How to Travel from Paris to Bruges or vice versa
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If you’re looking for a way to get from Paris to Bruges or from Bruges to Paris, you’ve come to the right place.
Train from Paris to Bruges
⭐ 4.2 | ⌛ 2h 51m
In this article, I’ll be talking about the different ways to travel from Paris to Bruges and the pros and cons of each option. As a tourist, you may not know the different ways how to get to Bruges from Paris. So whether you’re looking for the fastest or the cheapest way to make the journey, I’ll have something for you!
How to get from Paris to Bruges
Best option: Paris to Bruges Train
The best way to get from Paris to Bruges is by train. It is the fastest and most efficient mode of transportation. (Note: the best way to get from Bruges to Paris is also by train)
Especially if you want to make a Paris to Bruges day trip, it’s the only option that makes it somewhat doable (and it will still be a long day).
Keep in mind that you will have a stopover in Brussels. Here’s a link of Paris to Bruges train tickets:
🚌 Travel from Paris to Bruges by bus if you want the cheapest option, but be prepared to spend a significant time on the road.
It’s still a reliable and relaxing way of transport. It’s also a great choice if you want a direct route between Paris and Bruges.
💡 But if you’re looking for the quickest way to get from Paris to Bruges, the train is your best bet.
Option 1: Paris to Bruges by car
If you’d like to travel with your own car or rental car, it’s actually quite straightforward to drive from Paris to Brugge (Bruges). The road distance between Paris-Bruges is 290.8 kilometres.
The journey will take around 3,5 hours in total, but you’ll be able to make a few stops along the way if you need a break from driving.
💡 TIP: If you’re looking for more than a stop to stretch the legs, we can definitely recommend Kortrijk. It’s a beautiful city and a great place to visit for a couple of hours!
However, there are a couple of things to keep in mind if you’re driving from Paris to Bruges.
First of all, traffic might cause you some delays, especially if you’re driving during rush hour. The traffic around Bruges should be fine on most days. It doesn’t see the amount known in Antwerp or Brussels!
However, traffic around Paris is known to be quite heavy, so plan your journey accordingly and try to avoid driving during peak times if you can.
Secondly, if you’re planning on making the journey by car, it’s important to factor in the cost of petrol as well as any tolls you’ll encounter along the way.
There’s a toll you’ll need to pay when you drive from Paris to Bruges. The cost of the toll depends on the type of vehicle you’re driving, but if you’re going by regular car, you’ll pay €18,10.
💡 Good to know: there are no more tolls to be paid once you reach Belgium.
The drive itself is pretty straightforward and you shouldn’t encounter any problems along the way. From Paris, take the A1 in the direction of Lille. Once you’ve reached Lille, continue on onto the A22 in the direction of Belgium/E17.
After crossing the border, you’ll find yourself on the E17. At the second exit (Aalbeke), drive to the North and take the E403 towards Brugge.
The major downside of covering the distance between Paris and Bruges by car is that it can be quite expensive, especially if you’re renting a car.
Also, always make sure to keep an eye on the speed limit, as there are quite a few radar traps in both France and Belgium!
Parking in Bruges
Bruges has a paid parking system in the city centre, with parking rates varying depending on the time of day.
We would advise you to park your car at one of the P+R facilities on the outskirts of the city and take public transport from there.
It’s cheaper and it’ll save you from having to drive around looking for a parking spot in the city centre! You can find more information about the different P+R locations here.
Coming from Paris/E403, the best free parking option would be Park + Ride Bevrijdingslaan. You can walk to Bruges’ Main Square in about 15 minutes.
To summarise, driving from Paris to Bruges is definitely an option, but it’s not necessarily the best option. It can be expensive and time-consuming, especially if you’re renting a car and have to pay for petrol and parking.
Due to the length of the trip, I wouldn’t recommend taking the car for a day trip from Paris to Bruges.
However, if you’re travelling with your own car, have a free parking spot included in your accommodation, or have enough time to spend, it might be the best option for you!
