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Bussen van De Lijn aan het Station in Brugge

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. Whether you start your journey from a railway station or airport, or travel to Bruges by car, bus or ferry. There are various ways to get to Bruges. Once you've arrived, the relaxation and enjoyment doesn't stop, thanks to our tips for getting about within the city.

Important information

Car-free and restricted access streets

Attention! Certain streets in the historic city centre are car-free or have vehicle restrictions at specific times.

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Classic Brugge - De Panne

On Wednesday 20 March and Thursday 21 March 2024, the start of the Classic Brugge - De Panne will take place on Bruges' Market Square. The organisation of the event will cause traffic disruption in the city centre.

Read more >

How to get to Bruges?

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.

How do you get to Bruges by train?

departure station

via

total journey time

you travel via

Amsterdam Central

Brussels-South (Bruxelles-Midi/Brussel-Zuid)

± 2.53 hours

Eurostar and InterCity

Amsterdam Central

Antwerp Central and Ghent

± 3.35 hours

NS (Dutch Railways)

Rotterdam Central

Antwerp Central 

± 2.00 hours

Eurostar and InterCity

Rotterdam Central

Breda, Antwerp-Berchem and Ghent

± 2.45 hours

NS (Dutch Railways)

Maastricht

Liege

± 3.00 hours

NS (Dutch Railways)

Paris-North

Brussels-South (Bruxelles-Midi/Brussel-Zuid)

± 2.30 hours

Eurostar and TGV

Lille-Europe

Brussels-South (Bruxelles-Midi/Brussel-Zuid)

± 1.30 to 2.00 hours

Eurostar and TGV

Lille-Flandres

Kortrijk

± 1.30 hours

French and Belgian Railways

St Pancras

Brussels-South (Bruxelles-Midi/Brussel-Zuid)

± 3.15 hours

Eurostar 

Cologne Central

Brussels-South (Bruxelles-Midi/Brussel-Zuid)

± 3.00 hours

Eurostar and ICE

From major airports, international train stations and foreign cities, you can easily travel to Bruges, without changing coaches. You can travel with various coach companies. You can find the international coach services terminal at the rear of ‘Brugge’ train station, at the roundabout in Spoorwegstraat. You arrive or depart from this coach terminal.

Below is a list of the different coach companies. For tickets and additional info, check the website of the company you want to travel with. Tickets for Flibco.com are also available in the information office Station.

    Coach services to and from transport hubs

    • Flibco.com provides direct connections between Bruges and Brussels Charleroi Airport: 12 coach services per day. You will find the Flibco coach terminal at the front side of the exit to Terminal 1. The journey times on flibco.com are aligned as much as possible with arriving and departing flights.
    • With FLiXBUS you can easily travel to and from various European railway stations and airports. Stops include HST stations Brussels-South (Bruxelles-Midi/Brussels-South) and Lille-Europe. FLiXBUS also serves Frankfurt Airport (Terminal 2), Brussels Airport, Amsterdam Airport Schiphol, Charles de Gaulle Airport and Orly Airport.

    Coach services to and from foreign cities

    • FLiXBUS connects Bruges via coach journey to Dortmund, Brest, Prague and Paris, London and Amsterdam. The coaches also stop at Eindhoven, Maastricht, Rotterdam, The Hague, Groningen, Göttingen, Hamburg, Aachen, Essen, Bonn, Düsseldorf, Frankfurt, Würzburg, Nuremberg, Rennes, Ploërmel, Vannes, Lorient, Concerneau, Quimper and Chateaulin. You can therefore also travel to Bruges easily by coach from these cities.
    • Finally, BlaBlaCar Bus offers frequent connections between Paris and Bruges.

    International coach services terminal

    TB_BG_0360

    You can find the international coach services terminal at the rear of ‘Brugge’ train station, at the roundabout in Spoorwegstraat. You arrive or depart from this coach terminal.

