Charleroi Metro — Map, Lines, Route, Hours, Tickets

The Charleroi metro consists of four operational lines covering 33 kilometres of track with 48 stations. It offers connections with trams, buses and trains. Although Charleroi Metro fares vary according to the number of zones travelled through, the cheapest ticket is two euros. The metro does not have a direct link to Charleroi Airport, but there is an express bus service to the airport.

The Charleroi Metro, also known as the Métro Léger, is a public transport system serving Charleroi, Belgium. The metro system serves approximately 22,000 passengers per day. The fare for a ride on the Charleroi Metro operates on an honour system.

The Charleroi Metro does not operate 24 hours a day, nor does it provide air conditioning for its passengers. It does not allow passengers to walk between platforms, nor does it use driverless trains. It also has no platform doors. The average speed of the trains is 25 km/h, while the maximum speed reaches up to 65 km/h.

Charleroi Metro Map

Map of Charleroi Metro showing different lines. Click on the map to enlarge it or download the Charleroi Metro map in PDF format.

About the Charleroi Metro

Located in the French-speaking region of Wallonia, Charleroi is the fourth largest city in Belgium, with an estimated metropolitan population of 425,000 – a number that continues to grow each year. This is largely due to the city’s affordable cost of living and proximity to Brussels, with many of Charleroi’s new residents working in the Belgian capital.

Historically, Charleroi’s economy has revolved around the steel, glass and coal industries, although the latter has declined to near extinction. The effects of the decline of these industries were deeply felt by the citizens until 2008, when the government initiated a recovery plan to stimulate private sector investment.

This investment in infrastructure was particularly important for public transport, leading to the expansion of various systems, including the Charleroi Metro. Initiated in the 1960s, the local government anticipated that the city would need a robust and organised public transport system to stimulate the economy. Construction of this light rail system, which also has the characteristics of a heavy metro system, began in the late 1960s. The aim was to connect the suburbs on the outskirts of Charleroi with the city centre.

The original plan, unveiled on 21 June 1976, called for the construction of 69 stations along 52 kilometres of track. However, due to financial constraints and complications, the size of the metro system was significantly reduced. Today, the network covers 33 kilometres and 48 stations have been built.

Lines and Stations

The Charleroi metro consists of four operational lines with a total of 33 kilometres of track and 48 stations. These lines connect the northern, southern, eastern and western parts of the city with the central area where the four lines intersect. Known as M1, M2, M3 and M4, these names were given in 2012 to simplify the lines for metro users.

M2 and M1 Lines

The M1 and M2 lines share the same tracks, but M1 serves more stations along its route than M2. In addition, M1 trains travel clockwise around the large loop where all the lines meet, while M2 trains travel counter-clockwise. The M1 line covers a distance of 17.3 kilometres, stops at 24 stations and serves the communes of Charleroi, Dampremy, Marchienne-au-Pont, Monceau-sur-Sambre, Leernes, Fontaine-l’Évêque and Anderlues. The journey from one end to the other takes about 32 minutes.

The M2 line follows the same 17.3-kilometre route as the M1, but stops at only 18 stations. This line also serves the communes of Charleroi, Dampremy, Marchienne-au-Pont, Monceau-sur-Sambre, Leernes, Fontaine-l’Évêque and Anderlues. A complete journey on this line takes about 24 minutes.

M3 Line

The M3 line was opened in 1988 under the name “Line 62”, which was used until the reorganisation of the system in 2012. This line covers a distance of 16.6 kilometres, stops at 27 stations and serves the communes of Charleroi, Dampremy, Lodelinsart, Jumet and Gosselies. The entire journey from one end of the network to the other takes about 33 minutes.

M4 Line

The M4 line was opened in 1992, initially known as “Line 54”, to connect the commune of Gilly with the centre of Charleroi. Following the reorganisation of the metro system in 2012, the line was renamed to its current title and began covering the same distance as Line 54, albeit with fewer stops. The M4 line covers a distance of 8.3 kilometres, stops at 14 stations and serves the municipalities of Charleroi and Gilly. The whole journey takes about 28 minutes.

