My views do not necessarily reflect the views of my employer.
As I flew over the ocean to join MSC Preziosa in Hamburg, I checked my email. I had been given an assignment from Ron Voyage. He and my mom would be docking in Zeebrugge in the future and wanted to know the best mode of public transportation to get from the Cruise Terminal to “the cute city of Brugge.” I’ve done the research and I’ve decided to put the report here if it’s helpful to anyone else.
It turns out there are a couple of ways to get to Brugge.
The ship’s tour was the easiest, fastest, most convenient and obviously the most expensive.
This is my favorite way to get to Brugge:
Option 1: Tram to Blankenburge, Bus to Brugge
From the Cruise Terminal I turned left, and then turned right on the main road and followed the signs for the chocolate factory. When I came to the road that veered off toward the chocolate factory, I continued on the same road.
Just past the chocolate factory is a little shop called SPAR advertising day pass tickets which are €7.50. You can also buy tickets at a little kiosk at the tram stop for the same price. The day passes are good for the tram and the buses.
The tram stop is in the middle of the street. If you’re facing away from the shop toward the road, the tram to Blankenberge station goes with the traffic -left to right.
Blankenberge station (the one you want) is the stop after Blankenberge Pier.
From the tram stop, you can see the Blankenburge sign (on the left) backwards). The number 40 bus stops on the same side of the street where you get off the tram.
Here is the time table that was printed when I was there:
When you get to Brugge (about 30 minutes), the bus goes past the stop and turns around so don’t let that stress you (I was concerned I’d missed the stop my first time). The bus stop drops you very close to the main square.
Going back, google maps had a few different options, but when I was ready the 40 bus was the best (and easiest) choice.
Here’s the timetable from Brugge to Blankenburge:
In Blankenburge, the bus will drop you off in the same place it picked you up, so you’ll have to cross the street to catch the tram going back to Zeebrugge.
In Zeebrugge, look for this church on the right:
And the SPAR on the left.
Option 2: Tram to Blankenburge, Train to Brugge
You can alternatively take a train from Blankenburge station to Brugge. The train is only about 15-minutes to Brugge (or you can continue on to Ghent) but it drops you off on the outer edge of the city rather than the city center.
The €7.50 day passes are good for the tram and the buses, but not the train. If you prefer to take the train, it’s cheaper to get a single fare for the tram, but then you’ll have to buy a train ticket at the station (and the tickets coming back).
Option 2: Train from Zeebrugge to Brugge
There is also a train station in Zeebrugge. It’s about a 30 minute walk, a €15 taxi/uber or one stop on the tram. The train to Brugge from here also goes to Ghent.
GoogleMaps seems to think you have to go far out of your way to walk to the station. My friend Leah walked back from this station so I know it can be done – and she said there was a tram stop on the way. We took a taxi to and from this station the next day.
GoogleMaps lists the times of various public transportation options.
There is also this website (which I haven’t used): https://www.delijn.be/en/routeplanner/
Have fun!