Transportation from Brussels Charleroi to Brugge

Thank you. In that case I think we make just take the shuttle bus directly from the Charleroi airport into Brussels Midi. It will be cheaper, and takes about an hour, which I can see the bus to train option you suggest taking nearly as long as.

If you have two or more pieces of luggage, I would recommend taking the shuttle-train combination rather than the bus all the way to Brussels. Commuter buses in Belgium aren't very spacious, they're often quite full and there is no luggage rack.

I'm not sure at which Brussels station trains from Charleroi arrive, but just so you know, you can connect to Brugge from any of the three. Most of the trains heading in the direction of Brugge terminate at either Oostende, Blankenburg or De Haan.

So the Ryanair advertised shuttle bus from the Airport to Brussels doesn't have any place for your luggage? That seems strange, as it is coming from the airport.

Ah, sorry, I misunderstood. An airport shuttle bus probably does have adequate room for luggage. I thought you planned to take a municipal bus the whole way.

Thanks for the information anyway. Here is a link to the shuttle bus from Charleroi to Brussels, it is 13 Euro and 1 hour one way.

http://www.charleroi-airport.com/en/passengers/acces-and-parking/shuttles-brussels/index.html

I would caution you about the Gare Du Midi--every western government has advised their nationals that it is not a safe place--with good reason.

Thanks Thomas, I don't think we will be able to avoid it though, since our train from Amsterdam departs and returns there, as well as our train to Paris. I was also under the impression that the train to and from Brugge is out of there. What is not safe about it?

Thanks,

Not sure where the other poster is getting his information. Theft is a concern, not personal safety. I'm holding a security brief from the state department that was updated yesterday, and Brussel Zuid (Midi) is not mentioned. Here is what travel advisory on the website says:

"Transportation hubs like the Metro (subway) and train stations are frequented by thieves who take advantage of disoriented travelers. In Brussels, pocket picking, purse snatching, and theft of light luggage and laptops are common at the three major train stations -- the North Station (Noordstation or Gare du Nord), the Central Station (Centraal Station or Gare Central) and especially at the South Station (Zuidstation or Gare du Midi). The latter is the primary international train hub; travelers are advised to pay very close attention to their personal belongings when in the station." And for a personal anecdote... I've probably been to this station over 50 times, with and without luggage. So far, I haven't been robbed.

But just so you know, it doesn't matter which station you use to go to Brugge. All three are connected and most trains heading in the direction of Brugge from Brussels stop at all three. Zuid is just the last station in Brusssels.