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easiest way to travel from london to bruges

How to take the rail journey London to Brugge/Brugge

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Bruges/Brugge is one of the easiest locations to access when travelling from London to Europe by train . Simply take the Eurostar to Bruxelles and then hop on one of the frequent trains from the Belgian capital to Brugge.

Routes you can take to go from London to Brugge / Bruges

When travelling between most cities by train there is only one logical option, though on other journeys there is a choice between different trains or alternative routes. If different options are available you can use the info to decide which is best for you.

Choose one of the following options:

Looking for connections, route information, via stations: bruxelles-midi/brussel zuid, station guides.

The magnificence of St Pancras station on Euston Road, the most romantic entrance is the arch by the red car

Travel Time (approx)

from 3hr30 min* (approx)

Travel Info

  • = The journey time shown on the Eurostar website does not include the Bruxelles/Brussels to Brugge/Bruges journey

up to 8 x connections per day

Purchase Tickets

easiest way to travel from london to bruges

ShowMeTheJourney earns a small commission on Trainline ticket sales. It can be a particularly good option for: Comparing different train services; Booking international journeys with connections; Travelling between the UK to destinations beyond Amsterdam, Brussels and Paris - and for international travellers who don't reside in western Europe.

Trainline Guide

easiest way to travel from london to bruges

Other Ticket Providers

easiest way to travel from london to bruges

Eurostar Guide

In addition to direct journeys by Eurostar trains, the Eurostar website also sells

  • 'Any station in Belgium' tickets; the key feature of these tickets is that they live up to their name, so how distant your Belgian destination is and the journey time doesn't impact on the ticket price.
  • Journeys to SOME major cities in France not served directly by Eurostar– including Avignon, Bordeaux, Montpellier, Nice, Nantes and Rennes.
  • Journeys to destinations in Germany that are served by Thalys trains from Bruxelles, including these cities; Aachen, Cologne/Koeln, and Dusseldorf.

Eurostar also sells seat reservations to users of Eurail and InterRail passes without booking fees.

The Ultmate Guide to British train tickets

B-Europe Guide

B-Europe is the website provided by Belgium's national railway operator for the sale of international rail journeys from and to Belgium. Therefore tickets can be booked for the following international train services to/from Belgium

  • IC trains to France, Luxembourg and The Netherlands
  • ICE trains to Germany
  • Thalys trains to Germany, The Netherlands and Paris
  • TGV trains to destination in France other than Paris B-Europe offers a 'Best Fares' policy for journey by these trains.

It also sells international end-to-end journeys solely by train, with connections outside of Belgium, if you will be heading to popular destinations in Austria, Germany, Switzerland and Italy.

Users of Eurail and InterRail passes can also book seat reservations on the Eurostar and Thalys services without paying booking fees.

easiest way to travel from london to bruges

Travel Information

The variations in journey time partially depend on the connecting time between the trains at Bruxelles Midi/Zuid station. More information is available on our changing trains at Bruxelles-Midi station guide .

The quicker journey times are indicative of a connecting time between trains of around 20 minutes. But the ticket will be valid on any train between Bruxelles and Brugge and there are a minimum of 2 x IC trains on from Bruxelles per hour.

At St Pancras:

Eurostar is currently suggesting that Standard Class And Standard Premier ticket holders should be at the Eurostar departure area in St Pancras International 90 mins before departure; and that Business Premier ticket holders should be there 45-60mins prior to departure.

The departure gates will close 30 mins prior to departure for Standard Class And Standard Premier ticket holders; and 15 mins prior to departure for Business Premier ticket holders.

Our guide to taking a Eurostar from London is here .

Note that London is in a different time zone to mainland Europe, it is one hour behind; hence what can seem like a discrepancy between the journey time and the interval between the departure and arrival times.

This journey is made up of 1 change.

You will be travelling on one of these trains....

A Eurostar e300 train

Journey Features

Good to know.

Most of the departures between London and Bruxelles will be by the e320 trains, but the e330 trains can be used on some departures, which terminate at Midi station.

It's not a scenic journey, but it is a journey with six distinct phases and highlights:

1: For most of the first 8 mins of the journey the trains use tunnels to exit London (Stratford International station is located between the tunnels).

2: Then from the right of the train, there are views of the River Thames marshes and of the Queen Elizabeth II road bridge.

3: The third tunnel that the train will pass through is the tunnel under the River Thames.

4: Shortly after Ebbsfleet International station (can only be seen from the right of the train) is the scenic highlight of the journey - the crossing of the River Medway.

5: The train will slow down as it approaches The Channel Tunnel. Announcements are no longer made that the train is about to enter the tunnel. The journey through the tunnel will take around 22 mins.

6: There is little of note to be seen from the high speed lines in France and Belgium.

Crossing the River Medway

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A Belgian IC train formed of I11 coaches

Final Destination: Oostende/Blankenberge/Brugge/Knokk

These trains also call at: Gent St-Pieters

These fast trains from Bruxelles to Brugge/Bruges only make one intermediate station call in Gent. There are only 2 x of these fast IC trains per hour at weekends.

When looking at the departure information screens at the station, take care to avoid the trains to Brugge, which are calling at Kortrijk - they're more than 45 mins slower than these trains.

Liege-Guillimemins

Eurostar sells 'Any Belgian Station' tickets that are valid for the Eurostar between London and Brussels/Bruxelles + the IC (Intercity) train from Brussels to Bruges/Brugge.

A big plus of the 'Any Belgian Station' ticket is that you can opt to break up the journey and explore Brussels/Bruxelles between trains, without incurring additional charges. You only have to take the train to Brugge/Bruges train within 24 hours of arriving in Brussels.

So when looking up this journey on Eurostar, enter 'Any Belgian station' in the search box.

Book Early And Save : Yes

Online bookings open: up to 6 months ahead of the travel date This booking period tends to be shorter when looking up journeys between mid August and mid October.

Seat reservations are automatically included when booking tickets on the Eurostar, but seat reservations are not available on the IC train on from Bruxelles.

Eurostar train's general ticket terms:

'Customers can exchange tickets for travel in Standard and Standard Premier class multiple times without paying an exchange fee, as long as tickets are exchanged 7 days or more before the departure time of their individual journey Though if the new ticket option is more expensive the difference in price will need to be paid, but if it is cheaper the price difference won't be refunded. But make the exchange within 7 days of the individual journey and an admin fee of £30 will need to be paid, along with the price difference Tickets to travel in Standard and Standard Premier class are not refundable. In contrast tickets to travel in Business Premier Class can be refunded and they can be exchanged to alternative departures without paying the admin fee, or the price difference'. Eurostar's full ticket terms and conditions are here .

Using Rail Passes on Eurostar:

Rail pass users can now pay reservation fees to travel on Eurostar trains, in a similar manner to other international European high speed trains.

The new rail pass reservation fees are similar to the cheapest single journey ticket prices, but as those cheapest tickets can sell out quickly, it's likely that the rail pass reservation fees will save money.

You can purchase these online with no booking fees on B-Europe Booking in advance is recommended as it's not unknown for rail pass reservations on specifc Eurostar services to sell weeks in advance, there is evidently limited availability per departure.

If you are a UK resident, your rail pass + reservation is only valid if you take a train from the UK on the first day that your pass is valid for and return to the UK on the final day that you will be using a pass.

