Charleroi shuttle bus stop to Grande Place

According to Google Maps the Ryanair stop is right next to Gare du Midi.

Go into the station and follow the "Metro" signs into the Metro station. Buy a single ticket and follow the signs to route 3 toward Esplanade. This will take you down into the north-south tram subway. Take any tram EXCEPT route 51 three stops north to Bourse station. Walk north along Boulevard Anspach until you get to rue du Marche aux Poulets on your right. Follow this until it turns into the rue du Marche aux Herbes and continue on. Just past the Galeries St Hubert, turn left up rue de la Montagne, and the hotel will be on your right.

It is a bit of a walk, but unfortunately public transport within the central area of Brussels often isn't very useful for short journeys. If you have heavy luggage, I'd suggest a taxi.

That Ibis is just a couple (2) of hundred metres downhill from Gare Centrale on the main line railway. My memory is that it is quite visible from the Grand Place exit from that station.

If it were me, I'd got off the bus, go inside Midi/Zuid, buy a really cheap ticket for the one quick stop to Gare Centrale/Centraal Station, then up the escalator to the first train that stops there - many every hour, usually just a few (more than 2) minutes apart, pop on and before you have time to work out where you are, get off at the next station. Just upstairs and outside, and down to your hotel.

Thanks so much for those replies. The train to Central sounds an easy option. I won't have much to carry. Just a shoulder bag with overnight things.

Regards,
Chris

Looks like you're set. Have a great visit.

The weekend was great. A get together of European members of the Red Hat Society. Look it up on Google. LOL!!

A couple of tips that might help others. If you are taking the city shuttle from Charleroi airport there are many different bus stops for the Flibco shuttles to a variety of destinations. For the city centre bus turn right as you exit the Arrivals lounge and head towards the Friteuse stand. The bus stop is right there. Book your ticket online as soon as you know your travel dates, the ticket is valid for the whole day. The earlier you book the cheaper the ticket will be but the price online will always be cheaper than buying at the airport or bus on the day.

As I was advised on this thread, the bus does stop right outside Midi station. When you enter the station be sure to check a few landmarks just inside so that you are sure to choose the correct exit for the return. Otherwise you might waste a bit of time finding the bus stop by exiting from the wrong place and wandering around.

Be sure to have some change with you for the ticket machines. I had less than 2 euro in change and a 5 euro note. The fare was 2 euro to Central and the machines do not take notes or give change. I spent nearly half hour trying to change my note. I knew better for the return journey. To use a foreign credit card would have been foolishly expensive.

I certainly hope that I will make another trip to Brussels.