Munich to Bruges -- Best way by train?

Brad,

You might have a look at the bahn.de website for complete information on the rail choices between Munich and Brugge. There are lots of choices, and the trip will be 9-11 hours with 2-4 changes, depending on which train you choose. The least complicated choice (and the one I'd probably choose) was 9H:11M with two changes in Cologne and Brussels). The website will also indicate which trains have compulsory reservations.

I don't have any information on the exact fare, but suspect it would be about €140 or so (will probably depend on which train you choose). Hopefully one of the rail experts here will be able to provide more precise information.

I haven't checked on the budget airline options for that route. It's likely any flights would be to Brussels, so you'd still have to take the train to Brugge. Even though the trip is about 9-hours by rail, I'd probably still use that method as I find travel by rail to be much more relaxing and stress-free. Normally if a rail trip is over 7-8 hours I'll consider budget air, however that depends on which airlines service the route and which airports they use (if it's RyanAir, I'd likely still take the 9-hour rail trip!).

Happy travels!

I have looked into RyanAir + EasyJet and there is nothing comparable. BrusselsAir does have flights but I'm still not sure what we would like to do.

If anyone has any suggestions on how to better plan my trip, I am all ears. We are flying into Amsterdam to stay with a friend and would like to visit Germany and Belgium during our 3 weeks. We had planned on leaving Amsterdam and heading to Munich w/ a stop for a Rhine River ride and overnight in Rothenburg.

My reason for asking is that I was not sure whether we should go from Munich straight to Bruges or make it so we travel back to Amsterdam.

Is there anything between Munich + Belgium that would be worth stoping through or are there any suggestions for how to plan this trip better?

Thanks!

According to bahn.de, depending upon the route and the types of trains taken, the standard 2nd class fare for Munich-Bruges ranges from €131 to €157. However, if you book well in advance (up to 90 days allowed) on bahn.de, for certain routes you can get a Europa-Spezial Belgien fare as low as €39. That fare happens to be offered on the fastest route (8hr7min) departing Munich at 09:55 and arriving in Bruges at 18:02. To have any chance of getting the cheapest fare, book as soon as the 90-day window opens.

There are also a couple of routes that include night trains.

You can fly Munich-Brussels on Brussels Airlines, a budget carrier.

Have you bought your tickets yet? If not, it would make sense to fly open jaw, that way you wouldn't have to double all the way back from Munich.

For the Brussels to Bruges portion, I'm not sure of the exact price, but on NMBS, it should be less than 15 euro. Trains run very frequently between the two cities.