The Belgian City of Bruges is one of the most popular destinations for British cross Channel day-trippers. The beautiful medieval town is known as the 'Venice of the North' due to its beautiful gothic architecture and picturesque canals. The centre of the City is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
By driving to Bruges from the Channel Ports of Calais or Dunkirk, or the Eurotunnel terminal in Coquelles, you will be able to stock up on the finest delicacies which Bruges has to offer, including locally brewed premium beers, delicious Belgian chocolates, lace, and other locally produced goods.
Parking in the City Centre
Parking in the Centre of Bruges is not advisable due to the narrow, busy streets and the lack of parking. The City Centre is split into three parking regions:
Zone 1 (Blue Zone -- Centrum) covers much of the centre of Bruges. In this area, parking restrictions apply from 09:00 to 19:00 Monday to Saturday. The maximum parking duration is four hours, for visitors who display a valid European parking disc on their windscreens. Around the shopping districts, these parking spaces are metered and can be expensive.
Zone 2 (Yellow Zone -- BinnenStad) - All car parking spaces within the Yellow Zone are metered
Zone 3 (Red Zone -- West Brugge) -All car parking spaces within the Red Zone are metered
Parking near the Ring Road
Bruges has a number of parking garages dotted around the ring road surrounding the City. Parking in one of these car parks is much more cost effective, less stressful, and sometimes has the added bonus of complimentary bus tickets (for all passengers) to the main square in Bruges included in the car parking fee. The maximum price for car parking in one of these garages is (at the time of writing) 8.70 Euros per day.
Recommended Parking Garage -- Centrum Station
Of the numerous ring road car parks, the Centrum train station is strongly recommended, especially for visitors arriving in Bruges from Northern France entry points. This car park is one of the biggest in Bruges with 1500 spaces.
The car park is open 24 hours a day, and the tariff is currently just 2.50 Euro per day, which is considerably cheaper than in the metered spaces towards the Centre, and other ring road car parks. Your 2.50 Euro fee will include free return bus tickets to the main square in the centre of Bruges. Bruges is a compact City, so you may opt for a leisurely stroll to the City Centre, which should take no longer than 10 or 15 minutes.
It is recommended that you arrive at this car park by 12:00 midday to ensure you are able to find a space. Generally there are plenty of spaces available if you arrive in the morning.
Even at night, this car park was found to be safe and well lit.
For the easiest access to this parking garage, exit the A10/E40 at Junction 7, signposted Loppem/Brugge. At the roundabout, turn left to join the N397 ('Konig Albert I Laan') which will bring you into Bruges just to the left of the main railway station. As you turn right to join the ring road, the railway station will be on your right hand side, and the entrance to the parking garage is 100 metres further on, on the right hand side of the road.
Take a ticket from the machine when entering the car park, and pay on departure at either a machine, or a manned ticket office.
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