    Whatever direction you come from, Bruges is ideal to get to by road. The city is close to various major motorways. If you travel to Bruges by car or motorbike, follow one of these routes:

    • Coming from the E40, take exit 8 'Brugge', which will take you onto the N31. You then take the exit 'Brugge' and you are immediately on the Bevrijdingslaan.
    • From Tournai, Kortrijk and Roeselare, there is a short journey via the E403. The exit 'Brugge' will take you to the Bevrijdingslaan.
    • the N49 expressway from Antwerp joins the A11 towards Bruges, at Knokke. You will end up on the N31, and via exit 'Brugge' you will continue to the Bevrijdingslaan.

    Motor traffic is not recommended in the city centre, and above-ground parking is discouraged. Several streets are low-traffic or car-free at specific times.

    Ideally park your car at one of the free peripheral car parks or Park&Rides around the city centre. Paid parking is without time limits and most cost-effective in one of the 2 central underground car parks: Centrum-'t Zand car park (a 10-minute walk to the Market Square) and Centrum-Station car park (a 20-minute walk to the Marktet Square). Both car parks are easily accessible via the Bevrijdingslaan. There is a frequent public transport service from the station to the city centre. The bus ride from the Centrum-Station car park to the city centre is included in your car park ticket. 

    There is 1 free motorbike parking zone in the city centre for motorcyclists. You can find out more info at ‘Parking in Bruges’.

    How do you get to Bruges by car or motorbike?

    departure point

    via

    total journey time

    km

    London

    Eurotunnel: Folkstone (UK) <> Calais (FR)

    ± 4.20 hours, incl. 35 min. through the Eurotunnel

    284, incl. 51 km through the Eurotunnel

    Calais

    Dunkerque and Veurne

    ± 1.30 hours

    115

    Dunkerque

    Veurne

    ± 1.00 hour

    73

    Whatever direction you come from, Bruges is ideal to get to by road. The city is close to various major motorways. If you travel to Bruges by camper, follow one of these routes:

    • Coming from the E40, take exit 8 'Brugge', which will take you onto the N31. You then take the exit 'Brugge' and you are immediately on the Bevrijdingslaan.
    • From Tournai, Kortrijk and Roeselare, there is a short journey via the E403. The exit 'Brugge' will take you to the Bevrijdingslaan.
    • the N49 expressway from Antwerp joins the A11 towards Bruges, at Knokke. You will end up on the N31, and via exit 'Brugge' you will continue to the Bevrijdingslaan.

    For motorhomes, there are 2 authorised motorhome car parks for overnight stays: at the Kanaaleiland or at Camping Memling. Where you can park your motorhome depends on its weight. You can find out more info at 'Parking in Bruges'.

    How do you get to Bruges by motorhome?

    departure point

    via

    total journey time

    km

    London

    Eurotunnel: Folkstone (UK) <> Calais (FR)

    ± 4.20 hours, incl. 35 min. through the Eurotunnel

    284, incl. 51 km through the Eurotunnel

    Calais

    Dunkerque and Veurne

    ± 1.30 hours

    115

    Dunkerque

    Veurne

    ± 1.00 hour

    73

    Whatever direction you come from, Bruges is ideal to get to by road. The city is close to various major motorways. If you travel to Bruges by coach, follow one of these routes:

    • Coming from the E40, take exit 8 'Brugge', which will take you onto the N31. You then take the exit 'Brugge' and you are immediately on the Bevrijdingslaan.
    • From Tournai, Kortrijk and Roeselare, there is a short journey via the E403. The exit 'Brugge' will take you to the Bevrijdingslaan.
    • the N49 expressway from Antwerp joins the A11 towards Bruges, at Knokke. You will end up on the N31, and via exit 'Brugge' you will continue to the Bevrijdingslaan.

    To keep the city centre attractive, coaches are not allowed. Coaches park at the coach parking at the Kanaaleiland, along the Bargeweg. You can find out more info at 'Parking in Bruges'.

