Brusssels Charleroi Airport Guide (CRL)

sleeping in brussels charleroi airport — (photo credit: SleepingInAirports / Mar 2020)

Whether you have a layover, overnight sleepover or are just quickly passing through, our Brussels Charleroi Airport Guide is a great place to start planning your visit. Here, you’ll find information on services and facilities available inside the airport – including details about airport lounges, WiFi, mobile charging points, lockers, 24-hour food options, nearby hotels, and everything in between.

The best place is close to the arrival and is at the corner on your left when you enter in the airport. -noemi

CRL Airport Overview

To help you plan your layover or overnight sleepover, here is a quick run-down about what to expect during your time at Brussels Charleroi Airport (Code: CRL).

What to Expect

Brussels Charleroi Airport consists of Terminals 1 and 2, connected by a 5-minute walkway. Amenities are rather basic, in line with the low-cost carriers based here. You’ll find a few eateries and shops, both landside and airside, but none are open 24 hours, so plan ahead if you’re staying the night. Free WiFi helps pass the time. Economy class passengers can pay to enter two airport lounges.

Brussels Charleroi

Sleeping in Charleroi Airport

The airport is open 24 hours, but overnight campers must stay on the landside until security checkpoints open around 4:00 AM. Seating is limited, and most have armrests, so bring a blanket or sleep mat to rest a little easier on the cold floor. The far end of Terminal 1 has large windows and some private nooks. Do expect security guards to wake you up to check IDs or as the airport gets busy. For uninterrupted sleep, nearby hotels offer shuttle service. See the Airport Hotels section below for more info.

Read some recent traveller reviews for more tips. For more airport information, continue scrolling down to explore more in our Charleroi Airport Guide.

To help us keep this guide up-to-date, you can add or update information or write a review to submit airport tips and photos.

In this guide we may refer to locations as “landside” and “airside”. Landside is the public area of the terminal located in the non-secure zone, before security. Airside is the secure area of the terminal that you must reach by going through security.

Airport Hours

The airport is open 24 hours landside. The airside closes overnight at approximately 11:00 PM and reopens when security checkpoints open, typically around 4:00 AM, depending on flight schedules.

What this means for airport sleepers:
You can remain inside the terminal overnight on the landside, but you will not be able to stay airside once security closes around 11:00 PM. If you arrive late or are waiting for an early flight, expect to spend the night before security where there is limited seating and privacy. Airside areas reopen early (around 4:00 AM), at which point conditions generally improve slightly, but comfort remains basic.

Rest & Relaxation Zones

There are no dedicated sleeping areas, quiet areas or rest zones. If this information has changed, click here to update this guide.

Cots

During major disruptions such as severe weather or widespread flight cancellations, the airport has been reported to provide a limited number of cots for stranded travellers. If you are stranded during a major disruption, ask an airport staff member whether cots are being distributed and where to find them. If this is incorrect, click here to update the guide.

Airport Hotels

If sleeping in the airport sounds like a nightmare, several hotels are located near Charleroi Airport. Most require a paid shuttle or taxi, especially during early morning hours:

Hotel South Charleroi Airport (0.7 mi) – Free airport shuttle.
ibis Styles Charleroi Airport (1.1 mi)
ibis budget Charleroi Airport (1.6 mi)
Van Der Valk Hotel Charleroi Airport (1.7 mi)

Airport Lounges

Pay-per-use, Single Visit Passes & Lounge Memberships

Regardless of what class of service you are flying, there are lounges that you can enter by paying at the door, purchasing a lounge pass or through a lounge membership program.

The Lounge (Terminal 1) – Location: Airside, Departures Area, 1st Floor, near Gates 1-6 (Terminal 1). Hours: 4:30 AM – 9:00 PM. Showers: No. Dedicated Rest Zone: No. Sleep Facilities: No. Lounge Access: Pay at the door (€39.00) • Prepaid lounge passes • Lounge membership programs • Complimentary access for select business class passengers and premium credit card holders.

The Lounge (Terminal 2) – Location: Airside, Departures Area, after security and duty-free, right side of the boarding area (Schengen Zone). Hours: 4:30 AM – 9:00 PM. Showers: No. Dedicated Rest Zone: No. Sleep Facilities: No. Lounge Access: Pay at the door (€39.00) • Prepaid lounge passes • Lounge membership programs • Complimentary access for select business class passengers and premium credit card holders.

Food & Drinks

Most food outlets operate from approximately 4:00 AM until around 10:00 PM or later, depending on flight activity. At the time of this update, there are no 24-hour dining options, so overnight travellers should plan accordingly.

