Bruges

[jimbo1683]

Our cruise calls at Zeebrugge. We would like to take a trip to see Bruges. It's very cheap to go by train but they are irregular so risks waiting around for a long time (could go there on the train and return via taxi). Cruise Express shuttle service is €20return. Im curious that Cunard sell a half day 'free time in Bruges' excursion for $55 and a full day version for $64. Seeing as these are both simply a coach transfer it makes no sense why they are different prices.

Has any one done the trip by any of these methods?

[bluemarble]

I've done Cunard's "Free Time in Bruges – Full Day" excursion (the 7 hour excursion currently priced at $64). There was a guide/escort on the coach who provided a general orientation to Bruges during the ride from Zeebrugge and distributed maps to those who wanted them.

 

The coach dropped us off at the Bargeplein just to the south of the city. From there it's an easy walk north across the Bargebrug pedestrian bridge and through the Minnewaterpark to get to the Bruges city center in about 15 minutes.

 

I had plenty of time to visit most of the main sights, take a canal boat ride and do some shopping. I suppose I should have planned my trip a little better since I found myself doing quite a bit of exploring side streets without any specific goal in mind to make use of all the available time. But then I suppose that's part of the fun of doing an unguided tour; to get at least slightly off the beaten path.

 

At the specified time, everyone met back at the original drop off point for the return trip by coach to the ship at Zeebrugge.

[sfred]

The wife and I were in Bruges on 2 January 2017 on a short QE voyage from Southampton to Amsterdam to Bruges and back.  We were fortunate to have a beautiful sunny and crisp winter's day in Bruges and had a wonderful impression of the town.  Like @bluemarblewe wandered aimlessly along the side streets and canals, taking in the scenery and stopping for coffees and lunch.

 

We used the free Cunard shuttle from the ship to Blankenberge, and then the train to Bruges, in both directions.  Back in 2017 the train ran about once per hour (January 2 was a weekday Monday), with some extra times in the peak hours.  Train times were available from the Belgian train website at www.belgiantrain.be.  It was about a 15 minute train ride, and from memory cost around 6 euros return per person for second class. 

 

I still have a PDF of the Bruges town map.  I've attached it here.   Best wishes for your voyage!

planbrugge_en.pdf

Edited March 21, 2022 by sfred

[Victoria2]

We did the same as sfred, very easy. Bruges station to the center is about a  ten minutes walk if I remember correctly.

[Host Hattie]

We pre-booked a taxi with others from our roll call. The advantage of that was that we could our own start time and duration. They will drop you in the main square so it reduced the amount of walking as well.

[MarkBearSF]

The BEST way to do it is to take a taxi from outside the gate at the pier. 

There will be numerous drivers with late model Mercedes and equivalent cars. The rate is regulated. In 2017, the rate for a minibus was 50 euros each way total, for up to six passengers. We went with another couple we met onboard. (I believe the rate was the same for a sedan). Our driver was very prompt and provided interesting information during the drive. Not only was the ride much cheaper than the excursion, he was able to drop us off right in the city center, and not at the parking lot outside of the area. (My husband has mobility issues, so a 20 minute walk - with cobblestones - would have been a problem.) Our driver promptly picked us up at the planned place and time.

Our driver was Rony (rony@ronistaxis.com) - highly recommended. We pre-ordered the pick-up, but when we arrived at the gate, about 20 minutes early, there were a number of other drivers available for hire (so I was able to see that all of the cars were very nice). I expect that the rates may have risen, but they should still be regulated. We tipped 20 euros on our 100 euro fare.

They will not tell you about this in the port lectures.

Edited March 21, 2022 by MarkBearSF

[jimbo1683]

4 minutes ago, MarkBearSF said:

The BEST way to do it is to take a taxi from outside the gate at the pier. 

There will be numerous drivers with late model Mercedes and equivalent cars. The rate is regulated. In 2017, the rate for a minibus was 50 euros each way total, for up to six passengers. (I believe the rate was the same for a sedan). Our driver was very prompt and provided interesting information during the drive. Not only was the ride much cheaper than the excursion, he was able to drop us off right in the city center, and not at the parking lot outside of the area. (My husband has mobility issues, so a 20 minute walk - with cobblestones - would have been a problem.) Our driver promptly picked us up at the planned place and time.

Our driver was Rony (rony@ronistaxis.com) - highly recommended. We pre-ordered the pick-up, but when we arrived at the gate, about 20 minutes early, there were a number of other drivers available for hire (so I was able to see that all of the cars were very nice). I expect that the rates may have risen, but they should still be regulated. We tipped 20 euros on our 100 euro fare.

They will not tell you about this in the port lectures.

Thanks. That sounds mightily expensive to me - as does the official excursion. I'll be taking the €20 Cruise Express shuttle service.

 

(A 20% tip on a taxi fare in Europe is an insane amount!)

Edited March 21, 2022 by jimbo1683

[MarkBearSF]

8 minutes ago, jimbo1683 said:

Thanks. That sounds mightily expensive to me - as does the official excursion. I'll be taking the €20 Cruise Express shuttle service.

If you are traveling with others, it becomes much less expensive - recall that the fare is for the entire car, not per person. (120 euros/6 = 20 euros per person round trip including tip, 30 euros for 2 couples)
I assume the 20 euro shuttle fare is per person, and is it one-way? And do they let you off at the lot away from the town center?

 

 

Edited March 21, 2022 by MarkBearSF

[jimbo1683]

3 minutes ago, MarkBearSF said:

If you are traveling with others, it becomes much less expensive - recall that the fare is for the entire car, not per person. (120 euros/6 = 20 euros per person round trip including tip, 30 euros for 2 couples)
I assume the 20 euro shuttle fare is per person, and is it one-way? And do the let you off at the lot away from the town center?

 

 

Im travelling with 1 other person and it's €20 return so sounds a good deal to me. It drops off at the same place as the Cunard excursion and runs every 30 mins

[gumshoe958]

The DIY budget route for solo travellers:

 

Tram from Zeebrugge Kirk to Blankenberge - €2.50 (every 15 minutes, tram stop about 5 mins walk from cruise terminal).

 

Then train from Blankenberge to Bruges - about €6.50 return or €5 at weekends (hourly).

[bbtablet]

"I'm curious that Cunard sell a half day 'free time in Bruges' excursion for $55 and a full day version for $64. Seeing as these are both simply a coach transfer it makes no sense why they are different prices."

 

Drivers etc will have to be paid for the full day in the $64 version. Also the vehicle is tied up all day. These are extra costs for the provider over the half-day provision.