Brussels is a large city of over a million people and a visitor center for Belgium. Many travelers plan trips to the smaller cities of Bruges, or Ghent, which is on the train line from Brussels Midi train station to Bruges. If you drive, use the highways, which are also an easy way to get around.
Distance from Brussels to Bruges and other nearby cities
Getting around Belgium is very easy, and the distances between cities are small.
- Brussels to Bruges: 101 kilometers (63 miles)
- Brussels to Ghent: 60 kilometers (37 miles)
- Brussels to Antwerp: 53 kilometers (32 miles)
- Bruges to Ghent: 51 kilometers (31 miles)
- Bruges to Antwerp via Ghent: 92 kilometers (57 miles)
- Ghent to Antwerp: 60 kilometers (37 miles)
Save a lot of money when taking the train in Belgium
If you are planning a train holiday to Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg, you can save money by purchasing a Benelux Rail Pass.
However, if you are only traveling in Belgium, the cheapest way to do so is to use the 10-trip Belgian Rail Pass, offered by the Belgian National Rail Company. It makes all train rides around € 8, which is a steal. The ticket works like this:
- You buy the rail pass at the ticket office at any train station in Belgium. As of June 2019, it costs around € 83.
- When you board a train, you write the details of the trip you are taking in one of the ten spaces on the ticket.
- One ticket can be used for multiple people.
- When you have used the ticket 10 times, buy a new one.
- Tickets are not sold online.
If you want to have your tickets in advance so you don’t have to buy them at the train station, Rail Europe sells Point-to-Point tickets in Europe.
Travel by train from Brussels airport to Ghent and Bruges
Many travelers enter Belgium through Brussels airport. If you plan to skip Brussels and go to Bruges, you can take the train directly from the airport train station. But why not stay for a while and see the city?
The airport train station is located below the terminal (basement level-1). Frequent trains connect the airport with Brussels North, Brussels Central and Brussels Midi stations.
If you plan to visit Ghent, there are direct trains from the airport that take approximately 54 minutes to reach Ghent.
There are no direct trains to Bruges from the airport, although you can change trains in Ghent to go to Bruges. Otherwise, take the airport train to Brussels Midi station and then the train to Bruges. The train takes just over an hour.
Drive from Brussels airport to Ghent and Bruges
To Ghent from the airport, follow the signs for the A201 to the R0 / E40 in the direction of Ghent, taking the Bruges exit. (The R0 is the Brussels ring road, and there is generally a lot of traffic on the sections).
From the center of Brussels to drive to Ghent, take the E40 in the direction of Ghent. Exit at the Bruges exit. The trip should take less than an hour.
From Ghent to Bruges, continue on the E40 and it will take another 45 minutes.
You can rent a car at the airport or rent it in advance if you are staying in Europe for three weeks or more.
Guided Tours of Bruges
Bruges is well connected, not only with Brussels, but also with other cities. Check out these guided tours of Bruges, which include an air-conditioned bus and tour guide to show you the sights of the city.
- Ghent and Bruges day trip from Brussels
- Bruges day trip from London
- Bruges day trip from Amsterdam
- Bruges day trip from Paris