    How do you get to Bruges by motorhome?

    departure point

    via

    total journey time

    km

    London

    Eurotunnel: Folkstone (UK) <> Calais (FR)

    ± 4.20 hours, incl. 35 min. through the Eurotunnel

    284, incl. 51 km through the Eurotunnel

    Calais

    Dunkerque and Veurne

    ± 1.30 hours

    115

    Dunkerque

    Veurne

    ± 1.00 hour

    73

    Do you prefer to travel in your own car, but you're travelling from the UK? No problem. Various ferry companies operate between the English and French and Dutch coasts. Simply drive your own car onto the ferry and literally hop over to Bruges. From France or The Netherlands, you can easily get to Bruges via motorways.

    How do you get to Bruges by ferry?

    port of departure

    port of arrival

    ferry crossing time

    operator

    you continue your journey by car via

    travelling time by car

    Dover (UK)

    Dunkerque (FR)

    ± 2.00 hours

    DFDS Seaways

    E40 motorway (Dunkerque > Veurne > Bruges)

    ± 1.00 hour

    Dover (UK)

    Calais (FR)

    ± 1.30 hours

    P&O Ferries or DFDS Seaways

    A16 and E40 motorway (Calais > Dunkerque > Veurne > Bruges)

    ± 1.30 hours

    Hull (UK)

    Rotterdam (NL)

    1 night (± 12 hours)

    P&O Ferries

    A16, A17, A4 and E34 motorway (Rotterdam > Antwerp > Maldegem > Bruges)

    ± 2.30 hours

    Via Brussels Airport

    The national airport receives flights from over 200 destinations in 66 countries every day.

    • 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).
    • 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.

    • 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.
    • 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. 

    • 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.
    • 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.

    How do you get around in Bruges?

    Walking is without a doubt the best way to explore Bruges. The historic city centre is compact and on a small scale. And on foot, you don't miss anything.

    Explore the winding streets, stroll across majestic squares, wander along the canals, enjoy the city's panorama from one of its many bridges and feast your eyes. Around every corner is a pleasant surprise, and you stumble from one discovery to the next.

    If you arrive at Bruges train station or get off the coach at the Bargeplein, the Market Square, in the heart of the city, is a 20-minute walk. On the way, you'll already come across a ton of highlights, museums, sights and attractions. All the 'must-sees' are within a stone's throw of each other.

    Do you prefer to follow a specific route? With these suggestions, you can explore the city at your own pace along ready-made routes. Or join a guided walk and get tips from a local, who knows Bruges like the back of their hand.

    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.

    Don't feel like cycling yourself? Then hop on a bike taxi. They'll take you to your destination in an original and ecological way. You get on at Market Square (near the Historium), at 't Zand Square (near the Concert Hall) or at Stationsplein (near the Carrefour, at the side entrance to the train station). Rates and availability vary from company to company:

    Openbaar Vervoer
    Bus aan het treinstation van Brugge Visit Bruges - Jan Darthet

    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.

    From the train station to the city centre by bus?

    Bus lines 1 and 2 take you to the centre of Bruges.

    • Bus line 1: get off at stop ’t Zand, Sint-Salvatorskerk, O.L.V. Kerk or Dijver
    • Bus line 2: get off at stop ’t Zand, Sint-Salvatorskerk, O.L.V. Kerk, Dijver, Stadsschouwburg or Jan Van Eyckplein.

    Useful info:
    Line 1 connects the city centre via a loop around the district of Sint-Kruis and a loop to the hospital campus AZ Sint-Jan. Line 2 constantly connects with the city centre in an axis that runs from south to north and vice versa.

    From the city centre to the train station by bus?

    You can reach Bruges station via the stops Stadsschouwburg (line 2), Zilverpand (line 2) and ’t Zand (lines 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 20, 21, 31, 35, 40, 41, 42, 47, 49, 52, 54, 55, 60, 72, 74 and 80).

