Get ready to be enchanted by Bruges. Leaving the big-city bustle of Brussels behind, you’re about to be immersed in a fairy tale of haunting churches and silhouette spires, of cobbled lanes and drifting canals. It’s considered to be one of the best-preserved medieval centres in all of Europe, with a good dollop of Belgian frite stalls and rollicking Irish pubs (remember the film In Bruges?) on the side.
Thankfully, you’ve got some convenient modes of transport at your fingertips to help you cross the 55 miles that separates the two towns. This guide has everything you need to know about getting them booked…
| Transport | Time | Price | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brussels to Bruges by train | 1 h | $15.5 | Book Online |
| Brussels to Bruges by bus | 1.5 h | $7.5 | Book Online |
| Brussels to Bruges by taxi | 1.5 h | $160 | Book Online |
| Brussels to Bruges by organised tour | 8 h | $50 | Book Online |
| Brussels to Bruges by car | 1.5 h | $50 | Book Online |
Brussels to Bruges by train
Time – <1 hour
Price – $15.50
Comfort – 4/5
The train is far and away the most popular mode of transport for getting from Brussels to Bruges. Run by SNCB on relatively fast and reliable InterCity lines, they can whisk you from the platforms of Brussels Midi to Station Brugge in just under one hour. You’re looking for the regular half-hourly or hourly service to Oostende, which stops in Ghent along the way. (Don’t be tempted to take the less-regular departure that goes through the city of Roesalere – it’s more than twice as slow!).
Because this is such a popular commuter and backpacker route to take through Belgium, you’re sure to find plenty of departures every day. They’ll start early – like, seriously early (before 1am, even!). They’ll finish late – you’ll be able to do the trip after 11pm at night if you want. During peak hours in the morning and afternoon, the carriages could get busy, but there should also be extra services laid on to cope with the rush.
Lots of travelers opt to ride the railway north-west through Belgium to get to Bruges, taking just under an hour on the trip.
Surprisingly, booking in advance offers no advantage in terms of price. You’ll always pay the local standard fare of 14.40 EUR ($15.50) for the ride, no matter if you’ve had your ticket stowed away for months or if you bought it at the station. That said, using 12Go.co to buy online before you even get to Brussels can help you dodge potentially long queues at the kiosks. Also be aware that travelers planning to head Bruges way fresh off the Eurostar can score Any Belgian Station tickets, which include the cost of their onward journey from Brussels.
Expect some pleasant, if undramatic, scenery. The route forks north-west through the Low Countries towards the ports of the North Sea. As it goes, there are tracts of farm fields peppered with forests and copses, along with quaint Belgian villages and windmills. Also keep an eye out for the pretty redbrick turrets that loom overhead when you pull into Ghent station.
Brussels to Bruges by bus
Time – 1.3-2 hours
Price – $7.50+
Comfort – 3/5
Price is pretty much the only reason you’d consider swapping the train for the bus on the way to Bruges. Coaches take longer, are generally less comfortable, and can be subject to hefty delays on the way out of the capital, particularly during bustling rush hours in the morning and afternoon. That said, with advance tickets costing as little as 7 EUR ($7.50), it might be something worth having on the radar.
There’s one feature of the buses between Brussels and Bruges that make them a top mode of transport: The price.
Operators like Flixbus usually take centre stage. They have a huge Europe-wide network with quite modern coaches, boasting air conditioning and reclining seats that can help you get to the UNESCO city in comfort. The drive follows the E40 motorway north-west past Ghent (don’t be surprised if there’s a quick stop there to pick up extra passengers) before reaching Bruges itself. It’s not overly beautiful, but you will get glimpses of the rolling flatlands of the Low Countries.
Always remember that the cost of tickets – the main bonus with coach travel between Brussels and Bruges – changes over time. The closer you get to your day of travel, the less likely you are to score a real bargain. That’s why bagging a seat on one of the buses prior to your holiday using 12Go.co is a pretty darn good idea.
