Canal boats in winter

Do the Bruges canal boats run in winter?

Yes. From November to February the boat companies guarantee that at least one jetty is open every day, on a rotation they agree between them. The other companies decide for themselves whether to open and at what times.

The route, the boats and the price do not change with the season. It is the same 30-minute loop between Jan van Eyck Square and the Beguinage, the same open boats and the same tariff set by the City of Bruges: €15 for adults, €9 for children aged 4 to 11, free under 4, valid until 31 December 2026.

What changes is how many boats are out. On a cold weekday in January, expect one or two jetties working, not five. On a busy weekend, more companies may choose to open. No official page publishes a winter timetable, so plan on daylight hours and keep some slack in your day.

One detail for early spring: the city's new boat regulation, adopted by the council on 29 June 2026, sets the rotation period from 1 November to 14 March. If you come in the first half of March, treat it as winter.

Which jetty is open in winter?

It changes by the day. The rotation is agreed between the five companies and is not published as a calendar, so the quickest way is to walk past the jetties: they sit close together in the old centre.

Start at the Rozenhoedkaai. Huidenvettersplein 13 is round the corner, Wollestraat 32 and Nieuwstraat 11 are a few minutes south, and Stael at Katelijnestraat 4 is a little further on. An open jetty is easy to spot from the quay: tickets are sold at the top of the steps.

Bring cash or Payconiq. Those are the two ways to pay at the jetty, and there are cash machines nearby. Individual visitors cannot book in advance in winter either. Groups of 20 or more and private boats can be booked with a company, and that is the one way to fix a time in the low season.

If you cannot find one, the Visit Bruges tourist office in the Historium on the Markt is the place to ask. Our guide to boat prices and tickets has the full price table.

What happens on a canal boat when it rains or gets cold?

The boats have no roof. In sudden rain the skipper hands out umbrellas, and if it rains hard for a long time, the company can stop the trips or not open at all.

Cold is the bigger issue in winter. You sit still for half an hour, low on the water, and the wind runs straight down the canals. Dress for an hour outdoors, not for a short walk. Gloves and a hat make a real difference.

• No hot drinks on board. There is no catering, and you may not bring food or drink. Have your coffee before or after.
• No room for luggage. A handbag or small backpack is fine. Bigger bags go to the left luggage at the Historium or a locker at the station.
• Go early. It gets dark in the late afternoon, and an open boat in the dusk is cold. Lit canals are lovely from a bridge.
• Read the sky. A dry hour between showers is the moment. When the rain sets in, the decision to sail is the company's alone.

Where are the Bruges swans in winter?

Out of the water. In winter the city takes the swans off the canals and moves them to a covered winter residence, where they even have their own swimming pool.

The swans are part of every summer trip. They are cared for by City of Bruges staff, and the Bakkersrei next to the Beguinage is their only feeding spot in the centre. In winter that stretch is quiet. The city also brings them in early when bird flu is around, as a precaution.

Numbers move from year to year. Visit Bruges speaks of a hundred or so; after a summer of blue algae that kept many birds in the city's swan enclosure, VRT reported 59 in October 2026, with eight young swans bought to bring the count back up.

Which Bruges tours include the canal boat in winter?

The boat, chocolate and walking tour has the boat in its price; several others offer it as an option. The Paris day trip is the exception: its canal cruise runs April to October only.

A tour with the boat is the nearest thing to having it booked. The guide takes you to the jetty, and there is no hunting for an open one. Rain still applies. One October review of the walk with boat and beer options tells of a group that missed the boat when it started raining and went straight on to the beer tasting.

For a winter day with the boat, the boat, chocolate and walking tour is the simplest choice, from $44. Marianne wrote in a 5-star review from Nov 2026: "Very good experience. It helps you get a better understanding of the city before exploring it on your own." Tours without the boat, like the Ghent day tour, still leave free time to find an open jetty yourself.

A licensed local guide, a chocolate tasting and the canal boat in one price, in a small group from the Historium.

★ 4.8 · 2 hours 30 minutes · from $44

Explore the boat, chocolate and walking tour → Tour details

Is Bruges worth visiting in winter for the canals?

Yes, if you accept fewer boats and shorter days. The centre is quieter outside the festive weekends, and Winter Glow fills the city from 20 November to 31 January.

The best winter plan is simple. Take the boat in the late morning or early afternoon, when the light is best and the cold least sharp. Walk the canals again after dark, when the bridges and facades are lit.

From late November the Christmas markets, the ice rink and the new Winter Giant add a lot to a short stay. Dates and hours are in our Winter Glow post, and the one-day plan fits it all into a day.

Prefer to stay on land? The retro bike tour runs rain or shine, with gloves for chilly days and a poncho in the basket.

Frequently asked questions