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This second version of ShowMeTheJourney is exciting and new, so we are genuinely thrilled that you are here and reading this, but we also need your help.

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So if you have found the info provided here to be useful, please consider saying thank you.

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easiest way to travel from london to bruges

Coach trips from London to Bruges

Health and safety, large bus network, arrive on time, travel environmentally-friendly, on this page, bus stations and stops in london, london victoria coach station.

View this address on Google Maps

London Finchley Road (Stop CL)

London stratford- montifichet road stop u, london hammersmith bridge road, north greenwich- millenium way stop f, london hammersmith bus station (bay d), london marble arch, bus stations and stops in bruges, bruges (station brugge), discover all destinations, frequently asked questions.

You can travel from London to Bruges starting at £17.99. Make the most of our top deals on FlixBus tickets by travelling during off-peak hours and weekdays. Purchase your ticket for London to Bruges most conveniently on this website or in the app . We provide several payment options for securely buying your ticket. Options include card payment, PayPal, Google Pay, and more. In the payment section, you'll see all available choices. If you're facing issues with payment, refer to our help page about payments . If you purchase your coach ticket on board or at a sales point, cash payment is also an option.

Booking bus tickets between Bruges and London with FlixBus is quick and easy. Simply navigate to the FlixBus website and choose your trip in just three clicks. To find cheap coach tickets, you need to select your city & station of departure and destination, the dates of outgoing & return trips and the number of passengers. The search function will then show you coach trips at the best price, enabling you to reserve your seats and add the trip to your cart before paying for your booking.

The coach route from London to Bruges covers 141 miles. FlixBus can take you from London to Bruges in 7 hours 35 minutes. The quickest coach on this route has 3 stop(s). FlixBus coaches travelling from London to Bruges offer extra legroom, individual power points, and toilets. Most coaches also provide complimentary Wi-Fi. Additionally, you can reserve a seat for your journey to Bruges during the booking process, subject to availability. Choose from various seating options like panorama, table, and bed seats. Travelling by coach from London to Bruges is one of the greenest methods as it reduces emissions, and passengers can offset their carbon footprint with FlixBus by ticking the CO₂ compensation option when purchasing their ticket. Timings for FlixBus coach trips will vary depending on the route, date of travel and departure and destination stations. Many of our coach services offer coach travel at different times, whether you prefer to travel first thing in the morning or late afternoon and into the evening. Some of our routes even include a night bus to ensure you truly get the most of your time at your destination. Check the rides available from London to Bruges to find the best option according to your schedule.

The first FlixBus journey from London to Bruges departs at 07:30.

The last FlixBus journey from London to Bruges departs at 23:30.

There are 7 coach stops in London; London Hammersmith Bridge Road, London Finchley Road (Stop CL), London Marble Arch, London Victoria Coach Station, London Stratford- Montifichet Road Stop U, North Greenwich- Millenium Way Stop F, London Hammersmith Bus Station (Bay D). In Bruges there's just one coach stop; Bruges (Station Brugge). Locate the FlixBus stops on this page's map.

Passengers travelling from London to Bruges are permitted to bring one piece of checked luggage (50x80x30 cm, up to 20 kg) and one hand luggage (30x42x18 cm, up to 7 kg) at no cost. For additional or special luggage, refer to this page . You can bring your bike with FlixBus, subject to availability. Check here for bike prices .

No, there's no need to print your ticket for the journey from London to Bruges. If you booked your ticket online, you should have received a PDF booking confirmation via e-mail containing a QR code that serves as your ticket. If you booked through the FlixBus App instead, your ticket is automatically stored there. There is no need to print the ticket, you can show the digital version to the driver, and you're ready to board.

For trips from London to Bruges, track your coach's location using our Real-Time Coach Tracker . Simply select the appropriate coach stop and review the arrival time. Find out your coach's location and any potential delays.

Yes, all FlixBus coaches from London to Bruges accommodate passengers with reduced mobility. We aim to ensure our coaches are as comfortable and accessible as possible for those with disabilities or mobility issues. Service animals are welcome on all FlixBus journeys between London and Bruges. Wheelchairs, collapsible wheelchairs, walking aids, and other mobility devices can be transported free of charge.

The cost of a child's ticket from London to Bruges depends on their age and the booking time. Under 15s receive a discount off the standard adult fare. When booking, we determine the most affordable rate for you from all available discounts. If the reduced rate is lower than the child's fare, the chosen passengers will pay the discounted amount. Ensure you read our child travel and seating policy . Prams and collapsible pushchairs (with a combined width + length + height of max 240 cm, approximately 94.5 inches) can be stowed in the coach's luggage compartment free of charge.

Find the cheapest coach tickets from London to Bruges

Getting from London to Bruges is cheap and easy when you travel with FlixBus, with cheap coach tickets available on several routes. The two cities are 141 miles apart and travelling between the two takes approximately 7 hours 35 minutes. FlixBus coach tickets are always good value, but you can save even more money by booking online in advance . Find a coach and book your cheap bus tickets on our website or the FlixBus App in minutes, then simply use your phone as your ticket to board the bus. Bus tickets between London and Bruges cost £42.99 on average, but you can buy cheap coach travel tickets for as low as £17.99 if you book in advance and/or outside of busy travel times, like weekends and bank holidays. We have a large network, so you can trust us to take you from your desired departure city to your destination in comfort and style - all for a low fare.

Travelling from London to Bruges

It’s easy to get from London to Bruges when you travel by coach with FlixBus, with , with 3 direct buses per day. You can expect a minimum of 3 stops on your journey and can take a minimum time of 7 hours 35 minutes .

Taking the bus from London

London is a transport hub with 7 coach stations, namely: London Hammersmith Bridge Road, London Finchley Road (Stop CL), London Marble Arch, London Victoria Coach Station, London Stratford- Montifichet Road Stop U, North Greenwich- Millenium Way Stop F, London Hammersmith Bus Station (Bay D) ; 74 coach connections depart from London every day, taking travellers on coach trips both within the local area and further afield.

Arriving in Bruges

Bruges is very well connected to other destinations on the FlixBus network, with 54 connections arriving in the bus station of the city every day, giving you easy access to all corners of the country on your chosen bus route.

What to expect onboard the FlixBus bus from London to Bruges

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Train advice from the Man in Seat 61...

The Man in Seat 61

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How to travel by train from

London to belgium.

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Train travel UK & Ireland...

Train travel in europe..., train travel in asia..., train travel in africa..., train travel in america..., train travel in australasia, london to brussels 2h01, bruges 3h25.

Eurostar is the high-speed passenger train from London St Pancras to Brussels Midi through the Channel Tunnel.  Eurostar trains travel at up to 300 km/h (186 mph), it takes just 2 hours from central London to central Brussels, faster than flying as well as more comfortable, more convenient and more reliable.

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Train travel within Belgium

International trains to/from belgium, other useful information, useful country information, option 1, london to brussels  by eurostar.

This is the fastest and easiest option, London to Brussels in just 2 hours.  Check Eurostar times & fares for your date of travel at www.eurostar.com as they can vary.  Eurostars no longer call at Ebbsfleet or Ashford.

Timetable outward 2024

Timetable inward 2024, notes for timetable.

There are no Eurostar services on Christmas Day and a reduced service on Boxing Day.  More about Eurostar .

Times may vary.  For connections to other destinations in Belgium use www.belgiantrain.be to find train times.