Food options include:

Terminal 1: Airport Bar 23 • Airport Bar 9 • Burger King • Camden Food Co. • Charles’ Brewing Company • Fritapapa • Guapa • Mama Napoli • The Waffle • Panos • The Speakeasy • Starbucks
Terminal 2: Airport Bar • Airport Bar 28 • Charles’ Brewing Company

[ read more ]

Drinking Water
There are no drinking water fountains. However, a reader reports that airside cafés (including Camden Food Co.) may refill water bottles upon request. (Reported May 2025)

Luggage Storage & Lockers

Coin-operated luggage lockers are available outside the terminal near the taxi rank. Rates per hour are:

€2 (small locker)
€3 (medium locker)
€4 (large locker)

Only Euro coins are accepted. Luggage can be stored for a maximum of 16 days.

Mobile Charging

Free power outlets and USB charging ports are available airside near the gates. Availability may be limited during busy periods.

Showers

Showers are not available at Brussels Charleroi Airport. If this is incorrect, click here to update this guide.

WiFi/Internet

Free WiFi is available at Charleroi Airport. Connect to the “CRL Free WiFi” network.

If you are not travelling with a mobile device, internet terminals are available throughout the terminal, including an Internet Corner located landside. A fee may apply. This is unconfirmed at the time of this update.

More Airport Information

More Services, Facilities & Things To Do On A Layover

ATMs / Cash machines – Need cash? ATMs are available at the airport. Fees may apply, so check your bank’s withdrawal limits and international fees before travelling. Locations are available in Terminal 1 (landside) and outside Terminal 2.
Baggage Carts – The airport does not provide baggage carts.
Children’s Play Area – If your kids need to burn off some energy before boarding, there is a small children’s play area airside, located beside the Leffe Bar.
Currency Exchange – Travelex operates two currency exchange counters at the airport, one in the Arrivals Hall and another in the Customs area. Hours vary based on flight schedules.
Duty-Free & Shopping – Duty-free shops are located airside near the boarding gates in both terminals. Terminal 1 also has a convenience shop, a chocolate shop, and a couple of newspaper/bookstores for last-minute needs. [ read more ] Fast Track – Want to speed through security? A Fast Track option is available and can be purchased online or at the airport’s Information Desk.
Information Desk – Airport information desks are available in both terminals for general assistance. Hours typically run from early morning until late evening.

Airlines

Brussels Charleroi Airport is served by the following airlines: Air Algérie • Air Belgium • Air Corsica • Belavia • Luanda Motion • Pegasus Airlines • Ryanair • TUIfly • Wizz Air.

Airport Transportation: Getting To/From The Airport

Bus

The Brussels City Shuttle is the easiest way to travel to the airport from Brussels. The bus times are scheduled to fit in with the flight times, starting at 3:30 AM. Ticket cost starts at €6.

Flibco.com shuttle buses offer an easy and convenient way to travel to Brussels and nearby cities. Additional shuttle lines travel to Lille, Bruges, Ghent, Luxembourg and Metz. The airport drop-off location is in front of terminal Entrance 1. The ticket can be purchased at a kiosk in the shuttle bus park (€17) or online between €5 and €14.

Car Rentals

The following car rental companies are available at the airport: Avis • Budget • Europcar • Hertz • Sixt. Location: unknown.

Compare car rental prices on Expedia

Hotel Shuttles

Several area hotels provide an airport shuttle. See Airport Hotels above.

Taxi

Taxis can be found at the airport exit.

Trains

At the time of this update, Charleroi Airport is not served by any rail network. The closest rail station, Charleroi-South, can be reached within 20 minutes of the airport by the airport bus.

Security & Safety

Sleeping in any airport can include a certain level of risk, especially when travelling alone. It’s important to take certain precautions to ensure your safety and the security of your valuables. Here are a few tips:

Safety First. It’s a good idea to know where the security office is located and look for video cameras where you plan to sleep. You can also ask the security personnel for advice on the safest places to spend the night.
Don’t Seclude Yourself. If you’re travelling alone, we recommend you stay near other travellers or close to security. This will help you feel more secure and deter potential thieves.
Hide Your Valuables. It’s also important to hide your valuables. Don’t leave them out in plain view, as this could make you a target for theft. Additionally, if you are a deep sleeper, you may want to padlock your bag to something or sleep with your bag up against a wall to make it harder for someone to access zippers and pockets. We have received reports of sleepers who woke up without their phones and laptop bags. The travellers were left with just their headphones and laptop bag strap.
Stay Alert. It’s best to stay alert and awake if you feel unsafe or uncomfortable. Drink coffee or other caffeinated beverages to help you stay awake, and remember that you can always catch up on sleep during your flight. These simple precautions can help you enjoy a safe night at the airport.

Last updated: 2026-01-21

This guide is for informational purposes only to assist with your planning. All information, including rates and hours, is subject to change at any time without notice. The information in this airport guide is based on information collected and/or received from the airports, lounges, hotels, transportation providers, and their websites. We are not representatives of any of the above-mentioned service providers. To report errors or to add/update any items mentioned in the guide: update the airport guide or write a review.

Brussels Charleroi Airport Guide