BelgiumWest FlandersChristmas marketsChecked Oct 2026

London to Bruges Christmas Market

Bruges is one of the easiest Christmas market trips from London, with no flight needed, and its medieval squares look their best in December. This guide covers the train, the coach and driving, plus the dates for Winter Glow 2026.

20 Nov 2026 – 3 Jan 2027Winter Glow dates
~3h 20mLondon to Bruges by train
~1h 30mDrive from Calais

The short answer

For most people the train is the best option. Take the Eurostar from St Pancras to Brussels-Midi (about 2 hours), then a Belgian intercity train to Bruges (about 1 hour), and walk or take a bus to the Markt. Eurostar sells the whole trip in one booking, and the Belgian ticket is valid on any train that day.

Market essentials

Bruges' Christmas season is called Winter Glow (Wintergloed), with markets, an ice rink and light trails across the old town.

Dates

Winter Glow 2026 runs from Friday 20 November 2026 to Sunday 3 January 2027. Check the official Visit Bruges site for the full programme.

Opening hours

Stalls usually open from late morning until the evening, often later on Fridays and Saturdays, and close earlier on Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve. Check the official site for exact times.

Where

The main market is on the Markt, under the Belfry. A smaller market with more local food and crafts is on Simon Stevinplein, about 300 metres away. The ice rink is in Koning Albert I-park, near the Minnewater.

Good to know

Belgian beer is much stronger than typical British draught beer, so ask for advice at the bar. Hotels are often cheaper and the streets quieter between Christmas and New Year.

Every way to get there

From London to Bruges, best options first. Times are typical door to door; check live schedules for your dates.

1

Eurostar to Brussels, then the train to Bruges

Best for most
Door to door3h 30m–4h 30m
£ Cost££
Best forMost trips, no car needed
  1. Eurostar: London St Pancras to Brussels-MidiAbout 1h 55m. You check in and go through passport control at St Pancras, so allow time before departure.
  2. SNCB train: Brussels-Midi to BruggeAbout 55 minutes to 1 hour on direct intercity trains, which usually run every 30 minutes. A standard single costs roughly €17–€23. You can add it to your Eurostar booking, and the ticket is valid on any train that day.
  3. Bruges station to the MarktAbout a 15–20 minute walk, or a short ride on a De Lijn bus from outside the station.
Train tickets on KlookTrain times: London → BrusselsTrain tickets on KlookTrain times: Brussels → Bruges

Eurostar's old 'Any Belgian Station' ticket ended in 2025, so make sure your booking includes the Belgian train, or buy it separately from SNCB.

2

Drive via Le Shuttle

Families
Door to door4–5h
£ Cost££
Best forFamilies, groups, bringing shopping home
  1. Le Shuttle: Folkestone to CalaisAbout 35 minutes through the Channel Tunnel, and you stay with your car. Arrive at the terminal well before your departure.
  2. Calais to Bruges by roadAbout 1h 30m on the A16 and E40 motorways, with no tolls.
  3. Parking in BrugesMost of the old town is closed to through traffic. The car park at Bruges railway station is cheaper than the central car parks, and it's about a 20-minute walk to the Markt.
Le Shuttle crossingsHire a carPlan the drive

Belgium requires certain kit in the car, such as a warning triangle and a hi-vis vest, and you'll need a UK sticker unless your number plate shows 'UK'. Check the current rules before you go.

3

Drive via the Dover ferry

Door to door5–6h
£ Cost££
Best forFlexible fares, a break from driving
  1. Ferry: Dover to Calais or DunkirkAbout 1h 30m to Calais, or about 2 hours to Dunkirk. Several companies sail on these routes many times a day. Check current timetables.
  2. Calais or Dunkirk to Bruges by roadAbout 1 hour from Dunkirk, or about 1h 30m from Calais, on the A16 and E40 motorways.
Ferries Dover–DunkirkFerries Dover–CalaisHire a carPlan the drive

Dunkirk is closer to Bruges, so the longer crossing can save time on the road.

4

Coach from London Victoria

Cheapest
Door to door7–9h
£ Cost£
Best forLowest fares
  1. London Victoria Coach Station to BrugesFlixBus runs a couple of direct coaches a day, crossing the Channel by ferry or tunnel. The trip takes about 7–8 hours, and some coaches run overnight. Check which Bruges stop your coach uses.
Coach options: London Victoria Coach Station → Bruges

Advance fares can be about £20–£40 each way. Bring your passport, because there are border checks on the way.

Where to stay in Bruges

Compare hotels and apartments, many with free cancellation. Book early for December weekends.

See hotels in Bruges Expedia KKday

Plan the rest of your trip

🎟️ Tours & tickets 📶 Travel eSIM 🚗 Car hire 🎫 City passes 🧳 Luggage storage ⏱️ Flight delay claim

All options compared

Typical times and relative costs. £ is cheapest, £££ is priciest.

OptionDoor to doorCostBest for
Eurostar to Brussels, then the train to Bruges3h 30m–4h 30m££Most trips, no car needed
Drive via Le Shuttle4–5h££Families, groups, bringing shopping home
Drive via the Dover ferry5–6h££Flexible fares, a break from driving
Coach from London Victoria7–9h£Lowest fares

Add more markets by train

Belgium is small and its trains run often, so you can easily add another market city.

Your base

Bruges

Stay inside the old town, within walking distance of the Markt, so you can see the lights after the day-trippers have gone.

Hotels in Bruges Expedia
About 25 min by train

Ghent

A livelier student city with a big winter festival, markets spread around the medieval centre, and fewer crowds than Bruges.

Hotels in Ghent Expedia
About 1h by train

Brussels

Brussels' Winter Wonders market runs around the Grand-Place and the Bourse. It's on your way home, so it makes an easy final stop.

Hotels in Brussels Expedia
About 1h 30m by train

Antwerp

Antwerp has a market on the Grote Markt and Groenplaats near the cathedral, plus good shopping.

Hotels in Antwerp Expedia

Local tip: Bruges is very busy on December weekends. Walk the canals early in the morning, before the day-trippers arrive.

Frequently asked questions

Quick answers to what people ask most about this trip.

When is the Bruges Christmas market in 2026?

Winter Glow 2026 runs from Friday 20 November 2026 to Sunday 3 January 2027, with markets on the Markt and Simon Stevinplein and an ice rink in Koning Albert I-park. Check the Visit Bruges site for the full programme.

Can I get a train straight from London to Bruges?

Not without changing trains. Take the Eurostar to Brussels-Midi, then change to a Belgian intercity train to Bruges. The whole trip takes about 3h 20m, and Eurostar sells it as one booking.

Does Eurostar still sell 'Any Belgian Station' tickets?

No. Eurostar stopped selling them in March 2025. You can add the Brussels–Bruges train to your Eurostar booking, or buy it separately from SNCB.

Should I fly to Bruges?

Not usually. You would fly to Brussels and then take the train on to Bruges, and once you add airport time, that's slower than the Eurostar from central London.

Can I do Bruges as a day trip from London?

It's possible by Eurostar, but it's a very long day, with about 7 hours of travel in total. One or two nights is much more relaxed, and you'll see the lights and the markets after dark.

Is it easy to drive to Bruges?

Yes. It's about 1h 30m from Calais on toll-free motorways. Park at the railway station car park and walk into the old town, because the centre has limited traffic access.

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Times and prices are typical estimates, checked Oct 2026. Always confirm with the operator before booking. Some links are affiliate links: if you book through them we may earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you.