Connections

Many of the stations of the Charleroi light rail system offer connections to other modes of transport such as trams, buses and trains. This is particularly true of the stations in the city centre, which form the loop where the four lines converge. Some of the stations with connections are:

Gare de Charleroi-Sud: Connects with bus lines 1/3, 15/25/35, 18, 43/83, 52, 67, 68, 70, 71/74, 85, 86, 109A, 170, and 173. Also connects with train lines 124-Bruxelles-Midi à Charleroi-Sud, 130-Namur à Charleroi-Sud, and 130A-Charleroi-Sud à Erquelinnes (frontière).
Charleroi-West: Connects with bus lines 41, 42, 43, 50, 51, 52, 60, 61, 63, 67, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 83, 85, 86, 170, 365A, and Midi-Docherie. Also connects with train lines L-14 Ottignies – Jambes.
Janson: Connects with bus lines 52, 71, 74, 86, 154, 158, E, and City-Bus.
Parc: Connects with bus lines 1, 3, 4, 8, 10, 15, 18, 25, 35, 37, 52, 71, 74, 86, 154, 158, 710, 722, E, and City-Bus.
Tirou: Connects with bus lines 1, 3, 4, 10, 13, 14, 18, 25, 35, 37, 41, 42, 52, 71, 74, and 86.
Piges: Connects with bus lines 41, 42, 60, 61, 63, 67, 85, 365A, and Midi-Docherie.
Dampremy: Connects with bus lines 41, 42, and Midi-Docherie.
Providence: Connects with bus lines 43, 50, 51, 52, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, and 83.
De Cartier: Connects with bus lines 43, 71, 72, 75, 77, 83, 109a, 172, and ABBA.
Moulin: Connects with bus lines 51, 53, 71, 72, 75, and M1ab.
Morgnies: Connects with bus lines 51, 53, and M1ab.
Fontaine: Connects with bus lines 63, 173, M1ab, and MFON.
Pétria: Connects with bus lines 63 and 173.

Schedule

The Charleroi Metro has different timetables and frequencies for each of its lines.

The M1 and M2 lines start at 4:00 a.m., with the first trains departing from the terminal stations. These trains run until 20:00. From this time a bus service replaces the train service and runs between 20:00 and 22:00. During peak periods from Monday to Friday, trains run every 30 minutes. During the summer, weekends, public holidays and off-peak weekdays, passengers have to wait 60 minutes for the next train. These waiting times also apply to the bus services that replace the trains at night.

The M3 starts at 5:00am and runs every 10 minutes all day from Monday to Friday. Trains stop at 20:00 and, unlike the M1 and M2 lines, there is no bus service to replace the train service at night. Trains run every 15 minutes on Saturdays and every day in the summer, and every 20 minutes on Sundays.

The M4 line runs from 5am to 8pm and there is no bus service to replace the trains. Trains run every 10 minutes from Monday to Saturday. On Sundays and public holidays they run every 15 minutes.

Fares

Charleroi Metro fares vary according to the number of zones travelled. A detailed map of the city’s zones can be found on the metro’s official website. Tickets and season tickets are based on a number of standard zones that are typically travelled by the average user. The options available to passengers range from standard metro tickets, to reloadable cards, to mobile apps that help passengers travel faster.

Le Titre Unitaire

These single tickets are ideal for occasional users of the metro and bus services. They are available in many forms to meet the different needs of users.

1 Parcous: These tickets are valid for 60 minutes, during which time passengers can board metro and bus lines as long as they don’t travel more than two zones, which is the maximum number of zones allowed. If you need to travel to more than two zones, you will need to buy the Horizon+ version of this ticket, which gives you 90 minutes and the option to travel to an unlimited number of zones.
Next (1 or 2 zones): It costs €2.00 as a rechargeable card and €2.50 as a physical ticket.
Horizon+ (unlimited zones): It costs €5.00 as a reloadable card and €5.50 as a physical ticket.
1 Jour: This option allows you to travel on the metro and city buses for a whole day, within one or two zones for the Next version of the ticket, or in any number of zones for the Horizon+ version of the ticket.
Next (1 or 2 zones): It costs €4.00 as a rechargeable card and €5.00 as a physical ticket.
Horizon+ (unlimited zones): It costs 8.00 euros as a rechargeable card and 10.00 euros as a physical ticket.
3 Jours: This pass allows you to travel on the metro and city buses for three days. The Next version of the pass limits travel to two zones, while the Horizon+ version allows you to travel in any number of zones.
Next (1 or 2 zones): It costs €8.00 as a rechargeable card.
Horizon+ (unlimited zones): It costs 16.00 euros as a reloadable card.

Le Titre Multiparcous

Convenient and affordable, Multi-journey cards are ideal for frequent users of the Charleroi Metro. These options offer good discounts to users and allow large families to share a single ticket to travel on public transport.

