BRUGES
WHY BRUGES
Bruges is a place that lives and breathes history. Visiting this historic city means travelling back in time to the Middle Ages. It is both magical and authentic. Brugge in medieval times was known as a commercial metropolis in the heart of Europe.
Bruges is one of Europe’s best-preserved cities, evidenced by the fact that its historic city center has been designated an UNESCO world heritage site. The iconic spires of its cathedral and bell tower, its cobbled streets, winding canals and whitewashed façades are almost painfully picturesque.
In the 15th century, Brugge was the cradle of the Flemish Primitives and a center of patronage and painting development for artists such as Jan van Eyck and Hans Memling. Many of their works were exported and influenced painting styles all over Europe. Exceptionally important collections have remained in the city until today. Travelers from all over the world are coming to Belgium to visit Bruges.
Travelling to Bruges BY PLANE
Bruges is centrally located in north-western Europe, at the heart of the London, Paris, Amsterdam triangle. Rapid connections to these and other major European cities mean that travelling to Bruges couldn't be easier.
Via Brussels Airport
The national airport receives flights from over 200 destinations in 66 countries every day.
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It's easy to travel from Brussels Airport to Bruges by train. 'Brussels-Airport' train station can be found below the departure and arrival hall of the airport. Every day there is a direct hourly service to Bruges. In addition, many other trains from Brussels Airport regularly stop at Brussels-North, Brussels-Central or Brussels-South (Bruxelles-Midi/Brussel-Zuid) railway stations. From these three stations there are daily three trains an hour stopping at Bruges on their way to Ostend, Knokke or Blankenberge. For more info, a journey planner or fares, check the website of the Belgian Railways (NMBS).
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Taxi rides to and from Brussels national airport by Bruges taxi firms, with prior reservation, cost € 200.00 (flat rate). Price adjustments are possible throughout the year. Check the contact details of taxi firms in Bruges.
Via Brussels South Charleroi Airport
This popular regional airport welcomes many low-cost flights every day from various cities and regions in Europe.
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The coach company Flibco.com is offering a direct shuttle bus to and from the station of Bruges with a frequency of 12 trips a day (there and back). Using this service, you will travel more comfortably, it's cheaper and often also faster than other transport alternatives (train, combination of train and bus). The journey times are aligned as much as possible with arriving and departing flights. The bus stop is at the front of the exit to Terminal 1. The shuttle bus stops in Bruges at the rear of the train station. Booking is cheaper online. You will pay a surcharge on the coach or in the airport. For tickets: www.flibco.com & also available at Information Office Station.
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Taxi rides to and from Brussels South Charleroi Airport by Bruges taxi firms, with prior reservation, cost EUR 250 (flat rate). Price adjustments are possible throughout the year. Check the contact details of taxi firms in Bruges.
Via Ostend-Bruges Airport
Ostend-Bruges Airport is in full development and is systematically expanding its range of services.
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by public transport: it takes 15 minutes to Ostend railway station by bus. From there, there are at least three trains per hour to Bruges with final stops in Eupen, Welkenraedt, Brussels Airport, Antwerpen-Centraal or Kortrijk between 6.00 a.m. and 10.00 p.m. Travel time to Bruges is approx. 15 minutes. More info, journey planners or fares can be found on the website of the Belgian Railways (NMBS) and De Lijn.
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by taxi: taxi rides to and from Bruges are provided by Bruges and Ostend taxi companies, subject to prior reservation, at the flat rate of € 70.00. Price adjustments are possible throughout the year. Contact one of the taxi firms in Bruges or Ostend.
Travelling to Bruges BY TRAIN
Bruges is well connected to other Belgian cities and international (capital) cities. You can also easily travel by train to and from the airports.
In the north-east of the city centre is ‘Brugge Sint-Pieters’ station, but if you're looking to visit the city, take a train that stops in ‘Brugge’ station. This station is within walking distance of the historic city centre. Of course, you can also take a De Lijn bus for the rest of your journey, or take a (bike) taxi.
International train traffic
Brussels-South station (‘ Brussel-Zuid' in Dutch and 'Bruxelles-Midi’ in French) is the Belgian hub for international train traffic. Several high-speed trains arrive here every day, from Paris (Eurostar and TGV), Lille (Eurostar and TGV), London (Eurostar), Amsterdam (NS InterCity and Eurostar) and Cologne (Eurostar and ICE). Frequent sleeper trains also run from Vienna (with ÖBB Nightjet) and Berlin (with European Sleeper) to Brussels-South.
In Brussels-South you can easily change to a train that stops in ‘Brugge’ station. From Brussels-South, 3 trains per hour depart for Bruges every day. They terminate in Ostend, Knokke or Blankenberge respectively. The train journey from Brussels-South to Bruges takes about 1 hour.
National train traffic
From the major hubs of Antwerp, Ghent, Hasselt, Leuven and Brussels, 1 to 4 direct trains per hour travel to ‘Brugge’ station every day.
Plan your trip the easy way on the website of the Belgian Railways. If you are staying in Bruges, be sure to check out the advantages of the Happy Trip deals. That way, you can travel cheaply by train on your holiday.
visit BRUGES TOURIST WEBSITE for more information
while in Bruges
By bike
You want to see a lot of sights without losing the city feel? By bike, you can quickly get from A to B, even off the beaten path. You can cycle at your own pace past the highlights, through quiet city neighbourhoods or across the green city ramparts. Prefer not to go on a bike tour by yourself? Then join a guided cycling tour.
You don't have your own bike? You can rent one for a few hours, half a day, a full day or even several days.
We've listed all bike rental locations. Among other places, you can rent a bike at and near 't Zand Square and Market Square in the city centre.
By public transport
Every 5 minutes, a public bus runs up and down between the train station and the centre of Bruges. This is a relaxed way to travel to and from the city centre. Buses running to the city centre stop within walking distance of the main shopping streets, historic buildings and museums.
The stops at the station and ’t Zand Square are both important hubs for public transport in the city. All buses pass by these stops.
By TAXI
There are a wide range of taxi firms operating in Bruges. Order your taxi in advance, and get picked up where you want. Or hail a taxi at one of the official taxi stands:
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in front of the train station, on Stationsplein
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at the rear of the train station (Sint-Michiels side), at the roundabout on the Spoorwegstraat
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at the coach stop on the Bargeplein (Kanaaleiland)
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in the Boeveriestraat (adjacent to ’t Zand Square)
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on Market Square (near the Provincial Court)
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in the Vlamingstraat (across from the City Theatre)
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in the Kuipersstraat (next to the Biekorf library)
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in Zeebrugge at the ABC building (cruise terminal)
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in Zeebrugge, at the train station Zeebrugge-Dorp (along the Venetiëstraat)
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in Zeebrugge, at the train station Zeebrugge-Strand (along the Baron de Maerelaan)
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visit BRUGES TOURIST WEBSITE for more information