Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
TRANSPORTATION
CONNECTIONS
Belgium
Belgium's train system is slick, eff icient, and non-smoking.
Consider these rail deals for traveling within the country (www
.b-rail.be):
•
Yout hs
under age 26 can get a Go Pass: €46 for 10 rides any-
where in Belgium (www.gopass.be).
•
Seniors
(age 65-plus) can get a same-day round-trip ticket to
anywhere in Belgium for €4 (weekdays: after 9:00; weekends:
no restrictions mid-Sept-April, not valid May-mid-Sept).
• Those traveling on the
weekend
should request the weekend
discount for round-trips (50 percent off, valid Fri after 19:00).
Note that if you have a bike, you'll pay extra to bring it on the
train (€5 one-way, €8 round-trip).
Bruges
Trains
From Bruges by Train to: Brussels
(2/hr, usually at :31 and :57, 1
hr, €12.30),
Ghent
(2/hr, 40 min),
Ostende
(3/hr, 15 min),
Köln
(6/
day, 3.5 hrs, change at Brussels Midi),
Paris
(1/day direct, about 2/
hr via Brussels, 2.5 hrs on fast Thalys trains—it's best to book by
20:00 the day before),
Amsterdam
(hourly, 3.5-4 hrs, transfer at
Antwerp Central or Brussels Midi; transfer can be timed closely—
be alert and check with conductor),
Amsterdam's Schiphol
Airport
(hourly, 3.5 hrs, transfer in Antwerp or Brussels,),
Haarlem
(1-2/hr, 3.5 hrs, requires transfer). Train info: tel. 050/302-424.
Trains from London:
Br uges is an ideal “ Welcome to
Europe” stop after London. Take the Eurostar train from London
to Brussels (10/day, 2.5 hrs), then transfer, backtracking to Bruges
