By plane
For Muscovites, the fastest, cheapest and most convenient way to Bruges is by air, all routes pass through Brussels. From Vnukovo, Sheremetyevo and Domodedovo to Brussels, planes of Airbaltic, Swiss, Airserbia, Air France and others take off daily. The most economical option is from Aigen Airlines. The flight is connecting, with a change in Athens, the journey will take more than 30 hours. A direct flight from Aeroflot will cost a little more, but the time spent is an order of magnitude less – only 7 hours. According to populationmonster, Bruges is one of the largest cities in Belgium.
The Belgian capital has two airports, but most international flights, including those from Moscow, St. Petersburg, Yekaterinburg, Novosibirsk, Yakutsk, arrive in Zaventem.
There are no direct flights from the northern capital. Aeroflot, Airbaltic, Turkish Airlines, Air France and others airlines offer options with transfers in Riga, Istanbul, Frankfurt am Main and Moscow. The cheapest route runs through Zurich (there) and Munich (back). The flight is operated by the Swiss company Swiss, the travel time is 5.5 hours one way.
From Brussels Airport to Bruges
The easiest way to get there is by train. The station is located right in the airport building, direct trains to Bruges leave every half an hour, the journey takes 1.5 hours. The train passes through the Brussels South railway station, where you need to change to another platform. The fare is 15-20 EUR. Tickets are sold online at Brussels Railways website.
By bus
There is no direct bus service from Bruges. For Muscovites, the route runs through Brussels. Ecolines buses (off. site) depart on Wednesdays and Fridays from the Tushinskaya metro station. A one-way ticket costs 4930 RUB, it will take 2 days to travel, making a change in Warsaw. Arrival – at the Central railway station, from where trains to Bruges run several times an hour. The fare is 15 EUR, the journey takes a little over an hour.
For Petersburgers, a bus is the most economical, but far from the fastest option. The path lies through Riga, where you need to get there by Luxexpress bus (off. site). They depart daily, a one-way ticket will cost 28-40 EUR, travel time is 10 hours. In the Latvian capital, you need to transfer to a Ryanair airline plane to Brussels, and from there – by train to Bruges. The flight will cost 75-135 EUR and take 2.5 hours.
Transportation
Public transport in Bruges is represented by buses and fixed-route taxis. Since the town is very small and all attractions are within walking distance from each other, tourists rarely use it.
One trip on a city bus will cost 3 EUR, with the same ticket you can transfer to another route within an hour. There is a travel card for 3 days – 12 EUR, 5 days – 17 EUR and a child for 1 day – 5 EUR.
Brugge City Card holders receive a 50% discount on public transport and bike rentals.
Taxi services in Bruges are almost never in demand. The demanded direction is the airport (200 EUR). A short trip through the historical center costs 7-9 EUR (2.40 EUR for landing and 2.40 for 1 km of travel).
Horse-drawn carriages are more popular. They are used not so much for travel, but for walking. No wonder – along the medieval streets of Bruges one is drawn to a ride in an old transport. Pleasure is not cheap – 35 EUR for half an hour.
It is convenient to move around the city by two-wheeled transport. There are many bicycle rentals in the center, almost every hotel has them. Prices are about the same – from 4 EUR per hour to 100 EUR per week.
Bruges Hotels
It is not difficult to rent a house in Bruges, however, accommodation prices are quite high even for Europe. This is especially true of the historical center, where you have to pay extra for the atmosphere of ancient buildings, the view from the window and the proximity of the main attractions. However, for those who are not going to save money, this is an ideal option.
For a budget holiday, there are a couple of hostels with a good combination of price and quality. A night in a dormitory room will cost from 16 EUR.
There are many 4 and 5* hotels in the central part. Prices for a double room from 1100 EUR. For this money, the bathroom in the room will be finished with marble and granite, and the walls will be decorated with antiques and genuine works of art. If such frills seem excessive, you can find a high-class room for 220 EUR, and breakfast will already be included in the price. The cost of accommodation in a 3 * hotel varies from 80 to 200 EUR.
Rent a Car
The medieval city, carved with bizarre canal lines, is far from the best place for four-wheeled travelers. And there’s no need for a car here if you don’t plan to leave the historical center. However, for those who want to visit the beaches of Ostend, admire the Gravensten castle in Ghent or look into the Diamond Museum in Antwerp, you should think about renting a car.
Although Bruges is a fairly quiet town, and there is no busy car traffic, congestion in the narrow winding streets is not uncommon, and there is not much place to park in the central part. There are several large car parks nearby (1.20-8.70 EUR per hour), but it is much cheaper to leave the car on the periphery.
The best parking is near the railway station, the cost is 0.50 EUR per hour, from 5 to 24 hours – 2.5 EUR. The driver and all passengers are given tickets for travel by public transport to the city center and back.
Cars are mainly rented by large international offices – Avis, Europcar, Hertz and others. You can rent a car in the center of Bruges, and return it at Brussels airport before leaving for home. Prices start from 70 EUR per day.