🚘 If you don’t have a (free) parking space included in your accommodation, you’ll have to pay for parking in Bruges.
Option 2: Paris to Bruges by train
The train from Paris to Bruges is a great way to travel. Travelling by train is pretty convenient in Belgium, so even if you would like to visit more destinations, there’s no need to bring a car.
First things first: there is no direct train from Paris to Bruges. You always have to switch trains in Brussels. If you would like a direct connection, check out the bus option below.
The trip only takes about 2,5 hours, which makes it the fastest way to get from Paris to Bruges.
The Thalys train from Paris to Ghent leaves at Paris Nord train station and will bring you to Brussels South Station (Bruxelles-Midi/Brussel Zuid) in 90 minutes.
There are about 20 connections a day, so you’re sure to find one at a time that suits you. The earliest train leaves Paris at 6.13h while the latest one is at 21.25h, depending on the day of the week.
For the second leg of your journey, there are direct Brussels – Bruges trains three times an hour and the trip takes about 1 hour. From Bruges train station, you can walk to the historic centre in 15-20 minutes or take a bus in front of the station.
🚊 The Paris to Bruges train connection will cost you between €120 and €141 for a single ticket on the Thalys to Brussels, while a return is €29 to €281.
It’s always cheaper to book your train ticket in advance and the earlier you book, the cheaper it will be.
🚊 Brussels to Bruges will be €18 for a single ticket, while with a return ticket is €36. If you’re under 26, a single ticket is €6,6 and a return ticket €13,2. For every paying adult, 4 children under 12 travel for free.
Should you travel during the weekend (from Friday at 7PM to Sunday), you can buy a return ticket at the reduced price of €15,80. It is convenient to book your train ticket online.
Option 3: bus Paris-Bruges
Flixbus offers a direct connection if you’re coming from Paris and want to go to Bruges.
The bus trip from Paris to Bruges will take you 4h25 to 4h40. There are 1 to 3 direct buses available each day (depending on the day). Although technically it would be possible to plan a day trip Paris to Bruges, but we wouldn’t recommend it.
🚌 Prices for the bus from Paris to Bruges start at €20 for a single ticket. There’s no discount for booking a return trip.
When you book a Flixbus ticket, you can bring a carry-on bag and one 20kg piece of luggage free of charge. There are additional costs if you want to check in additional or special luggage.
Option 4: Taxi from Paris to Bruges
A taxi from Paris to Bruges will definitely be the most expensive way to travel. However, if you don’t want to hire a car but still need transportation, a taxi or private transportation service may be the most convenient option for you.
If you’re travelling from Paris to Bruges with family or friends, it might be less costly than taking the train. The trip will take about 3 hours from door to door.
The average price for a taxi from Paris to Bruges will start at €529. For an extra cost, you can upgrade to a more luxurious car.
You can find more information and book a taxi here.
How to get from Bruges to Paris?
If you’d prefer to go the other way, however, all of the same options are available for you like Bruges to Paris train.
Driving from Bruges to Paris is fairly easy for those who have their own vehicle or are renting one. The Bruges to Paris distance is 300 km and should take you about 3,5 hours to get there without taking into consideration any traffic.
If you don’t want to drive yourself you also have the option to travel by taxi. This will cost you around €529. Click here to book your private transport.
You can also take the train from Bruges to Paris. First, you will need to go to Brussels station. From here you can take the Thalys to Paris. You can check prices and availability here.
The fourth option is to take the bus from Bruges to Paris. This is by far the cheapest option. The company Flixbus has direct connections from Bruges to Paris. The trip will take you between 4h25 and 5h. You can book your tickets here.
planning a day trip from Paris to Bruges? here are some day trip tours we can recommend
Bruges Audio Guided or Guided Day Trip with Canal Cruise Option from Paris
The tour provides a scenic drive from Paris to Bruges along with a roundtrip tour on a luxury air-conditioned coach.
