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Omio makes it easy to book SNCB train tickets
Want to buy SNCB train tickets? Omio makes it simple to book SNCB train tickets in Belgium and beyond. Traveling on SNCB trains has never been easier.
Learn more about SNCB’s trains and the services on offer, and search for detailed information about travel times and SNCB stations. The Omio search tool can be filtered by date, time, journey duration and price, allowing you to find the best SNCB ticket for your journey.
Check out the Omio app for an even smoother experience
You can buy SNCB train tickets on-the-go with the Omio App. Twenty-seven million monthly users already compare and book trains, buses, flights, and ferries on their phones in Europe and beyond. It makes SNCB train booking a cinch - it’s never been easier to book train tickets online.
What is SNCB?
SNCB is Belgium's national railway company. SNCB can also be referred to as NMBS, which is the Dutch name for the service. SNCB’s trains have a rich history dating back to 1926, when they replaced Belgium State Railways. The SNCB train network now spans over 2,100 miles (3,500 km) carrying millions of passengers to their destinations each year, in Belgium and bordering countries like France and the Netherlands.
NMBS/SNCB Train Stations and Destinations
SNCB's main hub, SNCB International, is in Brussels. From there, dozens of SNCB trains depart for the rest of Belgium and other countries in Europe every day, including trains that go all the way from Brussels to London.
Other popular stations going to and from SNCB International include:
Popular Routes with SNCB trains
Some of the most popular routes on SNCB trains are:
- Lille to Bruges. Trains run every few hours throughout the day, from early morning until the evening. The journey usually takes under two hours and most services have one change.
- Liège to Amsterdam. Trains run all day, starting from before 7:00 a.m. and take around four to five hours with one change, usually in Brussels.
- Zeebruges to Bruges. It's a fast journey, usually around 20 minutes. There's at least one train every hour.
SNCB Offers and Fares
There’s a wide range of SNCB tickets, with several SNCB train ticket discounts for various age groups. Anyone under the age of 26 can purchase an SNCB Youth Ticket to get a discount on their fare, and kids under the age of 12 can travel on a child's ticket, which is just half price. What’s more, on an SNCB adult train ticket, up to four children can travel for free!
If you’re traveling with your family, SNCB rail tickets are fantastic value, allowing you to access the best SNCB routes. Oh, you’re a student? Why not get 5% off your next trip here.
There’s also various loyalty or membership cards that can be added when booking an SNCB train to help you save money. For example, if you book with Omio, you and a friend can get €10 off each fare!
One of SNCB's most popular tickets is the SNCB Weekend Ticket, where you can buy a return journey for half price from 7 p.m. on Fridays and throughout the weekend. The other is the Senior Ticket, which allows anyone over 65 to buy a same-day return throughout Belgium.
SNCB Train Types
If you're traveling on an SNCB train, you'll be on either an inter-city or a local service. InterCity trains only stop at major train stations in big cities, whereas local trains make lots of stops at smaller towns on the route. There are also S-trains, which are suburban trains. They leave big cities and stop at smaller train stations in the surrounding areas.
Peak and 'EXTRA' trains are added at busy commuter times or on popular travel days, such as Fridays and during the summer holidays. Finally, international or 'INT' trains are regular trains that travel to foreign countries, and they may be partly operated by other providers, such as Eurostar or Thalys.
Explore Belgium by rail
Although small, Belgium has lots to offer. Most SNCB train journeys within the country take a few hours. Its size means it’s easy to explore most of the country in one visit.
The capital, Brussels, is home to the European Union and is known for its chips, their many dipping sauces, and love of beer. You could also treat yourself to a ‘moules frites’ or one of the world’s best steaks, if you fancy. And everyone’s heard of Belgian waffles. Delicious.
Besides the great food, there’s plenty to see and do in the capital. We recommend the Magritte Museum to learn more about one of Belgium’s most influential artists.
Just under an hour on an SNCB train is a route from Brussels to Antwerp, arguably the country’s coolest city. Once a bustling port city, it’s now known for its groundbreaking design and fashion scene. Make sure to visit the Museum of Modern Art, located inside a grain store. It’s where old and new Antwerp combine.
Another great trip is Brussels to Bruges. Just an hour away by train from Brussels, it’s an easy day trip from the capital - although if you’d like to stay longer, we certainly recommend it. Known as the “Venice of Belgium,” the historic center is built around a series of interlocking canals and is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
SNCB FAQs
Everything you need to know to travel with SNCB: amenities, cancellation policy, luggage allowance and more
The Omio App Makes Travel Planning Easy
We’ll get you where you want to go. From live train updates to mobile tickets, our innovative app is the ideal way to plan and keep track of your travel.
