Whether you have a layover, overnight sleepover or are just quickly passing through, our Brussels Charleroi Airport Guide is a great place to start planning your visit. Here, you’ll find information on services and facilities available inside the airport – including details about airport lounges, WiFi, mobile charging points, lockers, 24-hour food options, nearby hotels, and everything in between.
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The best place is close to the arrival and is at the corner on your left when you enter in the airport. -noemi
CRL Airport Overview
To help you plan your layover or overnight sleepover, here is a quick run-down about what to expect during your time at Brussels Charleroi Airport (Code: CRL).
What to Expect
Brussels Charleroi Airport consists of Terminals 1 and 2, both of which are small. Even though the terminals were built in the last decade, amenities are rather basic, in line with the low-cost carriers based here. You’ll find a few eateries and shops, both landside and airside, but none are open 24 hours, so plan ahead if you’re staying the night. Free WiFi helps pass the time. Economy class passengers can pay to enter two airport lounges.
Sleeping in Charleroi Airport
The airport is open 24 hours, but overnight campers must stay on the landside until security checkpoints open around 4:00 AM. Seating is limited, and most have armrests, so bring a blanket or sleep mat to rest a little easier on the cold floor. The far end of Terminal 1 has large windows and some private nooks. Do expect security guards to wake you up to check IDs or as the airport gets busy. For uninterrupted sleep, nearby hotels offer shuttle service. See the Airport Hotels section below for more info, or read some traveller reviews for more tips.
To help us keep this guide up-to-date, you can add or update information or write a review to submit airport tips and photos. You can also visit the airport’s website for current information. For more airport information, continue scrolling down to explore more in our Charleroi Airport Guide.
In this guide we may refer to locations as “landside” and “airside”. Landside is the public area of the terminal located in the non-secure zone, before security. Airside is the secure area of the terminal that you must reach by going through security. For more information on Europe’s Schengen Area, click here.
Airport Hours
The airport is open 24 hours.
Rest & Relaxation Zones
There are no dedicated sleeping areas, quiet areas or rest zones. If this information has changed, click here to update this guide.
Cots
In the event of bad weather or massive flight cancellations, this airport is said to have a limited supply of cots for stranded travellers. Availability may have been affected by Covid. If you are stranded during a weather delay, contact an airport employee to find out when the cots are located.
Airport Hotels
If sleeping in the airport sounds like a nightmare, there are hotels near Charleroi Airport:
- Ibis Budget Charleroi Aeroport – Airport transfers are available for a fee. » Check Rates
- DC Hotel & Restaurant Charleroi Airport – Airport shuttle is available for a fee. » Check Rates
- Best Western Plus Aero 44 – Airport shuttle is available for a fee. » Check Rates
- Hotel Charleroi Airport – Airport shuttle is available for €15 per ride. » Check Rates
For more options, visit Tripadvisor to see a list of hotels near Charleroi Airport that can be sorted by price, distance, traveller rating and popularity.
Airport Lounges
Pay-per-use, Single Visit Passes & Lounge Memberships
Regardless of what class of service you are flying, there are lounges that you can enter by paying at the door, purchasing a lounge pass or through a lounge membership program. Visit the individual lounge page for more details about the lounge itself and learn how to gain access with just an economy class ticket!
The Lounge (Terminal 1) – Location: Terminal 1, Airside. Lounge Access: Pay at the door • Lounge membership programs.
The Lounge (Terminal 2) – Location: Terminal 2, Airside. Lounge Access: Pay at the door • Lounge membership programs.
Related Pages: Brussels Charleroi Airport Lounges
Drinking Water
A reader tells us, “There is no access to refill stations or water fountains. The only access to free water is currently in the toilets. This water apparently derives from their own rainwater collection system.” (June 2024)
Food & Drinks
Most food concessions throughout the airport operate from 4:00 AM until around 10:00 PM or later. At the time of this update, there are no 24-hour dining options. Food options include:
- Terminal 1: Airport Bar 23 • Airport Bar 9 • Burger King • Camden Food Co. • Charles’ Brewing Company • Fritapapa • Guapa •Mama Napoli • The Waffle • Panos • The Speakeasy • Starbucks.
