Bruges is one of Europe's most beautiful cities — and for most international visitors the journey starts at Brussels Airport (Zaventem) or Brussels South Charleroi Airport. Here is everything you need to get between Bruges and the airport smoothly, and the festivals worth booking your transfer around well in advance.
Bruges to Brussels Airport: taxi or train?
The train from Bruges to Brussels Airport takes about 1h25 with a change, runs to a fixed timetable and means dragging your luggage through stations. A private taxi from Bruges to Brussels Airport is door-to-door in around 1h15, leaves whenever you want, fits your whole party and luggage in one car, and the driver tracks your flight on the way back. For two or more people, or with suitcases and an early flight, the taxi is usually the calmer — and often comparable — choice. We drive the return trip too, with a meet & greet in the arrivals hall.
Bruges to Charleroi Airport
Charleroi (used by many low-cost airlines) is trickier by public transport from Bruges — several changes and a shuttle bus. A direct taxi from Bruges to Charleroi Airport skips all of that and takes roughly 1h30, door to door.
Festivals in Bruges — plan your transfer ahead
On big event dates hotels fill up and so do taxis, so book your airport transfer early. The highlights:
- Procession of the Holy Blood (Ascension Day, May) — a UNESCO-listed pageant that draws crowds from across the world.
- Bruges May Fair (Meifoor) — the historic funfair that fills the squares for several weeks each spring.
- Cactusfestival (July) — a much-loved open-air music festival in the Minnewaterpark.
- Snow & Ice Sculpture Festival & Wintergloed (winter) — ice art near the station and a city-wide light trail.
- Bruges Beer Festival (February) — Belgian brewers take over the Markt halls.
- Christmas Market & ice rink (December) — one of Flanders' prettiest.
- Triennial Bruges — the contemporary art trail that returns to the medieval centre.
Flying in for one of these? Reserve your Bruges airport transfer in advance so a driver is waiting the moment you land.
Why a private airport transfer
- Door-to-door, no changes, your price shown up front before you book — from a Belgian company, 24/7.
- Live flight tracking and free waiting if you are delayed.
- Driver's name, mobile and licence plate shared in advance; meet & greet with a name sign on arrival.
- Child seats free on request; cars for up to 8 people.