Ferry from the UK to Bruges
Bruges is located just a few miles inland from Zeebrugge, Belgium’s main North Sea ferry port. For many years, ferries from the United Kingdom arrived directly in Zeebrugge, making Bruges one of the easiest Belgian cities to reach by sea. Unfortunately, those direct ferry services no longer operate today.
If you’re planning a trip to Bruges – and we completely understand why, as it’s one of Belgium’s most beautiful cities – you’ll need to travel a little differently nowadays. The most straightforward option is usually to take a ferry to Calais or Dunkirk, although overnight ferry routes to the Netherlands can also be a good alternative. We’ll explain the different options below.
Routes
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
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
We found this to be a pleasant and relaxed crossing with a convenient schedule. It’s particularly well suited to travellers with a car or motorcycle, as onward travel options for foot passengers are more limited.
Ferry services from the UK to Bruges
Travellers from southern and central England can usually drive to Dover and choose from crossings operated by DFDS, P&O Ferries or Irish Ferries. In around 90 minutes to 2 hours, you’ll arrive in northern France, from where Bruges is only a relatively short drive away.
For travellers from northern and central parts of the UK, longer ferry crossings may be worth considering. Services operated by Stena Line, DFDS and P&O Ferries can often be booked as overnight sailings, allowing you to relax on board and continue your journey the following morning. From the Dutch arrival ports, it’s only a few hours’ drive to Bruges, leaving you with plenty of time to enjoy the city on the day you arrive.
Map with suggested the UK – Bruges ferry routes
This map shows ferry routes from England 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.
Getting to Bruges
Bruges is 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. Arriving in Rotterdam or the Hook of Holland instead leaves a longer drive of roughly two and a half hours down through the Netherlands.
By campervan
Travelling by motorhome? Bruges is one of the easiest Belgian cities to visit. The most popular campsite among ferry travellers is Camping Memling, located just a few kilometres from the historic centre and well connected by bicycle and public transport. Another excellent option is Kampeerautoterrein Kanaaleiland, a dedicated motorhome site with space for up to 57 motorhomes and facilities including electricity, water and waste disposal points. Many travellers arriving via the Hull–Rotterdam ferry choose Bruges as their first overnight stop on the continent before continuing towards Ghent, Antwerp, France or Germany. With its easy access, excellent camping facilities and beautiful medieval centre, Bruges is an ideal destination for a ferry-based motorhome trip.
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.
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