How to Plan a Paris To Bruges Day Trip
If you are visiting Paris, but want to make a quick trip to another country, then taking a Paris to Bruges day trip is an excellent choice.
I first visited Bruges while working in Paris, and I fell in love with the medieval town with its charming cobblestone streets and picturesque canals. Bruges also has a completely different vibe than Paris – it is much more laid back, which was a nice break from being in a major city.
In this post, I’ve covered everything you need to know about taking a day trip to Bruges from Paris, including how to get there, what to do, and if it’s worth going.
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➡️ Book a Day Trip to Bruges from Paris
Paris To Bruges Day Trip
If you plan to take a day trip to Bruges from Paris, I highly recommend taking a tour like this one as it includes round-trip transportation, which will make your trip much easier.
Plus, the price is actually often cheaper to take the tour versus buying train tickets and doing everything on your own.
On the tour, you’ll also get a walking tour in Bruges and a canal boat tour which will help maximize your time on the day trip.
➡️ Book a Guided Tour to Bruges from Paris
Another option is to do this day trip on your own by taking the train from Paris to Brussels, then on to Bruges. The journey takes about 2.5-3 hours one-way so you will want to leave early!
Below, you’ll find the perfect itinerary for a day trip to Bruges, including all the must-do things such as visiting the Grote Market & Belfry Tower, taking a canal ride, and of course – trying some of the famous Belgian food and beer!
Morning: Take the Train & Climb the Belfry
Most of the morning will be spent getting to Bruges, whether you take the train or a tour. Once you arrive, start with some of the top sites like Grote Market and the Belfry Tower.
Take the Train to Bruges from Paris
If you plan on taking a Paris to Bruges day trip on your own, you will want to take the earliest train to maximize your time.
Train times vary based on the day and season, but most days have trains leaving around 7 am.
Insider Tip: When booking train tickets, I typically use Omnio – but I also check Trainline to compare prices.
➡️ Book Train Tickets from Paris to Bruges
Arrive in Bruges and Visit Minnewater Park (Lake of Love)
Once you arrive in Bruges, it is just a short walk from the train station to the historic center. I highly recommend walking 10 minutes to Minnewater Park, which is also known as the Lake of Love.
Minnewater Park is a beautiful part of Bruges, surrounded by trees and picturesque bridges. This is where you will also find many swans free-roaming about, especially during the warmer months.
Make a short stop for some photos and to take in the scenery before heading on to the historic center of Bruges.
Make a Stop for a Belgium Waffle
On your walk to the center of Bruges, make sure to stop for a Belgium Waffle! Belgium Waffles are delicious fluffy waffles typically topped with different kinds of fruit.
I recommend checking out Otto Waffle Atelier – which is a small Belgium Waffle shop that serves to-go waffles. We ate here and loved it, plus it’s on the way to the center of town.
Visit Bruges Grote Market and Climb the Belfry Tower
Next, continue your walk to the historic center of Bruges which is its Grote Market and Burg Square. Here, you will find the unique Flemish-style architecture, as well as several museums, shops, and restaurants.
In Burg Square, you will also see the extraordinary Belfry of Bruges. The Belfry is a medieval bell tower that dates back to 1438 AD and is one of the most recognized landmarks in Bruges.
Today, you can climb the Belfry of Bruges, which stands around 83m tall. From the top, you will have panoramic views of the city, but keep in mind it is 383 steps to get up there!
If you don’t want to climb the Belfry, there are a few cool museums in Grote Market that are worth checking out. I personally loved the Historium Brugge which takes you on an interactive tour of Bruges – definitely do this if you are visiting with kids as it’s a fun way to learn about the city.
Afternoon: Take a Bruges Canal Tour & Visit a Brewery
Take the afternoon to do a must-do activity in Bruges, which is taking a boat tour on the historic canals. Plus, check out one of Bruges’ famous breweries.
Take a Canal Tour in Bruges
Bruges is nicknamed the Venice of the North due to its charming medieval canals.
Taking a canal tour in Bruges is the #1 thing to do when visiting. Seeing the medieval town from the boat gives you a whole new perspective on the town and it is incredibly scenic.
The tours are 30 minutes long and the guide provides you with some interesting stories and history about Bruges.
To purchase tickets, simply join the line at one of the three canal tour entrance points. Note that there can be a line, especially in the high season, but it is worth the wait. I think we waited around 15-20 minutes when visiting in the summer.
Try some Belgium Frites
After the canal ride, take a break for some more delicious Belgian food, such as Belgian Frites.
I recommend checking out the FritBar – they have a great selection of loaded Frites, as well as gourmet burgers if you are feeling hungry. We ate here and it was a great choice.
Visit a Brewery and Try Belgium Beer
Belgium is famous for its beer, and for good reason. Even if you aren’t a huge beer drinker it’s worth it to stop in and have a sample of some Belgian beer.
The best place to try some Belgian beer is at De Halve Maan Brewery, which is a family-run brewery that has been in operation since 1856.