Highlights of this tour include:
- Historic Centre of Bruges
- The Princely Beguinage Ten Wijngaarde
- The Markt
- Duvelorium
- Stadhuis
- Rozenhoedkaai
- Minnewater Lake
- St. Bonifacius Bridge
- Onze Lieve Vrouwekerk
From Paris: Day Trip to Bruges with Optional Seasonal Cruise
This full-day tour offers round trip transfer to Bruges and an air-conditioned bus from Paris.
Highlights of this tour include:
- Bruges Historic Centre
- Ten Wijngaarde
- Basilica of the Holy Blood
- Minnewater Park
- Try the national dish of moules frites and Belgian beer
- The Big Square and the Town Hall
- Burg Square
- Groeningemuseum
Frequently asked questions
Can you fly from Paris to Bruges?
Unfortunately, there is no airport in Bruges, which means that you’ll have to fly to Ostend or Brussels and then take a train or taxi from there.
But, catching the train from Paris to Bruges will take you less travel time. And the environment will thank you too!
The closest airport to Bruges is Ostend, but Brussels Airport, which is about 80 km away, is much more served. From Brussels Airport you can take the train, taxi or bus to Bruges.
How do you get from Paris to Bruges?
By train is the best way to travel from Paris to Bruges as it is the fastest and most comfortable way to get there.
By bus is the cheapest way to travel, but it will take you 4,5 hours, which is almost double what the train would.
By car will take you about 3,5 hours or more depending on traffic, but you get the convenience of your own car.
By taxi is the most expensive way but convenient as you get picked up and dropped off wherever you want to.
Is there a direct train from Paris to Bruges?
There is no direct train from Paris to Bruges. Take the high-speed train from Paris to Brussels South (Bruxelles Midi) and then catch one of the frequent intercity trains from Brussels to Bruges.
Where do you fly to go to Bruges?
The closest airport to Bruges is Ostend but there are very few airlines flying there. The best option is to fly to Brussels Airport, which is about an hour from Bruges by train.
Can you do a day trip from Paris to Bruges?
Yes, it is possible to do a day trip from Paris to Bruges. Travellers can take the train from Paris Gare du Nord Station to Bruges Station and get there within 2,5 hours.
Final thoughts on how to get from paris to bruges and vice versa
If you want to travel from Paris to Belgium and Bruges is the city of your choice, you have plenty of options to get there.
When deciding which one you prefer, ask yourself:
- Do you want to arrive as quickly as possible, or would it be nice to stop along the way?
- Is cost a concern for you, or do you not mind spending a bit more for greater convenience?
Driving a car is simple and convenient, but finding a parking spot in large cities can be tough. If you don’t need the convenience of your own transport, we recommend travelling by train from Paris to Bruges or vice versa.
Hiring a private driver or taxi is a fantastic solution if you want to travel on your own terms and don’t mind spending a little extra. This may be an interesting alternative, especially for groups or larger families.
No matter how you choose to travel from Paris to Bruges, or from Bruges to Paris, we hope you have a fantastic journey! Safe travels!
BELGIUM TRAVEL PLANNING RESOURCES
Getting to Belgium: Fly into one of the main international airports: Brussels Airport (BRU) or Charleroi Brussels South Airport (CRL). Take an international train to Brussels South Station. Or take a ferry to Dover or The Netherlands, then drive or take the train to Belgium.
Getting Around: For the major destinations, the train is by far the best option. You can book your train tickets here. If you’d like to visit smaller places, the most convenient way would be to rent a car. We always use Discover cars, they compare all the rental companies and give you the best rates.
Accommodation: Booking.com is the most popular accommodation platform in Belgium. It’s what I use every single time.
Guided tours: Use Get Your Guide or Viator to find fun tours in Brussels, Bruges, Ghent and Antwerp. Or Guruwalk to find free walking tours in multiple destinations.
If this helped you plan your adventure, a coffee would go a long way in fueling my next guide! 😉
