carcassone

Would it make more sense to do Bruges-Paris-Brussels or Brussels-Paris-Bruges?
We have 3 nights each at Bruges & Brussels with 8 nights in the middle for Paris.
We arrive BRU 10:50a and departs BRU 11:50a so it would be more logical to head onto Bruges right away so that at the end of the trip, we'd already be in Brussels. However, since Bruges is much more charming than Brussels, starting with Bruges
(the highlight) would seem to be "eat your dessert first", right?

One question is how long would it take to go from Bruges to BRU for a 11:50a flight? Are we pushing it if we were in Bruges instead of Brussels the night before we fly back?

The other consideration is that we want to day-trip to Antwerp or Koln from Brussels. If we start with Brussels, this day trip will fall on the 2nd or 3rd day which seems more challenging than doing it at the end of the trip when we're more familiar with Belgium.

If we keep Brussels till the end, the 3 nights will be Thu/Fri/Sat which I hear can save money with the weekend rate?

Any insight is much appreciated.

Elliottravel

Yes, you will get a better rate in BRU over the weekend. Last September I did a similar trip but chose to fly in and out of BRU and then traveled by train to Paris and Bruges. It is very easy. Consider flying into BRU and then taking the high speed train to Paris (1 1/2 trip) and spend your time there. You would then return to BRU via high speed train (not to stay but just connect to local train to Bruge). Have a lovely stay in Bruge and take the local train to BRU and spend the last three nights of your trip there and you are well postiioned for your return flight. Personally Two nights in BRU would be enough for me though. Bruges was heaven!

baldrick

For practical reasons I would do Brugge-Paris-Bruxelles, just for being closer to the airport. But it is a bit like eating dessert before your soup... Maybe I'm biased being from Brugge...
Brugge-Brussels by train is 1 hour. Add, with a good safety margin, 1 hour to be at the check-in desk at the airport. Presence 2 hours before take-off.
Means an 8.00 am train from Brugge, if you are anxious, the 7.30 am train.

carcassone

Thanks for the input. Logistically, we should do Bruges-Paris-Brussels. The only down side is seeing the highlight of the trip first rather than saving it for last.

Agree that trying to go from Bruges to BRU airport for a noon flight could be stressful.

danon

"The only down side is seeing the highlight of the trip first rather than saving it for last."
Bruges is a pretty place, but (for me)
the highlight of any trip to Europe is: Paris!

carcassone

Agree, danon. I only said that because it'll be our 1st time to Bruges and 3rd time to Paris. The city of light is, indeed, wonderful. That's why we're going back!