Doing Brugges on your own...(literally!)

[Pippa Kernow]

Hello there. Please can you help us.

I've a question for those of you who have d.i.y'd Brugges from the port of Zeebrugge. We've been reading on the internet that the trains only run hourly. Is that a problem? Are they packed to the rafters? When is the best time to travel to avoid the crush AND (most importantly) get safely back to the ship on time? And do they run to the timetables or are they rather hit 'n' miss? Thank you. We're most grateful.

(You see, we're total newbies at this and have always played safe in the past by booking official excursions, so we're a tad scaredy cats at venturing out on our own). lol

[Suekersh]

We did this by taxi. 4 sharing a fraction of the price of the trip. Can't remember how much exactly but worth researching.

[Pippa Kernow]

We did this by taxi. 4 sharing a fraction of the price of the trip. Can't remember how much exactly but worth researching.

Thank you. That sounds far better than waiting for an hourly train.

Can I just ask... did you catch the taxi from the cruise port or did you catch the shuttlebus to Blankenberg and then find a taxi?

[JenniC]

PippA, we have been three times and always done the train from Blankenberg. Cannot remember, how often they run, but it was no problem, we got off the ship early and took P&O bus to Blankenberg and then train, good fun and the walk from the station is interesting. We had loads of time to look round and even queued for the boat trip around Bruges, and still had time for lunch and a walk round to buy those wonderful Choccies.....

[Suekersh]

Hi Pippa my memory is not good but Garry assures me we did it straight from the ship. Arranged the return price and pick up point in the main square. Paid on return to the ship. We had lots of time in Brugge. We went on the canal trip, followed by the brewery tour and then chocolate shopping time. We had a late lunch of moules and frittes in an outside bar then went to meet the taxi. The journey is approx 20/ 25 minutes from the ship.

[Dancing Queen]

Have never used the train but I believe it is pretty reliable.

We usually have a taxi .. the cost from the port to Bruges was approx 100 Euros return, most of the taxi's are 8 seater so if you can find people to share it works out quite cheap.

The first time we did it we were in a long queue waiting for the shuttle into Blankenburg, I checked the taxi price out and then just went along the queue asking if anyone was interested in sharing .. we were on our way within minutes.

[Manoverboard]

If it is a concern then my advice is to book P&O's 7 hour ' Bruges on your own ' Tour, plenty of time to see much of what there is on offer in this beautiful City without the worry. All you need is a Travel Guide Book to make your choices and a map, the latter will be provided free on the transfer coach.

[Debbie W]

Hi Pippa

We visited Bruges on our Christmas cruise and got the train. It was so easy (and cheap which made DH very happy!). We caught the shuttle bus to Blankenburg and the train station is literally across the road from where the shuttle drops you off.

The return fare was just under 10 Euros for the 3 of us but it was a Sunday so slightly cheaper than during the week. The train was really long and a double decker to boot! There was plenty of room for everyone but we were the only cruise ship in that day.

The journey takes around 20 minutes and once you reach Bruges you can either walk into the city centre (around 15 to 20 minutes) or take a bus (destination 'centrum').

Getting the train back to Blankenburg was no hassle whatsoever.

On the other hand if you prefer to get a taxi then the fare is around 50 Euros each way (google Bruges Taxi Service). There were a few taxis at the port but not too many.

Debs

[Pippa Kernow]

Thank you everyone for your help. You make it sound so simple and I'm relaxing already.

Ooooo I so remember those delightful chocolates! Why, the whole of Brugges smells of them! (*makes mental note to allow plenty of room in the suitcase for boxes of choccies as pressies*). he he

[Debbie W]

Pippa

Here's a link to the Belgian Rail website:

http://www.belgianrail.be/en/Default.aspx

Debs

[Lulucat]

We did Bruges on your own. Not adventurous enough to be bothered with doing it all DIY - for me the saving just wasn't worth the extra effort. I know everyone says it is easy to do the train after the shuttle - BUT we got off the ship, got on a coach - had a lovely talk on the way about the countryside which wasn't intrusive at all - got off the coach - was guided into Bruges via a very scenic route with lots of information provided and then left to do our own thing for several hours. Met at a pick up - another load of information and then a very gentle return to the ship.

It was fantastic and (as people always say) minimal cost in comparison to the cruise. Would i do it again - you bet. Why worry about trains etc, when this is so easy. My opinion only of course

[Pippa Kernow]

We did Bruges on your own. Not adventurous enough to be bothered with doing it all DIY - for me the saving just wasn't worth the extra effort. I know everyone says it is easy to do the train after the shuttle - BUT we got off the ship, got on a coach - had a lovely talk on the way about the countryside which wasn't intrusive at all - got off the coach - was guided into Bruges via a very scenic route with lots of information provided and then left to do our own thing for several hours. Met at a pick up - another load of information and then a very gentle return to the ship.

It was fantastic and (as people always say) minimal cost in comparison to the cruise. Would i do it again - you bet. Why worry about trains etc, when this is so easy. My opinion only of course

Oh I know, Lulucat! It's so easy isn't it? And I remember how the lovely coach driver hands a small box of choccies to everyone as a gift. Bless 'im! We've done it that way in the past, (and I'd be most happy to do it that way again.) However, hubby has other plans....and wants to be more adventurous... ah well... perhaps, given time, I'll be able to twist his arm...

[JenniC]

Whatever way you do it - enjoy - I can taste those chocolates ...

[JohnTheDog]

We generally go once a year, but this year more than once because of our QM trip, we actually went to Ghent then (not as nice we thought) anyway I digress..we usually just get the P&O afternoon trip, OK £32, but that is about the same as a cab & we don't have to faff about with trains or finding someone to share with.

[Pippa Kernow]

Thanks Jenni. I'll bring back some chocolates for the forum.

Hi there, John. Thanks for the info regarding Ghent. I've often wondered what was there.... *strikes Ghent from the list* he he

I have a feeling that we'll probably end up doing the official tour to Brugges. (It's just that hubby doesn't know it yet!)

Cheers everyone!

[JohnTheDog]

We didn't like it much but don't let that put you off, pretty enough place, we did Ghent & Chocolates..

[Manoverboard]

We didn't like it much but don't let that put you off, pretty enough place ....

I agree, Ghent is ok-ish but you could combine a boat trip to Damme, ideally for lunch, during your Bruges free time.

[Romig1]

We took the shuttle into Blankenberg and the guide on the coach informed us how easy it was (& cheap) to get to Bruges on the train.

It was a Sunday when we went, but I'm positive that the service ran at least hourly - so it may be worth checking the frequency for certain for other days.