Question about Bruges

Only 13 minutes or about 0,6 miles!

also good to know about the many bus lines in Bruges. Don't know where your cruise bus would park, but if it is at the train station or the square called 't Zand there are good buses routes right into the centre.

Save your legs for the important stuff

Thank you gentenaar3 and Nigel

The cruise bus stops at Coach Park where it seems all the coaches stops.

I remember a round structure and I believe I found out later that I might have been able to get visitor information there.

It is possible that there was a vehicle to the center from there. This time I will know enough to stop and ask.

But I remember it being a nice walk. it was just that I was having problems with an arthritic knee which I was thoroughly unprepared for..

it is about 650 metres or about 9 minutes from what I think is where you pill park and the bus stops at the station.

1500 metres or about 21 minutes to the bell tower right in the centre.

Thank you Nigel

If I know how long and I know how far, I can be better prepared. I can take my time. I can sit. I will now also know what I am seeing. I will enjoy what I am seeing now that I am more aware of what I m seeing such as the Horse Head Water Fountain.

I have learned how to travel, not a small thing.

There are already shore excursions included and it seems that doing it on my own might just be my best choice. But there are two DIY and one is 5 hours long. That one seems to be more helpful than the shorter one.

It is so early that i have no interest in calling because things might change.

Normally, the shuttle from the cruise port will stop here https://maps.app.goo.gl/Fgc4uyYVpVAzW9519

There is no information point there, but there is a toilet block 😉

You cross the bridge straight away and walk through Minnewater Park.

The fountain you mention is on Wijngaardplein https://maps.app.goo.gl/Zu5Ato7w4y9XFXaDA

...and is not even halfway to the market https://maps.app.goo.gl/fiZuKYb82VBHfLBMA

If you’d like to visit an information office, you’ll need to

• either go to the station https://maps.app.goo.gl/o4p5DGRuKPho77zNA
• or go inside the Historium https://maps.app.goo.gl/Fjbe46sXph6fApQw8

Thank you Windyram

Thank you for all the information you sent me.

I did use the toilets at Coach Park before leaving. There was another structure, a round one, and I think persons were buying coffee and food. For some reason, i thought that you could also get visitor information.

I remember the pretty red bridge. What I did see, and I saw a bit, was very pretty but I regret that i was in a lot of pain due to an arthritic knee. I had had an injection before leaving home but it did not take and I was unprepared for the injection not working. Had no alternatives.

There was also toilets during my walk. There was a large freestanding sign on my walk that said toilets and one euro or whatever. I went in for the toilet and was asked if I wanted a map.

I walk slowly due to age and some mobility issues.

Whether I take a guided tour or do it myself, I am going to realistically have to deal with my limitaions.

Boston Phil,
Would you consider taking an Uber from Coach Park to the perimeter of the Market Square (also known as the Belfry)?
We are just back from Bruges, used Uber to get back and forth with our luggage from the train station. Fares were inexpensive, and the drive from your parking are to the square is only 7 minutes.

there you can shop, get a waffle, some frites, people watch, and even walk 2 minutes to a sweet canal ride at Wollestraat 32 (which google says is the nearest to the market square).
Have fun, I am so impressed with your WILLINGNESS to explore!

Hi Joan

I would be glad to take. a Uber from Coach Park to Market Square. I also think there may be mini buses.

I just have to figure out where to pick them up.

When I took the coach from the ship to Coach Park, the bus driver was not helpful at all. Just dropped us off without another word. Perhaps he did not speak English

But now I know enough to ask questions.

Thank you for your kind and supportive words.

Hello All

This is the excursion that I am thinking about

This excursion is organized for those guests who have previously visited Bruges or who want to explore independently. Transfer to the entrance of the old city, where you will have approximately 7 hours of free time to take in the activity of your choice. A tour escort will be aboard to answer any questions you may have regarding the best places to see or shop. The escort will remain at the drop off point to further assist you if needed. Return to your coach at the appointed time and place for your return drive to the ship; please be punctual.

I think the 7 hours of free time is going to be adjusted because I do not believe that we will be in Bruges that long

It sounds like it might be more helpful than just DIY. I am also wondering if we are transfering to a small vehicle from Coach Park that will take us to Market Square???

There were 52 available excursions for my cruise yesterday and now there are over 70 so maybe i better call soon.

Public bus De Lijn #1 or #2 leave from the station busplatform A1 and bring you to stop Dijver https://maps.app.goo.gl/keFDDsCVKTqu1yeA9
(Ticket 3€ swipe your creditcard at the white terminal on board or buy a paperticket at the De Lijn Shop at the station).

