Transportation to Romantic Bruges in Flanders
Cheap Flights, Buses, and Trains to Historic Brugge in Belgium
Feb 26, 2009
Trains generally provide the easiest public transportation to Bruges (Brugge) in Flanders (Vlaanderen), northern Belgium. The closest airports to Bruges are near Brussels but regular trains allow for traveling times as short as 90 minutes from Brussels National Airport (BRU) and just over two hours from South Brussels Charleroi Airport (CRL). Occasionally, long distance buses go to Brussels while taxis and private shuttle services are available but generally not cheap. Although few travelers would regret sleeping over in romantic Bruges, the easy transportation does make Bruges an ideal day trip by train from Brussels or Antwerp.
- The French name Bruges is usually used in English. However, locals use the Flemish (Dutch) name Brugge. Although English-speakers generally have trouble pronouncing Brugge, the Dutch name is worth noting as Brugge is more commonly used on signposts and railway schedules. Similarly, many other Belgian town names are spelled differently in Dutch, French, and English.
Travel by Car to Bruges (Brugge) in Flanders
Bruges is easily reached by car from the rest of Belgium as well as neighboring countries. Belgian highways are fast, well maintained and famously lit up at night. Bruges is around an hour’s drive (just over 100 km / 60 miles) from Brussels or Antwerp. The North Sea ferry ports Ostende and Zeebrugge are only a few minutes by car from Bruges.
A private car may be the easiest way to reach Bruges but driving and parking in the old town are difficult – it is best to head straight to one of the large, well-signposted parking lots at the outskirts of the old town. The parking lot at Bruges station is relatively cheap and includes a free bus ride to the center.
Travel by Train to Bruges (Brugge) in Belgium
Trains are the easiest way to reach Bruges when using public transportation. Belgian trains are generally reliable and fairly cheap. For some journeys, return tickets are significantly cheaper than two one-way fares.
Direct trains are available to Bruges from the following major Belgian towns:
- Brussels / Bruxelles
Inter-City (IC) trains to Bruges depart mostly twice per hour for the one hour journey from all three main stations in the Belgian capital: Brussels South / Zuid (Bruxelles Midi), Brussels Central / Centraal (Bruxelles Central), and Brussels North / Noord (Bruxelles Nord).
International travelers mostly have to change trains in Brussels to reach Bruges. Passengers from France and England should change at Brussels South while travelers from Amsterdam and Germany (Cologne and Frankfurt) may have to change at Brussels North when on trains not continuing all the way to Brussels South.
- Oostende / Ostende
Oostende is a Belgian seaside town and arrival port for some ferries from the United Kingdom. By train, Oostende is less than 15 minutes from Bruges on the same Inter-City trains arriving generally twice per hour from Brussels.
- Antwerp / Antwerpen / Anvers
At least hourly direct trains connect Bruges and Antwerpen (Anvers) in 1h20. Further trains require a connection at Gand-Saint-Pierre and take a few minutes longer.
- Gent / Ghent / Gand
Regular trains are available to Gent / Ghent (Gand). The IC trains take just more than 20 minutes while the slower P and L trains can take up to 40 minutes.
Cheap Flights to Bruges / Brugge in Belgium
There are no airports at Bruges itself but cheap flights are available to airports near Brussels. Most flights to Belgium go to Brussels National Airport (BRU) while some low-cost airlines such as Ryanair and Wizz Air fly to the less convenient Brussels South Charleroi Airport (CRL).
- Transportation from Brussels Airport (BRU) to Bruges
Bruges is easily reached by train from Brussels Airport (BRU). Regular trains from the airport to Brussels North station take 15 minutes. Change here to the direct trains to Bruges. The total journey from Bruges to Brussels Airport (BRU) should take around 90 minutes.
- Transportation from Brussels South Charleroi Airport (CRL) to Bruges
Ground transportation from Brussels South Charleroi Airport (CRL) to Bruges is slightly more complicated. First, travelers have to get to Brussels South station to catch the direct Inter-City train from Brussels to Bruges. From the airport, the cheapest way is by bus to Charleroi train station and continue from there by train to Brussels South. Alternatively, travelers can use the slightly faster but more expensive bus from the airport directly to Brussels South station. Total traveling time from the airport to Bruges is around 2h30.
A direct Voyages L’Elan bus is currently available only once per day between Bruges and Charleroi Airport. The bus leaves Bruges at 3:15 am to reach the airport just after 5 am and return from the airport at 11:30 pm to reach Bruges at 1 am. At these odd hours, which are rather popular for low-cost airline flights, trains services are not available to and from Bruges. (During the high season more buses are usually available.)
- When traveling at odd hours, with ample luggage, with limited mobility, or in small groups, it is often worth splurging on a private transfer service. Shuttle services to Bruges are limited but it is still worth comparing prices as fares may vary widely.
Bruges is a very popular holiday destination and well worth visiting for its lovely medieval architecture and brick Gothic buildings. The historic town center of Bruges, the belfry, and beguine are among the Belgian sites inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list. Many sites can be seen for cheap with the Brugge City Card.
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