London to Brussels by Eurostar is 373 km (232 miles).

Ashford (Kent), Ebbsfleet:   Due to Brexit, Eurostars no longer call at Ashford or Ebbsfleet.

How much does it cost?

London to Brussels by Eurostar starts at £52 one-way or £78 return in standard class, £97 one-way, £140 return standard premier (1st class).

London to Any Belgian Station including Bruges, Ghent, Antwerp, Liege starts at £62 one way or £98 return.

Fares vary dynamically like air fares, so book ahead and avoid busy days or dates for the cheapest prices.

Tip:   A through ticket to Any Belgian Station is usually cheaper than buying separate tickets for London to Bruges, but for London to Antwerp or Ghent it can be slightly cheaper to buy a Eurostar ticket to Brussels and a separate ticket for the onward Belgian train.  Check prices between Brussels & your Belgian destination at the Belgian Railways website www.belgiantrain.be/en and if it's cheaper, buy that ticket online.

How to buy tickets

Buy Eurostar tickets online at www.eurostar.com .

You print your ticket or can load it into the Eurostar app & show on your phone.  Fares vary dynamically like air fares so book ahead.  Booking opens up to 6 months ahead, sometimes up to 11 months.

For Brussels , select Brussels-Midi/Zuid.

For Bruges, Ghent, Antwerp or anywhere else in Belgium , type ' any ' and select Brussels-Midi/Zuid + Any Belgian Station ticket , see screenshot .

Tip:  You may find certain London-Brussels departures missing until 60 days before departure.

Eurostar trains that go through to Amsterdam may be kept closed for sale for Brussels passengers (in other words, will not be bookable (or may not appear) in search results if you search for London to Brussels) until 60 days before departure.  This is Eurostar policy to give London-Amsterdam passengers first bite at the cherry.  The solution, at least for a one-way outward journey, is to book from London to Amsterdam and get off in Brussels.

You can also book by phone, calling Eurostar on 03432 186 186 (+44 1233 617575 from outside the UK) but a phone booking fee will apply.  Tips on choosing a specific Eurostar seat .

Travel tips

Going to central Brussels?  Free train transfer to Brussels Central!

Eurostar arrives at Brussels Midi , also known as Brussel Zuid or Brussels South , it's all the same place.  However, all Eurostar tickets to or from Brussels Midi are automatically valid for a free transfer on any SNCB (Belgian Railways) domestic train between Brussels Midi and Brussels Central (5 minutes walk from the Grande Place), Brussels Nord, Brussels Congrès, Brussels Luxembourg (near the EU Parliament) and a dozen other local stations in the central Brussels area.  This is very useful, but not well publicised!  You can see this on the Eurostar website, but it takes some finding.

See list of Brussels area stations to which your Eurostar ticket is valid . 

How to use an Any Belgian Station ticket

With a Eurostar ticket to Any Belgian Station (ABS) you can hop on any Belgian domestic train from Brussels to anywhere in Belgium within 24 hours of your Eurostar arrival in Brussels.  On the return leg, you can use any suitable train from your Belgian starting point to Brussels in the 24 hours before your Eurostar departure back to London.

When you use www.eurostar.com to book to/from Any Belgian Station, the times you see are for the Eurostar between London & Brussels.  You can check train times between Brussels and whatever Belgian station you want using www.belgiantrain.be .

No reservation is necessary for Belgian domestic trains, you just hop on any train you want.  It's not valid on high-speed Eurostar (formerly Thalys) trains or German high-speed ICE trains (not to be confused with Belgian or Dutch IC trains, which are fine).

In the outward direction it only takes a few minutes to change trains at Brussels Midi , and if you miss a train you can catch the next one.  In the inwards direction you need to allow for the minimum 30 minute Eurostar check-in, and it's sensible to allow for the Belgian domestic train to be a little late too, so I'd allow at least 60 minutes between the Belgian train arriving and your Eurostar departure time, ideally more.

And yes, with a Standard Premier (1st class for leisure) or Business Premier (1st class for business) ABS ticket you also get 1st class on the Belgian domestic part of the journey.  Even though with a Standard Premier ticket there's usually an asterisk in the class column.

Going to Bruges?

Buy a Eurostar ticket to Any Belgian Station .  When boarding a train for Bruges in Brussels, the departure indicators usually show Oostende , Knokke or Blankenberge as the destination of your train, Bruges is only a calling point so not always shown.  Remember that Bruges is Brugge in Flemish, Bruges in French, it's the same place.  Short breaks in Brussels or Bruges by train .

Tip:   You want the half-hourly Brussels-Bruges trains on the main line through Ghent taking around 1 hour.  Don't get on a stopping train to Bruges via Roesalere taking 2h16!

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What are Eurostar trains like ?

Eurostar has 3 classes, Standard class , Standard Premier (1st class for leisure), and Business Premier (1st class for business).

Business Premier has flexible tickets, a hot meal served at your seat with alcoholic & non-alcoholic drinks, access to business lounges in London & Brussels and a 10 minute minimum check-in.

Standard Premier offers exactly the same 1st class seating, but with more affordable inflexible fares, a cold tray meal served at your seat with complimentary alcoholic & non-alcoholic drinks, a 30-minute minimum check-in in London, 45-minute minimum check-in in Brussels and no access to business lounges. 

You'll find Eurostar trains smooth & quiet, even at 186 mph.  All passengers have access to two buffet-bar cars serving drinks & snacks.  Eurostar is all non-smoking.   For more about Eurostar, check-in process and journey, see the Eurostar guide .

Arriving at Brussels Midi

See Brussels Midi station guide .  Eurostar arrives at platforms 1 & 2, or if it's one that's going through to Amsterdam, platform 3 or 4.  It's Bruxelles Midi in French, Brussel Zuid in Flemish, Brussels South in English, all the same place.  Brussels Midi is a fairly easy 25 minute walk from the famous Grand Place (Grote Markt) in the city centre, or there are buses, taxis & a metro.  Your Eurostar ticket includes a free transfer by Belgian Railways train to Brussels Central , 3 minutes walk from the Grand Place.

To walk to the city centre, leave the station from the main doors on the Eurostar terminal (platform 1/2) side of the station, turn right, walk along the side of the station/tracks for a few minutes and then turn left along the Rue Stalingrad to central Brussels.

Left luggage facilities are available if you need them, open 24 hours.  When returning to London, remember the 45 minute Eurostar check-in.  Click here for a map of Brussels .  Bus, tram & metro information for Brussels (English selector top right).

Onward trains to Bruges & Ghent

Tip :  For Bruges or Ghent, look on the departure boards for a train shown as going to either Oostende, Knokke or Blankenberge as these are the trains which stop at Bruges & Ghent.  And remember that Bruges is Brugge in Flemish and Ghent is Gand in French.  In Bruges, you want the main station, usually shown as plain 'Bruges', not the little local station called Bruges St Pieters.  However, just to confuse you, in Ghent the main station is called Ghent St Pieters .  All clear?  Great!

Option 2, London to Brussels by train & ferry

For over a century, the traditional direct route from London to Brussels was via Dover & Oostende. However, there have been no ferries from Dover to Oostende since the 1990s.  But there's still an alternative to Eurostar worth considering, especially if you live in East Anglia, or have a phobia about the Channel Tunnel, with easy train-ferry connections at each end, and inclusive fares covering train & ferry.  It's overnight while you sleep in a cosy private cabin with shower, toilet & satellite TV, so it's actually pretty time-effective, it's also punctual, all-weather-reliable and fun, too!  This route is also pet-friendly & bike-friendly .

