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Tourist scams and rip-offs in Brugge, Belgium: how to avoid them
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Brugge is a safe, walkable city with a calm, tourist-friendly atmosphere, and serious crime against visitors is rare. The main watch-outs are the usual tourist pressures: overpriced restaurants around the Markt, taxi overcharging from unlicensed drivers, and exchange/ATM tricks. Stick to official transport and pay in euros to keep costs fair.
Updated September 2026
Common scams in Brugge, Belgium and how to avoid them
1. Unlicensed drivers at Brussels Airport
How it works: Drivers approach arriving passengers inside the terminal offering rides to Brugge at inflat prices. They have no meter and no official license, so you pay far above the fair rate.
How to avoid it: Walk past them and use the official taxi rank outside arrivals. Confirm the price or the meter before you get in.
2. Menu without prices near the Markt
How it works: Some restaurants around the main square present menus without prices or add charges later that were not shown. Tourists pay inflated bills without realizing.
How to avoid it: Only sit down where prices are clearly displayed on the menu. Ask for the full written menu before ordering.
3. Poor-rate exchange booths
How it works: Exchange booths near the main sights advertise no-fee rates but build a wide spread into the exchange rate. You get noticeably less than the bank rate.
How to avoid it: Use bank ATMs for cash and pay by card where possible. If you must exchange, compare the rate with the mid-market rate first.
Official tickets for the top sights in Brugge, Belgium
Skip street sellers: book official tickets and tours with free cancellation.
From the airport to the city centre
Brussels Airport (Zaventem)
Fair taxi price (official, daytime): €140 - €180. Use the official taxi rank outside arrivals. Agree on the price or insist on the meter before setting off. Unlicensed drivers approaching you in the terminal will quote inflated rates.
Best alternative: Train from Brussels Airport to Brugge, changing at Brussels Central or Ghent (€25, about 120 min)
Public transport: tickets, validation and fines
- Single ticket
- €3 (Single bus ticket within Brugge, valid for 60 minutes)
- Validation rules
- Validate your ticket in the machine on board the bus as soon as you board. Not validating can be treated as travelling without a valid ticket.
- Fine without a valid ticket
- €70. Fine for travelling without a validated ticket, applied on the spot by inspectors.
- Paying by card
- Contactless bank cards and mobile payments are accepted on De Lijn buses in Brugge. Tap on board and tap off where required.
Tipping and service charges
Tipping: Tip 5-10% in restaurants if service is good. Round up in taxis and for short tours. Tipping is appreciated but not mandatory.
Cover and service charges: Service is usually included in the bill, so check before adding a tip. Cover charges are uncommon in Brugge but always check the menu for stated prices before ordering. Avoid restaurants around the main square that display menus without prices.
Cards, ATMs and currency exchange
Always choose to be charged in euros and decline dynamic currency conversion at ATMs and card terminals. Prefer bank-attached ATMs over independent machines in tourist areas, which can carry high fees.
Areas where extra care is advised
- Brugge Station area: Around the main station late at night, keep bags closed and stay aware, as it is quieter and less watched than the centre.
- Markt and Burg: Very crowded during the day; pickpocketing risk is higher in the dense tourist crowds around the main squares.
Emergency number
112
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Frequently Asked Questions about Brugge, Belgium
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Based on widely reported traveler experiences and official advice. Prices are approximate and change; check current fares on arrival. Updated September 2026.