International rail travel is becoming an increasingly popular choice for Belgians heading abroad during the summer holidays, according to new figures from NMBS / SNCB. Belgium‘s national railway operator says bookings for international journeys continue to rise, supported by an expanding network that now offers connections to more than 6,000 destinations across 15 European countries.
Last summer, NMBS / SNCB recorded around 1.6 million international bookings, almost 6% more than the previous year. Current ticket sales suggest demand is continuing to increase this summer.
More than 1,000 destinations can now be reached from Brussels in under six hours, either by direct train or with just one transfer.
France remains by far the most popular destination, followed by the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Germany, and Switzerland. Paris, Lille (Rijsel), Disneyland Paris (Marne-la-Vallée), Lyon, Avignon, Marseille, Strasbourg, and Montpellier are among the most frequently booked French destinations.
London continues to dominate travel to the UK, while Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Cologne, Berlin, Zurich, and Basel are also among the most popular international cities. Italy, Spain, Austria, Luxembourg, and Prague in Czechia complete the top ten destinations.
International network keeps expanding
NMBS / SNCB says its growing international offer is making rail travel an increasingly attractive alternative to the car and plane.
Since the end of 2024, the operator has jointly run OUIGO services with SNCF Voyageurs, providing three return services per day between Brussels and Paris. The three-hour low-cost service has proved particularly popular with families during school holidays.
High-speed trains remain the preferred option for international travellers. TGV inOui services continue to offer direct connections from Brussels to destinations in southern France.
The network is also set to expand further. From July 2027, a pilot project will extend the existing TGV inOui service between Brussels and Strasbourg to Basel, in partnership with SNCF Voyageurs, NMBS / SNCB and SBB CFF FFS. The extension will operate one daily return service on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.
Meanwhile, the introduction of the EuroCity Direct in cooperation with Nederlandse Spoorwegen (NS) has strengthened links with the Netherlands. Since December 2024, the service has connected Brussels-South and Amsterdam South in just two hours with 16 return services each day. The regular EuroCity service also operates 16 daily return services between Brussels and Rotterdam via Brussels Airport – Zaventem.
Looking ahead, NMBS / SNCB aims to increase its international network from 6,000 to 8,000 destinations by 2030.
The operator says the continued expansion underlines the importance of Brussels-South as one of Europe’s major international rail hubs, serving almost 300,000 passengers every week.
Booking early remains the key to lower fares
NMBS / SNCB encourages passengers to book as early as possible and, where possible, travel on weekdays outside peak hours to secure the lowest fares. Its international booking platform also highlights the cheapest travel dates through a fare calendar.
The railway operator also points to Interrail passes as an affordable way to explore Europe. Interrail or Eurail passes covering 33 European countries, as well as country-specific options, can be purchased through NMBS International, alongside mandatory reservations for trains including Eurostar, TGV inOui, TGV Lyria, European Sleeper, ÖBB Nightjet, Intercités de Nuit, EuroCity services between Switzerland and Italy, and Frecciarossa trains in Italy.
Rail promoted as a greener and more comfortable option
NMBS / SNCB also highlights the environmental benefits of rail travel. According to the operator, travelling by train from Brussels to Paris produces around seven times less CO₂ than travelling by coach and 33 times less than flying. Between Brussels and Amsterdam, rail emits five times less CO₂ than a coach journey and 22 times less than a flight.
The railway operator also stresses the convenience of city-centre to city-centre travel, avoiding long airport check-in times while allowing passengers to work, relax or enjoy the scenery during the journey.
NMBS / SNCB & Infrabel related news
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- NMBS / SNCB: Ticket checks possible on the platform before embarking the train, no on-board sales from 1 July 2026.
- TGV inOui Brussels – Strasbourg – Basel from July 2027.
- NMBS / SNCB to expand train services by 3% under new 2026–2029 transport plan.
- ANTWERP-LINKEROEVER | Average of 530 people take the train at Linkeroever on weekdays.
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- Antwerp-Linkeroever Railway Station reopens as temporary hub during premetro tunnel works.
- PHOTOS | Presenting Antwerp-Linkeroever Railway Station anno 2026.
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- NMBS / SNCB & CAF for MR30 / AM30 electric multiple units signed.
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- REVIEW | ‘Belgian Railways Under Occupation: Between Collaboration and Resistance’ at Train World in Brussels.
- NMBS / SNCB to apologize for involvement in WWII deportation transports.
- Antwerp-Berchem Railway Station up for major revamp.
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- Farewell to Mortsel-Deurnesteenweg.
More on cross-border trains
- Political push in the Netherlands for Eindhoven to Brussels EuroCity.
- TGV inOui Brussels – Strasbourg – Basel from July 2027.
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- RAIL BALTICA | Tallinn – Valga / Valka – Riga – Vilnius by train.
- SPAIN | Renfe suspends Paris high-speed project amid certification deadlock.
- Finland and Sweden to be linked by rail this summer.
