Anyone been to Charleroi Airport, Brussels?

Thomask

I fly into this airport tomorrow night (10.55pm) on a Ryanair flight.

What is the cheapest way to reach Brussels (centre)?

Do more than 1 shuttle company operate? If so, which is best? Is it cheaper to book ahead online? Cheaper to book a return?

Can you take a regular bus from the airport to the centre instead?

I may need to use the metro and buses to reach my final destination in Brussels (actually, I think I do). Do these operate after midnight? I assume taking a shuttle from the airport will take about an hour. Means I'll arrive whereever the shuttle drops me about 12.30am.

Thanks in advance!

Oh, any suggestions what to do in Brussels would be great!

teeb

I have been to Charleroi before, a few years back.

Uhh, the cheapest way? Well, because I arrived very late at night I had to take a taxi, which was expensive as the place is 30 miles from Brussels itself.

Cheapest option would be a shuttle bus or the train, I guess. The bus to the train station stops at 10.20, I'm afraid though. There's a train at 7 past 11, but after that out of luck again.

I've not tackled airport shuttle buses or Brussels public transport yet though as it is twenty to 5 am. Sorry!

BernadetteN

There is only company that runs a shuttle bus Brussels and that is Lelan. Their timetable has the last bus of the day leaving the airport at 23.30, cost €11 one way (similar price to the bus/train option via Charleroi Sud train station which does not run late enough for you).
http://www.charleroi-airport.com/doc.php?nd=1101&tid=101&site=1&lg=2

You can find information about bus/tram/metro fares on the website below. You can buy a strip ticket for 5/10 journeys or a one/three day ticket - you will need to work out how many journeys you expect to make and choose the appropriate ticket. STIB run night buses in Brussels throught the night and fares are different on these journeys. You should be able to pick up a free public transport map at ticket counters in big stations and be careful if you buy a commerical map because the tram routes underwent many changes this Summer and many commercial maps still show the old and now defunct routes.
http://www.stib.be/tickets.html?l=en
Here are details of the night bus network.
http://www.stib.be/noctis.html?l=en

Thomask

Very helpful, thanks all!

If anyone has any good suggestions on food, drinking, shopping, good place for breakfasts, feel free!