Not all visitors to Amsterdam land at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport, or even the Netherlands. Just a few hours away in Belgium there are two airports (located in Zaventem and Charleroi), which are two attractive airport options when visiting Amsterdam.
Brussels Airport (also known as Brussels National Airport or Brussels Zaventem Airport), is located northeast of Brussels and is served by more traditional airlines.
The smaller South Charleroi airport (CRL) is 40 kilometers south of Brussels, in the city of Charleroi, and about 160 kilometers from Amsterdam. This airport is a favorite among low-cost travelers as a hub for low-cost airlines such as Ryanair and Wizz Air.
While Charleroi Airport is not exactly around the corner from Amsterdam, it takes just three to four hours (by car or train) to travel in any way to the Dutch capital. Visitors can visit several amazing cities on the route from Charleroi to Amsterdam, including Brussels, Antwerp, Rotterdam, and more.
Note: Brussels South Charleroi Airport is not Brussels Airport; They are located in two different parts of the country.
Taking the train to Charleroi airport
Two different train routes serve the route between Amsterdam and (the vicinity of) Charleroi airport, but the train will only take you to Brussels Zuid station (Brussels South Train Station), in Brussels. You will need to take a city shuttle service to get to the airport.
The Intercity Brussels, the cheaper of the two routes, is a trip of three hours and 15 minutes.
Meanwhile, the Thalys train cuts travel time by almost half, to an hour and 50 minutes, but be prepared to pay almost double for the fare. Check the NS International website for the latest information on hours and fees.
To get to the airport from Brussels Zuid station, transfer to the Brussels City Shuttle. Travel time from the station to the airport is approximately 50 minutes.
How to get there by bus
For the cheapest option, travelers can complete the journey from Amsterdam to Brussels by bus and then take a shuttle to Charleroi Airport. An international bus is an inexpensive solution to travel between Amsterdam and Brussels. Like the train, you must go to Brussels Zuid station in Brussels to take the bus.
For the lowest rates, plan to book several months in advance, as prices increase as the departure date approaches.
Passengers can choose between three bus companies for the Amsterdam-Brussels route: Eurolines, Flixbus and OUIBUS. Tickets are available online at each company’s website or at physical offices in various cities. It is important to note that each bus company has different departure and arrival points for the two cities.
For travelers to Charleroi airport, OUIBUS is the best option as it stops directly at Brussels Zuid station. If you arrive at other points in the city, it is necessary to take the local train to Brussels Zuid station to continue the journey to the airport.
From two other points, the travel time is minimal to reach Brussel Zuid station, 10 minutes from Brussel Noord and three minutes from Brussel Centraal. You may want to check with the Belgian train service (SNCB) for the latest timetables and information on fares.
How to get there by car
The 160-mile journey from Amsterdam to South Charleroi Airport can be completed in two hours and 45 minutes. Expect to spend around € 30 to € 35 on fuel costs, and substantially more to park at the airport.
Choose from a variety of routes, find detailed directions and calculate travel costs on ViaMichelin.com (search for Aéroport Charleroi Bruxelles Sud).
