Zeebrugge port: getting to Bruges after midnight

Take the free shuttle from the ship to the terminal exit. Walk to the Zeebrugge Kerk stop, board the Kusttram towards De Panne and get off at Blankenberge station, about 10 to 15 minutes. A De Lijn single is 3.00 euros by contactless card and you can pay for up to five people with one card. Then take the SNCB/NMBS train to Brugge, which takes 11 minutes and runs once an hour at about quarter past on weekdays. We estimate the train single at 3.90 euros, so the whole trip is about 6.90 euros. Wait times make this the slowest option.

Many cruise lines run a shuttle, sometimes paid, to Blankenberge railway station, according to the port. Check the daily programme and the price before relying on it. From Blankenberge the train to Brugge takes 11 minutes and leaves hourly, at about 15 minutes past the hour on weekdays and about 3 minutes past on weekends. We estimate the single at 3.90 euros. This skips the walk to the tram.

Zeebrugge-Dorp has a direct train to Brugge in about 14 minutes, but only on weekdays. It does not run at weekends, on public holidays or in July and August, according to Visit Bruges. Trains leave at about 8 minutes past the hour. From the port exit it is a 20 minute walk, so take a taxi for the short hop if you have bags. We estimate the single fare at 3.90 euros. Check the date of your call, because a Saturday or Sunday call cannot use this station.

A dedicated coach runs from the terminal to central Bruges, about 25 minutes, with departures every 30 minutes from 08:30 to about noon. The operator charges 15 euros for a single and 30 euros for a return, with child rates and free travel for under-twos. Returns are timed to your ship: the first return bus leaves four hours before embarkation and the last leaves one hour before. Pre-book, because the service is only for cruise passengers. Another guide quotes a higher adult fare, so confirm the price when you book.

Taxis wait at the terminal exit on ship days. We could not find an official tariff or a fixed fare. A cruise guide puts a taxi to Bruges at about 60 euros depending on traffic, so treat that as an estimate and agree the price before you set off. The drive is 18 km and takes about 20 to 25 minutes.

Fixed-price transfer listings show a minivan for seven at about 119 euros, and a standard sedan is cheaper. We estimate roughly 90 euros for up to three passengers, so confirm the sedan price when you book. The driver can wait and bring you back to the port for the sailing time, which is the main reason to book it.