Given the short distances to other Belgian cities, most people staying overnight are likely to be passengers at "Brussels South" airport. Unfortunately there are no hotels at the airport terminal itself, and reaching those nearby is difficult without a car.
Unless you have your own transport, the most convenient hotel is the IBIS Charleroi Gare in the city centre (http://www.ibishotel.com/) just across the river Sambre facing the Gare du Sud and the bus station. Double rooms here start at â¬59 if booked in advance.
The IBIS "Aéroport" is 7km away from the terminal at a motorway junction, and costs the same as the city centre IBIS.
There are two cheaper hotels near the airport. The Formule 1, at junction 22 of the A54 motorway from Brussels, (http://www.hotelformule1....) costs â¬38 for a triple room with shared shower and toilet. Take bus 42 or 63 from the city centre. The only way to the airport from here is by taxi, hitchhiking, or going back to the centre to take an airport bus.
The new Etap, 2 km from the Heppignies exit of the E42 Paris-Liège motorway, (http://www.etaphotel.com/...) has ensuite triples starting at â¬45. Take bus 68 from the centre. This hotel is about 2.5km walk from the airport.
It might be possible to stay overnight in the airport terminal. The Gare du Sud station building is closed for renovation, so don't plan on staying there.
The nearest youth hostels are in Brussels and Namur.
Some hotel addresses:
Best Western Charleroi - 1A Boulevard Mayence, 6000 Charleroi
IBIS - Charleroi Gare - 12 Quai de Flandre, 6000 Charleroi +32 071 206060
IBIS - Charleroi Aéroport - 590 chaussée de Charleroi, 6220 Fleurus +32 071 810130
Socatel - Boulevard Tirou 96, 6000 Charleroi +32 071 319811 Fax: + 32 071 301596 (http://www.hotelsocatel.be/)
Formule 1 - 10 rue de Rosaire, 6041 Gosselies Tel +32 071 372222
Etap Charleroi Aéroport - 33 Avenue Jean Mermoz, 6220 Fleurus, +32 071 373632
Les Balladins - Route de la Basse Sambre +32 071 420168
Le Piersoulx - Rue du Grand Piersoulx, 8, Tel +32 071 356687
