Cruise terminal Zeebrugge

Zeebrugge is a passenger port. The passengers either make the popular crossing to Hull, England by ferry, or they dock at the port aboard a luxury cruise ship to enjoy a day trip to one of the many Flemish cultural cities. Also the Belgian coastal towns are popular destinations. Thanks to its location on the North Sea coast, and the deep water, Zeebrugge has developed into the largest cruise port in Flanders.

Departure from Zeebrugge ferry terminal

For many foreign passengers, Zeebrugge offers the fastest access to many historical cities in Belgium. Zeebrugge has the advantage of being located within short distance of several historical and touristic cities of Western Europe: 17 km from Bruges, 50 km from Ghent, and only 100 km from Brussels and Antwerp. Especially Bruges, which is recognized as a World Heritage site by UNESCO, attracts many cruise tourists. Almost every cruise ship in Zeebrugge has several half day, or full day, excursions with Bruges as a destination.

In Zeebrugge, cruise ships dock at the Leopold II dam, or at the Albert II dock, both located in the western harbor, about 2 km from the nearest train and bus station. You have several options to travel to other locations from this harbor:

to Bruges

Bruges is approximately 17 km from Zeebrugge, and is well worth a visit. The architecture, and beautiful medieval surroundings make Bruges a unique place in Europe. You have several options to travel from the ferry terminal to Bruges:

1. By bus directly to Bruges.
   A bus runs from the Zeebrugge ferry terminal directly to Bruges. Often offered by the cruise line to book or online for €25,00 p.p..
   The travel time from the ferry terminal to Bruges is about 25 minutes.

2. Directly to Bruges by taxi.
   Multiple taxis drive from the Zeebrugge ferry terminal directly to Bruges. These taxis are readily available near the arrival dock.
   Travel time from the ferry terminal to Bruges is about 20 minutes.

3. To Bruges by public transportation.
   In actual practise many cruise lines offer a (sometimes payable) shuttle service to the Blankenberge railway station. From Blankenberge railway station are trains to Bruges, Ghent or Brussels every half hour.
   The travel time from the ferry terminal to Bruges is about 60 minutes.

4. Via Blankenberge to Bruges by public transportation.
   A bus operates from Zeebrugge ferry terminal to the Central Station of Blankenberge. From the Blankenberge Central Station, you can take the bus to the heart of the historic center of Bruges.
   The travel time from the ferry terminal to Bruges is approximately 70 minutes.

To other destinations

1. With the Coastal Tram to other Belgian coastal cities
   The long Belgian coast can be best explored by tram. The tram stops at 70 locations, which means that it always stops near a place that you may want to visit. The coastal tram starts at De Panne, near the French border, and goes all the way to Knokke-Heist, near the Dutch border.

2. Via Bruges to other destinations
   Bruges Central Station is operated by national and international lines. Belgium is via the TGV Thalys, with multiple daily trains riding from Paris to Brussels, linked to France, the Netherlands and Germany. Furthermore there are several trains per hour from Bruges to Brussels.
   Travel time is approximately 50 minutes.