1

We did this journey last year. Here is what to do.

As you come out of customs into the arrival hall at Charleroi Airport look to your left and you'll see a counter. There they will sell you a combined bus/rail ticket to anywhere in Belgium (I think it was €10 when we did it in February 06). This entitles you to get the bus which leaves from just outside the terminal to the rail station in Charleroi. From there you can get a direct train to Antwerp. On the front of the ticket is a space to write your name - do this or the railway guard will get a bit sniffy.

2

There is a Ryanair shuttle bus to Brussels Midi station but the easiest and cheapest way to get to Antwerp is the way Stevegerms has described it.

Take a local bus (ligne A, just on the left when you leave the airport building) to the train station of 'Charleroi Sud' (10 minutes). Then take a direct train to Antwerp (this train has Essen as final destination) - duration 1,5 hour.

See www.b-rail.be for the schedules.

3

But note that Rotterdam (NL) is as close to Antwerp as Charleroi - even Amsterdam could be an useful option/alternative!

4

Thanks to all who posted!! I did this a week or so ago- but for some reason it aint appeared. Must have pressed the wrong button. Ta again, much appreciated, take care, Tommy

5

Tommy, can you post the prices you paid to get to Antwerp?

I just moved to Antwerp and I'm planning to travel frequently with Ryanair to see different cities in Europe. That means frequent trips to Charleroi.

Can anyone comment if it would be cheaper to take the bus (€10) from Antwerp -> Brussels International airport then transfer to Charleroi? or is this train from Antwerp -> Charleroi Sud and bus combination cheaper?

Thanks!

6

Can anyone comment if it would be cheaper to take the bus (€10) from Antwerp -> Brussels International airport then transfer to Charleroi? or is this train from Antwerp -> Charleroi Sud and bus combination cheaper?

The first way would be a bit complicated as there is no direct transportation between Brussels National Airport (Zaventem) and Brussels South Airport (Charleroi).

As said in #1 and 2, the direct train + bus is cheapest.
See http://www.b-rail.be/ and type 'Gosselies aérogare' as destination for Charleroi airport. I can't find the exact fare, but you have to purchase a ticket to Charleroi Sud, mentioning that you have to go to the airport. You then will get a ticket including the bus fare.

I live in Antwerp myself and i am willing to pay a bit more for flight tickets out of Brussels National. The trnasportation cost is less and the trip is much shorter.
Check out http://www.brusselsairlines.com/ they sometimes have good fares. You could subscribe for their newsletter to get the promotions.
Also http://www.jetairfly.com/ is interesting.
Oh and check out http://www.whichbudget.com/ There are a few smaller low cost airlines flying out of Brussels National. Besides the airlines listed i usually check the national airlines of the country i want to fly to. I've found surprisingly good rates that why, often not more (or slightly more) expensive compared to Ryanair (think of TAP Portugal, Iberia, Alitalia, etc)
I try to use Ryanair only when i have no affordable alternatives. Take everything into consideration: travelling costs and time, inconvenient departure and arrival hours, €30 for a piece of checked in luggage (one way)....

Enjoy Antwerp :)

Edited by: artemis2

7

#5 - you are asking #4 about the price he paid for a journey taken nearly 3 years ago (May 07) - even if he can remember its not likely to be the same now.

8

whoops, sorry, I didn't notice the date of this thread.

thanks for the great info, artemis2... that whichbudget.com is a goldmine of information!!!

9

You're welcome.

€30 for a piece of checked in luggage (one way)

Correction: That should be €15 one way, €30 roundtrip.