Sunday, September 15, 2024 Skip the airport hassle and hop on a scenic train ride to Bruges, Europe top-rated destination, where history, charm, and enchantment await at every turn. If you’re looking to skip the airport hassle, consider taking a rail journey to Bruges. This charming Flemish city was crowned the top European destination to visit by train in a recent survey of over 1,000 Which? members.
Just a quick three-and-a-half-hour train ride from London, Bruges surpassed popular destinations like Paris and Amsterdam, earning an impressive city score of 85%. Travelers raved about its “magical” and “enchanting” atmosphere, as they explored the historic canals and cobbled medieval streets on foot. Sign up for our monthly Travel newsletter to get expert tips and trusted recommendations for your next trip.
When you factor in airport wait times and the transfer to city centers, traveling by rail can often be faster. Even from cities outside of London—like Birmingham, Portsmouth, and Cardiff—train journeys to the capital can take as little as two hours. Plus, rail travel can reduce your carbon footprint by as much as 90%.
With the right tricks, train travel can also be cheaper than flying. By snagging a deal on Eurostar tickets, you can score round-trip fares to Paris or Brussels for just £70. And onward travel within Belgium, including to Bruges, can cost as little as €12.
Best rail destination for food and drink: Bordeaux Bordeaux, along with Lyon, was one of.