Belgian City Breaks

[davewr]

We've managed quite a few European city breaks with budget airlines, but can't find any easy way to get to anywhere in Belgium. Any suggestions for journeys from the north-west of England?

[Buenchico]

(2-part post):

Since Ryanair withdrew all flights from the UK to Charleroi, you're not left with a lot of choice. However, it's not impossible to get from north-west England to Belgium:

VLM operate from Manchester to Antwerp:
http://www.flyvlm.com/emc.asp
Typical flight prices, excluding taxes and charges are �29 each way on direct flights or �39 each way via London City airport.

VLM will also fly you Brussels via London City, with fares starting from �29. However, FlyBe operate a direct service from Manchester to Brussels:
http://www.flybe.com/
For the sample dates I've just looked at, most fares are �38.36 (excluding taxes and charges) each way. However, there are some flights at �8.86, while a few are �80.36.

For transport connections from Antwerp airport, see here:
http://www.antwerp-airport.be/contentpage_en.p hp?p=openbaar_vervoer

From Brussels airport, see here:
http://www.brusselsairport.be/en/parking_trans port/toandfrom/

[Buenchico]

I don't know Antwerp but I agree with many others that Brussels is one of Europe's more boring capital cities. (However, it's still worth a short visit). Fortunately, Belgium has an excellent (and fairly cheap) rail service:
http://www.b-rail.be/main/E/index.php
The beautiful city of Bruges is about an hour away from Brussels and the coastal resorts of Oostende, Blankenberge and Knocke are about 20 minutes from Bruges. I therefore recommend staying in Bruges, since it's a superb base for exploring Belgium. (Oostende would also make a great base, and it's got more hotels)

Tourism websites:
http://www.antwerpen.be/eCache/BEN/52.html

http://www.brusselsinternational.be/wabxlint/e n/visitor/whats-new-in-brussels.act

http://www.brugge.be/internet/en/index.htm

http://www.toerisme-oostende.be/index.phtml?la nguageid=3

Chris

[davewr]

Thanks for your help. Antwerp & Ostend were destinations I hoped to get to, so it's a great start.