Ghent on a cruise stop: a self-guided city game from the port

Yes, but only with a long port day. Ocean ships dock at Zeebrugge, and Ghent is about 2 hours away each way: port shuttle, coastal tram to Blankenberge, train to Bruges, a direct train of about 28 minutes to Gent-Sint-Pieters, then tram T1. Our scavenger hunt starts at Saint Michael's Church by the Korenmarkt and takes about 3 hours, so plan on a port day of 9-10 hours. River-cruise guests moored in Ghent itself have it much easier.

From Zeebrugge to Saint Michael's Church in Ghent

1. Take the free shuttle bus from the ship to the cruise terminal at the port gate. You cannot walk through the industrial port, so the shuttle is the only way out.
2. Ride the coastal tram to Blankenberge and change there to the train to Brugge (Bruges); this leg takes about 45-60 minutes in total. A shuttle coach or a taxi to Bruges is the alternative.
3. In Brugge, board a direct train to Gent-Sint-Pieters. The ride takes about 28 minutes and there are many trains a day.
4. Beside Gent-Sint-Pieters (platform 2), take tram T1 to Koophandelsplein or Vogelmarkt, about 15 minutes, then walk about 500 m to the Korenmarkt. Until 2029 the tram does not reach the Korenmarkt itself because of roadworks. Walking the whole way takes about 30 minutes; a taxi about 10.
5. Saint Michael's Church stands at Saint Michael's Bridge, just across the water from the Korenmarkt. Open the app and start the hunt here. If your river boat is moored in Ghent, you skip steps 1-3 entirely.

A Ghent day from Zeebrugge, hour by hour

1. 0:00Off the ship and onto the free shuttle bus to the cruise terminal at the port gate.
2. 0:15Coastal tram to Blankenberge, then the train to Brugge.
3. 1:15Direct train from Brugge to Gent-Sint-Pieters, then tram T1 and a short walk to the Korenmarkt.
4. 2:00Start the hunt at Saint Michael's Church; the Korenmarkt, the Belfort, Saint Bavo's Cathedral and the Vrijdagmarkt follow.
5. 5:00Finish at the Gravensteen and head back to Gent-Sint-Pieters by tram or on foot for the train to Brugge.
6. 7:00Back at the ship, ideally with 1.5-2 hours to spare before all-aboard time.

Tips for Ghent when time is short

• Gent-Sint-Pieters, the main station, is well south of the old town, so take tram T1 or allow 30 minutes on foot.
• Until 2029 tram T1 stops short of the Korenmarkt; get off at Koophandelsplein or Vogelmarkt and check the De Lijn app on the day.
• Pay De Lijn fares by tapping a contactless card or phone on the reader when you board; a ticket is valid for 60 minutes.
• Look up the return trains from Gent-Sint-Pieters before you start the hunt and fix your latest safe train back to the coast.
• The old centre is largely car-free and easy to walk, but the streets are cobbled, so wear comfortable shoes.
• The hunt ends at the Gravensteen, a few minutes north of the Korenmarkt, so the way back to the tram is short.

Why a self-guided game works on a port day

• You start when you step off the ship, not at a fixed tour time, and nobody waits for a group.
• Everyone in your party can follow on their own phone with one booking reference.
• You can stop for lunch or a swim and carry on later, and end the game whenever you need to head back.
• Google Maps guides you from stop to stop, and the game needs no entry tickets.

Ghent cruise stop: questions

Pick your Ghent game

Port and transport details checked in November 2026. Docking positions and timetables change, so always check your ship’s all-aboard time and your cruise line’s port information before you set off.