Bruges is remarkably well-connected for a small city. The train station (Bruges/Brugge) is a 10-minute walk from the centre, and direct trains connect to most major Belgian and European cities.

From Brussels: Direct trains every 30 minutes, journey time about 1 hour. From Brussels Airport (Zaventem): train to Brussels-Nord or Brussels-Midi, then change for Bruges. Total journey about 90 minutes.

From Ghent: Direct trains every 15 minutes, 25 minutes. From Antwerp: Direct trains hourly, about 90 minutes. From the coast (Ostend, Blankenberge): 15-25 minutes.

From Paris: Thalys/Eurostar to Brussels-Midi (90 minutes), then change for Bruges (60 minutes). Total about 3 hours.

From Amsterdam: Thalys to Brussels (2 hours), then Bruges (1 hour). Or IC Direct to Antwerp (2 hours), then Bruges (90 minutes).

From London: Eurostar to Brussels-Midi (2 hours), then Bruges (1 hour). Door-to-door about 4 hours.

Charleroi Airport (used by Ryanair): Shuttle bus to Brussels-Midi (1 hour), then train to Bruges. Budget 2.5 hours total.

By car: Bruges is on the E40 motorway (Brussels-Ostend). Parking in the centre is limited and expensive. Use the large car parks at the station or the underground park at 't Zand. Both are connected to the centre by bus or a short walk.

In Bruges itself, you don't need a car. Walking and cycling cover everything.