London ► Antwerp & Brussels

Day 1, take the 18:45 train from London Liverpool Street to Harwich International, see the Stena Line Rail & Sail page for details .

There's also a direct train from Cambridge & Ipswich to Harwich International, leaving Cambridge at 19:47.

At Harwich International the train arrives right at the ferry terminal.  You walk off the train and into the ferry terminal, check in for the ferry and walk onto the ship.  Unlike flying, it's totally painless.  It's a breeze, even compared to queuing for Eurostar at St Pancras.

Day 1, sail from Harwich to Hoek van Holland by Stena Line superferry , she sails at 23:00 arriving Hoek van Holland at 08:00 Dutch time.

You can board from around 21:00 in time for a late dinner in the restaurant.  The ship is a floating hotel, all passengers have a private cabin with toilet, shower, satellite TV & free WiFi, an excellent and highly recommended experience.  When the ship arrives at Hoek van Holland next morning, the metro station is just across the road from the ferry terminal.

Day 2, take the RET metro from Hoek van Holland Haven to Beurs, this runs every 20-30 minutes, journey time 30 minutes.  At Beurs, change onto metro line D or E and go 2 stops to Rotterdam Centraal , see metro map .

Alternatively, if you feel like a morning stroll, get off at Eendrachtsplein and walk 850m 10-minutes to Rotterdam Centraal , see walking map .

Day 2, travel from Rotterdam to Belgium by Intercity train, leaving Rotterdam Centraal 10:11, arriving Antwerp Centraal 11:16, Brussels Midi 12:17.

See the Stena Line Rail & Sail page for full details between London or Cambridge & Rotterdam.

Brussels & Antwerp ► London

Day 1, take the 17:45 InterCity train from Brussels Midi or 18:44 from Antwerp Centraal, arriving Rotterdam Centraal 19:49.

By all means leave Brusses on the previous train at 16:45 or Antwerp at 17:44 to board the ferry earlier, trains link Rotterdam Centraal with Antwerp & Brussels Midi every hour, check times at www.nsinternational.nl .

Day 1, now take the RET metro line D/E from Rotterdam Centraal to Beurs and change onto metro line B to Hoek van Holland, see metro map .  Metro trains to Hoek van Holland run every 20-30 minutes, journey time from Beurs around 30 minutes.

Or you can walk walk from Rotterdam Centraal to Eendrachtsplein metro station, an easy 10 minutes 850m, see walking map , then take metro line B direct to Hoek van Holland Haven, it runs every 20-30 minutes, journey time 30 minutes.

Day 1, sail overnight from Hoek van Holland to Harwich by Stena Line superferry , sailing at 22:00 and arriving in Harwich at 06:30 UK time.

You can board from around 20:00 onwards, in time for dinner in the restaurant before retiring to your private en suite cabin.  All passengers get a private cabin with toilet, shower, satellite TV & free WiFi.  An excellent experience.

At Harwich, you walk down the gangway, through passport control and onto the adjacent railway station.

Day 2, travel from Harwich to London by train, arriving London Liverpool Street at around 08:56.

There's also a direct train from Harwich to Ipswich & Cambridge, arriving Cambridge at 09:42 Mondays-Saturdays or 10:39 on Sundays.

See the Stena Line Rail & Sail page for full details between Rotterdam & London or Cambridge.

London to Hoek van Holland starts at £62 with a Stena Line Rail & Sail ticket covering train & ferry.

This covers train travel from London Liverpool Street or any Greater Anglia railway station (including Norwich, Cambridge, Ipswich, Bury St Edmunds, Chelmsford and so on) to Harwich and the ferry to Hoek van Holland.

You need to add the cost of a cabin, from £50 for a single cabin, £56 for a 2-bed cabin, see the Stena Line Rail & Sail page for details .

Hoek van Holland to Rotterdam by metro costs around €4.

Rotterdam to Brussels by Intercity train costs €38.70 full-flex even bought on the day, good for any IC train, or from €18 if you book a few days or weeks in advance, only good for the specific departure you choose.

High-speed Eurostar (formerly Thalys) trains also run on this route, but they're less frequent, more expensive and tickets are only good for the specific train you book.  I'd stick with the hourly IC trains.

Step 1, buy a Rail & Sail ticket from London or any Greater Anglia station to Hoek van Holland at www.stenaline.co.uk/rail-and-sail/to-holland .  See the Stena Line Rail & Sail page for full details & tips on how to buy tickets .  You print your own ticket.

You pay for the metro between Hoek van Holland & Rotterdam simply by touching in & out with any contactless bank card, or buy as shown here .

Step 2, buy an onward ticket from Rotterdam to Antwerp or Brussels www.nsinternational.nl .  You print your own ticket.

What's the journey like?

Step 1, London to Hoek van Holland by train & ferry.   An air-conditioned train whisks you from London Liverpool Street station directly to the ferry terminal at Harwich International.  You walk off the train, into the terminal, get your boarding card & cabin key at the Stena Line check-in desk and walk straight onto the overnight ferry to Hoek van Holland, sleeping in a cosy private cabin.  The superferries Stena Britannica & Stena Hollandica are the largest ferries of their kind in the world.  The journey from London to Rotterdam is explained in detail on the Stena Line Rail & Sail page .  See the video .

The Stena Britannica at boarding at Harwich, a floating hotel with private cabins, restaurant, bar, lounges, shop & kennels.

Above left, a standard outside cabin.  Larger photo .   360º photo .  Above right, the Stena Plus lounge with complimentary red & white wine, tea, coffee & snacks.

Above left, the bar on 9 deck. Above right, a Captain's Class cabin with complimentary minibar, toilet & shower.

Step 2, Hoek van Holland to Rotterdam by metro.   Air-conditioned metro trains link Hoek van Holland with Eendrachtsplein & Beurs stations in downtown Rotterdam every 20-30 minutes, journey time around 30 minutes, either get off at Eendrachtsplein and stroll 10 minutes to Rotterdam Centraal , or change at Beurs onto metro line D/E and go 2 stops to Rotterdam Centraal .

Step 3, Rotterdam to Belgium by train.   Take the hourly Intercity train from Rotterdam Centraal to Antwerp Centraal & Brussels Midi .  Rotterdam Centraal was rebuilt in 2014, and is now one of the most impressive modern stations around - it's worth wandering into the main hall and onto the forecourt to admire it.  The lovely Centraal Station lettering and clock on the front is taken from the previous 1957 building.

Short breaks to Brussels or Bruges

The historic city of Bruges makes a truly excellent short break destination from the UK - better in my opinion than Brussels, although both cities are worth the trip.  You can find short breaks to Bruges or Brussels combining Eurostar and hotel at:

www.railbookers.co.uk , call 0207 864 4600 .  Railbookers also offer Christmas Market breaks by train.

