Located 82 kilometers from Charleroi Airport, Leuven is not so easily accessible, however there are numberous transportation methods to get there, including airport taxis orivate transfers and a cheaper, but more time consuming public tranport. In this guide we cover all available options to help you choose the most suitable way to reach the historic university city of Leuven.
For the most convenient and stress-free journey from Charleroi Airport to Leuven, charleroiexpress.be offers premium door-to-door transfer services.
Service Features:
- Direct transfer from Charleroi Airport to your destination in Leuven
- Journey time: approximately 55 minutes
- Professional, experienced drivers
- Modern, comfortable vehicles
- 24/7 service availability
- Flight monitoring service
- Free waiting time in case of flight delays
- Door-to-door service
- Child seats available upon request
- Multiple payment options accepted
Booking Benefits:
- Easy online booking system
- Instant confirmation
- Fixed prices with no hidden costs
- Cancellation flexibility
- Customer support in multiple languages
- Meet and greet service at the airport
Vehicle Options:
- Standard sedan (1-3 passengers)
- Executive sedan (1-3 passengers)
- Minivan (4-8 passengers)
- Large van (8-16 passengers)
If you prefer to use public transportation, there are several options combining shuttle bus and train services.
Step 1: Airport to Charleroi-South Station
- TEC Airport Express Bus A
- Journey time: 20 minutes
- Price: €6
- Frequency: Every 30 minutes
- First bus: 4:00 AM
- Last bus: 11:00 PM
Step 2: Charleroi-South to Leuven
- Train via Brussels
- Journey time: approximately 2 hours
- Price: from €19.30
- Multiple connections throughout the day
- Change trains in Brussels-Midi
Total journey time: approximately 2 hours 30 minutes
Total cost: from €25.30
Step 1: Airport to Brussels-Midi
- Flibco shuttle bus
- Journey time: 1 hour
- Price: from €14 (online booking recommended)
- Regular departures throughout the day
Step 2: Brussels-Midi to Leuven
- Direct train service
- Journey time: 25 minutes
- Price: €9.30
- Trains every 15-30 minutes
Total journey time: approximately 1 hour 45 minutes
Total cost: from €23.30
Private Transfer (charleroiexpress.be):
- Duration: 55 minutes
- Direct service
- Most comfortable option
- Highest price point
- Best for groups or those with luggage
Public Transport:
- Duration: 1 hour 45 minutes - 2 hours 30 minutes
- Requires 1-2 transfers
- Most economical option
- Less convenient with heavy luggage
- Subject to public transport schedules
When to Choose Private Transfer:
- Late night or early morning arrivals
- Traveling with family or groups
- Heavy luggage
- Time-sensitive schedule
- Need for door-to-door service
- Winter travel or bad weather
When to Choose Public Transport:
- Budget-conscious travelers
- Light luggage
- Flexible schedule
- Daytime travel
- Single travelers or couples
For Private Transfer:
- Book online at charleroiexpress.be
- Book at least 24 hours in advance
- Have your flight details ready
- Specify any special requirements
For Public Transport:
- Purchase shuttle tickets online or at the airport
- Buy train tickets at the station or via SNCB app
- Check last connection times
- Allow extra time for connections
- During peak hours, journey times may be longer
- Weekend and holiday schedules may differ
- Pre-booking is essential for private transfers
- Public transport options are limited late at night
- Always check the latest schedules before traveling
While public transport offers a more economical option, charleroiexpress.be's private transfer service provides the most convenient and comfortable way to reach Leuven from Charleroi Airport. The choice between the two depends on your priorities regarding comfort, cost, time, and convenience. For families, groups, or those with significant luggage, the private transfer option often proves to be the most practical choice despite the higher cost.