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How to get from Antwerp to Bruges
Direct SNCB/NMBS trains from Antwerpen-Centraal reach Brugge in about 1 h 20 to 1 h 30, roughly every hour. Driving takes about 1 h 15 but parking in Bruges' centre is limited.
Best option: Train. Direct trains are frequent, cheap and avoid the busy Antwerp and Ghent ring roads.
All the ways to make the trip
| How | Time | How often | Price* | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| train Direct SNCB/NMBS intercity trains from Antwerpen-Centraal to Brugge | about 1 h 20 to 1 h 30 | roughly hourly, more with a change in Ghent | about €15–20 single | Weekend return discounts are often available. Brugge station is about 15–20 minutes on foot from the Markt. |
| car E34 / E17 and E40 via Ghent | about 1 h 15 (about 100 km), longer at rush hour | fuel only, no motorway tolls | Use the large car park next to Brugge station; the medieval centre has restricted traffic. |
*Approximate prices and times for 2026. Timetables change by season: check with the operator before you travel.
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Tips
- Buy tickets on the SNCB app or at machines; buying on board costs extra.
- Local buses run frequently from Brugge station to the Markt.
- Avoid weekend afternoons in summer if you dislike crowds.
- Ghent is on the same line and easy to combine.
Common questions
Is there a direct train from Antwerp to Bruges?
Yes. SNCB/NMBS runs direct intercity trains from Antwerpen-Centraal to Brugge in about 1 h 20 to 1 h 30, roughly every hour. Other services require a quick change in Ghent (Gent-Sint-Pieters). Check the current timetable in the SNCB app. No reservation is needed: buy a ticket and board any train on the route.
Can I do Bruges as a day trip from Antwerp?
Yes, it is very easy. With about 1 h 30 each way by train and frequent services, you can spend six to eight hours in Bruges, enough for the Markt, Belfry, canals and a boat tour. Trains run until late evening, so you can stay for dinner and still get back to Antwerp.
What is the cheapest way from Antwerp to Bruges?
The train is normally the cheapest and most convenient way, at roughly €15–20 one way. Weekend return tickets and group or youth fares can reduce this further. Buy before boarding, because tickets sold on the train carry a surcharge. Driving costs similar in fuel, plus parking in Bruges.
Should I drive from Antwerp to Bruges?
Only if you plan to visit places away from the rail line. The drive takes about 1 h 15 without traffic, but rush hour around Antwerp and Ghent can add a lot of time. Bruges' centre has restricted traffic, so park at the station car park and walk or take a local bus into town.
Compiled by TonyPlan from operator and transport information and travel knowledge; updated 2026-10-05. Anything we could not confirm is marked as approximate.