Byway.travel , a UK-based eco-holiday firm with a 5-star TrustPilot rating .  To see preconfigured packages to Ghent or Brussels, use the journey planner on their website .  Alternatively they can build a trip to your requirements, email them or use the contact form .  Please say you heard about them from Seat 61.

www.lastminute.com ;

London to Ypres (Ieper)

To reach what British soldiers knew as 'Wipers', first book Eurostar to Lille at www.eurostar.com .  On arrival at Lille Europe , walk to 500m to Lille Flandres station .  An hourly regional train runs from Lille to Kortrijk (the final destination of this train is usually Antwerp/Anvers), change at Kortrijk for the branch line to Ypres (Ieper) and Poperinge.  As the fare is fixed and you don't need a reservation, you can easily buy the Lille to Ypres ticket at the station in Lille when you get there.  Total journey time from Lille to Ypres is about 1h55.  You can check train times from Lille to Ypres at the Belgian railways website, www.belgiantrain.be .

London to Antwerp, Ghent or anywhere else in Belgium

If you buy a Eurostar ticket to Any Belgian Station , it's valid by Eurostar to Brussels and then by any suitable connecting train service from Brussels to anywhere in Belgium as long as you complete the journey within 24 hours of the Eurostar arriving in Brussels.  You can't use high-speed Eurostar (formerly Thalys) or ICE trains, but Belgian InterCity (IC) trains are fine.

In the inbound direction, you can travel from anywhere in Belgium to Brussels on any suitable train except Eurostar (formerly Thalys) or ICE high-speed trains within the 24 hours before your Eurostar departure from Brussels to London.  Again, InterCity (IC) trains are fine.  Trains generally run hourly or half-hourly between Brussels and all main Belgian cities, no reservation is necessary, you just hop on and find any empty seat.

A ticket to Any Belgian Station costs £10 more one-way or £20 more return than a Eurostar ticket to Brussels, in other words, from £98 return in standard class, which is extremely good value.  In first class, it costs £16 one-way or £32 return more than the price of a Standard Premier or Business Premier ticket to Brussels.

Beware of out-of-date advice .  Until 2010, a Eurostar ticket to Brussels was automatically valid to any station in Belgium, a fantastic deal for passengers, less fantastic for Belgian Railways who received no revenue from this.  The arrangement ceased in October 2010, and there are now two separate destinations shown on the Eurostar website, Brussels if you just want Brussels itself and Any Belgian Station if you want to travel beyond Brussels, the latter priced higher than Brussels.  Incidentally, a ticket to Brussels still allows a free train transfer from Brussels Midi to Brussels Central, Brussels Nord, and several other central Brussels stations ( see the travel tip above ), but no longer to any station in Belgium.

You can use the online timetable at int.bahn.de or www.belgiantrain.be to check train times.  Allow at least 20 minutes in Brussels to make a connection on the outward journey, and 45 minutes (preferably more) on the return to allow for the 30-minute Eurostar check-in.

Advice on changing trains at Brussels Midi station .  Remember that Antwerp can also be written as Anvers .  Bruges can also be written Brugge .

Other UK cities to Belgium

There are special tickets to London International CIV from most UK stations which have better terms and conditions specially designed for connecting with Eurostar:  Buy a special add-on ticket from almost any station in Britain to London International (St Pancras) .

East Anglia to Brussels by train & ferry

If you live in East Anglia, a convenient, affordable and time-effective option is to use the overnight Harwich to Hoek van Holland luxury superferry, see the section above .

Devon & Cornwall to Brussels by sleeper & Eurostar

You can take the overnight Night Riviera sleeper train from Cornwall, Plymouth, Newton Abbott or Exeter to London Paddington, take the Underground to St Pancras, then hop on a Eurostar to Brussels, see the Sleeper to Cornwall page for details .

Scotland to Brussels by sleeper & Eurostar

You can take the overnight Caledonian Sleeper from Inverness, Aberdeen, Edinburgh,, Glasgow and many other Scottish town and cities to London Euston, walk to St Pancras, then hop on a Eurostar to Brussels, see the Caledonian Sleepers page for details .

G uidebooks

Take a good guidebook, even in the age of the internet!  For the independent traveller, I think this means either the Lonely Planet or the Rough Guide.  I personally prefer the layout of the Lonely Planet, but others prefer the Rough Guide.  Both guidebooks provide the same excellent level of practical information and historical background.  You won't regret buying one!

Click the images to buy at Amazon.co.uk

European rail timetable & maps.

Traveller's Railway Map of Europe - buy online

Rail Map Europe is the map I recommend, covering all of Europe from Portugal in the west to Moscow & Istanbul in the east, Finland in the north to Sicily & Athens in the south.  Scenic routes & high-speed lines are highlighted.  See an extract from the map .  Buy online at www.europeanrailtimetable.eu (shipping worldwide) or at www.amazon.co.uk (UK addresses).

Hotels in Belgium

Hotels near brussels midi.

I f you need a decent inexpensive hotel close to Brussels Midi station where Eurostar arrives, go for the dependable Ibis Brussels Midi just across the road or for something a little more upmarket the Pullman Hotel Brussels Midi is part of the station complex itself.  I have stayed at both, and can recommend.

Hotels in the centre of Brussels

How about staying on the famous Grand Place itself?  In the mid-range, the Résidence Le Quinze Grand Place gets rave reviews and overlooks Brussels' famous central square.

If you really want to push the boat out, the Rocco Forte Hotel Amigo is top end and scores 9/10, right near the Grand Place.

You can stay next to the Grand Place relatively cheaply, too, at the Hotel Agora Grand Place also with great reviews.

All these hotels near the Grand Place are just a few minutes walk from Brussels Central station .

In Bruges:  Relais Bourgondisch Cruyce

If you can afford it and for somewhere really special, go for the Relais Bourgondisch Cruyce , a luxurious and romantic boutique-style hotel in a fabulous location on the canal and within easy walking distance of all the sights.  My own stay here was a delight, and Mrs 61 was particularly impressed to be sharing the breakfast room with the lead guitarist from Pink Floyd.

Backpacker hostels: www.hostelworld.com

www.hostelworld.com :  If you're on a tight budget, don't forget about backpacker hostels.  Hostelworld offers online booking of cheap private rooms or dorm beds in backpacker hostels in Paris and most other European cities at rock-bottom prices.

Travel insurance & other tips

Always take out travel insurance.

You should take out travel insurance with at least £1m or preferably £5m medical cover from a reliable insurer.  It should cover trip cancellation and loss of cash & belongings up to a reasonable limit.  These days, check you're covered for covid-19-related issues, and use an insurer whose cover isn't invalidated by well-meant but excessive Foreign Office travel advice against non-essential travel. An annual policy is usually cheapest even for just 2 or 3 trips a year, I have an annual policy with Staysure.co.uk myself.  Don't expect travel insurance to bail you out of every missed connection, see the advice on missed connections here .  Here are some suggested insurers, I get a little commission if you buy through these links, feedback always welcome.

UK flag

Get an eSIM with mobile data package

Don't rely on WiFi, download an eSIM with a European mobile data package and stay connected.  Most newer mobile phones can download a virtual SIM including iPhone 11 & later, see device compatibility list .  There's no need to buy a physical SIM card!  Maya.net is a reliable eSIM data retailer with a 4.5 out of 5 Trustpilot rating and a range of packages including unlimited data .

Get a Curve card for foreign travel

Most banks give you a poor exchange rate then add a foreign transaction fee on top.  A Curve MasterCard means no foreign transaction fees and gives you the mid-market exchange rate, at least up to a certain limit, £500 per month as I write this.  The money you spend on your Curve card goes straight onto one of your existing debit or credit cards.  And you can get a Curve card for free.