- Terminal 2: Airport Bar • Airport Bar 28 • Charles’ Brewing Company.
Luggage Storage & Lockers
Coin-operated storage lockers are available outside, near the taxi rank. Rates per hour period are as follows: 2 € (small locker) • 3 € (medium locker) • 4 € (large locker). Only Euro coins are accepted. Luggage can be stored for a maximum of 16 days.
Mobile Charging
A reader (August 2018) mentioned there are many spots to charge phones, laptops, etc.
Showers
Unavailable. If this is incorrect, click here to update this guide.
WiFi/Internet
Free WiFi is available at Charleroi Airport.
If you are not travelling with a mobile device, you can use one of the internet terminals throughout the airport, and from an Internet Corner located landside. At the time of this update, it is unknown if a fee is charged to use any of the internet terminals.
More Airport Information
ATMs / Cash machines – Need cash? ATMs are available. Fees may apply, so check your bank’s fee schedule and daily withdrawal limit if you are travelling internationally. You may also want to notify your bank of your travel plans. Locations: Terminal 1, Landside and just outside of Terminal 2.
Baggage Carts – The airport no longer provides baggage carts.
Children’s Play Area – When you want to ensure your kids burn off all their energy before their flight, take them to the kid zone. Location: Airside, beside Leffe Bar.
Currency Exchange – There are two Travelex counters. Locations: Arrivals Hall, Door 4 (8:00 AM – 12:00 PM) • Customs Area (5:00 AM – last departing non-Schengen flight).
Duty-Free & Shopping – International duty-free shops are located near the boarding gates at both terminals. In Terminal 1, you will also find a convenience shop, a chocolate shop and two newspaper/bookstores.
Fast Track – Breeze through the security checkpoint with a Fast Track pass! Passes can be purchased online or at the airport’s Information Desk for € 4.00.
Information Desk – If you have any questions, visit the airport information desk for assistance. Locations: available in both Terminals. Hours: 5:00 AM – 10:30 PM.
SIM Cards – A reader has asked us to include where to buy SIM Cards. If you know, click here to update this airport guide.
Bus
The Brussels City Shuttle is the easiest way to travel to the airport from Brussels. The bus times are scheduled to fit in with the flight times, starting at 3:30 AM. Ticket cost starts at €6.
Flibco.com shuttle buses offer an easy and convenient way to travel to Brussels and nearby cities. Additional shuttle lines travel to Lille, Bruges, Ghent, Luxembourg and Metz. The airport drop-off location is in front of terminal Entrance 1. The ticket can be purchased at a kiosk in the shuttle bus park (€17) or online between €5 and €14.
Car Rentals
The following car rental companies are available at the airport: Avis • Budget • Europcar • Hertz • Sixt. Location: unknown.
Hotel Shuttles
Several area hotels provide an airport shuttle: DC Hotel & Restaurant Charleroi Airport • Aero 44 • Hotel South • Ibis Budget Charleroi Aeroport • Hotel Charleroi Airport • Ibis Charleroi Airport • Ibis Charleroi Centre Gare.
See also Airport Hotels above.
Taxi
Taxis can be found at the airport exit.
Trains
At the time of this update, Charleroi Airport is not served by any rail network. The closest rail station, Charleroi-South, can be reached within 20 minutes of the airport by the airport bus.
Last updated: 2024-08-26
This guide is for informational purposes only to assist with your planning. All information, including rates and hours, is subject to change at any time without notice. The information in this airport guide is based on information collected and/or received from the airports, lounges, hotels, transportation providers, and their websites. We are not representatives of any of the above-mentioned service providers. To report errors or to add/update any items mentioned in the guide: update the airport guide or write a review.