Brussels to Bruges by taxi
Time – 1.5 hours
Price – Around $160
Comfort – 5/5
If you’re willing to drop a few extra euros on the ride from Brussels to Bruges, a private taxi could be on the menu. They usually charge around the $150-170 mark for the whole trip, which will be in an air-conditioned car with lots of legroom. The journey takes between one and two hours in total, but the length does depend on traffic. The real bonus is that you can organise to be collected from anywhere you like, and get dropped off anywhere you like, making it a prime choice for folk with lots of luggage or groups of travelers who can share the cost between them.
Brussels to Bruges by organised tour
Time – All day
Price – From $50
Comfort – 5/5
Given how close Brussels and Bruges actually are (88km as the crow flies), it’s hardly a surprise that there are lots of daytrips and tours on the menu. They cater to hertiage-hungry travelers who want to whiz in and whiz out of the UNESCO World Heritage Site of a town, checking off the great belfry and the handsome Flemish architecture in one fell swoop. Basically, this is the option to go for if you’re keen to squeeze as much culture and sightseeing from the jaunt as you can.
The good news is that tours to Bruges usually come with a pickup anywhere you want in Brussels. That could be your hotel close to the great landmarks of the Grand Place. It could be the airport. It could be Brussels Midi train station. The choice is yours. From there, you’ll head out of the capital and start to explore. Different tours mean different activities, but common points of interest include the handsome Gothic old city of Ghent and walking routes around the Bruges Markt.
Brussels to Bruges by car
Time – 1.5 hours
Price – From $50
Comfort – 5/5
Folk who are eager to get straight from Brussels Airport to Bruges, or anyone keen to explore a little bit more of Belgium at their own pace, can look to car rentals. They’ll let you do the drive in about 1.5 hours; the same as in a taxi. However, they’ll also give the freedom to stop wherever you want and make detours, so why limit yourself to just the A to B? The route will follow the E-40 motorway on a well-kept, modern road, offering chances for pitstops in vibrant Ghent town or more off-beat destinations like sleepy Aalst and Beernem.
You’re probably looking at forking out around $100 for a full-day’s rental, with surcharges added on for the cost of dropping the wheels off in Bruges, not back in Brussels. However, always be sure to check out RentalCars.com for the most competitive deals, which often include good discounts for multi-day hires.
Brussels to Bruges is a quick 50-mile journey across the heart of north-western Belgium. But, more than that, it’s a ticket to one of Europe’s most immersive medieval cities, where you’ll drink frothy Trappist beers in centuries-old cellars and boat through canals past Flemish merchant houses.
Brussels to Bruges FAQ
What is the cheapest way to get from Brussels to Bruges?
The coach is the cost-conscious choice. However, that’s pretty much all it’s got going for it. The journey time can be up to two hours and the comfort level just isn’t the same as the train. Still, book in advance using 12Go.co and you’re looking at the best-value way to hit the medieval city of Bruges from Belgium’s capital.
What is the fastest way to get from Brussels to Bruges?
The train is actually quicker than any form of road transport. It can get you stepping onto the station in Bruges in under one hour. Just look for the services going to Oostende, which you can pre-book online using 12Go.co.
How much is the train from Brussels to Bruges?
The train from Brussels to Bruges has a fixed price of 14.40 EUR ($15.50). That’s good news for travelers who aren’t great at pre-planning their adventures – the ticket will cost the same on the day as it will three months prior. However, we’d recommend buying online using 12Go.co to keep things simple and easy.
How long is the train Brussels to Bruges?
Trains leave all the time for Bruges from Brussels Midi. Most of them take around the hour mark, but the fastest can do the trip in a whisker under 60 minutes. None will take longer than 1h10, except for the elongated service that runs via Roesalere – an option that’s best avoided.
How easy is it to get from Brussels to Bruges?
Super, super easy. Honestly, the journey will drift by in the time it takes you to wolf down a Belgian waffle (okay, maybe not that fast). That’s thanks to quick train links taking just an hour. And if you can’t catch the locomotives? No worries. There are also buses (the cheapest option), private taxis (good for bigger groups), and even organised tours that can help you get from A to B.
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FAQs
How much is a taxi from Brussels to Bruges? ›
How do you get to Bruges? From Brussels (BRU) airport, you can get to Bruges by taxi or by train. Taking a taxi will take 73 minutes and cost around 147€ depending on your exact final destination in Bruges. Taking the train costs 20.90€ one-way and takes 87 minutes to reach Bruges.
