How to get from Brussels to Bruges: tips for tourists

The Western European state of Belgium is relatively young, if viewed from the point of view of an independent state. But the history of its gradual formation has its origin long before the beginning of the new era. At all times, this territory was part of any conquering state - like the Roman Empire, Spain, France, the Netherlands. Only in 1830 Belgium became an independent state.

"Puppet" kingdom

Belgium is located in the neighborhood with the Netherlands, Germany, France, Luxembourg and is washed by the waters of the North Sea. Numerous tourists from all over the world are attracted by the favorable geographical location of Belgium, A large number of medieval architectural monuments, European cleanliness and comfort, a neat "puppet" view of this kingdom.

For tourists traveling to Belgium, it is advisable to visit not only its capital, but also the most beautiful Belgian city of Bruges, located a short distance from Brussels. Consider all the public ways of how to get from Brussels to Bruges.

Air Gate of Brussels - National Airport

Most guests enter the country via the air gate - the Brussels national airport, located in the small town of Zaventem (11 km from Brussels).

Getting to Brussels is very simple, thanks to regular rail routes. Every fifteen to twenty minutes (every day from 05:00 to 00:00) the train arrives directly to the airport building (on the "minus first" floor).

In addition, there are a large number of bus routes. The bus station for urban routes is also located within the terminal, on the ground floor. For the convenience of passengers, another bus route is provided, which ply to the capital via the Brucargo freight terminal.

It remains to mention the most comfortable mode of transportation - a taxi. Taxi, located in the parking lot (at the exit from the airport), abound.

For passengers whose ultimate goal is not Brussels, but Bruges, the question arises as to how to get from Brussels to Bruges. There are many options. Everything depends on personal preferences, the amount of free time, financial possibilities and goals of the trip.

From the airport in Bruges

How to get from Brussels airport to Bruges? Their services are provided by the railway, motor transport companies, taxis and firms specializing in the provision of vehicles for hire. For this, there is no need to specifically go to Brussels.

Every half hour from the airport, trains of different types are sent - the fast IC and the usual P. The difference in time spent on the road is insignificant - twenty minutes, and in the price - about 7-8 euros.

There is no direct bus route, however, there are buses in Zaventem that fly from Germany, England or Holland to Bruges.

In Bruges from Brussels

The ridiculous, by Russian standards, distance separates the capital of Belgium from the large coastal city of Bruges. Approximately 95-110 km, depending on the route chosen - route E40 or N9.

Brugge is a fabulously beautiful and unusual European city. Only 17 km separates this "Northern Venice" from the sea.

How to get from Brussels to Bruges? You can get from Brussels to Bruges by train or by bus, as well as in a comfortable car, rented, or in a taxi.

Tourist preferences

The guests of the country give their preference to the railway communication, considering this option the most convenient and optimal, proceeding from the ratio of financial costs, comfort and time spent. How to get there by train from Brussels to Bruges?

Brussels serves three major stations:

• Brussel Nord;
• Brussel Central;
• Brussel Midi - Zuid.

The train on Bruges is marked on each of them, which is very convenient for passengers. There is no need to cross the whole city to catch the train.

Departure of passenger trains in Bruges takes place every twenty minutes. The journey takes about one hour.

With the acquisition of tickets, difficulties also do not arise. You can buy them:

• In the ticket office of any railway station;
• In special terminals that are equipped not only in the station premises themselves, but also beyond their borders;
• On the website of the Belgian Railway.

At the box office, there is often a cluster of queues, terminals in this case are an ideal option. The purchase of a ticket on the official website is not always convenient. The ticket must be pre-printed and only then presented to the controller along with an identity document (driver's license, passport and others).

The ticket price ranges from 5 to 20 euros (depending on the type of train and passenger class).

There is another way to buy a ticket - "at the last minute." Late passengers can buy a ticket in the train car of the controller. It is necessary to inform the conductor about this when boarding to avoid penalties.

Bus connection Brussels - Bruges

How to get from Brussels to Bruges by bus? Problems with finding a suitable flight will not arise if you consider that to the infrequent direct routes Brussels - Bruges you can add passing buses of intercity and international communication.

But, frankly speaking, the bus that follows this route is far from being a competitor to the train:

• Significant intervals between flights;
• The bus station must be specially reached, since the bus (unlike the train) does not run all over the Belgian capital in order to "pick" those who wish to go to Bruges;
• Buses are less comfortable, much slower because of frequent traffic jams on the road junctions;
• In Bruges itself, intercity and international buses do not enter, they park in the southern part of the city in specially equipped parking lots.

Way expensive but comfortable

How else can you get from Brussels to Bruges? Connoisseurs of comfortable movement can be advised by a taxi. The only, but obvious minus of such a trip is the cost. In Belgium, there are many first-class, quality services that are attractive for their relative cheapness compared to Germany or France. Unfortunately, the taxi does not include them. The price bracket starts to creep upwards of two hundred euros.

But there is a great opportunity to see no less attractive Ghent, a city located approximately in the middle of the road, if you move along the N9 highway. Maldegem will not remain aloof. Both motorways (E-40 and N9) are laid almost parallel and are at a slight distance from each other. Needless to say about the quality of the road surface? Like everything else, in this "puppet" kingdom roads are flawless. "Dream car enthusiast", otherwise not to say.

Along the trails are a large number of gas stations, shops and cafes. Boring on the road just will not be.

You can rent a car. But in this case it will become a real burden for tourists. In Bruges, especially in the area of the "old city", you can face a serious problem when searching for convenient parking for a car.

To get from Brussels to Bruges cheap And with comfort, it is best done by train.