How long of a drive from Amsterdam to Brugge if renting a car for the day? I've checked the train schedule and it would be too long of a trip for a day trip from Amsterdam. Are there buses available that would be shorter than the train? Thanks in advance.

Which train schedule did you check?I'm
interested also in these route. I was
told is only 1 hour on the train to Brugge - 1.5 to Belgium from Amsterdan.
Let me know okay! thanks.

The drive is pretty long, around 3 hours if memory serves (we were held up by the freeway opening as a drawbridge in Rotterdam - an amazing sight). You might save time overall by taking a high speed train to Antwerp and rent a car at the station there.

kywood1955,

I doubt you will save any time renting a car!

Train schedules are at:
http://www.ns.nl/international/index.cgi

Trip takes 3.5 hours each way, with service at least once an hour (change in Antwerp) - a lot of train riding for a day trip, but definitely do-able. If you leave just before 7 a.m., you'll get into Brugge at 10:30 a.m.

There are no special "high speed" trains on any portion of the journey (you can take the Thalys from Amsterdam to Antwerp, but it doesn't run any faster than the other trains due to conventional track).

Hope this helps,
Andre

kywood1955:
You can do this trip in 2.5 hours by car ... if you don't have any traffic jams, which is almost utopia!

mile:
What do you mean by "1 hour on the train to Brugge - 1.5 to Belgium from Amsterdam"? FYI, Brugge IS a city in Belgium!

MyriamC: I know Brugge is a city in Belgium . I meant Brussels 1.5 hour train ride , but I guess the time giving to me is wrong anyways.
Apperantly this is the time that takes
if you go on the Benelux train.
bye!

Thanks everybody. Looks like it would be better to stay overnight in Bruges, or save it for another trip. Six + hours on the train seems like a little much for a day trip.

Last summer, we made the trip from Antwerp to Amsterdam, in about 1 hr. and 45 minutes on a Saturday with no traffic problems at all. Brugge is about 45 minute drive from Antwerp.