How much time do you need in Bruges? ›1 day in Bruges is completely enough to explore its historic centre. If you follow this itinerary you can cover the main attractions only in a day. Nevertheless, it's worth staying at least one night to see the city at night time. The historic buildings are beautifully illuminated in the evenings.
Which train station from Brussels to Bruges? ›All trains leave from Brussels-Midi station which is about 25 minutes on foot to the south of the city center. Travelers can take the Metro (lines 2 and 6) to the station or tram (lines 3, 4 and 51) to the stop nearby in Rue Couverte. Trains arrive at Station Brugge on Stationsplein in the heart of the city.
How can i go from Brussels to Bruges? ›Brussels to Bruges by train
The earliest train is at 12:29 AM, and the last train is at 11:32 PM, with trains departing 4 times per hour. The train from Brussels to Bruges is operated by SNBC, with train tickets from Brussels to Bruges costing €17 on average for the 1 hour trip.
You don't need to purchase your tickets in advance as seat reservations are not available. Your ticket is valid for a single journey (or a return journey, if marked as such), at any time of the day specified on your rail ticket and either in 2nd or 1st class,as you have chosen.
Do you tip cab drivers in Belgium? ›Tipping is not common in Belgium. Restaurant, taxi and hairdresser bills include the service charge. Service staff in Belgium are well-paid, in comparsion with those in the USA, and do not rely on tips to make up their income.
Is there Uber in Bruges? ›Note that Uber does not operate in Bruges, however there are plenty of taxis that you can flag.
Do taxis in Belgium take credit cards? ›Since 1 January 2016, it has been compulsory for all Brussels taxis to carry a credit card reader.
What is the best month to visit Bruges? ›Although Bruges is beautiful all year round, late spring and summer (between May and August) is an ideal time to visit. I'm particularly a fan of visiting in the shoulder season – around May or September – when the weather is warming up but you won't spend too much time stuck in lines or crowds.
Do you tip in Bruges? ›Tipping is not customary in Bruges or anywhere in Belgium. The bill that you receive will include VAT (tax) as well as a service charge, and it's fine not to pay anything else. That said, a small tip – around 5% or a couple of euros – is appreciated, especially if you feel the service was exceptional.
How do you pay for trains in Belgium? ›
Train tickets and costs in Belgium
You can buy your train tickets either by buying a seasonal ticket for your MoBIB card (personal or basic), or else buy a stand-alone ticket from the station. Season tickets for your MoBIB card vary, depending on the type of ticket you wish to buy and the distance traveled.
Belgian train tickets
You can usually buy a ticket on the day of travel (online, at a ticket machine or from a ticket office) as the prices stay the same regardless if they are purchased in advance or not.
IC(NMBS/SNCB)
IC (Brugge - Bruges→Brussels Airport - Zaventem) is operational during weekdays. Additional information: IC has 7 stations and the total trip duration for this route is approximately 86 minutes.
You must have: a negative PCR test result taken max. 72 hours before your arrival OR a negative RAT test result taken max.
Is there a hop on hop off bus in Bruges Belgium? ›The eye-catching minibuses of City Tour Brugge can easily be found on the Market Square, near the Provincial Court. After buying a ticket on the bus, you will set off on a 50-minute tour that not only will show you the highlights of the city, but also some hidden gems. The buses are equipped with the necessary comfort.
How often do trains run from Brussels to Bruges? ›Brussels to Bruges... InterCity (IC) trains run from Brussels Midi to Bruges roughly every 30 minutes.
Is it cheaper to buy a train ticket online or at the station? ›Booking online is often easier and quicker to do in a hurry, and there's rarely any difference in the price at all.
Are train tickets cheaper if you book in advance? ›Advance tickets are usually the cheapest way to travel by train, and generally go on sale 12 weeks before your date of travel. You have to travel on the train you're booked on, but you get a much cheaper price by foregoing flexible travel times. Full details on Advance tickets can be found here.
