Brussels to Ghent to Bruges by Train

The general rule in Belgium is that if you have a ticket from A to B, you can interrupt your journey as many times as you want as long as your stops are on the direct way from A to B.
Both Brussels central and Ghent are on the direct route from Brussels Airport to Bruges, so you can interrupt your journey in these places if you have a ticket from Brussels Airport to Bruges.

You’ve made some incorrect statements in your post that could potentially confuse readers;

“I see that the supplement to take the train from the airport to Brussels-central is included in my price when I buy a ticket from Brussels-central to Ghent.”

No if you buy a ticket from Brussels Central to Ghent, it’s not valid between Brussels Airport and Brussels Central. The train to Ghent and Bruges starts at Brussels Airport then goes to Brussels and then towards Ghent and Bruges. So if you want to train from Brussels Airport to Ghent or Bruges, you’ll need a ticket from Brussels airport not from Brussels Central.

“Furthermore, should I actually be purchasing a ticket from Brussels-central to Bruges? Would we be allowed to also get off in Ghent and put luggage in a locker while we visit the city then resume our train trip in the evening?”

No, again, you need a ticket from Brussels airport to Bruges. This will allow you to stop off in Brussels central and Ghent.

“I am just unclear if I need to buy 1 ticket (Brussels-central to Bruges) or 3 tickets (Airport to Brussels-Central, Brussels-central to Ghent, Ghent to Bruges).”

You only need 1 ticket, but it needs to be from Brussels Airport to Bruges, not from Brussels central to Bruges.

You can buy your ticket at the official website of the Belgian national railway company https://www.belgiantrain.be/en

Just to add, Yes, you can store bags at both Brussels Central and Ghent. Can's remember the cost but they are lockers with a central pay system (at Brussels Central), you can use your credit card. (Edit: Maybe it is about 12 euro for the largest locker) We were able to get 3 carry-ons and day bags into one of the largest ones, you might need two. I assume Ghent is the same, information indicates there are lockers.

But as Dutch Traveler said, just buy a ticket from the airport to Bruges, you are free to get off and explore anywhere along that route that day. These all are (or should be) just intercity or regional trains, so no seat reservations, or specific train. It does help to have the app on your phone for figuring out the best train option.

You might also consider getting a Day ticket for the local buses and trams when you get to Ghent, information here: https://www.delijn.be/en/content/vervoerbewijzen/tickets/ Ghent St. Peters is some distance from the city center, so public transport is handy to get there and back, and the same day ticket is good in Bruges, again, where the station is outside the city center. 3 trips pays for the ticket cost (7.50 euro) You could certainly walk in both towns, but if you are crunched for time, the bus is nice.

You don't say how long you're staying in Bruges. If 3 nights (or more), I would just stop in Brussels for a few hours then go on to Bruges. Take a day trip from Bruges to Ghent. I think you're planning too much for that first day, but that's just my opinion.

patti, I trust you know what hours you are allowed to arrive at the b&b in Bruges. It's not a hotel, after all. As noted, a train ticket has nothing to do with the use of a locker or luggage storage desk. They are separate transactions. On the plus side, there are many trains to your destinations every hour of daylight, at least. You will not wait more than 12-15 minute for the next train.

I wonder if you have confused "checked baggage" (on train journeys, which does not, for most purposes, exist anymore) with "left luggage" or "in-station checking", just like in the few museums that do not permit hand-held bags. Lockers were sealed for security purposes for a few years, but tend to be operational again today.

While I understand your desire to use time efficiently, handling an entire family's luggage for storage, twice in a day, will be tedious. You don't say how many people, month of year, or whether there are any personal mobility issues. The trains between Brussels Centraal and Bruges are heavily used "commuter trains", unreserved, and sometimes double-decker cars with narrow passageways and stairs. They tend not to have "long-distance" type luggage racks. Carry-ons MIGHT fit in the limited size overhead racks above the seats. Note also that the Ghent Altarpiece requires advance, timed ticket purchase. Much of Ghent is closed on Monday (based on my having been there one Monday long ago), but the world-famous Altarpiece ("Mystic Lamb") is open 7 days.

Some of the best museums in Brussels are closed on Monday. But if your plans are for outdoor views, like Grand Place and the mediocre Mannekin Pis, they are of course visible 24/7. I think Bozar, a nice, eclectic, museum, is open on Monday.

Thank you to everyone who replied.

My question has been answered. I will just buy our tickets From Brussels AIRPORT to Bruges, and we will storage our luggage (3 adults with no mobility issues using carry-ons and day packs) at the Brussels-central and Ghent train stations when we pop off to explore the towns. That was the main point of my question - proper endpoints for the train tickets and can we interrupt the travel to explore along the route.

We are not big on art and history museums, rather we enjoy churches, views, food, and experiences. We land at 7am In Brussels and plan to view the Grand Place, Bourse, Mannekin-Pis, visit the Choco-story, and sample local food for lunch. Planning to leave between 12-1. We did plan to take a bus/tram into the city center for Ghent and Bruges. And Yes I had read about the day pass and the 10 ticket pass you can share which should get us thru the rest of that day. I plan to select a mid afternoon 3-4ish ticket for the Altarpiece knowing we should definitely be in Ghent by then. We plan to visit St Bavo's, Castle of the Counts, and take a canal cruise, climbing the belfry if time allows. We arranged with our host to arrive between 6-7p. We know its a busy day and are prepared to delete items from the itinerary if we feel overwhelmed. Two years ago, our other 2 adult children joined us for a tour of Italy and we had similarly busy busy at times and did fine. We like to be busy Day 1 to help combat the jet lag.

Thankyou again.