How to get to Brugge: Best ways for Aston Villa fans to travel

Aston Villa begin their Champions League campaign on Tuesday, September 8, with a trip to Belgium to face Club Brugge at the Jan Breydel Stadium.

It is a familiar fixture for Villa, who met Brugge three times during the 2024-25 campaign. The Belgian side won 1-0 in the league phase before Unai Emery's team got their revenge in the knockout rounds.

Villa won 3-1 in the first leg of their round of 16 tie in Bruges and then finished the job with a 3-0 victory at Villa Park, going through 6-1 on aggregate and reaching the Champions League quarter-finals for the first time since 1982-83.

For those making the trip this time around, FootballGroundGuide looks at the main ways to get to the Jan Breydel Stadium.

Where is the Jan Breydel Stadium located?

The Jan Breydel Stadium is in Sint-Andries, on the south-western side of Bruges, roughly 3.5 to 4 kilometres from the historic city centre and main railway station.

Its address is Olympialaan 72, 8200 Sint-Andries, while both Club Brugge and Cercle Brugge use the ground as their home.

How to get to the Jan Breydel Stadium

By public transport

Bus 3 from Bruges railway station is the recommended option for visiting supporters. It runs every 20 minutes towards the Sint-Michiels Vogelzang stop, leaving a walk of around 10 minutes to the stadium.

The route for home supporters is slightly different, with Bus 30 travelling towards Sint-Andries Kerk, which is less than five minutes from the ground.

There are no extra buses laid on after matches, meaning supporters returning to the city will need to use the regular service from Sint-Andries Kerk.

By train

Bruges railway station is the nearest station to the Jan Breydel Stadium. From there, the journey can be completed by Bus 7 or 17 towards Sint-Andries, or on foot.

Walking takes roughly 40 to 50 minutes over the 3.5 to 4-kilometre route, so it is manageable for anyone who does not mind a longer stroll before the match. A Blue-bike can also be hired from the rental point outside the station, cutting the journey to around 4 kilometres by bike.

By car

Getting to the stadium by car needs a little more thought on matchday, given the official car parks require a valid parking card, while restrictions are also introduced on some of the surrounding streets.

Visitor parking Zone Z1 is accessed via Doornstraat and Zeeweg from the Jabbeke exit, although the stadium parking areas themselves are only available to vehicles with the correct permit.

Parking rules are strictly enforced around the ground, so it is best not to take a chance on a restricted space. Those without a permit should look for legal parking further away and leave enough time to walk to the stadium.

How can I get from the UK to Bruges?

There is no direct train from the UK to Bruges, but the journey by rail is fairly simple. Eurostar runs from London St Pancras to Brussels-Midi, where passengers can change onto a Belgian SNCB train for the final leg to Bruges. The complete journey takes around three hours and 20 minutes, although that can vary depending on the connection in Brussels.

Flying is another possibility, as Brussels Airport has direct train connections to Bruges, with the airport-to-city journey taking around one hour and 25 minutes.

The total journey from the UK will, of course, depend on the flight time, how long is spent at the airport and the wait for the onward train.

For supporters leaving from central London, the train has one clear advantage, as it takes you from the heart of the capital to the heart of Bruges without the extra trip to an airport.