Belgium by Train
Useful information for traveling to and within Belgium by train.
Leuven © VisitBelgium.net
Belgium, or more precisely Brussels-South station in the heart of Belgium, is the most important international railway hub in Western Europe, where several high-speed lines meet. In addition, Belgium has an extremely dense national railway network. Belgian railways are operated by NMBS/SNCB and are considered very reliable and affordable by european standards.
Travel from neighboring countries is usually done with high-speed trains such as Eurostar, ICE, or TGV. Reservations are mandatory for these trains. Traveling within Belgium by Belgian railways is more relaxed: the ticketing system is very simple and there is no obligation to use specific trains or departure times. Tickets can be purchased at ticket counters, vending machines, and online.
important links
NMBS/SNCB: Route network map
NMBS/SNCB: Route planner
NMBS/SNCB: Tickets
Eurostar
ICE
TGV
traveling to Belgium
Continuing travel from airports
Brussels Airport is the main airport in Belgium and is located in the Brussels suburb of Zaventem. This airport has a railway station from which Belgium’s most important station, Brussels-South, can be reached in around 20 minutes. There are also direct connections from the airport to many other Belgian cities.
Brussels South Charleroi Airport is mainly served by low-cost airlines, is located around 50 kilometers south of Brussels, and has no railway connection. However, there is a public bus to Charleroi-Central station, the main hub of southern Belgium, as well as shuttle buses to other Belgian cities.
from the Netherlands
Travel by Eurostar or classic IC trains, first important station Antwerpen-Centraal
Amsterdam Centraal -> Bruxelles-Midi 2 hrs.
from Germany
Travel by ICE or Eurostar, first important station Liège-Guillemins
Köln Hbf -> Bruxelles-Midi 1 hr. 50 min.
from Luxembourg
Travel by classic IC trains
Luxembourg -> Bruxelles-Midi 3 hrs. 15 min.
from France
Travel by Eurostar or TGV, directly to Bruxelles-Midi
Paris Nord -> Bruxelles-Midi 1 hr. 20 min.
from the United Kingdom
Travel by Eurostar, directly to Bruxelles-Midi
London St. Pancras International -> Bruxelles-Midi 2 hrs. 20 min.
most important railway stations in Belgium
Bruxelles-Midi / Brussel-Zuid
Hub for international rail traffic in the center of the country, stop on the high-speed rail network, and also the most important national hub. The station is very functional and located outside the city center. Those wishing to travel directly into the city center should use Gare Centrale, which is underground in the middle of the center, but is not served by high-speed trains. Bruxelles-Midi station is connected to the metro and tram network.
North: Antwerpen-Centraal
The most important station in northern Belgium, connection point for the Netherlands, and stop on the high-speed rail network. The station is located on the edge of the city center and connected to the premetro network.
East: Liège-Guillemins
The most important station in eastern Belgium, connection point for Germany, and stop on the high-speed rail network. The station is located on the edge of the city center and connected to the tram network.
South: Charleroi-Central
Important station in southern Belgium and regional connection point for France. The station is located in the city center and connected to the metro network.
West: Gent-Sint-Pieters
The most important station in western Belgium, also for travel to the coast, and a regional connection point for France. The station is located on the edge of the city center and connected to the tram network.
most important railway lines in Belgium
East-West (North)
Liège – Leuven – Brussels – Ghent – Bruges – Ostend
East-West (South)
Liège – Namur – Charleroi – Mons
North-South
Antwerp – Brussels – Charleroi
Tips for national rail travel
- Tickets can be purchased at ticket counters, ticket machines, or online
- there are no different prices for early or late bookings
- there are no separate tickets or fares for regional and national trains
- Tickets are route-based, not train-specific
- Seat reservations are available (IC trains) but not mandatory
- officially, interruptions to the journey are only permitted for transfers
- Trains can become very crowded during rush hour and on routes to the coast
- Tickets do not automatically include local public transport at the destination
© VisitBelgium.net
© VisitBelgium.net
© VisitBelgium.net
© VisitBelgium.net
© VisitBelgium.net
© VisitBelgium.net