Belgium Holidays: Brussels, Bruges, Ghent & Getting There by Eurostar

T By Thomas · Updated 20 October 2026 · 4 min read

Airports

Brussels (BRU), Brussels South Charleroi (CRL)

Flight time

about 1h10 from London to Brussels, or about 2h by Eurostar

Best time to go

April-June and September; late November-December for Christmas markets

Currency

Euro (€)

Belgium is the easiest foreign country to reach from London without flying. Eurostar gets you from St Pancras to Brussels in about two hours, and from there fast, frequent trains put Bruges, Ghent and Antwerp within an hour. It is a small country with a lot packed in: canal-lined medieval centres, Flemish masterpieces, more than a thousand beers, serious chocolate, and the moving First World War sites around Ypres.

This is one of our Europe guides for UK travellers, covering where to go, when to visit, getting there and around, and costs in 2026.

Where to go in Belgium

Brussels

The capital is often underrated. The Grand-Place, ringed by gilded guildhalls, is one of Europe's finest squares. Add the Magritte Museum, the Royal Museums of Fine Arts, the art nouveau houses of Ixelles and Saint-Gilles, and the Atomium, a 1958 World's Fair landmark on the edge of the city. Brussels is also the cheapest place to eat well, from frites stands to Michelin-starred restaurants.

Bruges

Bruges is the fairy-tale Belgian city: cobbled lanes, canals, a medieval belfry and almshouses round quiet courtyards. It gets very busy with day-trippers, so stay overnight if you can and explore in the early morning and evening.

Ghent

Ghent has as much medieval architecture as Bruges but feels more like a lived-in university city. Don't miss the Van Eyck brothers' Ghent Altarpiece in St Bavo's Cathedral, the Gravensteen castle and the waterfront at Graslei and Korenlei.

Antwerp

Belgium's second city is known for diamonds, fashion and Rubens. Visit the Rubens House, the cathedral with its Rubens altarpieces, the MAS museum and the grand Antwerp-Central station, often called one of the most beautiful in the world.

Flanders Fields and the Ardennes

Ypres (Ieper) and the surrounding battlefields, cemeteries and museums are among the most visited WW1 sites. The Last Post is sounded at the Menin Gate every evening at 8pm. In the south, the wooded hills of the Ardennes are good for walking, kayaking and castles, with Dinant and Durbuy among the prettiest towns.

Best time to visit Belgium

Rain is possible all year, so pack an umbrella whatever the month.

Getting to Belgium from the UK

Eurostar runs several trains a day from London St Pancras to Brussels-Midi in about two hours. Eurostar sells an "Any Belgian Station" ticket that includes the onward train to stations such as Bruges, Ghent or Antwerp, usually for a small supplement; check it is still offered when you book. Flights take about 1h10 from London to Brussels Airport (BRU), and there are direct routes from several regional UK airports; Ryanair also uses Brussels South Charleroi (CRL), around an hour from the city by coach. Drivers can use Eurotunnel or the Dover-Calais ferries, with Bruges under 90 minutes from Calais.

Entry requirements

Belgium is in the Schengen area. British passport holders can usually visit visa-free for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. Your passport should have been issued within the last 10 years and be valid for at least three months after you leave. The EU's Entry/Exit System registers fingerprints and a photo, and for Eurostar passengers this happens at St Pancras, so arrive in good time. Rules change, so check GOV.UK foreign travel advice before booking.

Getting around

Belgium's national railway, SNCB/NMBS, is fast, frequent and inexpensive: Brussels to Bruges takes about an hour, to Ghent about 35 minutes and to Antwerp around 45 minutes. Weekend return discounts and multi-trip passes can cut costs. Cities are compact and best explored on foot, by tram or by bike. A car is only worth having for the Ardennes or a battlefield tour.

Money and costs

Belgium uses the euro. Prices are similar to the UK: expect around €110-170 per person per day for a mid-range city break including accommodation, with Bruges hotels pricier at weekends. Beer is good value for the quality, and a lunchtime set menu or a cone of frites keeps food costs down. Service is included in restaurant bills, so tipping is optional; rounding up or leaving a few euros for good service is plenty.

Belgium on the map

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