How to get from Brussels to Bruges: train, car or with an excursion
- Mia Caudet
- Oct 4, 2023
- 4 min read
Belgium is a small country with many interesting places to visit. Therefore, if you are thinking of taking a trip to Brussels, I recommend that you add an extra day to get to know one of its neighboring cities. A great option is to visit Bruges, the most romantic and beautiful city in Belgium. The distance between both cities is only one hour.
You have several options from doing it on your own with a rental car, reserving a ticket for the train or bus or even hiring an excursion.
I recommend that you then read the post what to see in Bruges, the most romantic city in Belgium, to organize your visits and the time you will need to visit the city.
In this post I talk about how to go from Brussels to Bruges, all the options and which of them is the most comfortable.
HOW TO GO FROM BRUSSELS TO BRUGES
With an excursion, the most comfortable way to go from Brussels to Bruges
Bruges is a small city that is visited relatively quickly. Its historic center is its greatest attraction and if you have time, staying here for one or two nights is ideal. However, if you don't have so much time, the best option to get to know the city is by hiring a day trip to Bruges from Brussels.
These types of excursions include bus transportation and a guide. A great advantage to learn more about the history of the city and its monuments. You will also have free time to explore the city at your leisure.
Excursions to visit Bruges from Brussels:
By train, a recommended alternative to go from Brussels to Bruges
If you decide to go to Bruges on your own, a good alternative is to do it by train. It is much faster than the bus options, it will only take you 1 hour and 10 minutes to get there.
The price of the ticket is usually around 15 euros per journey and person. (30 euros round trip). Taking into account that the organized excursion costs about 43 euros per person (including guide) if you are going to go and return on the same day, I recommend the excursion.
You must take the train in the direction of Ostend or Blankenberge at any of the stations in Brussels: Nord, Central or Midi. Trains run every 15 minutes approx.
Once you arrive at the Bruges train station, you should take into account that it is a bit far from the center and you will have to walk about 20 minutes. You can take a taxi and the cost is approx. To the center is 10 euros.
By car, an alternative to go from Brussels to Bruges if you want to do a road trip through Belgium
If your intention is only to make a journey (Brussels to Bruges and back) I do not recommend the option of renting a car. The rental cost is not bad, you can find offers for 50 euros per day. And it is a profitable option if you are traveling with more than 2 people. However, the biggest problem is parking in the city center. Parking lots are expensive if you want to park nearby.
In Bruges there is a free parking, but it is about 20 minutes walk from the center. To these costs you must add the fuel.
If your intention is to go on a road trip through various cities and towns in Belgium, renting a car can be a good idea to be able to go on your own, without having to balance time with transport etc...
HOW TO GO FROM BRUSSELS ZAVENTEM AIRPORT TO BRUGES
Another possibility is that you want to go directly from Brussels airport to Bruges. Zaventem airport is the closest to Brussels. And from there you can go directly to Bruges without having to go to the center of Brussels.
By Train, the most comfortable option to go to Bruges from Brussels airport
The journey from Zaventem airport to Bruges lasts 1 hour and a half and the cost is around 22 euros per person each way.
You must go to the train station on the -1 floor. There you can buy tickets, which cost €21.60 each way per adult. The ticket is more expensive when leaving the airport because the so-called “Diabolo Fee” is applied. There is a direct train every hour to Bruges. In order not to wait, you can also take any train to Bruxelles-Midi and there change tracks to take a train to Oostende or Blankenberge.
By bus, another alternative to go from Brussels Zaventem airport to Bruges
This is the cheapest option. It costs about 7 euros per person each way. The journey time is 1 hour and a half, the same as the train option. There are Flixbus buses that are somewhat cheaper, but they only have a couple of daily departures and sometimes it is difficult to make them coincide with the arrival of the flight.
HOW TO GO FROM CHARLEROI AIRPORT TO BRUGES
Another Brussels airport is Charleroi, and if your flight arrives here you also have the option of going to Bruges from here.
Flibco minibus
This bus costs about 19 euros per person per trip. And the duration of the trip is 2 hours and 10 minutes.
The fastest transport to go from Charleroi airport to Bruges are the minibuses of the company Flibco. There are about 9 daily departures from 6:10 a.m. to 11:50 p.m.
Rent a car
You don't have any other bus alternatives to go from Charleroi airport to Bruges, so if you don't want to take the Flibco Minibus you have the alternative of renting a car.
PLAN YOUR TRIP STEP BY STEP
I hope you enjoy your trip to Belgium a lot and that this article has been useful to you. You can continue reading many more related articles on the blog.
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A hug and see you soon!
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