Belguim help!
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2008
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Belguim help!
We are planning on spending around 6 days in Belgium. We are not ones to pack up and go to a different city each day. Is it best to base out of one or two cities and take day trips? I can buy a month train pass for $125.00. Is this the best option? We would be coming into Brussels, would like to see Bruges, Ghent and Antwerp. Any other suggestions welcome! Thank you!
#2
Join Date: Sep 2011
Posts: 18,307
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
You do not need a train pass. All those cities are easily reached with a normal, cheap, train ticket. look at https://www.belgiantrain.be/en
Which you choose to base yourself depends on you and finding a nice place to stay.
Which you choose to base yourself depends on you and finding a nice place to stay.
#3
Brugge is very touristy but such an attractive place. The old architecture is lovely. I think I'd stay in Brussels and do a day trip to Antwerp, train takes about an hour. Antwerp train station is fabulous, old and ornate.
Then stay in Brugge and do a day trip to Ghent. If you're coming into Brussels first, you could continue to one of the other cities, then have time in Brussels at the end, before you leave. I found train fares cheap, especially compared to the UK. The Belgian ticket system is so straightforward.
For info on trains look at Seat61 website.
Then stay in Brugge and do a day trip to Ghent. If you're coming into Brussels first, you could continue to one of the other cities, then have time in Brussels at the end, before you leave. I found train fares cheap, especially compared to the UK. The Belgian ticket system is so straightforward.
For info on trains look at Seat61 website.
#4
I'd definitely want to stay at least a couple of nights in Brugge. It is quite crowded and touristy with all the day trippers -- but becomes a different place after 3 or 4PM. Once the coach tours leave it is so lovely
#6
Join Date: Feb 2024
Posts: 55
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
We're spending a week in Belgium, headquartered in Ghent. We figure we can reach the other main sites easily by train. Will report back.
The only places we've visited in Belgium are Bruges and the coastal stretch near Dunkirk. Bruges is certainly beautiful, but I don't think it's necessary to stay there in order to see it thoroughly.
The only places we've visited in Belgium are Bruges and the coastal stretch near Dunkirk. Bruges is certainly beautiful, but I don't think it's necessary to stay there in order to see it thoroughly.
Trending Topics
#10
Join Date: Mar 2005
Posts: 734
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
We stayed in Bruges for a few nights a few years ago in June. We were shocked at the throngs of people in the center of town. It was wall to wall people. In the morning and the late afternoon/evenings, it was absolutely lovely. But if I had only been there from 10-4, it would have been a one and done place for me. And here I am going back again this year--because I know how lovely it can be when the day tourists head out.
#11
We stayed in Bruges for a few nights a few years ago in June. We were shocked at the throngs of people in the center of town. It was wall to wall people. In the morning and the late afternoon/evenings, it was absolutely lovely. But if I had only been there from 10-4, it would have been a one and done place for me. And here I am going back again this year--because I know how lovely it can be when the day tourists head out.
Maybe jeff will believe you . . .
![Imported](https://www.fodors.com/community/images/smilies/imported/wink.gif)
#13
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 3,203
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
ch4books, your plan is a straightforward and easy one. Pick a city to base in (Brussels is obvious because it's a rail hub, but others are OK) and go by train to the others. You can buy your ticket on the day, the rail system in Belgium is mass transit and trains are never sold out, you just get on the next one. Are you over 65? There are some good deals with seniors tickets, not sure if that's a good tip for you.
jeffhullinger3220, I think janisj is just trying to manage expectations about Bruges. It is lovely but you do have to deal with tourists in the centre. And I have to let you know that they are doing long-term works on the tram lines in Ghent. The town is a distance from the station (about a 25 minute walk), and while you can possibly stay near the station, you still have to eat and the restaurants are all in town. So you have to manage this as well and look into the tram situation. I am not saying don't do Bruges or Ghent, I am saying, understand what you will be doing before you do it. Having said that, I sincerely hope you and ch4books enjoy Belgium. It's a hidden secret!
Lavandula
jeffhullinger3220, I think janisj is just trying to manage expectations about Bruges. It is lovely but you do have to deal with tourists in the centre. And I have to let you know that they are doing long-term works on the tram lines in Ghent. The town is a distance from the station (about a 25 minute walk), and while you can possibly stay near the station, you still have to eat and the restaurants are all in town. So you have to manage this as well and look into the tram situation. I am not saying don't do Bruges or Ghent, I am saying, understand what you will be doing before you do it. Having said that, I sincerely hope you and ch4books enjoy Belgium. It's a hidden secret!
Lavandula
#14
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 3,228
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Depends on the time of the year. In July/August Brugge is far more quiet than in spring or autumn.
#16
Join Date: Apr 2024
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
For your 6-day trip to Belgium, base yourself in Brussels for a few days and then in either Bruges or Ghent for the remaining days. You can easily take day trips to Antwerp, Ghent, and Leuven by train from Brussels. A $125 train pass is a good idea as it will save you money and make your trips easier.
#17
Join Date: Feb 2024
Posts: 55
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Whatever you do, don't believe the transit maps for the tram routes in Ghent. Those maps belong in the fiction section. And don't count on the tram you need to take actually stopping at the station it's supposed to stop at. Buses, on the other hand, seem to go where the maps claim they will. But they're kind of seedy and unpleasant, much like buses in, say, Chicago. Drivers are nice, though.
Generally, don't put much credence in either maps or "information" signage in Belgium. Even the Belgians I've talked to laugh about the spontaneity of stuff like where public transit actually goes, where toilets are actually located and how one achieves access to said toilets, etc.; it's all unlikely to be where the signage says it will be. It's the most random place I've ever visited, based on first impressions. But the counterbalance to these nuisances is that the people here are so doggone friendly and helpful. I have never felt so much like the abrasive jerk American as when I've been around these Belgians. They're great.
Generally, don't put much credence in either maps or "information" signage in Belgium. Even the Belgians I've talked to laugh about the spontaneity of stuff like where public transit actually goes, where toilets are actually located and how one achieves access to said toilets, etc.; it's all unlikely to be where the signage says it will be. It's the most random place I've ever visited, based on first impressions. But the counterbalance to these nuisances is that the people here are so doggone friendly and helpful. I have never felt so much like the abrasive jerk American as when I've been around these Belgians. They're great.
Last edited by jeffhullinger3220; Jul 19th, 2024 at 12:22 PM.
#18
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 3,203
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Where are you now, Jeff? Are you actually in Belgium?
Lavandula
PS I am actually not surprised the buses in Ghent seem ad hoc. They are running to different routes because of the works to the tram lines and many roads are closed. Information at De Lijn.
Lavandula
PS I am actually not surprised the buses in Ghent seem ad hoc. They are running to different routes because of the works to the tram lines and many roads are closed. Information at De Lijn.
Last edited by lavandula; Jul 19th, 2024 at 03:08 PM.
#20
Join Date: Feb 2024
Posts: 55
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
We're loving Ghent, though visitors should be aware it's a pretty expensive place, especially for food. Probably about as expensive as London for restaurants.