Stay Connected in Bruges
Network coverage, costs, and options
Connectivity Overview
Bruges is pretty well-connected for a medieval city, which is to say you'll have no trouble staying online while you're wandering the cobblestone streets. Belgium's mobile networks are solid across the board, and the city center has decent WiFi coverage in most cafes and restaurants. That said, relying solely on public WiFi isn't ideal if you need consistent connectivity—the networks can be spotty, and you're dealing with the usual security concerns. Most travelers end up getting either an eSIM or a local SIM card, depending on how long they're staying and what their priorities are. The good news is that setting up mobile data here is straightforward, whether you go the traditional route or opt for something more modern.
Get Connected Before You Land
We recommend Airalo for peace of mind. Buy your eSIM now and activate it when you arrive—no hunting for SIM card shops, no language barriers, no connection problems. Just turn it on and you're immediately connected in Bruges.
Network Coverage & Speed
Belgium has three main mobile carriers: Proximus, Orange Belgium, and Base (now part of Telenet). All three offer solid 4G coverage throughout Bruges, and 5G is rolling out in the city center, though it's not ubiquitous yet. In practical terms, you'll get speeds that are more than adequate for navigation, video calls, and streaming—typically 20-50 Mbps on 4G in most areas, faster if you catch 5G. Proximus tends to have the most comprehensive coverage if you're planning day trips to smaller towns around Bruges, but honestly, all three networks perform well within the city itself. Coverage inside those thick-walled medieval buildings can be hit or miss, as you'd expect, but it's generally fine. Belgium is part of the EU roaming zone, so if you're coming from another EU country, your home plan likely works here without extra charges. For everyone else, you'll want to sort out a local solution.
How to Stay Connected
eSIM
eSIM is probably the most convenient option for most travelers to Bruges, particularly if you're coming from outside the EU. You can set it up before you leave home, and it activates as soon as you land—no hunting for SIM card shops or dealing with passport photocopies. Providers like Airalo offer Belgium-specific or Europe-wide plans that work well for short to medium stays, typically ranging from €5-15 for a week's worth of data. The main advantage is convenience and immediate connectivity, which matters more than you might think when you're trying to navigate to your accommodation or book last-minute tickets. The downside? It's usually more expensive per gigabyte than a local SIM if you're staying longer than a couple weeks. Also worth noting: your phone needs to support eSIM technology, which most newer models do, but it's worth checking before you commit to this route.
Local SIM Card
If you're staying more than a month or really watching your budget, a local SIM makes financial sense. You can pick one up at Mobile Vikings, Orange, or Proximus shops—there's a Proximus store right near the Markt if you want to sort it out immediately upon arrival. You'll need your passport, and activation is usually instant. Prepaid plans start around €10-15 for the month with 5-10GB of data, which is notably cheaper than most eSIM options if you're doing the math. The main hassle is just the time investment: finding the shop, potentially waiting in line, and dealing with the activation process when you're jet-lagged. Some smaller shops near the train station sell SIM cards too, though they might charge a slight premium. Orange Belgium's prepaid options tend to be pretty straightforward for tourists, and their app is reasonably user-friendly for topping up.
Comparison
Here's the honest breakdown: eSIMs are more convenient and get you connected instantly, but you'll pay a bit extra for that convenience—maybe 30-50% more than a local SIM for the same data. Local SIMs are cheaper if you're staying longer or need lots of data, but require the time and hassle of finding a shop. EU roaming is great if you already have it, obviously the easiest option. For a week-long trip, the price difference between eSIM and local SIM is maybe the cost of a couple Belgian beers—worth considering what your time and peace of mind are worth.
Staying Safe on Public WiFi
The public WiFi situation in Bruges is pretty typical for European cities—widely available but not particularly secure. Hotels, cafes, and restaurants around the Markt all offer free WiFi, but these networks are fundamentally unencrypted, which means anyone with basic technical knowledge can potentially intercept what you're doing online. That's particularly concerning when you're traveling, since you're probably accessing banking apps, booking accommodations, or dealing with passport and travel documents. A VPN encrypts your connection and makes your browsing essentially unreadable to anyone else on the network. NordVPN is a solid option that works reliably across Belgium's networks and is straightforward to set up even if you're not particularly tech-savvy. It's not about being paranoid—it's just basic digital hygiene when you're using networks you don't control.
Protect Your Data with a VPN
When using hotel WiFi, airport networks, or cafe hotspots in Bruges, your personal data and banking information can be vulnerable. A VPN encrypts your connection, keeping your passwords, credit cards, and private communications safe from hackers on the same network.
Our Recommendations
First-time visitors: Go with an eSIM through Airalo. You'll have connectivity the moment you land, can navigate to your hotel without stress, and won't waste precious vacation time hunting for a SIM card shop. The convenience factor alone makes it worth the modest extra cost. Budget travelers: If you're on a really tight budget, a local SIM will save you maybe €10-20 over a week, which might matter. That said, factor in the time spent finding and setting it up—sometimes the cheapest option isn't actually the best value. Long-term stays: If you're here for a month or more, definitely get a local SIM. The cost savings add up significantly, and you'll probably want the flexibility of easily topping up or changing plans. Business travelers: eSIM is really your only practical option—you need immediate connectivity for meetings and emails, and your time is too valuable to spend sorting out SIM cards at the airport. Set it up before you leave and forget about it.
Our Top Pick: Airalo
For convenience, price, and safety, we recommend Airalo. Purchase your eSIM before your trip and activate it upon arrival—you'll have instant connectivity without the hassle of finding a local shop, dealing with language barriers, or risking being offline when you first arrive. It's the smart, safe choice for staying connected in Bruges.
Exclusive discounts: 15% off for new customers • 10% off for return customers