Omio makes it quick and easy to book SNCB train tickets in Belgium and beyond so that your planning your journey runs as smoothly as possible. Browse some of the most popular routes, learn more about the company's trains and the services on offer, and read detailed information about travel times and SNCB stations. You can buy train tickets on-the-go with the Omio App. SNCB can be referred to as NMBS, which is the Dutch name for the service.
Omio is a booking platform that allows you to search and book trains, buses, flights and ferries in Europe, the United States and Canada. With Omio, it’s simple to book SNCB trains in Belgium. Our search tool can be filtered by date, time, journey duration and price, allowing you to find the best ticket for your journey.
SNCB is Belgium's national railway company. It has a rich history that dates back to 1926, when it replaced Belgium State Railways. SNCB's transport network now spans over 2,100 miles (3,500 km) and takes millions of passengers each year to their destinations, in both Belgium and bordering countries such as France and the Netherlands.
SNCB's hub is in Brussels, and from Brussels train stations dozens of trains depart for the rest of Belgium and other countries in Europe daily, including trains that go all the way to London. Other popular stations for SNCB Europe include Bruges, Antwerp, Lille, and Zurich.
One of the most popular routes on an SNCB train is Lille to Bruges. Trains run every couple of hours throughout the day, from early in the morning until the evening. The journey usually takes under two hours and most services have one change. Another popular SNCB train is Liège to Amsterdam. Trains run all day, starting from before 7:00 a.m., and take around between four to five hours with one change, usually in Brussels. Another popular SNCB train service runs from Zeebruges to Bruges. It's a fast journey, usually taking around 20 minutes, and there's at least one train every hour.
SNCB offers several rail passes for various age groups. Anyone under the age of 26 can purchase a youth ticket to get a discount on their fare, and kids under the age of 12 can travel on a child's ticket, and on an adult's ticket, up to four children can travel for free. There are also various loyalty or membership cards that can be added when booking your train to help you save money. One of SNCB's most popular ticket is the 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 for $8.60.
If you're traveling on a Belgium train, you'll be on either an inter-city or a local service. Inter-city 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 day, 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.
Although small, Belgium has lots to offer. With most train journeys within the country taking a couple of hours. Its size means it’s easy to explore most of the country in one visit. The capital, Brussels, home to the European Union, is known for its chips (and their many dipping sauces) and love of beer. 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 from Brussels by train is 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, Antwerp, set in a grain store, it’s where old and new Antwerp combine.
Bruges is just an hour away by train from Brussels, making it 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.
Omio accepts most discount cards, just make sure to select it from the menu options when searching for your booking.
SNCB helps those who need it at all Belgium rail stations, but the service needs to be booked 24 hours in advance. The service helps blind or partially sighted passengers navigate through the station and can help any passengers in a wheelchair or with a mobility aid get on and off their train.
You can bring a maximum of three pieces of luggage on each train, but they must not exceed a combined weight of 30kg.
You can bring your bike for a small fee, but it's best to avoid peak times when there may not be much space.
SNCB trains do not have Wi-Fi, but have electrical outlets, air conditioning and toilets. The larger and busier trains have both first and second class sections.
Small pets kept inside a carrier and assistance dogs can travel for free. For larger dogs on a leash, you will need to purchase a special pet ticket for a small fee.
Train delays happen for a variety of reasons, including poor weather, technical difficulties such as signaling faults, or infrastructure works and repairs. In some circumstances the delays may be because of an accident on the line, or because the service is busy with lots of passengers that need to board and disembark from the train.
If you're unable to get the last train, you should let the staff at the station or the train conductor know. Alternatively, you can contact SNCB's customer service contact center. They will help you to find an alternative mode of transport such as a bus replacement service or a taxi.
If your train is very delayed, it may be possible to claim compensation by completing a compensation application form online.
Yes, up to four children under the age of 12 can travel for free with a paying adult.
If you are picking up your group reservation ticket from a ticket office, you will need to book seven days in advance. If it's by post, SNCB will need 12 days notice.