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Specific measures for your train journey Specific measures for the main carriers
Since 5 September 2021, Thalys runs the following routes each day:
- 16 returns between Brussels and Paris, among which :
- 9 to 10 returns between Paris, Brussels and Amsterdam
- 4 returns between Paris, Brussels, Cologne and Essen/Dortmund
From 10 January 2022 to 13 February 2022, the frequency will be temporarily reduced as follows:
- Paris - Brussels - Amsterdam: 6 return trips per day
- Paris - Brussels - Germany: 2 return trips per day
- 3 additional return trips between Brussels and Paris
- 1 additional return trip between Brussels and Amsterdam
Also since 5 September 2021, Thalys provides the Premium on-board services as well and the Thalys Welcome Bar has been reopened. The Thalys lounges at Brussels-Midi and Paris Nord have been accessible again since 14 June.
Thalys will be serving Charles de Gaulle Airport and Marne-la-Vallée again as from 17 March 2022.
Wearing a face mask is mandatory on Thalys trains and since Monday 9 August 2021, it has been mandatory to be in possession of a valid EU Digital COVID Certificate to access Thalys trains. This rule applies to every journey, regardless of the destination, but also according to the rules of the country of return.
Travelling to and within France
Since 9 June 2021, the flow of travelers between France and foreign countries has been reopened according to modalities which vary according to the health situation of each country. The European COVID certificate remains in force, but due to recent developments in the health situation in Belgium, the conditions for entering France have been tightened. Travelers from 12 years of age from Belgium who cannot prove a complete vaccination schedule must present the negative result of a PCR test or an antigen test carried out less than 24 hours before departure. Note that from 12/15/2021, people aged from 65 and people vaccinated with the Janssen vaccine must have received their booster dose for their pass sanitaire (COVID certificate) to remain valid in France. Please check www.gouvernement.fr/info-coronavirus (in french) for more information about containment measures applicable in France.
Travelling to the Netherlands
Anyone travelling to the Netherlands from the age of 12 years has to show a Covid certificate (vaccination, test or recovery certificate). Please check www.rijksoverheid.nl/onderwerpen/coronavirus-covid-19 (in dutch) for more information about containment measures applicable in the Netherlands.
Travelling to Germany
Travelers from 12 years of age to Germany must be able to present an EU-Covid certificate (vaccination, recovery or test certificate). In addition, any person coming from an area considered at risk (this is the case of Belgium since 11/21/21) is required to complete the digital registration form on entry.
Commercial measures concerning Thalys tickets
Any Thalys Ticket purchased between 9 March 2021 and 31 December 2021 can be exchanged for another travel date (exchange free of charge for Standard, Comfort, Youth and Senior fares, or for a fee of €5 for Standard Mini, Comfort Mini, Youth Mini, Premium Mini and Group Mini fares). Only the possible price difference between the original ticket and the new ticket should be paid for.
Passengers whose Thalys train is cancelled can address their original point of sales for a free exchange or a full refund until 30 days after the original travel date.
Eurostar trains are currently operated as follows:
- 4 trains a day in both directions between London and Brussels (2 of them continuing to/departing from Amsterdam)
- 7 trains a day in both directions between London and Paris
Wearing a face mask on Eurostar is obligatory. Please read the information below about travelling from and to the UK.
Travelling between France and the United Kingdom
France has issued new rules for travel between France and the UK, in effect since 12/18/21. Only essential travel is now allowed between France and the UK, and a travel certificate is compulsory. Read all the information on the website of the French Ministry of Interior (in French).
Travelling to the United Kingdom.
The UK government has classified all countries within 2 categories: the "red zone" and the "rest of the world". Belgium, France and The Netherlands belong to the rest of the world, for whom travelling to the UK is still allowed, with restrictions that depend on the traveller's vaccination status.
Passengers who have stayed or transited in a country mentioned on the list of red countries within the 10 previous days are not allowed to travel to the UK with Eurostar.
If you are fully vaccinated since at least 14 days (full vaccination scheme approved by the UK), you must:
- fill in the passenger locator form less than 48 hours before your arrival in the UK. Keep the form ready at hand for control in your departure station.