De Halve Maan Brewery has a tasting room where you can order one of their famous beers. I personally was a fan of the Brugse Zot Blond (a lighter, blonde beer). However, if you are looking for something stronger, my husband Dylan loved their Belgian Tripel.
If you have time, De Halve Maan Brewery offers an interesting 45-minute brewery tour, which also takes you on their rooftop. The tours can book up in advance, so you may want to book ahead via their website.
Another great place to try Belgian Beer in Bruges is at Bourgogne des Flandres Brewery. This is a smaller brewery, but they have a great selection of beers to choose from as well as a snack menu. The highlight is their outdoor patio, which is right on one of the main canals.
Evening: Take the Train to Paris
After a busy day in Bruges, you’ll want to walk back to the train station to catch your train back to Paris. Again, train times vary based on the day but I would recommend taking a train around 6 or 7 pm since it is a 2.5-3 hour journey back to Paris.
The trains are quite comfortable, so it is a good time to relax after a long, but fun day trip to Bruges from Paris!
How To Get From Paris To Bruges
There are two good options for how to get from Paris to Bruges for a day trip: by taking a guided tour or taking the train.
For a day trip to Bruges, I recommend taking a guided tour so that you don’t have to worry about transportation. While the train transportation is great, it can be a little stressful for a day trip (especially if you don’t have much experience using the train system).
While it is possible to rent a car in Paris and drive to Bruges, I can’t recommend this for a day trip. The drive is over 3 hours one-way so if you drive you should plan to stay overnight in Bruges.
This is the same for taking the bus – you can take the bus but would need to stay one night in Bruges.
Guided Tour from Paris to Bruges
Taking a tour from Paris to Bruges is a great way to visit Bruges without worrying about transportation. This tour includes a short walking tour of Bruges, free time to explore, and the option to take a canal tour.
➡️ Check Availability and Book a Paris to Bruges Tour
Train from Paris to Bruges
Taking the train is another good option, as the trains are comfortable and fairly easy to navigate. The journey takes around 2.5-3 hours, depending on the transfer time.
To get from Paris to Bruges, you will need to take the Eurostar High-Speed Train from Paris Gare du Nord to Bruxelles-Midi (Brussels).
In Brussels, you will transfer onto a local Belgian IC train to Brugge.
Insider Tip: When you make the transfer at Brussels, make sure the train number matches and it says it is going to “Brugge.”
Our first train was delayed and we very quickly hopped on to the train that was currently at the platform… and it was the wrong train. We noticed right away and got off at the next stop and had to travel back to Bruxelles-Midi to board the correct train.
Important Tip: Make sure you do not accidentally purchase tickets or leave Paris going to Bruges, France (which is located outside of Bordeaux, France). You are going to Brugge, Belgium, and should transfer through Brussels, not Bordeaux.
Is a Paris to Bruges Day Trip Worth It?
Taking a day trip to Bruges from Paris is absolutely worth it. Bruges is a charming town that is incredibly scenic and filled with history. It is easily one of the more beautiful towns in Europe, and there is plenty to do there, from climbing the Belfry, taking a boat tour along the canals, or trying some authentic Belgian food.
So, I’d say a day trip to Bruges is absolutely worth it. Will it be a long day? Yes. Should you spend more time in Bruges? Also yes.
However, the reality is that some people only have 1 day to visit Bruges and may not have a chance to go on another trip. I personally loved Bruges and it is such a different experience from Paris, which is another reason to visit the charming Belgian town.
FAQ: Paris to Bruges Day Trip
Planning a day trip to Bruges from Paris? Here are a few commonly asked questions and answers.
Bruges is a good day trip from Paris to experience another country and culture. Bruges is a completely different feel from Paris and is a smaller, medieval town that is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. However, a Paris to Bruges day trip is a long day and will take 10-14 hours.
There is no direct train from Paris to Bruges. Instead, most routes make a change in Brussels. The quickest time to get from Paris to Bruges by train is around 2 hours and 38 minutes.
Brussels is the closest city in Belgium to Paris. Brussels is located 310 kilometers (193 miles) north of Paris and can be reached directly by train in about 1.5 hours. Brussels is the capital of Belgium and is known for its cuisine, architecture, and historical landmarks.
Bruges is better if you are looking for a smaller, historic town with a lot of charm. From its canals to its medieval architecture, Bruges feels like a fairytale town. On the other hand, Brussels is better if you want to explore an international city that is home to many museums, and landmarks, and has a variety of food options.
The Wrap-Up: Paris to Bruges Day Trip
Bruges is worth visiting and taking a Paris to Bruges day trip is a great way to experience a different culture and country when in Paris.
Taking a day trip to Bruges can easily be done by a guided tour like this one or by going yourself via the high-speed train. Either way, there is plenty to do while visiting Bruges on a day trip.
However, if you have the extra time I highly recommend staying in Bruges longer than just 1 day. 2 days in Bruges gives you the perfect amount of time to experience more of this charming town.
