Last year‘s Pride Express was successful enough, so organiser Jurgen Dedeckere has another go. His dedicated Pride Express train will link Belgium with WorldPride Amsterdam on Saturday 1 August 2026, offering passengers a combined transport and entertainment experience between Ghent, Brussels, Antwerp, and Amsterdam. The return trip is scheduled for Saturday night, bringing you home after midnight.
The train is scheduled to depart in the late morning from Ghent St Peter’s, with stops in Brussels-South (Midi, Zuid) and Antwerp-Central Railway Station, before arriving at Amsterdam Central early in the afternoon. A return service is planned later that evening, bringing passengers back to Belgium during the night.
The initiative combines rail travel with an onboard programme that includes a DJ, bar service and lounge areas. The website describes the concept as a “moving celebration”, with dedicated party carriages alongside quieter compartments for relaxation or private group use.
Passengers will be able to travel directly to the city in time for the WorldPride Canal Parade and other events taking place across Amsterdam. The return journey is designed to allow same-day participation without the need for overnight accommodation. Hotels are always expensive in the Netherlands‘ capital, but more so during Pride and the sector will double down because it’s WorldPride.
Tickets are offered in several formats, including standard return fares, flexible options with cancellation up to 48 hours before departure, and one-way tickets. A limited number of private lounge spaces for groups of up to six people are also available. Prices for return travel start at €138, excluding booking fees.
Rolling stock
Expect NMBS / SNCB I6 coaches, maybe I10 coaches, and the SR3 discobar coach. You can expect Train Charter Services to run the train.
Schedule
The Pride Express will operate from approximately 10:00–12:00 for outbound departures, arriving in Amsterdam between 13:00 and 14:00. The return service is expected to leave Amsterdam between 22:00 and 23:00, with arrivals in Belgium between midnight and 03:00.
On Tuesday 17 March, the schedule is advertised as:
Outbound (to Amsterdam):
- Ghent St Peter’s: 10:12.
- Brussels-South: 10:46.
- Antwerp-Berchem: 11:32.
- Antwerp-Central: 11:40.
- Amsterdam-Centraal: 14:44.
Return (to Belgium):
- Amsterdam-Centraal: 22:45.
- Antwerp-Central: 01:35.
- Brussels-South: 02:18.
- Ghent St Peter’s: 02:56.
Early booking
“It’s official: Pride Express is coming back. We’re going to the WorldPride in Amsterdam on August 1”, a recent mailing says. “After last year’s ride, we couldn’t wait to do it again, bigger and louder, with the same community energy that made it so special.”
“To welcome you back, you can choose one of these perks: buy two round-trip tickets for the price of one. Or use discount code WELCOMEBACK for a reduction on single or lounge tickets. Spots are limited, so this is the moment to lock it in.”
Pride Express is also open to collaborations.
The latest on LGBTQIA+ events such as prides in Belgium
- 16 MAY 2026 | 30 years of Brussels Pride: “When times get darker, we shine brighter”.
- Queer March Ghent returns in March 2026.
- BRUGES | Prisma Queer Arts Festival on 16, 17 and 18 January 2026.
- HAPPY NEW QUEER 2026 | Bruges on 17 January and Leuven on 23 January.
- PROGRAMME | Pinx 2026 LGBTQIA+ film festival in Ghent and Antwerp from 27 January to 1 February.
- Beyond Darklands 2026 programme highlights.
- EuroGames 2028 in Frankfurt: will Antwerp aim for 2029 or 2030?.
- Antwerp Pride 2026 from Wednesday 5 to Sunday 9 August.
- Limburg Pride 2026 remains in Hasselt and places every family at the centre.
- LEUVEN PRIDE 2025 | Kinkday at Rumba on Saturday 27 September.
- Pride Museum pop-up draws 4,000 visitors and strengthens case for permanent queer space in Brussels.
- Mechelen to organise a Pride Week from 2026?.
- Bruges Pride Parade 2025 on Saturday 14 June.
- Mons Pride 2025 on Saturday 31 May.
- NAMUR PRIDE 2025 | Pride Day, Solidarity March and community celebration.
- Pride Express links Ghent, Brussels and Antwerp to Pride Amsterdam on Saturday 2 August 2025.
- Belgium to host Eurovision Song Contest 2026? But in which city?.
- ANTWERP 2025-2030 | City government agreement supports bid for EuroGames in Antwerp in 2028.
- Liège Pride 2025 on Friday 22, Saturday 23 and Sunday 24 August.
- CHARLEROI PRIDE | Three days of inclusivity and festivities.