    Tickets

    With a ticket for € 2.50 (price changes may be applied throughout the year), you can enjoy unlimited travel and change from stop to stop for 60 minutes. This and other travel tickets for De Lijn can be purchased on the bus (contactless only), at the ticket shop Lijnwinkel (Stationsplein) or at a vending machine (Stationsplein, bus stop 't Zand Square). You can also go to a pre-sales point (only for a 10-journey ticket): tourist office ’t Zand (Concert Hall), various bookshops, newsagents and supermarkets in the city centre.

    Timetables may change unexpectedly due to road works or events. The website of De Lijn bus company features a journey planner with the most up-to-date info.

    Vehicle traffic is discouraged in the city centre, as is above-ground parking. If you do need to go into the city centre by car, it's best to keep these guidelines and tips in mind:

    Motorcyclists will find 1 free motorbike parking zone in the city centre. You can find out more info at ‘Parking in Bruges’.

    Staying overnight in camper vans, motorhomes, camping trailers, tents on public roads, in the forest, dunes or beach is prohibited in Bruges, except in designated areas. You can however stay overnight at 2 authorised motorhome car parks in Bruges: at the Kanaaleiland or at Camping Memling.

    Where you can park your motorhome depends on its weight. Parking is prohibited in the city centre for all vehicles over 3.5 tons. Motorhomes under 3.5 tons can park in the city centre in any spot where this is not specifically prohibited. Motorhomes are also allowed to park outside the city centre where this is not specifically prohibited or where certain spaces are reserved for a specific category of vehicle (e.g., along the R30 ring road in the stretch between the  Gentpoort and the Kruispoort, at the slip road to the Speelpleinlaan).

    If you can’t avoid coming into the city centre with your camper, make sure you are aware that various streets have restricted traffic access or are car-free at certain times. A 30 km/h speed limit applies throughout the city centre.

    To keep the city centre attractive, coaches are not allowed. Coaches park at the coach parking at the Kanaaleiland, along the Bargeweg.

    Groups can safely exit and enter on the reserved drop-off zone at the Bargeplein (also along the Bargeweg) on walking distance from the historic center. The Bargeplein is a much-asked starting point for guided visits. There are toilets and in case of bad weather there is a canopy for shelter.

    Only coaches dropping off/collecting passengers with luggage at/from their hotel get exceptional access to the inner city. The driver must be in possession of a document proving the reservation with indication of check-in/check-out. Excursions or contemporary transfers by coach from the hotel are not allowed and are only possible with pick-up/drop-off point at Bargeplein (Kanaaleiland). The police control the strict compliance of these arrangements.

    Coaches transporting visitors with mobility issues can be granted special access to the city centre as long as permission is given by the police in advance. Requests should be submitted to PZ.Brugge.Korpschef@police.belgium.eu.

    Don’t forget: coaches must also adhere to the usual rules that apply to ordinary vehicles when entering a low-traffic zone.

    Do you prefer personal and safe transport from A to B by an experienced taxi driver? 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:

    • in front of the train station, on Stationsplein
    • at the rear of the train station (Sint-Michiels side), at the roundabout on the Spoorwegstraat
    • at the coach stop on the Bargeplein (Kanaaleiland)
    • in the Boeveriestraat (adjacent to ’t Zand Square)
    • on Market Square (near the Provincial Court)
    • in the Vlamingstraat (across from the City Theatre)
    • in the Kuipersstraat (next to the Biekorf library)
    • in Zeebrugge at the ABC building (cruise terminal)
    • in Zeebrugge, at the train station Zeebrugge-Dorp (along the Venetiëstraat)
    • in Zeebrugge, at the train station Zeebrugge-Strand (along the Baron de Maerelaan)

    Would you prefer to get about the city in a more original way? Good news: in Bruges, there's no shortage of options. Get on a Segway, in a bike carriage or a minibus. Or how about a romantic horse-drawn carriage or a gently bobbing boat to take in the beautiful cityscape? View all options for sightseeing in Bruges.