How Much is a Day Trip to Bruges from Brussels
Are you planning your trip to Bruges and don't know what budget you'll need? I'll tell you all about it below - take note!
One of the beautiful corners of Bruges | Libby Penner
If you're planning a trip to Brussels, a stop in Bruges is a must. Just over an hour's drive away, Bruges is the perfect place to escape for a day trip and lose yourself in its narrow streets, canals and charming bridges.
But what budget do you need for this getaway,how much does it cost to join an organised tour, and how much would it cost if you decide to visit on your own? I'll answer these and a few more questions below to help you decide the best way to organise your pocket during your trip.
How much does a trip to Bruges from Brussels cost?
For those who opt for the more comfortable and economical option, excursions to Bruges from Brussels cost around €45 at Hellotickets. The journey between cities is by private bus, you'll be accompanied by an expert guide and there's a stop in the neighbouring city of Ghent to complete the tour with a glimpse of the best of Belgium.
If you're not a fan of organised groups and prefer to travel in a more intimate way, there are similar tours that offer a more exclusive experience travelling in small groups: the price goes up to €90, but this type of tour will allow you to connect better with the guide and the city, ask your questions, ask for recommendations...
Whichever option you choose, you'll have free time during the day to explore the city at your leisure, making it a very authentic experience.
To the budget for the excursion, add around 20 or 25 € per person for food and drink (although there are much lower cost options, this is the average price of what it will cost you).
average price of what it will cost you to eat in Bruges).
How much does a trip to Bruges and Ghent from Brussels cost?
You're in luck, because most of the organised tours that go to Bruges also stop in Ghent for the same price, around 45 €.
This allows you to see both cities in one day (ideal if you're short on time) and save on travel: you won't have to keep an eye on public bus or train schedules, but you'll have the tour's private bus at your disposal to get you from one city to the other.
How much does it cost to get to Bruges from Brussels by train?
If you don't fancy an organised tour and prefer to visit on your own, there are trains that will take you from one city to another for about €16 each way and about €30 return.
There are up to three trains per hour throughout the day, so frequency should not be a problem. The train station is in the city centre and the journey time is just over an hour, so it's a very comfortable trip.
Budget-wise, you'll have spent almost €30 just to get there and back, and that doesn't include the stop in Ghent, which would require you to buy a separate ticket. If you also want to hire the services of a guide for a tour of Bruges, add an extra €10 per person.
You can check train times, fares and availability on the Trainline website.
How much does it cost to get from Brussels to Bruges and Ghent by train?
If in addition to Bruges you want to visit Ghent during the day, you will have to make three train journeys and therefore buy three tickets: Brussels-Bruges-Ghent-Brussels, in total, calculate between €35 and €40. Here is the price breakdown:
- Brussels - Bruges: €16
- Bruges - Ghent: €8.70
- Ghent-Brussels: €12
The distance between Bruges and Ghent is less than an hour, so you won't add many kilometres to your journey, but the logistics certainly start to get complicated if you want to visit both cities in one day on your own. You'll need to keep an eye on timetables and be aware of waiting times at each station.
Again, I recommend using Trainline to buy your tickets online so you don't have to fight or queue at the machines at the train station.
How much does it cost to get from Brussels to Bruges by rental car?
Renting a car can be a good idea if you plan to move around the country a lot, so you can get around on your own without depending on public transport schedules.
However, it's not a cheap option and you won't be able to get to the centre of the main cities by car, so you'll have to pay for parking during your visit to Bruges.
A quick calculation shows that renting a car can cost around €50 a day (plus the cost of insurance), around €20 for petrol to get there and back and around €15 for parking the car for the whole day in a car park, so your budget will rise to €85 for travel alone.
If you don't plan to visit more cities, I don't recommend this option.
How much does it cost to get from Brussels to Bruges by bus?
Taking a public bus from Brussels to Bruges is the cheapest option of all, and can cost between €15 and €20 for a return ticket. Buses usually depart from Brussels Central Station and take about an hour and a half to reach Bruges.
Buses run frequently throughout the day, and you can check timetables, prices and buy tickets on BusBud.