Bruges and Brugge are the same place, just spelled differently! Don't be concerned if you see it both ways in different places.

Most Belgians speak English, but if you learn some phrases like “Hello”, “goodbye”, “please”, and “thank you” in French or Dutch and they will appreciate it.

https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports.html

Make sure your passport is valid. If it’s due to expire within 6 months of your ticketed date of return, make sure to renew it.

Allow up to 8 weeks to renew or get a new passport.

Adult passports are valid for 10 years.

Child passports (16 & under) are valid for 5 years.

Make sure you sign your passport when you get it.

Determine your route. If you are starting your trip with the wedding, there are two places you can fly into: Brussels, Belgium (BRU) OR Amsterdam, Netherlands (AMS).

For pricing, we recommend using Google Flights to find the best deals. You can also set email alerts at that site, where they notify you if prices come down if you decide not to book right away. (Of course, prices could also rise).

https://www.google.com/travel/flights

Pick your own preference for airline and schedule, but for international flights, we normally stick with one of the big U.S. carriers. Look for the shortest duration flight with the fewest number of stops within your price range.

TIP: The best day to book international flights is on a Sunday, 6-8 months out.

TIP: Make sure your name when booking your flight is exactly the same full name as on your passport. Actually, make sure it’s the same when booking everything. It just makes things go smoother!

From either airport, we recommend travelling to Bruges by train, as Bruges is not a car-friendly city (also, we will provide transportation to all necessary wedding weekend locations). There is a train station located within each airport and many train options. You can get train tickets at the station and there are many trains to Bruges throughout the day. You can use Google Maps or the app Rome2Rio to find train schedules.

– Train from Brussels International Airport (BRU) to Brugge Station is 1.5 - 2 hours, depending on the time of day.

– Train from Amsterdam Schiphol International Airport (AMS) to Brugge Station is 2.5 - 3 hours, depending on the time of day.

Buy a ticket for a train that stops at the “Brugge Station” which is closer to the hotel than the "Brugge Sint-Pieters’ Station".

– There is an ATM at the Brugge train station that might come in handy to use for a bus or a taxi

– You can either take a shuttle bus from the train station to the Markt (city center) and then walk 2 blocks to Hotel Aragon or hail a taxi to take you directly to your hotel.

Call your credit card company or check on your banking app to see if you need to notify them of international travel. Some credit cards charge a foreign transaction fee of around 3%. It is worth checking before you leave.

When using your credit card in Europe, you will have the option of charging in Euros or Dollars. Always choose to charge using the local currency (Euros in Belgium).

If you choose to use your cellphone, iPad, computer, smartwatch, etc. while travelling internationally, check your cellphone carrier website for options. For example, with Verizon you can pay $10 a day to match your current plan while travelling internationally, or pay a monthly amount as a different option. PLEASE CHECK AND SOLIDIFY YOUR PHONE TRAVEL PLAN BEFORE YOU LEAVE TO AVOID EXCESSIVE CELLULAR AND DATA FEES!

All countries have their own prefix for phone calls. The US prefix is +1. Belgium is +32. You need to enter the “+” and “32” before the number when making a call to Belgium. Please note that if you call Belgium or any other country, international phone call rates may apply.

It’s good to have a small amount of Euros for incidentals such as tipping, street vendors, taxis, and buses. An easy way to get cash is to use your debit card at an ATM anywhere in Europe.

– Personally, we avoid using a currency exchange, as they give a much worse exchange rate with additional fees.

Tipping in Bruges and throughout Belgium is not a standard practice, or expected. Most restaurants automatically include a 10-15% tip in the bill. If you think the service was excellent, you should leave a couple of euros on the table before you leave (putting it on the credit card sometimes goes to the owner, not the waiter).

Remember that you will have to carry your luggage with you through airports, on trains, across cobblestone streets, and in tight bus rides. Consider trying to limit the amount and size of luggage you bring.

Travel throughout Belgium is at least as safe as travel throughout the US, if not safer. However, be conscious of petty theft and pickpockets as you would in any city in the US.

– Keep your wallet in your front pocket, and make sure there are no important items in easily accessible pockets of your backpack. Consider purchasing a money belt.

Make photocopies of travel documents such as your passport and itinerary. Keep one on you and tuck another in your luggage. You can either lock your passport up in the hotel safe or always carry it with you if you prefer.

Get a travel guidebook published post-covid (2022 and beyond). We are using Rick Steves Belgium for our own planning.

– You can purchase one or borrow some from your local library!

In many parts of the world, cellphone batteries drain very quickly. Consider bringing a portable charger for your phone to keep on you.

Most outlets in Europe are 220V instead of 110V like in the US. Most new electronic devices convert automatically so you don’t need a power converter. HOWEVER, you will need to bring a European adapter plug because the outlets are shaped differently in Europe. These are inexpensive and available at places like Target, Walmart, and Amazon.

– IMPORTANT: If you are bringing tools that heat up (like hair dryer, straightener, curling iron) make sure they can handle 110V AND 220V usually listed on the tool (so they don’t short out). In Hotel Aragon, hair dryers are available in every room to avoid that concern.

Students can carry their valid school-issued ID to take advantage of many discounts throughout Europe.

Typical August/September weather in Belgium is a high of 70, and a low of 52 degrees Fahrenheit, pack accordingly. We also suggest bringing a rain jacket.

Bring an empty refillable water bottle.

– TIP: You can fill it up in the airport after security.

Things like ear plugs, a mask, headphones, snacks, a sweatshirt, and entertainment will go a long way toward making a long journey much more enjoyable!

Consider pausing newspapers and mail delivery

Download and login before your trip. Confirm your flight is listed, check seats, boarding times, etc. You can use the app to check in the day before your flight (you will still need to show/scan your passport at the airport for all international flights.)

Use for all directions (by foot, car, bus, train, etc.) to get around. Works well in most of western Europe (where we will be) and works okay in Eastern Europe.

Can use for directions in most of Europe (I used before Google Maps was prevalent and still use in some countries in Europe.)

Many people in Europe speak English but dont count on that, especially in small towns. Worst case, have the app available in an emergency to translate some basic words. It is also good to learn a few words (good morning, good evening, thank you, etc.) as a courtesy.

If you care, you can use this app to locate seat maps and seat recommendations for all of your flights (avoid no-recline seats, seats by the bathrooms, reduced legroom, etc.).

Uber is available in Belgium, Amsterdam and many other European countries but do not count on it in small towns (like Bruges.)