Belgium Practice Information | How To Use Trains in Belgium – Information To Backpacking By means of Europe

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Belgium is a small nation that’s well-served by a contemporary and comfy prepare system. Most individuals keep on with the principle cities of Antwerp, Brussels, Brugge, and Ghent (all of which have a number of prepare routes day by day) however even smaller cities are related by rail. There’s additionally a separate high-speed prepare that connects Brussels to a handful of worldwide locations (Paris, Amsterdam, London, and many others.). However don’t fear if in case you have questions as a result of our Belgium Practice Information will cowl every part that you must learn about shopping for prepare tickets in Belgium and the best way to discover the most effective costs.


How To Purchase Practice Tickets in Belgium

Belgium train tickets

Let’s check out the assorted prepare ticket choices…

Shopping for Home Practice Tickets in Belgium

All home prepare tickets in Belgium use a hard and fast pricing mannequin that’s based mostly on the gap traveled so tickets are all the time the identical worth irrespective of if you buy them—merely present up on the station and purchase your tickets. You too can purchase tickets early at Omio (and have them despatched straight to your cellphone) should you don’t need to cope with the trouble of shopping for them on the station. You too can verify schedules and costs at belgianrail.be.

Home Practice Reductions

  • Weekend Spherical Journey Ticket: In the event you purchase a round-trip ticket for a journey after 7 pm on a Friday evening and return on/earlier than the final prepare on Sunday you then get all the journey prices the identical as a one-way ticket.
  • Ten-Journey Card: Spending plenty of time in Belgium? You should buy a pack of 10 one-way tickets (good for a 12 months) for €77 2nd class or €118 in 1st class — which is below €8 for 2nd class. These tickets can be utilized for any journey.
  • Go Cross 10: Are you below 26? Take a look at the Go Cross 10 which is 10 tickets to any vacation spot for €59—which is €5.90 per ticket. Not too shabby.

Shopping for Worldwide Practice Tickets In Belgium

Belgium train - Thalys
The Thalys runs from Paris to Amsterdam with a cease in Brussels

Belgium has fairly a number of high-speed connections to different worldwide cities—essentially the most notable locations are Paris, London, and Amsterdam (however there are connections to only about each main metropolis).

All these prepare tickets must be bought upfront as they get rather more costly because the departure date approaches. For instance, a Thalys high-speed prepare from Brussels to Amsterdam might be as low-cost as 29 when bought three months upfront however you’ll pay nearer to 100 should you purchase it the day of journey.

The place To Purchase Worldwide Practice Tickets

Whereas you should buy worldwide prepare tickets from any prepare station in Belgium, you’ll get the most effective costs when shopping for the tickets from a third-party reserving web site.

  • Omio: Omio is a good prepare reserving engine that allows you to e-book tickets from nearly each nation’s rail service and different digital tickets are despatched straight to your cellphone. Omio expenses little to no markup and so they make the reserving course of very user-friendly.
  • TrainLine: TrainLine is one other third-party prepare ticket reserving website that connects instantly to a number of European rail networks.

Extra Suggestions For Utilizing Trains in Belgium

Belgium Train - Brugge
  • Brussels Essential Practice Station: The principle prepare station in Brussels known as Brussels Midi in French, Brussels Zuid in Flemish, and Brussels South in English (i.e. they’re all the identical station however they’re usually referred to as by both of their names).
    • Brussels Central is a unique station that also serves many routes and Brussels Nord is one other less-frequently used station.
  • Examine The Departures Board: You’ll discover your prepare platform through the departure board on the prepare station. Don’t fear should you don’t see your prepare as a result of they sometimes solely show trains departing throughout the subsequent 10-20 minutes.
  • Practice Delays: Belgium doesn’t have the most effective report of trains being on time so it’s frequent for trains to be 10-Quarter-hour late.
  • Practice Schedule: There are two trains each hour that join Bruges, Ghent, and Brussels.
  • Self-Service Machines Are In English: All of the ticket machines (and prepare station indicators) are in English—there’s a good likelihood customer support individuals additionally communicate English.
  • Pack A Picnic: You’re allowed to carry your individual meals and alcohol on trains. It’s nice for these lengthy prepare rides.
  • No Baggage Limits: There aren’t any weight limits on baggage and you may carry as a lot as you need (nicely, as a lot as you possibly can carry). Merely carry it on and retailer it above your head, behind your seat, or within the baggage racks in every automotive.
  • Open Seating: Home trains don’t have assigned seats so sit anyplace.
  • Making Connections: Belgium is a small nation so many routes join by Brussels. Don’t fear if there isn’t a lot time between trains as a result of switching trains is normally pretty fast and simple (it’s not like flying).
  • Get To The Practice Station Early: Practice stations are normally pretty simple to navigate however they could be a little complicated.
  • Baggage Storage: Most giant prepare stations may have baggage storage choices however small stations probably received’t have baggage storage.
  • Know Practice Station Names: Brussels has a number of prepare stations so this usually creates confusion. Double verify to ensure you have the suitable station—particularly when reserving your ticket. Additionally, it’s frequent for there to be stops within the suburbs exterior huge cities however you received’t need to get off there (simply watch what many of the prepare is doing).

Take a look at our Full Information To Practice Journey In Europe for extra tips on touring Europe by prepare.


Extra Belgium Journey Recommendation from The Savvy Backpacker

Belgium train - seats
Commonplace home prepare in Belgium
James Feess
Newest posts by James Feess (see all)

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