Our cruise ship will likely have an all aboard by 2:30pm. If we catch the 1:34 departure from Bruges arriving in Zeebrugge how long a walk to the port gates from there?
Plan for the day is taxi to Damme, 11 am canal boat to Bruges. We have spent time in Bruges twice so could catch the 12:34 train if that is a safer bet.
Thanks!
Posted by
Wengen
2793 posts
What day will this be? The train to Zeebrugge calls at a different station (Zeebrugge Strand or - Dorp) depending on day and season, but both are quite some distance away form the Cruise Terminal, if that is where you need to be. Have a look at google maps.
Posted by
San Diego, California
6116 posts
Our experiences spring 2024 is that trains in Belgium tend to run about 10-20 minutes late, so probably best to plan for that possibility.
Have a great trip.
Posted by
Wyckoff, NJ, USA
8190 posts
Google Maps is not an ideal Transit-planner, but have a look at this:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/M9a37nksrGvd5Num9
It appears that the total distance is considerable. There is always some uncertainty about exact ship location when a cruise itinerary is printed out .... That map shows a 4-times per hour tram for 3/4 of the distance, but more research is required. I personally would not depend on the 1:34 train departure. I understand that you have seen Bruges before, but I'm not sure this is an ideal excursion. Have you considered the coastal tram as a daytrip instead? Where would you have to go to meet the ship at the next port?
Posted by
IJzendijke, The Netherlands
2175 posts
Trains from Bruges to Zeebrugge are not frequent, most of the time one each hour. In this case your train will with no delays arrive at 1.49 PM (13.49h) at Zeebrugge-Dorp railway station. Walking from there to your cruiseship will take some 30 minutes. To my opinion regarding possible delays that’s very tight. Even if you take the tram from the station to the next stop: Zeebrugge-Kerk. You can take an earlier train as you already remark, but Zeebrugge is a busy seaport and far from attractive.
If you want using public transport it’s to my opinion better catching one of the more frequent trains to Blankenberge and from there the coastal tram to Zeebrugge-Kerk. With an additional walk to the terminal / cruiseship of about 15 minutes. The De Lijnwinkel near the railway station in Brugge can give you more info about tram schedules.
There are more options like taxi’s and shuttle transfer services from the cruise terminal, but are more expensive. For more info you can contact the terminal’s ABC-Building: https://www.portofantwerpbruges.com/en/our-port/visit/abc-building-bruges
For train schedules: https://www.belgiantrain.be/en
Posted by
OP
264 posts
Thank you everyone. I will check out the train schedule for Blankenberg as that option wasn't on my radar and tram from there. Of course, a taxi may be the best option in terms of expediency.
Posted by
IJzendijke, The Netherlands
2175 posts
You can also use the route planner of De Lijn, the carrier of trams, metro's and buses in Flanders. For the coastal tram (Kusttram) between Blankenberge and Zeebrugge you have to fill in: Station Blankenberge and Zeebrugge Kerk with the option Kustlaan. You can also plan from Bruges if you like and will include the train too.
Posted by
Seattle
143 posts
I've done this and I agree with Wil. Take the train from Bruges to Blankenberge and then the tram to the cruise port stop. Trains run more frequently from Brugges to Blankenberge, and the coastal tram stops right in front of the Blankenberge station, so the transfer is quick and easy. You want to get off at the Kerk stop, which is the closest to the cruise port.