How it works:   1. Download the Curve app for iPhone or Android .  2. Enter your details & they'll send you a Curve MasterCard - they send to the UK and most European addresses.  3. Link your existing credit & debit cards to the app, you can link up to two cards with the free version of Curve, I link my normal debit card and my normal credit card.  4. Now use the Curve MasterCard to buy things online or in person or take cash from ATMs, exactly like a normal MasterCard. Curve does the currency conversion and puts the balance in your own currency onto whichever debit or credit card is currently selected in the Curve app.  You can even change your mind about which card it goes onto, within 14 days of the transaction.

I have a Curve Blue card myself, it means I can buy a coffee on a foreign station on a card without being stung by fees and lousy exchange rates, just by tapping the Curve card on their card reader.  The money goes through Curve to my normal debit card and is taken directly from my account (in fact I have the Curve card set up as payment card on Apple Pay on my iPhone, so can double-click my phone, let it do Face ID then tap the reader with the phone - even easier than getting a card out).  I get a little commission if you sign up to Curve, but I recommend it here because I think it's great.  See details, download the app and get a Curve card , they'll give you £5 cashback through that link.

Get a VPN for safe browsing.  Why you need a VPN

When travelling you may use free public WiFi which is often insecure.  A VPN encrypts your connection so it's always secure, even on unsecured WiFi.  It also means you can select the geographic location of the IP address you browse with, to get around geoblocking which a surprising number of websites apply.  See VPNs & why you need one explained .  ExpressVPN is a best buy with a 4.7 out of 5 Trustpilot ranking which I use myself - I've signed up as an ExpressVPN affiliate, and if you go with expressvpn.com using this link you should see a special deal, 3 months free with an annual subscription.  I also get some commission to help support this site.

Carry an Anker powerbank

Tickets, reservations, hotel bookings and Interrail or Eurail passes are often now held on your mobile phone.  You daren't let it run out of power, and you can't always rely on the phone's internal battery or on being near a power outlet.  I always carry an Anker powerbank which can recharge my phone several times over.  Buy from Amazon.co.uk or Buy from Amazon.com .

Touring cities?  Use hill walking shoes!

One of the best things I've done is swap my normal shoes for hill-walking shoes, in my case from Scarpa.  They're intended for hiking across the Pennines not wandering around Florence, but the support and cushioning for hiking works equally well when you're on your feet all day exploring foreign cities.  My feet used to give out first and limit my day, now the rest of me gives up before they do!

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The Discoveries Of

A Day Trip to Bruges: How to Plan + See the Best of Bruges in a Day

Beautiful Bruges is a city unlike any other. Old-world architecture, horse-drawn carriages, handsome canals – it’s no wonder that it’s such a popular destination. Planning your day trip to Bruges? This is what you need to know. 

Bruges. 

Whatever you’ve heard about it – forget it. No matter how many pictures pop up on your feed, stories you hear or cool films with Colin Farrell you see – nothing quite prepares you for seeing it in the flesh. 

This is a city that conjures up times long-past, the heydey of Flemish architecture, strategic waterways and old-world wealth. 

No wonder it’s one of Europe’s most popular bucket list destinations . 

Thanks to the city’s central location, it’s really easy to plan a day trip to Bruges. 

Small and compact, you can set off from home early in the morning, take a whizz around the city and get home comfortably in time for bed. 

This guide will walk you through the best way to see Bruges in a day, complete with a suggested itinerary and practical tips on the best modes of transport to help you plan your trip. Enjoy! 

PS: Want to see all that Bruges has to offer? Check out my guide to the most fabulous things to do in Bruges.

Planning Your Day Trip to Bruges 

Visiting Bruges in One Day

Eurostar Day Trip to Bruges 

The easiest way to do a Bruges day trip from London is to take the Eurostar – there really isn’t much arguing with the fact that you can hop onto the Eurostar to Brussels, change onto a local train to Bruges and be in Bruges in 3 hours and 25 minutes. 

OK, so you have to add a bit of time to allow for security (Eurostar advise arriving 30 mins before departure), but all in all, it’s quick, easy and – if you time your ticket buying right – pretty good value. 

The earliest train for Brussels leaves St Pancras at around 6.20am and the last train from Brussels leaves around 8.20pm, meaning you’d need to leave Bruges around 7pm subject to train times as trains are about an hour. 

Pros: Quick and easy. Travel direct from St Pancras (as well as selected trains from Ebbsfleet & Ashford International). Can get you to Bruges by 11am. 

Cons: Last train is relatively early so you will have to skip dinner or have it very early in the evening. 

Check Times & Prices on Eurostar

Day Trips to Bruges by Coach on a Tour

Taking day trips to Bruges by coach has some serious pluses going for it. 

First of all, everything is taken care of: once you book your space on the tour, you don’t have to worry about changing trains, finding the right platform or working out the best route. Simply rock up at the meeting point at the right time (be warned: this is generally around 6am, but you can fall back into your coma once you get on the bus) and boom – everything else is taken care of. 

The coach is also generally the cheapest way to do your day trip to Bruges – significantly so – meaning you have more cash to spend on enjoying the actual destination. No bad thing right. 

That’s the good stuff. 

The only real downside is that it does take longer – around 5-6 hours each way. So even though you started at 6am, you’re unlikely to get there before 1pm… ouch. 

Plus, when you factor in the fact that the tour leaves Bruges again at 5pm, it doesn’t actually leave you with that much time there. Boo. 

Pros: Cheapest way to do a day trip to Bruges. Easy. 

Cons: Not much time in Bruges. Long journey times. 

Book a spot on this London to Bruges Day Tour 

Day Trip to Bruges by Ferry + Car

I’ve travelled to Bruges quite a few times by ferry and car and it is totally doable as a day trip, but again, it’s slower than the Eurostar meaning that you end up with less time in the city itself. 

You can either sail from Dover to Calais, or to Dunkirk with DFDs Seaways. I’d advise that you do the latter as Bruges is only a 45-50 minute drive away from Dunkirk. 

One of the big bonuses with this option is that you can decide how early you want to go and how late you want to return as ferries run throughout the night. 

If you can bear it, I’d suggest catching the 6am ferry to Dunkirk, catching some more kip on the ferry (it’s a 2 hour ferry ride) and then catching the 10pm ferry from Dunkirk to Dover back. It’s a long day and you will need lots of coffee, but you will also get loads of time in Bruges for your day trip. 

Pros: If you time it right, you can have a long time in Bruges itself. Relatively cheap if you book in advance. 

Cons: Long journey times. Need to drive yourself (and feel comfortable driving on the other side of the road).

Book your ferry to Dunkirk with DFDS Seaways.

Bruges in a Day: Suggested Itinerary

Wondering what can you do in Bruges in one day? These are the places you shouldn’t miss. 

Want more information on each attraction? Check out my guide to the Best Things to do in Bruges .

Markt, Brugge

Markt is a strong contender for my favourite spot in Bruges.

Horse-drawn carriages, amazing architecture, the towering Belfort, plus a few benches where you can sit down and soak it all in – it’s magnetic without being overwhelming. 

Many of Bruges big-hit sights lie within easy striking distance of Markt, so it makes sense to start your Bruges one day itinerary here… In fact, the next stop is only a few paces away. 

Climb to the Top of the Belfort for the Views 

Views from the Belfort

The Belfort is Bruges’ second-tallest tower (first place goes to the tower on Onze-Lieve-Vrouwekerk) – no matter though, because it is the best place to go for panoramic views of Bruges.

