Best way to get to Bruges

Rafting2022 · 2023-09-08T05:42:05+00:00

Going to Bruges for 3 nights in December and don’t want to go by train or drive. Is it easier to fly to Brussels main airport or Charleroi? Is there a train from both?

LlynTegid · 08/09/2023 07:23

I wish you'd choose the train all the way.

Easier to get from Brussels main airport by train to Bruges, probably about 90 minute journey. Also you can avoid flying by Ryanair.

Gymmum82 · 08/09/2023 07:25

There’s a direct bus from Charleroi. It’s really easy. There’s also a train from Brussels.
Usually it’s cheaper to fly in to Charleroi though.

Monkeybutt1 · 08/09/2023 07:26

We got the train from Brussels to Bruge in December, it took an hour and was a lovely journey. We used the Eurostar to get there, it was a lovely journey I'd recommend it

oreo2020 · 08/09/2023 07:27

Well, as of this morning I am taking a ferry to Dunkirk and then cycling to Bruges so I might be a wrong person to advise on this occasion!

Worldgonecrazy · 08/09/2023 07:29

Depends where you are. If Eurostar is doable then it’s a very easy train journey with one change in Brussels. Or fly to Brussels Zaventem airport and get the train from there. There are direct trains but it may be quicker to change at Brussels or Gent. The trains are really easy to work out, and there are lots of helpful English speakers around to help. Have fun in Bruges- it’s a lovely time of year to visit.

BMW6 · 08/09/2023 07:38

We got trains from Southampton to Bruge. Lovely journey.

explainthistomeplease · 08/09/2023 07:41

I live in Cornwall and would do it by train! But I have children in London so would use it as an excuse to bother visit them.

BarbaraofSeville · 08/09/2023 07:43

Exactly, saying 'just go by train' is a very London/SE centric way of looking at it.

It's easy to see the train as a viable option when you can just hop on the Eurostar, but not when you live in Wales, Northern England, SW England or Scotland and to 'just' get to the Eurostar involves another train journey on an expensive and unreliable service.

Someone in Manchester faces the choice of spending hundreds of pounds and hoping that there are no cancellations on the appallingly run West Coast main line that would totally derail (pun intended) their plans vs flying there in an hour for £50 from their local airport.

Original poster

Rafting2022 · 08/09/2023 07:44

Thanks - so train from Brussels main airport or bus from Charleroi?

OP posts:

explainthistomeplease · 08/09/2023 07:45

Not so @BarbaraofSeville
I live in Cornwall and would still go by train!

BicOrange · 08/09/2023 07:50

We flew to the main airport, then bus transfer into the city.

Do you have your accommodation booked? If you know where you're staying, or likely to stay, you might need to do it differently.

BarbaraofSeville · 08/09/2023 07:52

@explainthistomeplease

But you've said you would combine the trip with visiting DC. Also, you have a trek to an international airport anyway - even Bristol is 3+ hours drive away. For people who live an hour from an airport with an easy flight to Brussels (or Paris) but are hours away from London, most people would find flying preferable.

explainthistomeplease · 08/09/2023 08:03

I mean I think the crossed out text showed I was partially joking @BarbaraofSeville
We'd still choose train first. In fact weirdly I am typing this from a GWR train bound for London, changing at St Pancras and we'll be in Paris tonight. You can't get much more remote from great train services than west cornwall.
Do we know where OP is?

RampantIvy · 08/09/2023 08:07

We flew from Manchester to Brussels, then got the train to Bruges.

Given how unreliable our rail service is these days I can understand why the OP wants to avoid booking UK trains.

Gymmum82 · 08/09/2023 08:07

Rafting2022 · 08/09/2023 07:44

Thanks - so train from Brussels main airport or bus from Charleroi?

Yes. It’s a bit more tricky to get the train from Charleroi. You have to get a bus to the town. Than a train. Then change at Brussels etc. But there is a direct bus. You book it in advance and takes a couple of hours but really easy goes from the airport to Bruges station. We’ve been to Bruges a lot it’s one of my favourite places. I’m sure you’ll have a wonderful time

oldscrappynhungry · 08/09/2023 08:11

Brussels main airport (Zaventem). Charleroi is much further south with poorer connections. Unless the cost difference of cheap Ryanair to Charleroi makes it worth it for you.

oldscrappynhungry · 08/09/2023 08:14

I didn't know about the direct bus from CRL - from previous poster. If it skips round Brussels rather than going into centre then it sounds like an ok option.

ilovebagpuss · 08/09/2023 08:33

If you are up north you could get the Newcastle to Amsterdam ferry and a train to Bruges from Amsterdam. Add a bit of adventure to the trip.

diditbark · 08/09/2023 09:58

We always Eurostar to Brussels then train to Bruges.

Original poster

Rafting2022 · 09/09/2023 17:12

Thanks all I’ve booked flights to Brussels main airport - made no sense to get train, ferry or drive.

OP posts:

Iamanisland · 09/09/2023 18:01

BarbaraofSeville · 08/09/2023 07:43

Exactly, saying 'just go by train' is a very London/SE centric way of looking at it.

It's easy to see the train as a viable option when you can just hop on the Eurostar, but not when you live in Wales, Northern England, SW England or Scotland and to 'just' get to the Eurostar involves another train journey on an expensive and unreliable service.

Someone in Manchester faces the choice of spending hundreds of pounds and hoping that there are no cancellations on the appallingly run West Coast main line that would totally derail (pun intended) their plans vs flying there in an hour for £50 from their local airport.

Absolutely