Ferries Hull To Bruges | Hull Ferry To Zeebrugge

Bruges (Brugge) is a beautiful small town located in the North West of Belgium. It has a rich history and is a must visit when planning a trip to Belgium. Bruges is well connected with the rest of Belgium and major cities abroad. Learn more about how to get to Bruges and about taking ferries Hull to Bruges on this Belgium travel blog.

Things To Know About Ferries Hull To Bruges

Bruges is a stunning town in the northwest of Belgium. It is well known for its beautiful canals, medieval buildings, stunning market squares, cobbled streets and horse carriages.

• Location: Bruges doesn’t lie at the coastline but is linked to the coastal port city, Zeebrugge.
• Getting To Bruges: Bruges is well connected to Zeebrugge. By car or train it only takes around 20 minutes. More info on how to get to Bruges here.

Ferry To Bruges

The city Bruges (Brugge) has its own port, namely Zeebrugge. Zeebrugge is a 20 minute drive or train ride away from Bruges. The only running passenger ferry to Bruges is from Hull, a city on the east coast of England (UK). This ferry is both for car and foot passengers and is a great short break to Bruges by ferry. The ferry route Hull to Bruges is operated by the company P&O and runs a couple of times a week. This route is extremely popular and sells out rapidly during the busy seasons. If you have time and want to relax while going for a mini cruise to Bruges, then taking the PO ferry is a great choice.

Ferries leave everyday at 18.30 from Hull and arrive in Bruges at 8.45 the next day. The ride takes around 13h40 and passengers have access to a private cabin with bunk beds.

Ferries Hull To Bruges (Zeebrugge)

From England, there is only one company that offers ferries from Hull to Bruges, namely P&O Ferry (originally P&O Irish Sea). This is a British-based ferry company that offers ferries from England to Ireland and mainland Europe.

1. Hull To Zeebrugge Ferry Terminal

At the Hull port there are multiple terminals, make sure to go the Zeebrugge Terminal. The terminal is easily accessible by car or bus. Take bus 78 from Hull City Centre (Hull Interchange) and get off at the Littlefair Road. From here it is a 10 minute walk to the terminal. There is a car park at the Zeebrugge terminal (open air) which charges £7 parking per 24 hours. You can also park at the Rotterdam terminal which has a multi story car park.

2. Hull To Zeebrugge Ferry Tickets

The tickets for the Zeebrugge ferry sell out quickly, especially during peak season. Make sure to book these well in advance to ensure a spot. Multiple sites offer tickets for the mini cruise to Bruges. The price depends on which vehicle you are using, the cheapest option is with no vehicle. Other vehicle options include standard car, motor home, bicycle, motorbike and more. Check prices here.

Thinks to take into account when booking Hull to Zeebrugge ferry tickets:

• Only 1 vehicle can be registered per booking. If you are traveling in group with more than 1 vehicle, individual bookings have to be made.
• Electric cars are accepted on board but not charging station is available. Make sure to charge your car ahead of the crossing.
• If you book a flexible ticket and miss your boat, you will be allowed on the next boat (if there is space).
• If you are pregnant over 28 weeks you’ll need a doctors certificate that shows you are healthy to travel. Anyone pregnant over 34 weeks can not be accepted on the boat.

3. Hull To Zeebrugge Ferry Prices

Price per person starts at £81 when traveling without a vehicle. Additional costs will depend on the day, which vehicle, type of cabin and if any pets are brought on board. Check prices here.

4. Hull To Zeebrugge Ferry Time

Each day the ferry leaves at the same time. Monday to Friday the boat leaves at 18:30 and arrives the next day at 8:45. Saturday to Sunday the boat also leaves at 18:30 but only arrives at 9:30. Be aware you need to reach the ferry terminal ahead of time to go through check in and security. Passengers should arrive at least 90 minutes ahead of departure.

5. Hotels Near Hull Ferry Port

The boat leaves in the evening, so there is no need to book a hotel near the Hull ferry port. If you want to arrive a day in advance and use your time to explore hull and surroundings then booking a hotel in Hull might be needed. Listed below are some of the best accommodations.

• Putney Cottage – Literally one of the highest rated accommodation on Booking.com. This cozy cottage only has one room and a great accommodation for 2 travelers.
• Hull Trinity Backpackers – A budget friendly option and is located in an area filled with restaurants and bars.

6. Check In, Immigration And Boarding

Like every international travel, when taking the PO Ferry Hull to Bruges you’ll have to go through a series of passport control and security checks. Make sure to bring your passport or ID card (only for European travelers, might change soon due to Brexit). Security checks are swift and quite similar to the channel tunnel security checks.

7. Arriving At Zeebrugge Ferry Terminal

Upon arrival in the morning a Zeebrugge Ferry Terminal, disembarking can commence. Upon arrival at Zeebrugge you will have to go through another passport check before being able to leave the terminal.

