By train
Traveling to Bruges on Belgium's excellent rail system is a natural choice. Trains to and from Brussels leave every 30 minutes during the day. The journey from Brussel-Zuid a.k.a. Bruxelles-Midi if you prefer French to Flemish to Bruges takes about an hour. If you are traveling on the Eurostar that same day, this cost may be included in your ticket if it shows "Any Belgian Station". Otherwise, buy a ticket when you get to the station. Luggage lockers are available from 6AM to 9:30PM. For more information on schedules, prices, and services visit the website of the NMBS/SNCB (http://ari.b-holding.be/I...). Note that there are first and second class seats. To identify them, look for a number next to a "no smoking" sign somewhere in the wagon.Be aware that trains are often full to and from Bruges, especially during rush hours, so if you or your colleagues have any problems with mobility you could be standing the whole trip or at best sitting in the entry area of the carriage. There isn't really any solution to this during the tourist season when Bruges is wall to wall people.
With a backpack nearly all hotels are reachable on foot. However, if you have a suitcase consider taking a taxi because the cobbled streets make the use of wheeled suitcases or carry-on bags very difficult.
By plane
A large number of carriers offer direct flights to Brussels. Belgium's main airport has its own railway station.Bruges can easily be reached through the airports of Brussels, Charleroi Brussels South and Lille, so getting to Bruges by train is by far the easiest way. Only one change at one of the three main stations is needed and the entire connection takes about 1:20.
By car
If you are planning a bus-tour: be aware buses and camping vehicles are not allowed intra muros. There is a perfect parking place for them on the south side of the city with a newly designed gangway bringing you directly into the heart of the town. It is in general a bad idea to venture inside with a car, as parking is limited and finding your way difficult. There are multistory car parks a five minute walk from the city centre. Nice city mini-buses cruise the town with high frequency, and in any case, the historical centre must be traversed on foot, by bicycle, by horse-drawn carriage or by boat to enjoy it.
By ship
P&O Ferries (http://www.poferries.com/) operate a daily sailing every evening from Hull to Zeebrugge taking 12½ hours for the crossing. The fares do not include the bus from the ferry terminal to Bruges railway station, which is currently £6.75 per person each way.
Norfolkline Ferries (http://www.norfolkline.co...) ferries from Dover to Dunkerque every 2 hours. From Dunkerque, Bruges is only 75 km away. This can only be done by driving as they does not take foot passengers.
LD Lines (http://www.ldlines.co.uk/) sail daily from Ramsgate to Ostend. The journey takes 4 hours.
DFDS Seaways (http://www.dfdsseaways.co...) ferry to Holland from Newcastle sails daily. From its port in IJmuiden, Amsterdam you can reach Bruges is less than 3 hours by car.