The Centre Shuttle leaves from the station busplatform C1 and brings you also to stop Dijver
https://press.visitbruges.be/en/news/centre-shuttle-be-paid-visitors-1-july-2025

There are also taxis waiting at the station.

Download the Bruges City map and find the five locations for the boat trips (see blue boat symbol)

https://toerisme-vlaanderen.bynder.com/asset/50259872-13cb-46e4-8404-91c4e134ecf7/Bruges-City-Map.pdf

PS: All five offer exactly the same tour for exactly the same price (15€ current price).

Thank you Windyram

When watching youtube videos, I saw the CentreShuttle but had no idea what it was.

Can I pick up the CentreShuttle where the coaches park. Is it called Coach Park?

And, yes, I will probably want to take one of the canal tours.

There may not be enough time for all that I want to do. Five hours goes fast.

Can I pick up the CentreShuttle where the coaches park.

No you can't. You'll have to walk to the station or to this stop in the Katelijnestraat (look out for the post marked with the shuttle symbol) https://maps.app.goo.gl/KCh6RPohLMMz66JEA

Find the Centre Shuttle map here https://www.brugge.be/sites/default/files/2024-06/Folder%20Centrumshuttle_0.pdf

I think Joan made the best suggestion in your case: use an Uber ... or taxi!

As I never use Uber myself (on principle, because I don’t think it should ever have been allowed in our country), I can’t help you with this either.

Information about taxis here https://www.visitbruges.be/en/taxi-companies-and-fares

Thank you Windyram

we'll see. My cruise is 15 months away and who knows what will be happening in 15 months.

I may end up taking a guided tour although they are Level 2 and I often now have difficulty keeping up with Level 2. Maybe Norwegian will offer more excursions by the time of my cruise. Or maybe I will have to DIY

But now I know how to walk to Market Square and about how long it will take. It will take me longer than 20 minutes from Coach Park to Market Square.

Just a thought for windyram: both times we used Uber, the fare was a bit cheaper than a taxi, and the vehicles had a taxi sign on top. So i do believe, that like many other places, Uber/Bolt/Taxi drivers combine their options for the same vehicle. Of course, I'm not sure what portion the driver actual receives, but we do tip anyway.

Joan in Florida

Thank you for your input

Did you use Uber in Bruges?

Did you use Uber in Bruges?

Yes, Joan did.
Read the relevant post again : "We are just back from Bruges, used Uber to get back and forth with our luggage from the train station. Fares were inexpensive, and the drive from your parking are to the square is only 7 minutes."

Phil, the Centre Shuttle that Windyram gave you helpful info for would be a good deal as, given your over-65 age, you could ride the circuit for free, and the nearest pickup point to Coach Park isn't all that long a walk. My concern however is that I know you're directionally and map-reading challenged so you'd need to be able to either get back to the place you chose to get off - if just walking about to some main attractions from there - or to other pickup-points nearest wherever you are in in the city. You'd also need to make sure you're ON the shuttle on time to get back to your original pick-up point and then walk to your coach: see the timetable in the link Windyram provided.

As getting back to the Coach Park and then to your ship on time is of paramount importance, Uber is probably worth the cost for you, although you might consider taking the Shuttle IN to central Bruges and then Uber back to the bus.

Windyram

thank you.

I was reading this last post from Joan

"Just a thought for windyram: both times we used Uber, the fare was a bit cheaper than a taxi, and the vehicles had a taxi sign on top. So i do believe, that like many other places, Uber/Bolt/Taxi drivers combine their options for the same vehicle. Of course, I'm not sure what portion the driver actual receives, but we do tip anyway"

went back to her first one but she was talking about the train station and I will be arriving and leaving from Coach Park.. Do not know if I can get a uber from Coach park but I do not know if I want one as well. I might like to do the walk again although it might be difficult for me.

But it also might be more relaxing since I know what to expect. Did not know where I was going last time but now I do. Did not know what I was seeing but now I will.

However it is not going to take me 20 minutes from Coach park to Market Square. Probably more like 30 to 45 minutes. Have to adjust for age and mobility issues.

Hi Kate

Yes, I believe that I am only going to have maybe 5 hours in Bruges and I need to be very careful about getting back to the coach on time. It is made very clear in the description that if you miss the coach, you are on your own to get back to the ship.

