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My first coach experience - I went to Bruges with Coach Innovations - here are my tips and experiences for a great day

vanessa5622

Updated: Jan 28



I'm Vanessa and I recently started working at Coach Innovations and wanted to check out the coach journey.


Outward Journey


Tip 1 Departure pick up


It is really important that you find out in advance where you are collecting your coach from. At Coach Innovations we have a webpage with all the departure points. So my advice is, before travelling, check your departure point against the map on the website: https://www.coachinnovations.co.uk/departure-points


If you have travelled with Coach Innovations before don't expect the pick up to be the same, sometimes pick up points have to change with roadworks or road closures. Double check.


Two passengers waited across the road from a pick up as they had traveled 4 years ago with Coach Innovations, but the pick up had changed and the driver didn't know they were there and drove past.


Make sure you are there at least 15 minutes before you are due to depart. The coach can't wait and the driver can't make phone calls.


Coach Innovations can have 4 coaches travelling and a minimum of 61 passengers on each coach, the drivers don't have time to make phone calls.


Passport


Don't forget your passport. Someone forgot their passport and did try, but they weren't allowed to travel.


Travel Insurance


It's very important that you arrange full comprehensive travel insurance.  Coach Innovations do not offer a refund if you cancel for whatever reason within 28 days before departure. This isn't them being unreasonable, they just cant resell the ticket(s) and already have paid for the ferries etc.


Tip 2 Sleep


Hopefully you can sleep on a coach, bring a pillow and blanket and snuggle down. Goes without saying the more you can sleep, the less tired you will be when you arrive in Bruges. You can leave all your stuff on the coach when you get to Bruges. So sit back and relax and chill.


Tip 3 Refreshments


Bring water and a few snack for the journey.


Tip 4 Coach toilet


There is a toilet on board, but it is basic and Coach Innovations do ask for liquids only if possible. It starts off clean, stocked up with toilet roll, but you never know who will use the toilet. My tip is to use other toilet facilities wherever possible such as motorway services or ferries etc and only use if you are desperate. I also always carry my own tissues :)


Tip 5 Moblie Phones


Don't rely on there being charge points on the coach. Coach Innovations sometimes hire in Coaches. You can charge your mobile on the ferry if you can find a plug. My advice is to bring a spare battery pack if your phone isn't reliable as it can be a long day.


Tip 6 Dover and navigating customers


Having traveled a lot by air and knowing the airport procedure with my eyes closed, traveling by coach was a whole new adventure! To be honest a bit confusing.


You have to have the usual patience with travel, sometimes a bit of queuing, but to be fair, it didn't last long.

When you arrive in Dover the coach pulls up at a booth and the driver goes through passport control. Then everyone on the coach gets get off with their passports and goes through passport control. 


Tip 7 Open passports at photo page


Have your passport out of any folders and open the page at your photograph. 


After having your passport stamped you exit and the coach will be waiting for you to get back on board.

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You are then driven round to the booth to check in with the Ferry company. 


The driver will collect all the passports, so much easier for the driver if these are open on the page with your photograph on.  The driver will take your passports to the booth where they will be scanned. To be honest, the driver is doing passengers a favour by doing this, otherwise you have to stand outside in the cold.


Once the passports have been scanned the driver has to hand the passports back out. Sounds easy, but if the person in the booth has got them out of order, it can take a bit of time.

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With that out of the say the driver will proceed to the boarding lane for the Ferry.

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The Ferry


When you are driven onto the Ferry you will be asked to leave the coach as quickly as possible. Just take your belongings that you need on the Ferry. You can leave anything else on the coach, but you won't be allowed back on the coach until the ferry docks.


Tip 8 Look at your surroundings when you park on the ferry


Make sure you check which level you are dropped off on and the colour of the door you go through. There are lifts situated along the ferry, but the coach doesn't get to choose where to park so you may have to walk to the lift. Otherwise there are stairs to the upper levels.


You will be at sea around 1.5 hours. There can be a queue initially for the food, you can always wait for the queue to go down. There is duty free to look round too. So enjoy.





Arriving in Calais


You will be told over the ferry tannoy when it's time to get back on your coach.


There is only about 90 minutes coach journey to get to Bruges, so again, sit back and relax.


We arrived at our drop off point in Bruges at 12:30pm.


Tip 9 Check your surroundings at the Bruges bus stop


When you are dropped off, note it in your google maps. Coach Innovations have a map on their website and also look at your watch to see how long it takes you to walk to the centre of Bruges, so you won't be late for the coach when it comes to leaving.


Worth noting that the coach can't park where you were dropped off, so you can't go back there before pick up time. So make sure you have all you need for the day.


Tip 11 Wear comfortable shoes


There is a 20 minute walk. It's a lovely walk through the park and past the ice skating rink into the centre of Bruges. The streets are cobbled as well so leave the stilettos at home!


Tip 12 Forward Planning your journey


Do your homework in advance, check out Bruges Tourist Information website. Details are on Coach Innovations website.


I just wanted to explore. I wasn't disappointed.


I spoke to other passengers who visited Bruges every year and had booked their favourite restaurant.


There are guided tours which you can book, canal tours and horse drawn carriages. Check the Bruges Tourist information to what you can book in advance.


There is a lot to see and do.


I can see why Bruges is referred to as the "Venice of the North," with its winding canals. In my opinion, Bruges' beauty oozes from it's stunning medieval architecture, creating a picturesque city that offers a unique blend of history and charm. I loved the festive feel and tiny twinkling lights that adorn the many Christmas trees and facades.  The day in Bruges feels like being whisked away to a fairytale. It was quite surrealI.


Tip 13 Eat Chocolate


Not only are there Christmas Markets, but thought that the shops were great and the chocolate shops are amazing.


I got my whole family chocolate for Christmas, they all agreed it was the best chocolate ever!


I had a glass of prosecco in the bar area at the Wintergloed. The hot chocolates also looked amazing and is something I am definitely going to have next time I am there.


Bar in Bruges
Bar offering hot, cold and alcohol beverages

Yummy - waffle covered in chocolate.


Waffle covered in Belgium chocolate and marshmallows
My chocolate covered waffle

When it's time to leave Bruges


At 5:30 pm the coach will leave and make it's way back to the ferry.


What to expect at customs at Calais


Again this is a bit confusing if you haven't done it before. The coach will stop at the ferry check in booth and the driver will collect all the passports, again it helps having them open on your photograph page.  The passports will be scanned at the booth and then given back by the driver or assistant.

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The coach then proceeds to customs.  The coach parks and everyone has to leave the coach with their passports and any small bags.  You then go through French passport control and onto UK Border force passport control.  The coach will be waiting near the exit where you will get back on and then wait to board the ferry.


Once in Dover there maybe a quick change over of drivers and then the coach makes it's way back to your departure drop off points.


It is a long day so it's nice to just sleep until you reach your destination.


Tip 14 Don't forget your bags


This is so important. We had a few customers who lost their bags and duty free.


My Conclusion

You can literally sit back, relax and escape the hustle and bustle of your daily life. It is a long day, but worth it. Whether you are a planner, or just go with an open mind and wander, you won't be disappointed!


I can see why a lot of our customers choose to go every year.


So why Choose Coach Innovations to Bruges?


Convenience: A hassle-free journey with comfortable seating without the stress of driving or parking.


Affordability: The journey itself is a bargin. There is not much you can get now for under £100. A great day out and great opportunity to pick up Christmas presents for all the family and friends.




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