Docking in Zeebrugge

 

 

This way to SIGHTSEEING IN BRUGES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

      3*** hotel in historic centre of Bruges.  Website: HERE

YOUR AD HERE - IF YOU HAVE:                                   *  Restaurant/Dining           * Area Specific Souvenirs       CLICK HERE

YOUR AD HERE - IF YOU HAVE:                                 * Tour Guides and Transportation        CLICK HERE

 

 

      

DOCKING:  Zeebrugge is really just an industrial port, a large container, bulk cargo, and passenger ferry terminal port in the municipality of Bruges, handling over 42 million tons of cargo annually. Cruise ships smaller than 180 meters (590 feet) usually dock at pier 35. Ships longer than 180 meters dock at pier 24.  Two-and a-half miles away is Blankenberge, a quiet little beachside community and vacation spot for locals. There is a long boardwalk and a wide sandy beach, and a good amount of wind to go with it. Other than that, there isn't much to see or do in Blankenberge. The real reason to port in Zeebrugge is to visit Zeebrugge's neighbor Bruges (15-min. train ride from Blankenberg), Ghent (30 min train ride ) or Brussels (about l.5 hour train ride).

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  TRANSPORTATION TO BRUGES

    We arrived at Zeebrugge in September early and it was quite cold and drizzly... our first not-so-nice day on our cruise.  Since Zeebrugge, is nothing but a seaport and fishing port, we chose to go inland to Bruges, the nearby little medieval village.  This village is reminiscent of Amsterdam and Hamburg but it is unique in that it is smaller with narrow cobblestone streets and indescribable architecture. It is a beautiful and peaceful place.  

     The drive between the port and Bruges by cab was 90 Euros. So we decided to take our Cruise Shuttle ($20 round trip) to the train station...  hop on the train and get to Bruges for an additional $10. Quite a savings!

SHUTTLE, TRAIN OR TRAM:

     If you arrive on a small boat, it will dock at the cruise terminal which is 5 minutes away from the railway station on the beach of Zeebrugge. During the summer season there's an hourly service to Bruges station and back.  Off season the coastal tram runs from the Kustlaan, the main road along the seafront, west to Blankenberge. There you can take the train, or if you take a day ticket for tram and bus, the bus to Bruges.

     Larger cruise ships  will dock further north. From there you take the coastal tram east to Heist where a train service runs every hour to Bruges.  (More info www.b-rail.be )

    Hopefully, your ship will provide a bus or shuttle transfer to the train station, either on a complimentary basis or for a small fee; if not, you can also take a taxi from the pier.

     You will arrive at the train station in Bruges  on Stationsplein, about 1.6km (1 mile) south of town.  It is about  a 15-20 minute walk to the town center. There is a booth outside the train station for tourism information and maps. You can also get a list of private guides or inquire about a custom tour that meets your needs from the Tourist Office there.

Bruges Train Station

     We chose to see the city "On Our Own" by walking, but there are other means of transportation; horse and carriage, mini-bus and the canal boats.

Walking around Bruges

     Central Bruges is steeped in history and was never designed with public transport in mind. The best way to travel around the very heart of Bruges is often simply by foot, allowing you to fully soak up the atmosphere of day-to-day life and appreciate the architecture close up, although cyclists are becoming an increasingly common sight in the city centre, with two-way traffic often restricted to just bikes.

    Most main attractions are within a five to 15 minute walk of each other. You can start at the train station or the main tourism office at the Concert Bowl (Concertgebouwl, 't Zand), where you can pick up a "do-it-yourself" walking tour and itinerary. We chose another route in the opposite direction, but once you have a map in hand plan your own itinerary so that you are able to see most of the attractions the are of interest to you.

SHIP EXCURSIONS: Bruges on your own: ($79):This "tour" is for folks who don't trust themselves to get back to Zeebrugge on their own in time for the ship to cast off, or don't want to deal with getting to and from the train station. It's basically a transfer: A motor coach picks you up at the pier, takes you to Bruges and leaves you to your own devices until it's time to meet up again with the tour coordinator and get back on the bus. Check with your ship's excursion desk or website.

TRANSPORTATION IN BRUGES

Bus - The main city bus stations are at Stationsplein (adjacent to the railway station), and at the large square called ‘t Zand (southwest of the centre). Bruges has an excellent network of local bus services, shuttling around the centre and the suburbs. Schedules are prominently displayed, and in the centre many buses stop at or near the Markt. A one-day pass for unlimited travel on all city buses can be bought at the kiosks outside the bus stations, or on the buses themselves.

By Mini-Bus - The Sightseeing Line also starts from the Grand Place (Markt) and starts on the hour for a 50 minute tour. These small yellow City Tour buses with panorama view take you to the most picturesque sites of the city.  Tickets are available on-line and in person. Adult tickets are €11.50 (US$16.50), children are €6, and families of 4 (2 children, 2 adults) are €30 (US$40). Visit the web site for more details.  HERE

Taxis  - The main taxi stands are at the Markt, and at Stationsplein outside the railway station.

Bicycles  - There are half a dozen bicycle rental places in the city, including one at the railway station. Bikes will run you between €4 to 7 an hour (US$5.75 - $10). Full day fares are the way to go at a rate of €9-10 (US$13-$14.50). Some bike rentals offer a 24-hour rate for around €30 (US$43). Koffieboontje seems to be the most popular rental company, with an office near the main bell tower.

Canal Boats  - Canal cruises are one of the best ways of viewing the city: central Bruges has 6 miles (10km) of canals with 2 ½ miles (4km) accessible by boat tour (there are plenty of departure points along the Minnewater near the Burg and at the back of the Belfry Tower, City Hall and near the Church of Our Lady.). The cruises generally operate from March to November. Tours are typically a half hour and give you a great swans-eye-view of the center of Bruges. An individual ticket costs €5.70 (US$8.25) (Children 4-11 years €2.80 (US$4.00) children under 4 are free. Groups of 20 or more people receive discounted tickets.

Horse & Carriage - The Markt is the place to go if you want to make a city tour by horse and carriage, but long lines are likely in high season. To make this trip it costs around 35 Euro (US$45.30) for a carriage, there is place for five persons in a carriage. The tour lasts about 30 à 40 minutes and takes you to the most important historical places of the city.

Every cruise ship has its own schedule and everyone is afraid that they will miss it. However, It is quite doable to go back from the station in Bruges to the ship within an hour. When in doubt, you can still take a cab back if you can find one. Plan you day accordingly.

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