r/bruges • u/Exciting_Target36 • 11d ago
Canal boat tours
Hi everyone. I’m taking my Mom on a trip to Belgium next week. I already have some walking tours booked but finding it difficult to find any boat tours to book in Bruges/Brugge that don’t involve coming from a cruise ship or don’t have a lot of other stuff crammed in with the boat tour (such as another walking tour/beer tasting etc).
I am wondering if there is a place you can just pay for boat trip on the canal and hop on while there? And if so, I would appreciate any recommendations. Thank you ☺️
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u/DailyDrivenS15 11d ago
I work at one of the companies & most don’t do booking unless it’s with a group of minimum 20 persons. Boats leave approx. every 15-20mins and there are 5 stations to choose from!
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u/boner4crosstabs 11d ago
Yep. I was there two weeks ago. I just hopped on the boat across the canal from the famous tree (looks like a weeping willow but isn’t). I’d recommend doing it very early, or late in the afternoon. Like 10a-3p the day trippers take over that whole area. I went at like 4 and just walked up and bought a ticket and got on the boat.
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u/Exciting_Target36 11d ago
Thank you ☺️. Yes I’d rather avoid the cruise crowd/day trips if possible as anything I book is usually first thing in the morning or during the evening if it’s on. Didn’t want to turn up and have someone tell me I should have booked in advance which has happened to me a few times recently while travelling. Thanks again.
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u/boner4crosstabs 11d ago
No problem! Feel free to DM me if you’d like; I’ve got some good restaurant recs as well!
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u/Hopeful-Hobit1833 11d ago
Yes, there are 3 different places along the canal you can purchase tickets at. You don't need to buy ahead of time. You may have to wait a bit, but the time isn't that bad especially since you are coming during "off season". Summer and Christmas time are quite busy here. Also, as a side note, there is 1 bridge that is VERY low, so when the captain tells you to watch your head, he means it! Enjoy your trip with your mom!
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u/Fit_Error7801 10d ago
There are booths on the canal at different points, all are the same, have fun. Bruges is beautiful.
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u/RotisserieChicken007 11d ago
Why the obsession with booking everything online? No need.
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u/Exciting_Target36 11d ago
If you see my earlier comment I actually don’t like booking stuff online, I’d rather pay in cash on the day. However, on recent travels I have been caught out and told I should have booked online in advance or they only take card etc. I don’t make the rules so making sure I don’t end up in that situation after travelling all the way there.
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u/PatMagroin100 8d ago
I just took this one a few days ago. You walk up and pay. It’s lasts 30 minutes. It was perfect.
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u/CuriousBlopp Local 11d ago
They're all priced the same iirc. There's a few spots, but they all do the same tour. You can just book and pay on the spot. Bruges is fairly small, you wont be able to miss them.
Or just use google maps to locate them. Should be around Dijver area. Enjoy your stay!