Transportation options from Bruges to Edinburgh

I like to watch this guy because I love his accent. And sometimes he goes places that are interesting to me. Here he is flying from Edinburgh to Charleroi, then taking the Flibbus to Maastricht.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-nnpDQC6r8w

Brussels Airline has a direct flight from BRU, which is a direct train from Bruges. I am sure they will cost more than Ryanair. Ryanair saves money by flying out of inconvenient out-of-the-way airports.

I would have to be paid good money before I would even consider flying out of “Brussels” South Charleroi Airport. The word Brussels in the name of the airport is doing a lot of heavy lifting as the airport is nowhere near Brussels.
The easiest and most time efficient way is to take the direct train from Bruges to Brussels Airport and fly from there to Edinburgh.

Charleroi is Brussels' second airport, and low-cost airlines fly there. The most straightforward way of getting there is by the Flibco shuttle from Brussels-Midi station but it is marked by long waits and crowds. It is possible but difficult to catch a train to Charleroi Central and then a TEC bus to the airport from the station but most people don't do it. As others here have said, it is actually a long way from Brussels, more than an hour by train.

Ryanair is one of those low-cost airlines - they lure you in with cheap tickets but then nickel and dime you for everything after that. Want to take a bag with you? It costs extra. Want water on the plane? That costs extra too. Seat selection? €€€.

I would consider the flight from BRU. It may seem expensive but after you have paid extra for each one of your bags and factor in the cost to get to CRL, it is probably not so crazy to opt for the BRU flight.

Lavandula

What is so difficult about the train to Charleroi?- one change from Bruges at Brussels Midi, then a 50 minute train ride to Charleroi (which isn't over an hour), then a half hourly bus.

Also 4 buses an hour from Luttre station, 15 minutes before Charleroi.

Bruges to Charleroi by train is 26 Euro full fare.

I think the point is that BRU has a train service to it directly and there is little waiting because there are many trains. For Charleroi you have to catch a bus to the station and wait half an hour for it. I misspoke when I said that the train was over an hour, train + bus is over an hour. It's not a convenient service. But if you are OK taking it that is up to you. For me, no thanks :)

Lavandula

Thanks everyone for the great information. Thanks G3rryCee, I really enjoyed the video by Steve Marsh.

I've decided to spend the extra money and go from Bruges to BRU and fly on Brussels Air. The flight is more expensive, but I think from the comments here it will be more convenient and save time over the Ryanair CRL option.

I neglected to say in my original post thanks to all the people that post on this and the Netherlands forum. I've gotten so much great information from you including several great trip reports that must have taken quite a bit of time to write.

Kathy