Of course, there’s no gain without a bit of pain – at least that’s what you will have to tell your legs on the way to the top of the Belfort but it is totally worth it. 

Chocolate at Olivier’s Chocolate House

Belgian Chocolate at Olivier's

Is it ever too early in the day for chocolate? Answer clearly = no.

Bruges boasts a wealth of fancy chocolate shops where you can taste and buy the kind of chocolate that has made Belgium so famous for the stuff.

I’ve tried quite a few chocolate shops during my times in Bruges and always come back to Oliviers – where the chocolate is sinfully good, and the staff are friendly and knowledgeable enough to help you pick your favourites. 

Visit Burg 

Burg Square

The other of Bruges’ magnificent large squares, you could argue all day about whether you prefer Markt or Burg. The only way to settle the issue is, of course, to go and see it for yourself.

Functioning as the administrative centre of the city, Burg is home to many important buildings including the Town Hall and the Basilica of the Holy Blood – complete with phial that’s said to contain a scrap of cloth imbued with the blood of Jesus. 

Take a Canal Cruise 

Canal Tour Brugge

Yes, it’s touristy AF but guess what – we are tourists, so we might as well embrace it. A day trip to Bruges isn’t complete without hopping onto a canal cruise to see the city from a different point of view. 

Wrap up warm in chillier months as it can be bitterly cold (I’ve learnt this from first-hand experience). Hop on and off at Rozenhoedkaai (Quay of the Rosary) to best fit it into this itinerary. 

Pick the Groeninge Museum OR Gruuthuse Museum 

Gruuthuse Museum

Look, it’s a difficult task trying to see the best of Brugge in a day, so it’s decision-making time. Bruges’ best-known museums the Groeninge Museum and the Gruuthuse Museum are close by, but you definitely do not have the time to visit both of them. 

I can’t rave about either museum – I’ve visited both and neither set my world alight.

However, if you do want to visit one, the Groeninge Museum showcases the work of Flemish, Dutch and Belgian artists (largely focusing on art before the 20th century) while the Gruuthuse takes you into the wealthy home of 16th century merchants – complete with furniture, art and accessories from that period.  

Grab Lunch at De Bottelier

If you’ve got time for a slightly more leisurely lunch, De Bottelier is my favourite place to dine in the city. It’s fancy but the dishes are decently-priced – not to mention that the restaurant itself oozes with classic Belgian charm.

The menu is European-inspired, with plenty of Belgian classics (and a very, very good wine menu to match). The lamb tagine is among the best I’ve ever tasted, though the salmon pasta is equally as delicious.

If you’re running low on time, grab a portion of Belgian fries from literally any of the frit shops around the city to snack on as you stroll – getting a pool of Samurai Sauce on the side is non-negotiable.

Admire the Art in Sint-Salvatorskathedraal

Bruges Sint Salvator

It’s no secret that I’m a huge art-lover, so popping by an impressive cathedral decked out in some pretty spectacular works is a no-brainer as part of your day trip in Bruges. 

The church’s floor is pretty special – but remember to look up and admire the intricate designs that dot the ceiling.

I’ll argue that if you’re on a shorter day trip (i.e, you’ve got 4/5 hours in the city), it’s probs best to skip this. But, otherwise, it’s one of the coolest places to visit in the city.

Admire Onze-Lieve-Vrouwekerk – The Church of Our Lady 

Onze Lieve Vrouwekerk

Statuesque and imposing, The Church of Our Lady is one of Bruges’ biggest sights – largely down to the fact that you can see Michaelangelo’s Madonna & Child inside (along with a host of other historical art).

Yes, it’s crowded and yes, it’s currently undergoing renovations so the experience is a little marred, but you can’t take a day trip to Bruges and skip it. 

Sip Belgian Beer at De Halve Maan

Tripel beer in Bruges

Ahhhh – I bet you thought I was going to skip one of Bruges’ real highlights – its beer. Most certainly not. I’m offended that you would even think that. 

De Halve Maan is my favourite of the breweries you can visit in Bruges. If you have time, you can do a brewery tour, but even if you don’t the taphouse is a nice place to pop in for a beer or two (not too many, you still need to get home lol). 

The range of beers is a bit mind-boggling but they’re really nice and friendly and will help you wrap your head around a dubbel and a tripel – you’ll be a Belgian beer expert in no time. 

Read More: Best Beer Bars + Breweries in Bruges

Walk Around the Beijinhof

Begijnhof Bruges

It feels a bit wrong to go from a brewery into a Benedictine Convent – but don’t worry, you’re just looking at the outside of the buildings here. 

All of Belgium’s Beijinhofs – sanctuaries built for poor women in the Middle Ages are UNESCO World-Heritage Listed – Bruges is particularly beautiful. 

The white buildings are clustered around a tree-studded green – it’s a peaceful place that’s just right for rounding off your Bruges in a day itinerary. Now time to head home… 

One Day in Bruges: Map 

Brugge Day Trip: Travel Tips and FAQ 

I’ve written this guide with people arranging a Bruges day trip from London in mind – however, most of the advice is adaptable to other nearby destinations. 

You can arrange day trips to Bruges from Brussels , Paris and Amsterdam really easily too. 

What about a Day Trip to Bruges for the Christmas Markets?

Arranging a day trip to Bruges for the Christmas Markets is easy. You can choose from travelling by Eurostar, Car + Ferry or taking a specific Christmas Market tour (check Get Your Guide to see what is available). 

Does Eurostar Go to Bruges?

No, Eurostar does not go directly to Bruges. You need to change trains onto a local train from Brussels (the local train is included in the price of your ticket). 

How Long do You Need to Visit Bruges?

Ideally you would have at least two days to visit Bruges. It is possible (as I hope this article shows you!) to see a lot of Bruges in a day, but with two days you can take things at a gentler pace and see even more. 

Read Next: How to Spend Two Days in Bruges

Parking in Bruges 

If you’ve decided to do your day trip to Bruges via car and ferry, the best parking is on the edge of town next to Centrum Station. Parking costs €3.50 for up to 24 hours and it’s a 10-15 minute walk into the centre of town. 

What to Pack for your Bruges Day Trip

Here are a few things you will want to make sure you pack on your trip. 

  • Passport 
  • Driving Licence (if you’re driving)
  • Tickets 
  • Comfortable walking shoes 
  • Portable battery charger
  • Waterproof jacket (hey, the weather in Belgium can be wildly changeable)

Where to Stay on Your Bruges Trip 

Architecture in Bruges

I have written a full guide to where to stay in Bruges but as a quick summary:

Novotel Bruges Centrum 

If you do decide to stay the night in Bruges, I’ve found the Novotel Bruges Centrum to strike the right balance between comfortable, well-located and excellent value. 

Check Rates and Availability for Novotel Bruges 

Hotel de Orangerie

If you want to push the boat out, Hotel de Orangerie is one of the best hotels in Bruges and housed in a renovated Carthusian convent. 

Check Rates and Availability for Hotel de Orangerie Bruges

Read More Belgium Travel Guides

  • Where to Stay in Bruges
  • The Best Airbnbs in Bruges
  • Bruges Attractions Map
  • Bruges 2 Day Itinerary
  • What to Pack for Europe
  • Antwerp Travel Guide: What to See + What to Skip

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A Day Trip to Bruges

I’m Julianna Barnaby - a professional travel writer and geek extraordinaire. I started The Discoveries Of to help you to discover the best of new destinations from around the world.

