Belgian railway operator NMBS / SNCB is increasing train services for the 2026 summer holiday period after demand for leisure travel by rail continued to grow. Last summer (2025), 3% more passengers used the train for day trips within Belgium compared with the same period in 2024.
The operator has adjusted its timetable to reflect seasonal travel patterns, with fewer commuters travelling to work and school and more passengers heading for the Belgian Coast, nature reserves, theme parks and major summer events. Depending on the region, the summer timetable is in effect from either 27 June until 30 August or from 4 July until 23 August.
On weekdays, fewer peak-hour P trains and suburban S trains will operate, while additional services have been added to Belgium’s most popular tourist destinations.
More trains to the Belgian coast
The North Sea coast remains one of Belgium’s most popular summer destinations. To meet increased demand, NMBS / SNCB is adding extra tourist trains to the main seaside resorts.
Ostend will receive three additional return services on weekdays and four on weekends. Blankenberge gains two extra weekday return services and seven additional weekend return services. De Panne (La Panne) will be served by one additional weekday return service and three extra weekend return services, while Knokke receives three additional return services on both weekdays and weekends.
Extra services for attractions and city breaks
Additional trains will also operate to a range of leisure destinations.
Services to Planckendael near Mechelen (Malines, Mechlin) will be strengthened throughout the week and at weekends. Weekend-only extra trains will serve Pairi Daiza (Cambron-Casteau Railway Station), Walibi (Bierges-Walibi Railway Station), Plopsaland De Panne and Houyet, the gateway for kayaking trips on the River Lesse.
During weekends, a dedicated tourist train will also connect Liège with the Ourthe Valley and the Durbuy region.
City-break travellers will benefit from additional trains to Brussels, Ghent, and Bruges from numerous stations across the country.
Combined attraction and rail discounts
Passengers visiting many attractions can continue to take advantage of the Discovery Ticket, which combines admission with a 40% discount on train travel.
The scheme covers a wide range of destinations, including Antwerp Zoo, Planckendael, Pairi Daiza, Zwin Nature Park, Sea Life Blankenberge, Walibi, Aqualibi, Bellewaerde, Bellewaerde Aquapark, BRUSK in Bruges, Technopolis in Mechelen, Mini-Europe, the Royal Palace in Brussels, the Gallo-Roman Museum in Tongeren (Tongres, Atuatuca Tungrorum) and Train World in Schaerbeek / Schaarbeek.
Extra trains for festivals and concerts
NMBS / SNCB will also operate additional trains to major music events throughout the summer at the request of organisers.
Festivalgoers travelling to events including Rampage Open Air in Lommel and Dour Festival, as well as concerts by Bad Bunny and BTS at the King Baudouin Stadium in Brussels, will be able to purchase discounted return tickets offering 40% off the standard fare. Night trains will also operate after selected events.
Train+ continues to grow
The operator says its Train+ discount card, introduced in October 2025, has proved particularly popular for leisure travel.
The card offers 40% discounts during off-peak periods and weekends. It also caps fares during peak hours at €14 for adults regardless of distance travelled. Young people, seniors and passengers entitled to increased social benefits pay no more than €5.50 per journey.
Children under the age of 12 continue to travel free when accompanied by an adult with a valid ticket, with a maximum of four children per adult.
Hundreds of trains to Brussels Airport
Rail remains one of the busiest ways to reach Brussels Airport – Zaventem during the holiday season.
Around 80 stations offer direct rail connections to the airport, where approximately 330 trains stop each weekday and 290 trains call on weekends.
Engineering works and travel advice
The summer timetable also takes account of extensive engineering works being carried out by infrastructure manager Infrabel across the Belgian rail network during July and August.
NMBS / SNCB advises passengers to check the journey planner on its website or mobile app before travelling, as it incorporates timetable changes and planned disruptions. During periods of exceptionally good weather, when trains to popular destinations can become very busy, the journey planner also displays expected occupancy levels to help passengers choose less crowded services.
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