Brussels Travel Forum

I have a wonderful 0.01 euro Ryanair flight from Charleroi, but it's at 06:50 in the morning. I need to get from Antwerp to Charleroi Airport before 06:30.

None of the trains are running at that time. Are there buses that run that route? What are my alternatives? Please don't say I'm stuck with a taxi...

Thanks,

An American living in Italy flying to Belgium

How about: http://www.minibus-services.be/english/home.htm

PJ

Thank you. They want 320 Euro for that transport (160 each way). It is much cheaper for me to change my flight.... any other thoughts?

hello
I think there are a ryanair transportation from brussel about 4 o'clock in the morning ,check the site from ryanair.the other possibility is to go the night before and spend the night at the airport,
greetings,janu

This only shows how cheap deals sometimes come at a hefty price...

Basically there is no form of public transport that is going to get you to Charleroi that early in the morning. The only solution would be to either stay overnight at the aiport, take the last train from Antwerp to Brussels, arriving there at 1h32, and wait there (in about the least pleasant part of the city) for the Ryanair coach at 4h30.

I see now why these take off slots are so cheap at these airports...

I contacted several coach and taxi operators. They wanted at least 150 Euro for that trip.

I modified my reservation to take the later flight, 70 Euro more, but a much better option in my opinion. This way I can still take public transport and enjoy a full day in Antwerp.

Thanks everyone for your quick responses. It's great having a forum that responds so quickly and with quality answers.

Happy American...

Every day, starting at 4am (and hourly), the SN Shuttle bus can take you to Brussels Airport. It takes about 45 minutes to get there. From there you can take a taxi to the station "Bruxelles Midi" where you can take the Shuttle bus to Charleroi airport at 5.20 am. Take out one hour to get there. So you might arrive on time after all.
Another solution: spend the night before your flight in Charleroi.

http://www.airportexpress.be/page?&orl=2&ssn=&lng=2&pge=4
http://www.charleroi-airport.com/doc.php?nd=1101&tid=101&site=1&lg=1

Thanks but unfortunately the little asterisks on their timetable page mean that the earliest shuttles don't run on Sundays and Holidays... since I'm flying on a Sunday morning, this solution will not work for me.

It is a very good alternative that I did not find before however, and for that I am grateful - thanks.

You won't regret a full day more in Antwerp `-)

and yes they don't tell you that with those odd hours you have to have private transport.

If your flight is at 6:50 you need to get there well before 6:30, and preferably no later than 5:50!!! From Ryanair's website: "You should be at the BOARDING GATE at least 30 minutes prior to departure and available for boarding 20 minutes before departure. Boarding closes 10 minutes prior to departure. If you arrive later than this at the boarding gate you will not be accepted for travel. For travel on a later flight, you will be required to purchase a new ticket at the then applicable fare.."
As I recall, Ryanair's CHECK-IN CLOSES something like 30 minutes before the flight and this means if you haven't reached the front of the queue by then, you don't get on. If you turn up only 20 minutes before the flight is due to depart, you won't get on the flight. As a matter of fact, the airport's website says baggage check-in closes 40 minutes before the flight!! (http://www.charleroi-airport.com/doc.php?nd=149&tid=49&site=1&lg=2&deploy=1)
I would seriously advise you to take the train from Antwerp to Charleroi-Sud (via Brussels - change at Bruxelles-Midi), the night before and stay at the Ibis Hotel right next to the station. While the local bus probably won't be running at 5 a.m., it's only 10 minutes to the airport from there by bus/taxi.
Yes there is a reason why these flights cost so little: people fail to check out how much it is going to cost them to use them!

PS Ibis costs €75: http://www.ibishotel.com/ibis/fichehotel/gb/ibi/2088/fiche_hotel.shtml
If you take the Airport Express coach to Brussels Airport, a taxi to Bruxelles-Midi station would in any case cost you at least €35 on top of the train fare, and possibly more because of the hour, plus you will still arrive at Charleroi-Sud station and have to take a taxi from there!