Travelling by train offers many benefits, from comfort and flexibility to enjoying a more scenic route. However many people are put off by the sometimes more costly tickets. But this summer there are plenty of deals in Belgium and abroad that can help keep rail within budgets.
Trains are increasingly popular in Belgium, both for getting around the country (SNCB reported an 8% rise in passengers between the summers of 2022 and 2023) and for travelling further afield. This makes a case for the journey becoming just as important as the destination.
Within Belgium, trains save time and money on car parking and stop in convenient and central locations. When taking trains abroad, passengers often enjoy breaking down longer journies with stops for cultural excursions or meals. It also avoids the stress of the airport routine.
For those still concerned about the expense of rail, The Brussels Times has looked into deals offered by SNCB and rail operators travelling to and from Belgium. Time to plan your next trip!
Belgium: More trains and youth tickets
SNCB has already confirmed that it will not bring back the popular Duo Ticket, which allowed two travellers to take the train for the price of one during the summer holidays.
However, the Youth Holidays tickets – a season ticket that gives young people (under the age of 26) the chance to travel unlimited for a whole week (€18) or a month (€35) – will again be available in July and August. Both tickets can be purchased via the website, the SNCB app, the vending machines, or at a station counter.
New this summer is the 'Youth Holidays Combi', which gives young people aged between 18 and 24 access to all public transport (metro in Brussels, buses, trams and trains in all regions) for €59 per month. The season pass is a cooperation between SNCB, TEC, STIB and De Lijn and will be valid until 1 September.
Credit: SNCB
SNCB will again offer 'Discovery Tickets' for the summer months. These give admission to amusement parks (for example Walibi and Aqualibi amusement and water sports parks in Wavre and Bellewaerde in Ypres), zoos (Antwerp and Planckendael, Pairi Daiza zoo, Sea Life in Blankenberge), museums (the Royal Army Museum in Brussels and the Gallo-Roman Museum in Tongeren) and other activities with a return train journey at half price (on weekdays from 09:00).
Young people up to the age of 26 can always buy reduced-fare tickets (not only during the summer holidays). Similarly, child tickets (for under-12s) are always 50% off.
For those over 26 who are travelling longer distances in Belgium, the Standard Multipass is a cost-effective option that gives ten journeys throughout the country that can be used within a year. The pass costs €102 (or €99 in the SNCB app) for ten single second-class journeys. In many cases, this works out cheaper than an ordinary single-journey ticket.
To encourage train travel during the summer holidays, SNCB will tailor its offer to the most popular tourist destinations. This will mean additional services to the seaside, zoos and amusement parks. Extra trains will also run to the starting point for a kayaking trip on the Lesse.
To Belgium and beyond
SNCB is running extra 'Eurocity' trains to Paris for the upcoming Olympic Games. "You can travel along at a very competitive price, from €34 per ticket," the company said. There will be two return Eurocity trains a day (one early morning and one early afternoon) between Brussels-Midi and Paris-Nord from 24 July to 11 August. Between 28 August and 8 September there will be one return train each day.
The long-awaited 'three-country train' also launched just in time for summer. This new direct line links Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany with stops in Liège, Maastricht and Aachen (among others). It will simplify travel around the borders of these countries.
The Euregioticket allows travel between Aachen, Maastricht and Liège for an entire day for just €21.70. On weekends and public holidays, the Euregioticket is valid for 2 adults and 3 children aged 4 to 11.
Through its sales channels, SNCB also offers more than 1,000 other international destinations, many reachable within six hours from Brussels with a maximum of one connection.
11 major cities outside Belgium can be accessed directly from Brussels: Amsterdam, Berlin, Cologne, London, Luxembourg, Lyon, Marseille, München, Paris, Prague, and Vienna (including overnight journeys).
A host on the European Sleeper night train. Credit: Belga/ James Arthur Gekiere
Belgian-Dutch company European Sleeper – which operates the Good Night Train between Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany and the Czech Republic – has launched three discount passes to mark the start of summer. A one-month (€149 pp), three-month (€299 pp) and 12-month option (€799 pp) reduce the price of their trains and speed up booking. However, the offer only gives fixed reduced reservation prices for seats as well as private and shared compartments.
Austrian railway company ÖBB – which operates the Night Jet trains from Brussels to Vienna and Berlin – does not offer a similar pass but it does sell "Sparschiene" (non-refundable) and "Sparschiene Comfort" (semi-refundable) tickets. These are the cheapest ticket options and are very popular. They are only available in limited quantities, meaning that booking in advance is necessary. Fares depend on demand.
Note that the ÖBB connection between Brussels and Berlin will be disrupted from mid-August until October.
Credit: Belga/ Jasper Jacobs
The Eurostar now takes passengers from Brussels-Midi station to Paris as well as London and Amsterdam, all in two hours or less. Tickets are cheaper when booking in advance, especially for peak times like bank holidays and weekends. Subscribers to the company newsletters, those who have Eurostar accounts or the Eurostar app will be notified first about new deals.
The cheapest Eurostar tickets are usually for trains on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. For under-26s, over-60s, or people booking in groups, discount options are available.
Finally, for extended train travels in the coming months, the Interrail passes (or for non-EU citizens and residents the Eurail pass; same price as Interrail) are strongly recommended. These give access to trains in 33 European countries. Prices become even more appealing with the youth option (up to 27); children up to the age of 11 travel free.
Train travellers can choose between a Flexi Pass (several days of travel spread out over one or two months, starting at four days in one month for €212 pp) or the Continuous Pass (for travel on every day of the period, starting at 15 days in a row for €357). While this pass guarantees a spot on local and regional trains, reservation is needed for most high-speed, international and night trains.
