Bruges

Airport: Brussels (BRU). About 1 hour from Bruges by train. Ostend (OST) is nearer but has few routes.

Public transport: a single ticket is typically £2.3–£2.8. A day pass or a travel card is usually better value if you ride several times a day.

Search flights to Bruges

Currency: Euro (€).

Tipping: Service is included. Rounding up is enough.

Take a debit or credit card with no foreign transaction fees if you can, carry a little cash for markets and small cafés, and when a machine offers to charge you in pounds, choose the local currency.

Typical daily spend: see the Bruges cost guide.

Language: Dutch (Flemish), French and German, depending on the region. English is widely spoken.

Rhythm of the day: Dinner is from about 7pm. Many shops are closed on Sundays outside the big cities.

• Beer is part of the culture: ask for a recommendation, as each beer has its own glass.
• Cobbled streets in Bruges are hard on wheeled bags and heels.
• Trains between Brussels and Bruges are quick and frequent.

Free things to do: 5 of the 10 places in our Bruges guide are free. See them.

Book timed-entry sights, popular restaurants and weekend trains ahead. Flights and hotels are usually cheapest booked 6 to 12 weeks out for city breaks, and earlier for summer beach holidays.

Emergency number: 112.

• Bruges is very crowded on summer days: arrive early or stay overnight to see it quiet.
• Pickpockets work around Brussels Midi and Gare Centrale.

A UK GHIC gives you access to state healthcare in the EU on the same terms as locals, but it is not a substitute for travel insurance. Take out insurance that covers medical care, cancellation and your activities.

Plugs and voltage: Type C/E (two round pins), 230V. UK visitors need an adapter.

Tap water: Tap water is safe to drink.

Entry and documents: Entry rules, passport validity and any pre-travel registrations change. Always check the GOV.UK foreign travel advice page for your destination before you book and again before you travel.