That does make me nervous. On a guided tour, they count you and they go looking for you. I do consider a guided tour but I have difficulty keeping up with the walking ones. They meet you at the coach and you begin walking and it will not be at my pace.

When I was there last, I was sitting on a bench next to a woman who had been on a guided tour but had to give it up and return to the bench to wait for her group and coach. I wish they offered walking tours for those who walk slowly.

And yes, I am the person who can get lost when no one can possibly get lost.

I called the number for Shore Excursions yesterday. And the excursion includes transport only. The bus will leave after dropping us off at Coach Park and return to pick us up. That is it.

However this time, I will have some idea of where i am going and what I am seeing. Maybe it will not take me as long as I think it did.

When I look back, I did see quite a bit although i did not realize it. I went in and walked around The Beguinage. I went into a lace / ornament shop. Same wth chocolates. And I had waffles too. I sat for a while at the And I sat at Horse Head Water Fountain for a while before turning around.

But even if I make it to Market Square this upcoming time, there is not going to be that much tme to go inside of the museums or churches. Burges really deserves at least a full day.

.

OK, Phil, here's an option for some of your time:

https://www.visitbruges.be/en/things-to-do/sightseeing/city-tour-brugge-minibus-sightseeing-tour

It's economically priced to boot. Take an uber to as near the Markt as they can get you: this tour's pick-up point is easy to find. Finding the Markt is also easy: head towards the belfry! You could walk about the Markt and nearby Burg a little before or after your tour. The Basilica of the Holy Blood is nearby too.

Here's another one that you could take all by yourself. Pretty sure the pedaler would stop now and again for taking pictures. It's more expensive for 1 hour than the one above but probably less than a ship's excursion, and the bike carriage may be able to access narrower pedestrian-only streets that the mini-van can't. Treat yourself to longer than an hour tour if you can manage it. Again, Uber to as near the Markt as they can get you: the pick-up point is on the square.

https://www.visitbruges.be/en/things-to-do/sightseeing/fietskoetsen-brugge-bike-carriages

I don't know if it's possible but if willing to pay for a longer tour (more than an hour), and can book it for 2nd half or so of your day, you might ask if your guide can swing by Bargeplein to let you off instead of the Markt: it's an easy walk to the Coach Park from there. Long shot, maybe, but it never hurts to ask!

You already know I don’t use Uber, but given that Joan says that (some) taxis also drive for Uber, you might find it interesting to know that there are four designated taxi ranks at the coach pick-up and drop-off point on Bargeplein.

(Dutch only, use translator) https://www.brugge.be/mobiliteit/taxi/standplaatstaxis-en-tarieven

Kate and Windyram

Both of you have said Bargeplein.. Is Bargeplein. a street or a place.

Windyram, why are you opposed to Uber?

Kate, I have watched youtube videos and the van in the first link you sent me was in the videos. I could not figure out what it was. Now I know. Thanks

I looked it over s well as the second link but really need to go back and take a more serious look.

Added: City Tour. that is the name that I saw on the vans in the youtube videos

Bargeplein is where the red bridge is (with the toiletblock).
https://maps.app.goo.gl/ejAyLh6fB5dzaxHE6

It's the place where (normally) the bus will drop you off. These shuttles don't like to enter the coach park (south of this location) since they have to pay there. It's also the reason why the coach disappears again, and won't wait at the coachpark.

However, this could all change in 2027. Bruges wants to tax daytrippers. They will have to find a method to do this.

Opposed to Uber ? Let’s just say that I prefer our European values to the American ones 😉.

City Tour is a sight-seeing tour company. That's someting completely different from the Centre Shuttle
https://www.visitbruges.be/en/things-to-do/sightseeing/city-tour-brugge-minibus-sightseeing-tour

Windyram and Kate also

I did my research and yes, that is where the coach let us off.

Coach Park is the parking lot for the coaches. I believe that our coach picked us up to go back to the ship in Coach park.

I am beginning to learn the names of places and it is making it easier.

Thinking about 5 hours in Bruges, I do not believe that I will be able to see very much in Bruges. Five hours is not enough.

I can see the walk that I took a few years back I have pictures.

I think that I could do it better this time but still I will be limited in what I can see no matter what I do because of time limitations.

Is Bargeplein. a street or a place

Reference a map, Phil. You walked through there on your last trip.

Windyram, no "American values" involved: while taxis are likely just fine in Belgium, they aren't great where I live thus I tend to default to Uber. We have used cabs abroad and in some other American cities just not our own for awhile given some past experiences.

yes, Kate, I think I am figuring it out

I am learning the names of the places