Discovering new places is a thrill - whether it’s close to home, a new country or continent, I write to help you explore more and explore differently.

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There’s a travel class to suit every budget and style, whether you’re celebrating something special, travelling en famille, or just want to catch up on some work. And if you get peckish en route, you can pick up drinks, snacks and meals from Eurostar Café – from flaky morning pastries to after-work apéritifs.

Arriving at St Pancras International

Eurostar trains arrive right in the heart of London at the beautiful St Pancras International. There, as well as lots of shops and restaurants, you’ll find underground lines and buses to whisk you to London’s top museums and galleries where your Eurostar ticket gives you 2 for 1 entry to lots of exhibitions.

easiest way to travel from london to bruges

Missed your connection because of a delay or cancellation?

You can hop on the next available train (HOTNAT) when travelling on high-speed services which are part of the Railteam alliance. 

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London to Bruges trains

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Antwerp to London trains

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With its ancient citadels, towering cathedrals, all-night parties and café culture, Belgium defies definition at every turn.

COMMENTS

  1. London to Bruges

    You can take a train from London King's Cross to Bruges via Bruxelles-Midi in around 3h 11m. Alternatively, FlixBus operates a bus from London Victoria to Bruges once daily. Tickets cost €27 - €40 and the journey takes 7h 20m. Airlines.

  2. London to Bruges by train

    Travel by train from London to Bruges with Eurostar. Stress free travel with luggage included. Book your train tickets online to Bruges today. ... Read on to discover why taking Eurostar from London to Bruges is the only way to travel. ... Discover Europe's best destinations with Eurostar across France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany and ...

  3. London to Bruges by train in 3hrs 25mins

    Read on to discover why taking Eurostar from London to Bruges is the only way to travel. Departure from London St Pancras International . ... Discover Europe's best destinations with Eurostar across France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany and the UK. Read more - All Eurostar trains .

  4. London to Bruges

    The cheapest way to get from London to Bruges costs only €97, and the quickest way takes just 5½ hours. Find the travel option that best suits you. Rome2Rio uses cookies to help personalize content and show you personalised ads.

  5. Trains from London → Bruges from £70.34

    London to Bruges (Brugge) by train. It takes an average of 3h 20m to travel from London to Bruges (Brugge) by train, over a distance of around 144 miles (231 km). There are normally 10 trains per day travelling from London to Bruges (Brugge) and tickets for this journey start from £70.34 when you book in advance. First train. 06:16. Last train.

  6. How to take the train journey from London to Bruges

    London to Brugge / Bruges by train. Bruges/Brugge is one of the easiest locations to access when travelling from London to Europe by train. Simply take the Eurostar to Bruxelles and then hop on one of the frequent trains from the Belgian capital to Brugge.

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  8. Trains from London St Pancras International to Bruges (Brugge)

    It takes an average of 3h 22m to travel from London St Pancras International to Bruges (Brugge) by train, over a distance of around 146 miles (235 km). There are normally 10 trains per day travelling from London St Pancras International to Bruges (Brugge) and tickets for this journey start from £70.39 when you book in advance. First train. 06:16.

  9. London to Bruges from $23 (€20)

    The cheapest way to travel from London to Bruges is a bus with an average price of $23 (€20). This is compared to other travel options from London to Bruges: A bus is $12 (€10) less than a ferry for this route with tickets for a ferry from London to Bruges costing on average $35 (€30). A bus is $57 (€49) less than a flight for this trip ...

  10. London to Bruges train tickets from £68.66

    The cheapest tickets we've found for trains from London to Bruges are £68.66. If you book 30 days in advance, tickets will cost around £92, while the price is around £161 if you book 7 days in advance. Booking on the day of travel is likely to be more expensive, so it's worth booking ahead of time if you can, or check our special offers and ...

  11. London to Bruges train tickets from £18

    Trains from London to Bruges cover the 145 miles long trip taking on average 3 h 17 min with our travel partners like Eurostar. Normally, there are 4 trains operating per day. While the average ticket price for this journey costs around £148, you can find the cheapest train ticket for as low as £98. Travellers depart most frequently from ...

  12. Bruges to London

    You can take a train from Bruges to London King's Cross via Brussel-Zuid / Bruxelles-Midi in around 3h 59m. Alternatively, FlixBus operates a bus from Bruges to London Victoria once daily. Tickets cost £23 - £35 and the journey takes 7h 35m. Airlines.

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    Bus tickets between London and Bruges cost £42.99 on average, but you can buy cheap coach travel tickets for as low as £17.99 if you book in advance and/or outside of busy travel times, like weekends and bank holidays. We have a large network, so you can trust us to take you from your desired departure city to your destination in comfort and ...

  14. London to Bruges from £18

    The cheapest way to get from London to Bruges is by taking a coach with average ticket prices of £18 compared to other travel options to Bruges: A coach is £9 less than a ferry for this trip with tickets for a ferry from London to Bruges costing on average £27. A coach is £44 less than a flight with an average ticket price of £62 from ...

  15. Eurostar trains from London to Bruges, Brussels & Belgium

    London to Brussels 2h01, Bruges 3h25. Eurostar is the high-speed passenger train from London St Pancras to Brussels Midi through the Channel Tunnel. Eurostar trains travel at up to 300 km/h (186 mph), it takes just 2 hours from central London to central Brussels, faster than flying as well as more comfortable, more convenient and more reliable.

  16. London to Bruges train tickets from $23 (€20)

    Eurostar. Trains from London to Bruges cover the 145 miles (234 km) long route taking on average 3 h 17 min with our travel partners like Eurostar. Normally, there are 7 trains operating per day. You can get the cheapest train tickets for this route for as low as $202 (€175), but the average price of train tickets is $265 (€231).

  17. A Day Trip to Bruges: Plan + See The Best of Bruges In A Day

    The easiest way to do a Bruges day trip from London is to take the Eurostar - there really isn't much arguing with the fact that you can hop onto the Eurostar to Brussels, change onto a local train to Bruges and be in Bruges in 3 hours and 25 minutes. OK, so you have to add a bit of time to allow for security (Eurostar advise arriving 30 ...

  18. Bruges to London by Train in 3hrs 25mins

    Discover our exclusive offers and book your return journey ticket Bruges-London on Eurostar.com. Travel from Bruges to London in less than 4 hours, with a short connection in Brussels-Midi. Your train journey from Bruges to London: Bruges train station to Brussels-Midi: 1 hr. Brussels-Midi to London St Pancras: 2 hr.

  19. Trains from Bruges (Brugge) to London

    Bruges (Brugge) to London by train. It takes an average of 3h 47m to travel from Bruges (Brugge) to London by train, over a distance of around 144 miles (231 km). There are normally 10 trains per day travelling from Bruges (Brugge) to London and tickets for this journey start from £69.41 when you book in advance. First train. 06:06. Last train.

  20. Bruges to London from $23 (€20)

    The cheapest way to get from Bruges to London is by taking a bus with average ticket prices of $15 (€13) compared to other travel options to London: Taking a bus costs $20 (€17) less than taking a ferry, which costs on average $35 (€30) for the same trip. Taking a bus costs $57 (€49) less than taking a flight, which costs on average $73 ...