For those traveling on foot, coaches are available to bring you to Bruges city center. For those who are doing a mini cruise and returning to the ship in the evening, another coach will take you back to the port. The coach leaves once all passengers have disembarked, and the ride only takes 20 minutes (depending on traffic). You’ll be dropped off at the Bargeplein. Which is a 20 minute walk away from the central square. The return bus for the Bruges ferry leaves from the same location at 5:30 sharp. Check other ways of transport from Zeebrugge to Bruges here.

8. Bringing Pets On Ferries Hull To Bruges

Want to bring your furry little friend on your mini cruise to Bruges, then taking the Zeebrugge Hull ferry is a great idea. Animals are allowed on board for an additional fee. Dogs or other animals are not allowed on decks but can stay in the kennels on board (excluding assistance dogs). Make sure to bring your pets passport and that they meet all the EU requirements.

9. Hull To Zeebrugge Ferry Cabins

There are 3 types of cabins available on board, the standard, premier and club cabin, with the first being the cheapest. The standard cabin is always included in your ticket and additional charges are made for upgrades. The standard cabin includes a bathroom, toiletries, bedding, towers, plug outlets and aircon. These rooms can have 2 or 4 bunk beds.

Driving In Belgium

Cars are allowed on the mini cruise from Hull to Brugge, so if you are traveling to Belgium by car or are planning to rent a car upon arrival, you need to be aware of certain laws and requirements that are different to the UK. First of all, make sure to bring the following documents: valid UK driving licence, insurance documentation and proof of car ownership (V5C certificate). You also need to have the following items in your car: reflective jacket (one per person), reflective triangle and deadlamp deflectors.

When driving in Bruges, take into account the whole city is a 30km/h zone. It is recommended to park somewhere outside the city and discover the city on foot. Check where to park in Bruges here.

If you are planning to tour around the country, then renting a car is possible upon arrival in Bruges. Check car rental companies here.

Mini Cruise From Hull To Bruges Itinerary

A mini cruise from Hull to Bruges is a great idea to have a taste of what Belgium has to offer. Even though it is possible to only spend 1 day in Bruges and return to the the cruise in the evening, it is recommended to spend at least 2 or 3 days in the stunning Belgium. Listed below are a couple of example itineraries which can be used as a guideline to exploring Bruges and beyond.

1. 2 Night Mini Cruise Hull Bruges

This itinerary allows you to spend a day in Bruges, which will give you a taste of what the city has to offer. Only 1 day will be spend in Bruges, Belgium. The other days are used for taking the ferry which takes minimum 12 hours.

1.1 Day 1 – Boarding Ferry P&O Cruise To Bruges

The first day will be used to board the P&O cruise to Bruges. The ferry is only in the evening so the rest of the day there is enough time to explore Hull. Check the best things to do in Hull here.

• 17:00 – Arrive at Zeebrugge terminal in Hull and go through check in, security and passport check.
• 18:30 – Ferry leaves for Bruges

Entertainment is available on board of the ferry. The pride of Bruges has 2 cinema screens, a World Duty Free store and a Junior Crew Kids Club (only during summer months). Apart from entertainment there are a couple of food options like a brasserie, kitchen, Starbucks and a bar.

1.2 Day 2 – Explore Bruges

• 8:45 or 9:30 – Arrive in Zeebrugge, disembark the ferry and find the coach heading to Bruges.
• Approximately 10:30 – Arrive at the Bargeplein and start exploring the city on foot or by bike.
• 17:30 – Coach leaves from Bargeplein for Zeebrugge ferry terminal, upon arrival go through check-in, security and passport check.
• 19:00 – Ferry leaves for Hull

1.2.1 Tours To Take In Bruges

Most tours start early morning or afternoon, which you won’t have enough time for if only staying in Bruges for one day. The tours listed below start at an appropriate time and would allow you to get back to the coach in time.

• Highlights and Hidden Gems – The tour starts at 2 PM and will lead you to hidden gems of this stunning medieval city while avoiding the tourist crowds.
• Guided Rickshaw Tour – Starting every hour these guided rickshaw tours will give you a quick overview of the whole city. From the popular tourist attractions to the more hidden gems. 1 or 2 hour tours are available all year around.
• Half-Day Bruges Visit – This 3 hour tour starts at 3 PM and will take you to the most beautiful spots in Bruges. Including the Church of our lady with Michelangelo’s Madonna, Befry tower and Burg square.
• ★ 3–Hour Private Walking Tour: Starting every hour this private walking tour is a great way to see the city and fit it into your tight schedule. The meeting point is the same as the coach drop off point, which is super convenient. Arrive in Bruges and start the tour instantly.

Other Things To Do

Discovering Bruges on your own is also possible. It is a small city, so most sites are within walking distance of each other. Best sites to visit are the Burg, Church of our lady with Michelangelo’s Madonna, Befry tower, Chocolate Museum, the Beer Wall, Basilica of the Holy Blood and much more.

1.3 Day 3 – Arrive Back In Hull

08:00 – Arrive at Hull

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Are you planning on taking the Hull to Bruges mini cruise? Have any questions about the ferries from hull to bruges? Any information missing in this blog post about P&O ferries Hull to Zeebrugge? Let me know in the comment section below.