Ferry from London to Bruges
There is no direct ferry to Bruges. From London the quickest option by far is the short Channel crossing to Calais or Dunkirk, followed by a short drive on into Bruges – the city sits close to the coast in the far west of Belgium, so it is one of the easiest Belgian destinations to reach.
Routes
Our experience
We’ve sailed with every ferry operator on the Dover–Calais route ourselves. We were particularly impressed by P&O Ferries thanks to its competitive fares, modern ships, clean facilities, spacious outdoor decks, and overall comfort. For most travellers heading to Belgium, this is often the fastest and most affordable option.
Our experience
This is the only cross-Channel route we haven’t personally sailed, so we can’t offer a first-hand opinion.
Our experience
A comfortable overnight crossing on large ferries. The sailing is short enough to get some rest while still arriving early in the Netherlands, leaving you with a full day to enjoy in Belgium. Thanks to excellent public transport connections, it’s also a popular choice with cyclists.
Ferry services from London to Bruges
The short crossings from Dover are run by P&O Ferries, DFDS and Irish Ferries. Stena Line ails from Harwich to Hook of Holland.
Map with suggested London – Bruges ferry routes
This map shows ferry routes from London to Bruges, with crossing times, fares and the ports they sail from. Tap a route for details, tap a port for its sailings, or zoom in for more.
From the arrival port to your destination
Bruges sits close to the coast in the far west of Belgium, so the short Channel crossings reach it quickest: from Calais or Dunkirk it is around an hour to an hour and a half on the E40.
| Route | Travel Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| London – Dover – Calais – Bruges | ~4h 30m | Usually the fastest option |
| London – Dover – Dunkirk – Bruges | ~4h 45m | Often quieter on arrival |
By car
Dover can become particularly busy during holiday periods, with border checks and traffic queues sometimes causing delays. If you’re travelling to Belgium, it’s a good idea to check the latest travel updates from your ferry operator before setting off.
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Still weighing up your options?
We have sailed nearly every one of these crossings ourselves, and the photos on this site are our own. Tell us where you are starting and we will point you to the smartest way across.