- European Parliament rubberstamps new regulation to upgrade cross-border railway capacity coordination.
- GoVolta launches daily Amsterdam to Paris day train via Antwerp and Ghent, with tickets from €19.
- EUROPEAN SLEEPER | Brussels to Milan night train now via Antwerp, Breda and Eindhoven instead of Liège and Aachen.
- ÖBB NIGHTJET | New generation carriages to debut on Amsterdam–Zurich route in December 2026.
- 8.7 billion rail trips in Europe in 2024 as Switzerland leads and Belgium’s data remain unavailable.
- PASSENGER PACKAGE | Why the European Union’s new rail passenger package is proving so controversial.
- Community of European Railway and Infrastructure Companies unhappy with European Commission’s Passenger Package.
- Deutsche Bahn, DSB and Vy present direct Berlin to Oslo route, from summer 2028.
- European Rail Passengers Union: EU must act now to make cross-border rail travel seamless, fair, and green: passengers demand guaranteed rights and simpler ticketing.
- NETHERLANDS | The Hague aims to become Europe’s gateway with direct links to Brussels, Berlin, and Paris.
- European Sleeper sets out vision for 40-route night train network across Europe, including London.
- RAIL BALTICA | Elron, Vivi, and LTG Link launch joint tender for regional trains.
- Trenitalia / FS Group advances Paris hub to power European high-speed expansion, looking at Belgium and the Netherlands in the long term.
- Train Charter Services replaces Keolis as operator for GoVolta trains.
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- Brussels Airlines and Deutsche Bahn team up for Antwerp – Brussels Airport – Liège – Cologne ICE codeshare.
- Trenitalia unveils €2 billion investment plan and orders 74 new Frecciarossa high-speed trains.
- Belgium and the Netherlands work on Brussels to Eindhoven direct train, possibly via Antwerp.
- Belgian Mobility Minister wants to revive direct train service to Switzerland.
- NETHERLANDS | Arriva will not launch the Groningen to Paris service in 2026.
- Snälltåget to run Stockholm – Malmö – Copenhagen – Hamburg day trains from May 2026.
- Nox night trains: a smart new cabin concept or just an unachievable dream?.
- How firm are Eurostar and Deutsche Bahn’s “2030s” Germany to London train link plans?.
- Leo Express files plans for extraordinary 2026 Bratislava–Ostend and Venice–Northern Germany services.
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- Italo targets the German high-speed rail market.
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- REVIEW | European Sleeper night train.
- Paris Nightjet axed: France’s withdrawal threatens Europe’s night train revival.
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- ÖBB prioritises Railjet over Nightjet: Is the night train revival a False Dawn?.
- EUROPEAN SLEEPER | Brussels to Barcelona night train to stop in Avignon, Montpellier, Narbonne, and Girona.
- Trenitalia, Deutsche Bahn and ÖBB launch Frecciarossa EuroCity trains linking Berlin, Munich, Milan, Rome and Naples.
- EU train travel report sees increase in cross-border passenger trains and easier bookings.
- Brussels to Luxembourg by train under 2 hours by 2030?.
- Eurostar and five more train operators joined the European Agreement on Journey Continuation.
- ÖBB’s new Nightjet sleeper cars accommodate solo travellers with Mini Cabins.
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- REVIEW | Trenitalia Frecciarossa 1000 Paris – Milan in Business Executive.
- RAIL TOUR OF EUROPE | How easy is touring Europe by train?.
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- REVIEW | ÖBB Nightjet Amsterdam – Zurich night train.
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- Why the expensive ÖBB Nightjet is really not that expensive.
- Ticket Distribution: the failure of railways to sell themselves.
- To use night trains in Portugal and Spain or not?.
- Night trains in Europe.
- Low-cost, long-haul trains to conquer Europe?.
- Fly now before it’s taxed and consider using the train instead.
Channel Tunnel updates
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- A London-bound Eurostar terminal at Antwerp-Central? Highly unlikely!.
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- #CROSSCHANNELRAIL | Expanding UK-Europe train links most realistically leading to Switzerland.
- CHANNEL TUNNEL | Virgin Trains gains access to Temple Mills, ORR snubs links to Germany and Switzerland.
- Eurostar unveils €2 billion Alstom ‘Celestia’ fleet of double-decker sustainable trains.
- Gemini Trains partners with Uber for Stratford to France Channel Tunnel route.
- Eurostar and St. Pancras Highspeed back major station expansion to double capacity amid growing international demand.
- EUROSTAR | London – Frankfurt, London – Geneva and Amsterdam – Antwerp – Brussels – Geneva from 2030?.
- Alstom wants its double-decker trains to ride through Channel Tunnel.
- London St. Pancras Highspeed pledges financial support for cross-Channel rail services.
- London St Pancras Highspeed and Getlink aspire to to triple train services to France, Belgium and the Netherlands and add services to Germany and Switzerland.
- Heuro wants to operate high speeds trains between Amsterdam, Antwerp, Brussels, Paris and London from 2028.
