Getting There

By Train

Two trains arrive in Bruges every hour from Brussels and Ghent, one every hour from Antwerp, and up to three every hour from the ferry ports of Zeebrugge and Ostend (Oostende). The travel time is around 1 hour from Brussels, 1 hour and 20 minutes from Antwerp, 25 minutes from Ghent, and 15 minutes from Ostend and Zeebrugge. Train information is available from Belgian Railways (tel. 02/528-28-28; www.sncb.be).

From London, passengers can ride the Eurostar high-speed trains through the Channel Tunnel and either transfer for Bruges at Lille in northern France or in Brussels. From Paris, Thalys high-speed trains go via Brussels direct to Bruges; on the slower and cheaper international trains, you transfer in Brussels. From Amsterdam, go via Antwerp or Brussels, either on Thalys, or on international and intercity trains. From Cologne, Thalys trains stop in Brussels, and International trains via Brussels to Ostend stop in Bruges.

Although the city is called Bruges in both English and French, look out for its Flemish name, BRUGGE, written on the station name boards. The station is on Stationsplein, 1.6km (1 mile) south of the center of town, a 20-minute walk or a short taxi or bus ride -- choose any bus labeled CENTRUM and get out at the Markt.

By Bus

Buses are less useful than trains for getting to Bruges, though there is frequent service from Zeebrugge, Ostend, and other Belgian seacoast resorts. The Bruges bus station adjoins the rail station. Schedule and fare information is available from De Lijn (tel. 070/22-02-00; www.delijn.be).

Eurolines operates daily bus service from London, Amsterdam, Paris, Cologne, and other cities around Europe, to Brussels or Bruges, or to both.

By Car

Bruges is 92km (57 miles) northwest of Brussels and 51km (32 miles) northwest of Ghent on A10/E40; 102km (63 miles) west of Antwerp on A14/E17 and A10/E40; 16km (10 miles) south of the ferry port of Zeebrugge on N31 and N371; and 30km (19 miles) southeast of Ostend on A10/E40. From Calais, France, and the Channel Tunnel, take E40 east.