All The Flanders

[reb0118]

I've got a wee rail & sail planned for next month to visit all the Flanders (Zeelandic, Belgian, & French - but no Ned). The proposed itinerary is as follows Edinburgh to Harwich for the overnight ferry to Hoek van Holland. Train to Middelburg/Vlissingen (Flushing) - overnight. Next day travel via the ferry to Breskens, then bus to Brugge, train to Knokke, tram to De Panne, bus to Dunkirk, & train to Calais. Two nights. Returning from Calais by ferry to Dover thence London to Edinburgh.

I qualify for free rail travel with FIP coupons but roughly what should I expect to pay for the ferry, buses, & trams from Vlissingen to Dunkirk? (The Stena ferry from Harwich & P&O ferry from Calais are covered under my Rail Staff Travel arrangements).

Any tips about left luggage facilities en route too would be appreciated.

TIA

 

[radamfi]

Vlissingen - Breskens ferry 4.50 single. I didn't realise it no longer accepts the OV-Chipkaart.

https://www.westerscheldeferry.nl/tarieven/

http://www.grenstreinbus.be/ is useful for bus service crossing the Belgian border.

Breskens - Brugge is 6.00

Knokke - De Panne can be as little as 1.80 if you use the De Lijn app, otherwise 3.00 if you pay the driver. 7.00/9.00 day ticket is valid on both (6.00 on the app)

https://www.delijn.be/en/vervoerbewijzen/ritkaarten-dagpassen/dagpas.html

De Panne - Dunkerque is free.

 

[reb0118]

Many thanks. So if I download the De Lijn app and purchase a day ticket for 6.00€ that will cover me for the bus from Breskens to Brugge & the tram from Knokke to De Panne?

That would be great - plus it would give us the option to stop off en route.

Thanks again.

 

[radamfi]

Many thanks. So if I download the De Lijn app and purchase a day ticket for 6.00€ that will cover me for the bus from Breskens to Brugge & the tram from Knokke to De Panne?

That would be great - plus it would give us the option to stop off en route.

Thanks again.

De Lijn tariff is only valid on part of the Belgian part of the route. The rest of the route is covered by Dutch tariff. The only fares for sale on the bus in the Dutch part of the route according to

https://www.connexxion.nl/nl/shop/kaartjes/tijdskaartjes-zeeland

are 2.65 for 15 minutes, 5.30 for 30 minutes and 8.45 for 60 minutes. It is cheaper if you have an OV-Chipkaart.

In theory you could pay separately for the Dutch bit and the Belgian bit. Sluis - Breskens is 4.40 with OV-Chipkaart. But 4.40+1.80 = 6.20 and

http://www.grenstreinbus.be/busverbinding.php?provincie=-1&id=1

says there is a 6.00 fare for the whole trip so you might as well get that.

I'm not sure whether the ticket expires after 1 hour or if you are allowed to stay on the tram until you get off. So it might be safer to get a 3.00 single from the driver or ticket office or 6.00 day ticket on the app.

 

[ChiefPlanner]

Have done that circuit (researching family history in the archives at Middleburg) , and stayed overnight in Vlissingen. The trip was worthwhile as I tracked my maritime working ancestors down and more - a sort of "Who do you think you are" - for not a penny either. Excellent service.

Both very pleasant towns. The ferry crossing and bus to Bruges is a doddle. Enjoy.

 

[johnnychips]

There are left luggage lockers at Knokke, which seemed a small station to offer such facilities, so I wonder if others have them?