- reserve and pay a PCR test before departure, which must be taken during the first 2 days after arrival in the UK (antigenic tests are no longer valid), even if you are staying less than 2 days (applies to passengers aged 5 years and more).
If you are not fully vaccinated, you must:
- fill in the passenger locator form less than 48 hours before your arrival in the UK. Keep the form ready at hand for control in your departure station.
- show a negative PCR or antigenic of less than 48 hours on departure (that meets the UK requirements, with a certificate written in English, French or Spanish)
- reserve and pay two PCR tests before departure, which must be taken on day 2 and on date 8 after arrival in the UK (antigenic tests are no longer valid), even if you are staying less than 2 days (applies to passengers aged 5 years and more).
- arrange private accommodation to complete self-isolation during 10 full days (or during your entire stay if you are staying less than 10 days).
Check full details and exemptions on the British government website >
Extended Eurostar check-in
NOTICE: due to travel restrictions linked to Covid-19 and different entry conditions for each country, Eurostar check-in times are temporarily longer than usual. Eurostar asks their passengers to arrive at the station 90 to 120 minutes before departure (45 to 60 minutes for Business Premier passengers). Depending on your departure station, the access gates are closing 30 or 45 minutes before departure (10 or 20 minutes for Business Premier passengers).
Flexible exchange of Eurostar tickets
For journeys from 2nd December 2021 until 31th January 2022:
- You can easily rearrange your trip without paying an exchange fee until planned departure date. You’ll only pay the possible difference in fare (if applicable).
TGV INOUI is operating its normal schedule between Brussels and France, except for a lighter service between Brussels and Montpellier. Catering services on board TGV INOUI hav been suspended until 23 January 2022 inclusive.
Since 09/08/21, producing a health pass (certificate of vaccination, negative PCR test or antigenic test of less than 72 hours) is compulsory on board TGV INOUI (domestic and international) and Intercités trains operated by SNCF, both on the outbound and inbound leg.
Notice: due to recent developments in the health situation in Belgium, the conditions for entering France have been tightened. Travelers from 12 years of age from Belgium who cannot prove a complete vaccination schedule must present the negative result of a PCR test or an antigen test carried out less than 24 hours before departure
Wearing a mask is mandatory on all trains and public transport in France.
Please check www.gouvernement.fr/info-coronavirus (in french) for more information about containment measures applicable in France.
TGV tickets for journeys from 9 August to 12 September 2021 can be exchanged for free or entirely refunded until the scheduled departure (in the case of an exchange, only the possible price difference between the original and the new ticket will be charged).
The IC Netherlands trains are operating a normal service between Brussels and Amsterdam / The Hague. However, the on-board catering service is temporarily suspended.
Travelling to the Netherlands
Anyone travelling to the Netherlands from the age of 12 years has to show a Covid certificate (vaccination, test or recovery certificate). Please check www.rijksoverheid.nl/onderwerpen/coronavirus-covid-19 (in dutch) for more information about containment measures applicable in the Netherlands.
Wearing a mask is mandatory on all trains and public transport in the Netherlands from the age of 13. Please read all safety measures applicable in trains and stations in the Netherlands.
Tickets purchased after 17 September 2020 are subject to the refund conditions of the selected fare. Exception: Early Bird tickets for trips up to 31 August 2021 can be exchanged free of charge. If you want to exchange your Early Bird ticket, please contact us on +32 (0)2 801 90 10 or address our ticket offices at SNCB stations with international ticket sales (when changing your tickets online, our systems will apply the normal fare conditions).Since 12 June 2021, ICE trains have resumed their normal frequence of 7 trains a day.
Travelling to Germany
Travelers from 12 years of age to Germany must be able to present an EU-Covid certificate (vaccination, recovery or test certificate). In addition, any person coming from an area considered at risk (this is the case of Belgium since 11/21/21) is required to complete the digital registration form on entry.
