroi arrivals: Flibco's last shuttle runs at about midnight. If your Ryanair flight lands after 23:00, check the schedule carefully. If you miss the last bus, your only option is a taxi (€100+) or sleeping at the airport until the first morning shuttle around 03:30.

4. eSIM before landing: Belgian airport Wi-Fi is limited. If you are arriving from outside the EU and your phone plan does not include Belgium roaming, pick up an eSIM before departure so you can use maps and Uber immediately after landing.

5. Currency: Belgium uses the euro. Both airports have ATMs in the arrivals hall, but the rates are mediocre. Using a multi-currency card like Wise or Revolut gives you a better exchange rate and avoids ATM withdrawal fees.