Brussels Airport Transfers
If you are looking for the best way to get to your hotel from Brussels airport, read on!
Brussels Airlines plane about to land at Charleroi airport | ©Adi Sagi
The city of Brussels has two airports: Brussels-Zaventem and Charleroi. Here's how to get to your hotel from either of them:
Private transfer from Brussels-Zaventem to your hotel
If you don't want to worry about anything when you arrive in Brussels and for the rest of your trip, you have the option of hiring a transfer directly between Zaventem airport and your hotel.
How it works
This option is the most convenient as a professional driver will pick you up at the airport without you having to look for taxi, train or bus stops and, at the end of your journey, will pick you up at your hotel to take you back to the airport. Each journey takes between 20 minutes and an hour depending on the location of your hotel and traffic.
You can book this option online as far in advance as you like. When you make your booking you will need to provide your hotel address and flight number and then all the details will be confirmed by email. Please note that you can cancel this service free of charge up to 24 hours before your flight departure.
Price
The price for both return transfers is approximately 50 euros, but you can also book your hotel pick-up and return transfer to Zaventem airport separately.
Advantages
- A more comfortable and faster journey than by train or bus.
- Cheaper than hiring a taxi at the airport
- Direct arrival at your hotel
- A personalised pick-up service by a professional driver
- A waiting period by your driver that guarantees you will continue to benefit from the service if your flight is delayed.
- The availability of the transfer 24 hours a day, seven days a week
- A customer care service for any inconveniences
- Sufficient space for your luggage
- Avoid unnecessary waiting at the airport
3. Private transfer from Charleroi to Brussels
If your flight arrives at Charleroi airport, you should be aware that it will take you about an hour to get to Brussels. If you choose public transport, the bus and train are available to take you to the city centre and from there to your hotel.
If you want to get to your hotel directly, you don't need to pay around 90 euros for a taxi; you can hire a private transfer from Charleroi airport to Brussels in advance, saving on costs and gaining in comfort:
How it works
The booking is done online: just provide your flight number so that the driver can meet you on arrival at Charleroi airport and your hotel address so that he can take you to your hotel. It will take you approximately one hour to get to Brussels in a comfortable, air-conditioned vehicle with plenty of room for your luggage.
If your flight is delayed, the driver will know and will wait for you for up to 90 minutes at no extra charge. This is one of the best guarantees offered by this service, which is available every day of the week, 24 hours a day, regardless of when your flight arrives.
Return transfer from Brussels
This same service and under the same conditions is also available to get from your hotel in the centre of Brussels to Charleroi airport once you have finished your trip. You will also need to provide your flight details when booking online so that the driver can pick you up in time to arrive at the airport, but without having to wait there for hours for the plane to leave.
Ana's Traveller Tip
For special needs such as extra luggage, please contact the company by email before your arrival so that they can take this into account.
4. Other options from Brussels-Zaventem Airport
Public transport is not as convenient as private transport, but it is cheaper. If your hotel is centrally located and you don't mind spending a little extra time on the transfer, the train or bus may be your best option.
Train
Under Brussels-Zaventem Airport there is a station with 24-hour trains to the centre of Brussels and other cities such as Bruges and Ghent. Using the train you can be in the centre of Brussels in about 20 minutes and the ticket costs 9 euros (you can buy it on the spot). There you can connect with the metro.
Bus
There are several bus lines that pass through Brussels Airport. The ticket costs between 4 and 6 euros and you can buy it directly from the driver or at the machines located at the airport. Depending on where you want to go, one bus line or another will suit you better: if you are going to the European area, choose lines 12 and 21 which go through the Schuman metro stop, if you are going to the North station, the lines are 272 and 471.
5. Other options from Charleroi airport
Charleroi Airport is a small airport, so you will have no trouble locating the train station and bus stops; the two means of public transport that take you to the centre of Brussels.
Bus
Buses from Charleroi airport run directly to the centre of Brussels, with the last stop being the South Station (Midi). Buses run every 30 minutes from 8am to 1am and there is usually a long queue. Tickets cost 17 euros each way and the journey takes about an hour.
Train
Yes, there is a train station in Charleroi, but it is not integrated with the airport. To get there you will have to use the Airport Express bus which takes about 20 minutes. Once at Charleroi train station you can get to any of the central stations (central, south or north) for 14 euros in about an hour.
Note that you may have to wait once you arrive at the train station, as trains run every 30 minutes. It's a good option if you're travelling from Charleroi to other cities, but it's a bit of a hassle to get to Brussels.
6. First tips for your arrival in Brussels
When to go
The peak season in Brussels, as in most European countries, is summer and spring as this is when the weather is most conducive to sightseeing. In June, July and August prices can go up considerably, so if you choose them for your trip make sure you book your accommodation well in advance.
What to bring
There's nothing you'll need for your trip to Brussels as you'll be able to buy everything you need for your trip, but I do recommend that if you're travelling in winter you take gloves and warm clothes to keep you warm in the cold.
Getting around the city
The city is easy enough to get around on foot, and if you want to visit places further away from the centre you can use the metro. The Brussels metro has four lines and a single ticket costs around two and a half euros; you can buy it inside or from machines in the stations. You can also use the sightseeing buses, which I'll tell you all about here: Brussels Hop on Hop off Bus Tours.
What to eat
Although in any city it is interesting to try any dish of its gastronomy, my recommendation for Brussels is rather its star ingredient: chocolate. There are few places where chocolate has the quality and flavour that it has in Belgium; during your trip you will find that it is the most popular souvenir.
The language
The official languages in Brussels are French and Flemish, but you should have no difficulty understanding English, especially in the more touristy areas.
Take a guided tour
One of the most important recommendations when it comes to getting to know Brussels is that you don't just take in the beauty of "its façade", but that you immerse yourself in its history and culture, as well as exploring the surrounding area. I'll tell you about the best options for excursions and guided tours in my article about Brussels: Best Tours and Day Trips from Brussels.