TEC A3

45 minutes from Charleroi center to CRL with TEC A3

The TEC A3 bus links Charleroi city centre to Brussels South Charleroi Airport (CRL) in about 45 minutes, running roughly every 60 minutes during the day. It works best if you live or stay in Charleroi or nearby suburbs and just need a straightforward ride to T1 or T2. This is a regional TEC route, not the faster Brussels Airport Express coach, so don’t expect a quick hop into Brussels-Midi.

The A3 usually starts in Charleroi near key urban stops and then heads to the airport, dropping you at the official CRL bus station in front of Terminal 1. From the bus stop, walking to T1 check-in counters takes around 3–5 minutes, while T2 is closer to 7–10 minutes on foot. Check the TEC website or app for the exact first and last departures; schedules can shift slightly between weekdays and weekends.

Tickets for TEC A3 are sold as standard TEC bus fares, usually under €10 for a one-way ride from Charleroi to the airport. You can buy a ticket from the driver (contactless card or coins work on most buses) or via the TEC app before boarding. Validate your ticket as soon as you step on, because ticket checks on TEC lines around Charleroi do happen and fines cost more than your entire day’s travel.

Expect a regular city/regional bus: two doors, no dedicated luggage racks, and mixed passengers including local workers heading to CRL. The 45-minute run can feel tight if your flight from T1 or T2 leaves within 90 minutes, especially in peak traffic around Charleroi ring roads. Plan one extra bus (so 60 minutes of buffer) if you’re checking a bag or flying non-Schengen and need more time airside.

Step-by-step: using TEC A3 to or from CRL

• 1. Check the TEC A3 timetable for your date; confirm the bus that reaches CRL at least 2 hours before departure from T1 or T2.
• 2. Buy a TEC ticket in the app or budget around €5–€10 in case you purchase on board from the driver.
• 3. Board via the front door, validate your ticket immediately, and keep it handy for a possible control during the 45-minute ride.
• 4. Get off at the “Brussels South Charleroi Airport” stop right outside Terminal 1 and follow signs to T1 or walk 7–10 minutes to T2.
• 5. On arrival back at CRL, exit arrivals at T1, walk 3–5 minutes to the bus station, and wait at the signed TEC A3 bay for the next hourly bus.

One last tip: if your flight lands late at night into T1 or T2, confirm the final A3 departure in advance; missing the last hourly bus means switching to taxi, which can easily cost several times the TEC fare.