Brugge, Belgium

Tarry

I am thinking about going there for my birthday in April (during the week, not at the weekend) and I looked at the cost of Eurostar to get there, £158! :eek: I know this includes the cost of the train to Brugge, but it's quite expensive to me. I live in East Sussex near the Kent borders, and I was wondering is there any ways to get a cheaper way to get there for one day that doesn't cost the earth. We willl not have a vehicle with this there as whom I am going with doesn't want to to drive abroad.

Thank you,

Pee

Have a look at a foot passenger on the ferry from Dover and the train from there to Bruge. I haven't done it, but a friend has and we were planning on going later in the year.

Tarry

Do trains run from Calais Ville to Brugge than? I've taken a train from Calais Ville to Boulogne for a couple of trips and to St Omer, but not looked into that one.

purcel

How about taking the Eurolines to Bruxelles and then the train to Brugge?

casper_g

Is £158 the "Fully Flexible" fare? You didn't give the dates you were looking at, but as an example I looked at going out on the 13th April and coming back on the 15th and found lots of options for £80-90 per person. This was from St Pancras, but I don't think the fares are very different from Ebbsfleet if that's more convenient. Ashford also has trains, but there are few direct services to Brussels.

Ezmondino

I know you said that the other person doesn't want to drive... but really it is no different, nothing to be afraid of. I say this because you can often go on P&O for under £30.

Voyager2002

There is a ferry from Kent to Ostend, which is virtually the same town as Brugge. Sad to say, the ferry does not take foot passengers. So the most direct route is only possible if you are willing to take a car.

kento_2

Seriously consider driving, just over 1 hr from Calais, its all motorway and you cant get lost, then from motorway 3 miles into and straight into underground car park off the ring road, which will cost you, but you can park for less if more adventurous.

Pee

Have a look at the Hoverspeed sea cat. So far as I can see that does take foot passengers.

Re driving in another country, it is no big deal, but parking in a city you don't know is always more hassle than it is worth, unless you fancy a LOT of shopping! If someone doesn't want to drive, worrying about the journey will ruin the trip. Plus, some people like to have a couple of beers with their lunch when abroad.

creased-leach

We've been thinking about a night o two away, midweek, during the last week in April, on a very tight budget. We're tied to that week as the idea is to take advantage of youngest dd being away on a school trip. Bruges or the Dam are current favourites.

We're only 20 mins from Dover, and similar from the channel tunnel, so Europe tends to work out just as cheap as the uk...however, we'd prefer to leave the car at home, and jump on a train, or even a coach for a change. It's so frustrating though as it would seem we'd have to drive in the opposite direction- away from the channel ports- to get on a coach even. Why on earth can the coach not pick up in Dover docks? It seems so rational. Grrrr.

<<rant over, sorry op!>>

Geoggy

went to Belgium last year for a midweek break. Stayed in Ghent and visted Bruges for the day. I prefered Ghent, less touristy, cheaper and Bruges is easy to get to on the train. Ghent is also a really beautiful city