Multi 8: This ticket allows you to travel for 60 minutes on the metro and buses in the city, accompanied by 7 members of your family. However, it is limited to one or two zones, as it is only available in the Next version.
Next (1 or 2 zones): It costs €8.80 as a rechargeable card and €9.10 as a physical ticket.
Multi 4: This ticket allows you to travel for 90 minutes on the metro and buses in the city of Charleroi. You can travel with three relatives and it is only available in the Horizon+ version.
Horizon+ (unlimited zones): It costs 13.20 euros as a rechargeable card.

Abonnement

Subscriptions are ideal for people who use public transport in Charleroi every day. The passes are divided according to the age of the user and the duration of the pass.

Ages 6 – 11

Horizon+ (unlimited zones): Free.

Ages 12 – 24

Next (1 or 2 zones): It costs 16.00 euros as a monthly pass, and 131.00 euros as an annual pass.
Horizon+ (unlimited zones): It costs 36.00 euros as a monthly pass, and 280.00 euros as an annual pass.

Ages 25 – 64

Next (1 or 2 zones): It costs 37.00 euros as a monthly pass, and 320.00 euros as an annual pass.
Horizon+ (unlimited zones): It costs 70.00 euros as a monthly pass, and 580.00 euros as an annual pass.

Over 65

Horizon+ (unlimited zones): It costs 36.00 euros as an annual pass.

Rules

Travelling in the Charleroi Metro requires the observance of certain rules to ensure a smooth and safe journey for all passengers:

Always be courteous: Give up your seat to pregnant women, the disabled, the elderly and adults with babies.
Avoid blocking aisles: Be aware of other passengers entering the vehicle and ensure that your luggage does not obstruct the aisles.
Don’t block doors: Do not stand in front of doors and prevent them from closing.
Keep it clean: Avoid eating or littering on the train.
No smoking: Smoking is strictly forbidden on trains.
Control your pets: If you are travelling with a pet, make sure it is properly muzzled or caged.
Maintain decorum: Do not disturb other passengers. Harassment will not be tolerated and is actively monitored by the Metro authorities.
Safety first: Do not attempt to open the doors of the vehicle while it is in motion.
Let others off first: Allow other passengers to disembark before you board.
Limit your luggage: Excessive baggage may result in denial of access to the vehicles.
Prams: If you are bringing a pushchair, make sure it can be folded. Otherwise, you must use the areas reserved for wheelchair users, if empty and available.
No alcohol: Drunkenness and the consumption of alcohol are prohibited on Metro trains and buses.
Follow the rules: All the rules in force in Charleroi Metro must be respected from the moment you enter the premises. Ignorance of the rules does not exempt you from the penalties for non-compliance.

Connection to the Airport

While the Charleroi Metro does not have a direct link to Charleroi Airport, there is an express bus service from the Gare de Charleroi-Sud station to the airport terminal. The buses on this line, known as Line A or Airport Express, are 18 metres long and run every 30 minutes. The service starts at 5:00 and ends at 22:00. On weekends, the buses leave at 5:30 a.m. and the service ends at 10:30 p.m. The fare is €6 and the journey takes approximately 15 minutes. Please note that walking from the city to the airport is not recommended due to the lack of pedestrian infrastructure.

Future Expansions

The Châtelet branch project, also known as the M5 line, has been under discussion in the Walloon Parliament for several years. This line, most of which has already been built, would require at least 15 million euros to get underway, according to a study carried out in the third quarter of 2012. With the additional costs of purchasing new rolling stock and building stations, the total cost is estimated at around 50 million euros. The Walloon Parliament is considering three options: completing the work and extending the network to the Châtelet region, extending the line only as far as the Grand Hôpital de Charleroi in Gilly (halving the planned line and therefore the budget), or abandoning the project altogether.

Touristic Attractions

Not far from Grosselies Rue du Chemin de Fer station, you’ll find the European Flight Simulator, a great place for those who want to experience what it’s like to fly an aeroplane. With a 30-minute introductory course, you’ll learn the basics of flying and have a unique story to tell about your trip to Charleroi.

Near Charleroi-Ouest station, you’ll find the Comédie Centrale de Charleroi, a venue that hosts both famous and up-and-coming French-speaking comedians. Here you can enjoy stand-up comedy while enjoying delicious food and cocktails. With regular new shows, you’re unlikely to see the same act twice in a season.