Bruges Christmas Markets 2025
Key Information

 

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​There's no need to rush to board your coach. You'll be sat in the same seats if you're the first or last to board your coach.  ​

Please keep the aisles clear of bags, legs etc at all times. 

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Passports: 

Don't forget your passport and please keep your passports handy, you'll need to show them more than once on both the outward and return journeys. 

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What to expect at customs at Dover:

A new area has been created at Dover where we now have to travel to the western docks area where coach passengers will need to leave the vehicle to pass through border control. The coach will then be ‘sealed’ and will proceed to Dover Eastern Docks to check-in with Irish Ferries.

Once complete the driver with proceed to the boarding lane for the Ferry. Our staff need to collect your passports so they can be scanned.  Please note that the Irish Ferries scanning app doesn't always work, if this is the case then the crew will come round and collect passports.  Please have your passports open on your photograph page to assist.

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What to expect at customs at Calais:

The coach will stop at the Irish Ferries check-in booth where the driver may need to collect all the passports, please have them open on your photograph page. 

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The coach will then proceed to customs.  The Coach will park and everyone will be asked to leave the coach with their passports and any small bags.  You will then proceed through French passport control and then go through to the UK Border force passport control.  The coach should be waiting for you near the exit where you will get back on.  The coach will then proceed to the boarding lane for the Ferry.

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Travel Insurance:

With all the winter bugs around it is very important that you arrange full comprehensive travel insurance.  We can not offer a refund if you cancel for whatever reason.

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WC: 

There is a toilet onboard the coach however this is only ever meant for liquids. Any children must be accompanied by an adult. To help keep the coach smelling nice and fresh please use other toilet facilities wherever possible such as ferry and docks.

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Food and Drink on the Coach: 

You can bring food an drink on the coach, but alcohol is not permitted to be consumed on the coach.

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Comfort:

Please feel free to bring pillows and blankets to make your journey more comfortable.  You can leave non valuable belongings on your coach when you arrive in Bruges.

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USB Charging points

Although the coach has USB points they are not very powerful and can be unreliable. We recommend you bring a battery pack as a back up just incase as the last thing you want is for your device to run out of battery. You can also charge devises on the ferry, make sure you bring a plug.

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Arrival in Bruges:

Should be approximately 11:45/12 (local time) depending on traffic. All coaches must drop off and depart from the coach bus stops next to the Bargeplein Coach park.  Please note that the coach does not stay here so you can't come back to the coach until we pick you up.  From Bargeplein Coach Park, it is a 20 minute walk to the Markets. 

 

Departing from Bruges:

We depart Bruges at 17:30.  Please be prompt back to the coach.  We can't wait as we have the return ferry to cross. 

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Here is an interactive google map with the Coach Park and other key points of interest, as long as your location is switched on your phone.  Make sure to set to walking!

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Some useful numbers to store in your phone: 

• British Embassy in Belgium: +44 7860 351445

• Coach Innovations 24 hour emergency number: 03301 335599

 

Back in the UK: 

Our arrival time back in Dover will be approximately 21.15 (UK Time).​

 

Finally have a great time in Bruges, details below of things to do and places to visit.  We look forward to seeing you.​​​​