Bruges or Ghent for a few days?

Trains are good in Belgium. Parking is not.

The historic centers of both towns require public transport to the train station. I liked staying in Ghent, it's quieter, the medieval buildings and bridges floodlit after dark are lovely, and since it's a college town, there are restaurants that don't cater just to tourists. If you are just visiting one from the other, it's probably a toss-up logistically. If you want to do day trips, it really matters where you want to go. If Antwerp is high on your list, Ghent is centrally located.

There are many mentions of both in past posts:

https://search.ricksteves.com/?button=&date_range=2y&filter=Travel+Forum&query=Bruges+gent&utf8=%E2%9C%93

https://search.ricksteves.com/?button=&filter=Travel+Forum&query=Bruges+ghent&utf8=%E2%9C%93

I agree with Chani. Trains are so easy to use that you should have no need of a car. And also like Chani, I loved Ghent. It had a wonderful vibe and was really a lovely place to visit. You could base yourself there and then take a day trip to Bruges, which is easily done by train.

Say “no” to car travel.

As far as which town is better for you, you are going to hear from people that prefer one or the other. Also, we don’t know anything about what you want in an experience .

I liked Ghent better as it felt more like a lived in town whereas Bruges seemed more like a tourist haven. The altarpiece in Ghent is extraordinary, the castle is fun, the chocolate is good and the canals are eye popping. Bruges is also pretty but much more crowded and has a Disneyland-like feel to it.

Really, you can’t go wrong with either. You must decide what you want by researching the two. Then pursue the one that suits you best.

I'm in Ghent right now for an overnight, after 3 nights in Brugges. I found Brugges a bit quieter, more cozy but more space and larger monuments in Ghent. You can't go wrong with either one. Plan to take a tram/ bus into both cities if you arrive by train. The 'free' shuttle mentioned in RS guide book for Bruges does not allow luggage. The regular busses/trams were easy to use - pay on board. For Ghent I did leave a bag in a luggage locker at the train station. Weekend days in summer seem to be very very busy for all the obvious reasons. Do book Ghent Altar visit if you want to be sure to see that. Check the visitbruges and visitghent websites -- very helpful. PS I do recommend Antwerp too!!

Hi, my partner and I just returned from Belgium and the Netherlands. We found Ghent definitely had a better vibe (for us) compared to Bruges. We based in Ghent and daytripped to both Brussels and Bruges, which was easy enough via train from Sint Pieters Station (Ghent). Bruges, while very charming, seemed a little dead behind the eyes. Ghent as I said had a hipper vibe. We did a free walking tour (2hrs) which was amazing. Enjoy...it's a beautiful country!

If you want to drive into Gent (or Antwerp) you must comply with pollution controls, and register your car online - or be subject to a fine, controlled by automatic cameras. If you register for one it is valid in the other.

Another, separate, registration is required to drive in Brussels.

Some posters on this board consider sleeping in Bruges to be essential, because it is so jammed with daytrippers from, say, 10AM to 5PM. Other posters love slightly smaller old-town Ghent. (Note that your hotel may not be IN either old town. Look on Google Maps.) I prefer to sleep in slightly grittier Antwerp, because it is much larger, and has more than you can do for three days. It may also have cheaper choices available.

Chosing the train here is not a whale-hugging feel-good decision. Instead, it's a rational response to an unusual situation: Frequent (about 5 per hour) unreserved local trains are almost like a subway system (in usage, that is) for this area of Belgium. It's possible to sleep in Bruges, Ghent, Antwerp, or Brussels, and visit the others by train daytrip. Going to any of those cities by car would be an expensive, time-consuming, annoying nightmare.

At school and rush hours, the (some double-decker coaches, without long-distance luggage racks) trains are very crowded. At night, you may see date couples out for the evening, or Bachelorettes wearing colored sashes and a bit tipsy. The train is a part of everyday life here. It's not just for low-income residents or budget tourists.

Ghent is better for a lively, youthful vibe and nightlife, while Bruges offers a more picturesque, romantic atmosphere. Choose based on your preference!

I vote for Bruges, and we were just there in April, 2024. I'm confused about the comment on the free Bruges Centrum Shuttle, that luggage is not allowed. We took our luggage, and so did the folks around us. Is that a new rule? As the Centrum Shuttle picks up folks from the train station, not allowing luggage seems inconsistent.
The free Centrum shuttle runs 7am to 7pm, 7 days a week, and has a circular route throughout the old town, which includes the train station. You can look up the route online, and it seemed to run ontime.
I have attached my spring Trip Report, perhaps there's some helpful info for your trip.
Have a great adventure!

https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/trip-reports/the-netherlands-belgium-april-2024-brought-the-rain-pants-needed-the-rain-pants

I'm confused about the comment on the free Bruges Centrum Shuttle,
that luggage is not allowed. We took our luggage, and so did the folks
around us. Is that a new rule?

Pat is correct. Luggage is allowed. You may have to translate this page to English. It states: “There is also room for prams or luggage.”

https://www.brugge.be/mobiliteit/duurzaam-verplaatsen/duurzaam-met-het-openbaar-vervoer/centrumshuttlebus

P.S. My vote would be for Bruges. I haven’t stopped thinking about it since my trip last year and am planning to go back. I was not a fan of Ghent.

My trip report might be helpful.

https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/trip-reports/solo-in-the-netherlands-and-belgium-my-trip-report

Carrie, do you think any of those chocolate shops in Bruges ship- maybe in the fall after the summer heat? There are two types I'm dying to get more of.

Pat, I wouldn’t risk it. You’ll just have to go back. :-)

Add another vote for Ghent, though I really don't think you can go wrong either way. They're both beautiful places with lots to do and see.