Specific measures on trains in Germany
As of 24/11/2021, the "3G rule" ("geimpft, genesen oder getestet", meaning "vaccinated, healed or tested") applies on trains of Deutsche Bahn (DB). This means that passengers of Deutsche Bahn trains must show the proof that they are either :
- fully vaccinated for more than 14 days
- healed since maximum 180 days
- tested negatively less than 24 hours ago
Wearing a mask is obligatory on all public transport, including ICE trains.
Please read the safety measures applicable in trains and stations in Germany (German).
Commercial measures
Tickets purchased after 13/03/20 are subject to the fare's normal travel and refund conditions. Deutsche Bahn recommends to opt for a flexible fare if you have any doubt about maintaining your trip.
Wearing a mask is mandatory on trains and all trains and public transport in France (no alternatives such as scarves or buffs allowed). Please read the safety measures applicable in regional trains and stations of northern France (French).
Travelling to and within France
Since 9 June 2021, the flow of travelers between France and foreign countries has been reopened according to modalities which vary according to the health situation of each country. The European COVID certificate remains in force, but due to recent developments in the health situation in Belgium, the conditions for entering France have been tightened. Travelers from 12 years of age from Belgium who cannot prove a complete vaccination schedule must present the negative result of a PCR test or an antigen test carried out less than 24 hours before departure. Note that from 12/15/2021, people over 65 and people vaccinated with the Janssen vaccine must have received their booster dose for their pass sanitaire (COVID certificate) to remain valid in France. Please check www.gouvernement.fr/info-coronavirus (in french) for more information about containment measures applicable in France.
Tickets for travel until 31 January 2021 are fully refundable at their original point of sale until the mentioned travel date. Tickets for travelling after 31 January 2021 are subject to the usual refund conditions of the chosen fare.
Wearing a mask is compulsory on trains operating in Luxembourg. You can use a homemade mask, bandana or scarf to protect yourself and others, throughout your trip. Please read the safety measures applicable in trains and stations of Luxembourg.
Tickets for journeys to and from Luxembourg until 31 January 2021 included can be fully reimbursed until the initially scheduled travel date via their original point of sale. Tickets for travelling after 31 January 2021 are subject to the usual refund conditions of the chosen fare.
Since 26 May 2021, Nighjet trains have resumed 3 direct overnight services a week between Brussels and Vienna.
It is obligatory to wear an FFP2 mask on board except in your cabin if you are alone or only accompanied by members of your family or "social bubble".
Before entering Austria, you must register less than 72h before you depart by means of the Pre-Travel Clearance available on www.oesterreich.gv.at.
You will also have to prevent one of the following to enter Austria:
- an evidence of vaccination
- a negative PCR test of less than 72 hours
- an evidence of recovery from previous Covid infection
If none of these can be presented, a test has to be taken immediately, or at the latest within 24 hours after arrival..
Please check www.oesterreich.gv.at for more information about containment measures in Austria.
Travelling to the Netherlands
Anyone travelling to the Netherlands from the age of 12 years has to show a Covid certificate (vaccination, test or recovery certificate). Please check www.rijksoverheid.nl/onderwerpen/coronavirus-covid-19 (in dutch) for more information about containment measures applicable in the Netherlands.
Wearing a mask is mandatory on all trains and public transport in the Netherlands. Please read all safety measures applicable in trains and stations in the Netherlands.
Tickets for travel from Belgium to Maastricht or Roosendaal (and vice versa) until 31 January 2021 are fully refundable at their original point of sale until the mentioned travel date. Tickets for travelling after 31 January 2021 are subject to the usual refund conditions of the chosen fare.
Wearing a mask is obligatory in public places and on public transports in Germany. Please read the safety measures applicable in the trains and stations of the Aachen region (German).
Travelling to Germany
Travelers from 12 years of age to Germany must be able to present an EU-Covid certificate (vaccination, recovery or test certificate). In addition, any person coming from an area considered at risk (this is the case of Belgium since 11/21/21) is required to complete the digital registration form on entry.
Tickets for travel with regional trains between Belgium and Aachen until 31 January 2021 are fully refundable at their original point of sale until the mentioned travel date. Tickets for travelling after 31 January 2021 are subject to the usual refund conditions of the chosen fare.
