Belgian trains had a strong summer, with 15 million occasional passengers travelling by train during July and August 2026. That was 9.3% more than during the same two months last year, according to figures released by NMBS / SNCB.
The figures cover passengers travelling with individual tickets rather than season tickets, and therefore largely reflect leisure travel, including day trips, visits to tourist attractions and holidays.
The increase underlines the growing role of rail in leisure travel in Belgium. NMBS / SNCB had increased capacity on popular routes during the summer holidays, adding trains to tourist destinations and strengthening services during busy weekends.
The coast remains the big summer draw
The Belgian Coast was again one of the biggest attractions for rail travellers. NMBS / SNCB sold 1.7 million tickets to and from coastal stations in July and August, an increase of 8.5% compared with last summer.
The operator added extra coastal trains to cope with demand, including services to Blankenberge, De Panne, Knokke, and Ostend.
The strong figures come despite the fact that the coast is already particularly well connected by rail, with several of Belgium’s busiest leisure travel flows concentrated on a relatively small number of destinations. For many travellers, the train offers a convenient alternative to driving and searching for parking on crowded summer days.
Festivals were another major source of demand. NMBS / SNCB worked with 22 festival organisers this summer, with more than 250,000 festivalgoers travelling by train to their events.
The railway operator ran 130 special festival trains, including 25 daytime trains and 105 overnight services. The large number of night trains was particularly important for festivals, allowing visitors to return home by rail after the end of evening performances.
Train+ becomes increasingly popular
Discounted rail travel also appears to be encouraging people to use the train for leisure journeys. Around 40% of journeys made with tickets during July and August were made using Train+, NMBS / SNCB’s discount scheme.
Train+ gives passengers a 40% discount during off-peak periods and at weekends. It also puts a ceiling on fares during peak hours, with adults paying a maximum of €14 for a journey, regardless of distance.
For young people, senior citizens and passengers entitled to an increased reimbursement, the maximum fare is €5.50. Children under 12 travel free when accompanied by an adult with a valid ticket, subject to a maximum of four children per adult.
The high share of Train+ journeys suggests that price is also an important factor in encouraging people to choose rail for leisure travel.
More international journeys by train
The growth was not limited to domestic travel. Bookings through the NMBS / SNCB International website and app increased by 8.8% in July and August.
France remained the most popular international destination, followed by the Netherlands, Luxembourg, Germany, and the United Kingdom.
NMBS / SNCB offers rail journeys to more than 6,000 destinations in 14 European countries. The figures point to the continuing expansion of the European rail network as an alternative for short and medium-distance international trips.
For Belgian travellers, destinations in neighbouring countries can often be reached directly or with a relatively simple connection, making rail increasingly competitive with flying for shorter European journeys.
Trains were also more punctual
The increase in passenger numbers coincided with improved punctuality. NMBS / SNCB recorded a punctuality rate of 94.6% in July, compared with 93.4% in July 2025.
August saw punctuality of 94.4%, up from 93.8% a year earlier. Across the first eight months of 2026, 93.2% of trains were on time, compared with 91.8% during the same period in 2025.
The figures mean that punctuality remained above 94% throughout both summer months, despite the substantial increase in leisure travel.
NMBS / SNCB’s analysis shows that in August, 39.4% of delays were attributed to NMBS / SNCB itself. Third parties accounted for 27.3%, Infrabel for 14.8% and a lack of robustness in the railway system for 14.2%. Other causes represented 4.3%.
The breakdown for July was similar: 39.4% of delays were attributed to NMBS / SNCB, 26.9% to third parties, 15.8% to Infrabel and 13.5% to a lack of robustness in the railway system. Other causes accounted for 4.5%.
Leisure passengers particularly satisfied
The strong passenger figures were accompanied by high satisfaction levels. More than three quarters of passengers surveyed said they were satisfied with their train journey during the summer.
Leisure travellers were even more positive, with more than 80% giving their journey a positive assessment. Among passengers travelling specifically for a holiday or day trip, satisfaction reached 90%.
That combination of rising demand, high satisfaction and punctuality above 94% suggests that rail is becoming increasingly established as a mode of transport not just for commuters, but also for Belgium’s growing leisure travel market.
With the summer holidays now over, NMBS / SNCB has returned to its regular timetable. The operator says the increase in leisure travel confirms the importance of rail as a sustainable option for journeys within Belgium as well as for trips abroad.
NMBS / SNCB & Infrabel related news
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- Brussels to Coast trains to include uniformed and plain-clothed police.
- NMBS / SNCB: International train travel continues to grow in popularity with Belgian holidaymakers.
- NMBS / SNCB expands summer train services to coast, tourist attractions and festivals.
- NMBS / SNCB: Ticket checks possible on the platform before embarking the train, no on-board sales from 1 July 2026.
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- PHOTOS | Presenting Antwerp-Linkeroever Railway Station anno 2026.
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- BELGIUM | Infrabel launches Brussels pilot to curb dangerous track trespassing.
- BELGIUM | Train operator NMBS / SNCB to end on-board ticket sales from 1 July 2026.
- BELGIUM | Access gates to be introduced in major railway stations, reversing earlier opposition.
- Rise of international trains puts pressure on the Belgian rail network: domestic services must not disappear.
- ANTWERP | Renovation of Linkeroever station to begin during spring half-term, rail services temporarily disrupted.
- Belgian Mobility Minister wants to revive direct train service to Switzerland.
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- REVIEW | ‘Belgian Railways Under Occupation: Between Collaboration and Resistance’ at Train World in Brussels.
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- Antwerp-Berchem Railway Station up for major revamp.
- PHOTOS | AM66 ‘Klassiekje’ / ‘Classique’ Farewell Ride at Antwerp-Central Railway Station.
- Farewell to Mortsel-Deurnesteenweg.