Are train tickets cheaper if you buy them on the day? ›Is an Advance On The Day ticket cheapest on the day? An Advance On The Day ticket (when available) is cheaper than both the Off-Peak and Anytime tickets brought on the same day.
What is the restaurant etiquette in Belgium? ›Dining and Entertainment
Keep your hands on the table at all times during a meal -- not in your lap. However, keep your elbows off the table. Accept any drink offered by your host. Don't ask for a drink not offered.
How to be polite in Belgium? ›
- Belgium Cultural Etiquette.
- Meeting and Greeting.
- ▪ Shake hands with everyone present -- men, women, and children -- at business and social.
- meetings. Shake hands again when leaving.
- ▪ Repeat your name when being introduced.
- Language.
- ▪ ...
- by using the incorrect language than in Belgium.
Driving in Belgium packing checklist
Headlamp beam deflectors for driving on the right, so your lights don't dazzle motorists coming the other way. First-aid kit and fire extinguisher (vehicles registered in Belgium must carry both, but this is not compulsory for vehicles registered abroad)
Belgium taxis are extremely expensive (e.g. nearby Leuven, only 23km, will set you back a whopping 65 euro), so it's better to use other means of transport. If you plan to stay in Brussels only, it is not worth renting a car. Most tourist places are accessible by foot.
Do taxis in Bruges take credit cards? ›Travel without worries. TAXI BRUGGE accept cash payments as well as all credit and debit cards.
How do you get around in Bruges? ›The best way to get around Bruges is on foot. The city is small – in fact, you can walk from one end to the other in about 30 minutes. Biking is the second-best way to get around. There's also a bus system, but it's most useful in getting from the train station to the city center rather than for exploring the city.
Can you use US dollars in Belgium? ›As in most European countries, the currency of Belgium is the Euro (symbolised as EUR or €). Other currencies are normally not accepted, so be sure to change dollars, etc.
Do I need cash in Bruges? ›Don't Come To Bruges Without Cash
I'm so accustomed to being able to pay for everything with a debit or credit card… this is not the case in Bruges. Almost all restaurants and attractions were cash only. So, if you want to avoid taking out money from the ATM bring more cash with you than you normally do.
While it's true that the majority of payments in Belgium are made with cards, it's always a good idea to have some euro cash.
What is a typical breakfast in Belgium? ›The breakfast in Belgium consists of breads, toasted or untoasted, with several marmalades, jams, and chocolate & nut spread or just with a bar of chocolate. Other common toppings include sliced meats and cheeses. Pastries and croissants may be served on Sundays, but are mostly not eaten on weekdays.
What are 3 popular Belgian foods? ›Belgium is famous for waffles, fries, chocolates, and beer. You can have waffles at any time of the day; breakfast, lnch dinner. Enjoy the crispy fries to go along with Belgian beer.
What is the national drink of Belgium? ›
Jenever, also known as genièvre, genever, peket or Dutch gin, is the national spirit of Belgium from which gin evolved. While beer may be Belgium's most famous alcoholic beverage, jenever has been the country's traditional and national spirit for over 500 years.
Can you do a day trip from Brussels to Bruges? ›The historic city of Bruges is a popular day trip destination from Brussels. With its winding, cobbled streets and many medieval landmarks, Bruges has long been one of Belgium's most popular tourist destinations. It is a small city, so a day excursion gives you plenty of time to explore the main sights.
Is Brussels or bruge better? ›Brussels is vibrant and packed full of things to do, whatever appeals to you. Bruges is completely different. It's smaller and has a fairy tale feel with medieval architecture, meandering waterways and picturesque moments seemingly around every corner.
Is Bruges Belgium worth visiting? ›Bruges is absolutely worth adding to your Belgium itinerary for many reasons. From its sheer beauty to its history to its opportunities for people watching, beer indulging, and museum seeing, Bruges is great place to stop.
How much does it cost to go to Bruges in Belgium? ›Past travelers have spent, on average, €41 ($45) on meals for one day and €13 ($14) on local transportation. Also, the average hotel price in Bruges for a couple is €94 ($103). So, a trip to Bruges for two people for one week costs on average €1,383 ($1,504).