Specific measures for your train journey Specific measures for the main carriers
As a result of the Covid-19 epidemic, Thalys is adapting its capacity and reducing its train supply and will not be serving Charles de Gaulle Airport and Marne-la-Vallée until the end of 2020.
Wearing a face mask (or any alternative that covers nose and mouth) is mandatory on Thalys trains.
Paris, Rotterdam and Amsterdam in "red zone" for Belgian residents
The Belgian Federal Public Service of Foreign Affairs has declared Paris and the Dutch provinces of North Holland and South Holland as a red zone. This means that non-essential travel (tourism) from Belgium to Paris, North Holland or South Holland is strongly discouraged. Visitors travelling for non-essential reasons who enter Belgium from one of these zones, are required to remain in quarantine and have themselves tested upon arrival. Transiting via Paris is still allowed for passengers travelling to or from a green or orange zone. Please check https://diplomatie.belgium.be/en for more information.
Notice for Dutch residents
The Dutch authorities are urging persons residing in the Netherlands who have visited a region or country classified "red" or "orange" (including Belgium and France) to quarantine themselves for 10 days. More specifications about the quarantine (in Dutch).
Notice for passengers travelling to Germany
There are currently specific compulsory measures for entering Germany. The German health ministry requires that anyone traveling directly from an area defined as at risk by the Robert Koch Institute should leave their contact and travel details. This can be done through this online form.
Commercial measures concerning Thalys tickets
If your train is cancelled between 10 March and 31 December 2020, your tickets can be:
- changed at no costs for a later travel date
- entirely refunded if claimed at the latest 30 after the original travel date
If you purchased your tickets before 1 October 2020 and your train is not cancelled, but you would still want to cancel your trip, your tickets can be:
- entirely refunded if claimed at the latest 30 after the original travel date
- exchanged without the usual €15 exchange fee (if you have an exchangeable ticket at the Comfort, Standard, Kids, Senior or Youth fare). Only the possible price difference between the original and the new ticket will be charged. Non-exchangeable fares remain non-exchangeable.
Please note: if you cancel online, our system will automatically apply the normal refund conditions of your ticket, not the special refund conditions mentioned above. If the normal refund conditions of your ticket do not provide a refund, please contact us on +32 2 801 90 10 for a refund (for Standard, Comfort and Premium) due to the corona virus (for tickets purchased from SNCB).
Eurostar has revised their timetables and have been operating only a limited number of trains since 19 March.
Wearing a face mask on Eurostar is obligatory.
Travelling to the UK
From 8th August and 15th August 2020 respectively, the reintroduction of quarantine has commenced for all passengers arriving into the United Kingdom from Belgium and France. Whilst these measures are in place, when entering the UK, passengers are required to:
- provide their journey and contact details online by filling in the Public Health Passenger Locator form. They will need to show their completed form when they arrive at the UK border, either by printing a copy or showing it on their phone. They will not be able to submit the form until 48 hours before they’re due to arrive in the UK.
- Self-isolate for 14 days at the address they provided on the above form. Please note that these measures are for both UK residents and visitors. Some people are exempt from the requirement to self-isolate for 14 days but will still need to complete the form (list of exemptions).
If customers have booked Eurostar tickets on behalf of other people, they are also responsible for ensuring all members of their party are aware of these requirements and have completed the form.
What you need to know when entering the UK >
Travelling to France
Since 15 June, travellers from the European zone (European Union + Andorra, Iceland, Lichtenstein, Monaco, Norway, San Marino, Switzerland and Vatican) can enter the French territory without any restrictions related to the struggle against Covid-19, as before 18 March 2020, i.e. without any certificate or any form of quarantine upon arrival - except for airline passengers coming from Spain and travellers coming from the UK (based on reciprocity and regardless of their nationality).
Exchange of Eurostar tickets
Tickets purchased after 1 July 2020 can be exchanged for later travel until 30 April 2021 included, until 14 days before the originally scheduled travel date (subject, however, to the payment of a possible difference in price between the original and the new ticket). Tickets changed less than 14 days before the initially scheduled travel date can be changed by paying exchange costs of €40 per Standard ticket or €50 per Standard Premier ticket (on top of the possible difference in price between the original and the new ticket).
For travel between 8 September and 15 November 2020 :
- If your train is running: free exchange for a later trip (subject to payment of a possible difference in price between the original and the new ticket) or possibility to get a travel voucher (valid until 1 June 2021) until 1 day before the originally scheduled travel date.
- If your train is cancelled: free exchange or possibility to get a travel voucher (valid 12 months) until 60 days after the initially scheduled travel date.
Since 11 May, wearing a mask is mandatory on all trains and public transport in France (no alternatives such as scarves or buffs allowed). Pleas read the safety measures applicable in French trains and stations (French).
Travelling to France
Since 15 June, travellers from the European zone (European Union + Andorra, Iceland, Lichtenstein, Monaco, Norway, San Marino, Switzerland and Vatican) can enter the French territory without any restrictions related to the struggle against Covid-19, as before 18 March 2020, i.e. without any certificate or any form of quarantine upon arrival - except for airline passengers coming from Spain and travellers coming from the UK (based on reciprocity and regardless of their nationality).
Exchange of TGV tickets
If cancelled prior to travel, TGV tickets for journeys until 4 January 2021 (including possible TER connections in France) are fully refundable free of charge through their original point of sale.
Since Monday 8 June, the IC Netherlands trains have resumed their normal service between Brussels and Amsterdam / The Hague.
Safety measures in the Netherlands:
- from 1 June, wearing a mask is mandatory on all trains and public transport in the Netherlands (no alternatives such as scarves or buffs allowed).
- from 1 July, travelling with a bicycle and travelling in a group are allowed again.
Please read all safety measures applicable in trains and stations in the Netherlands.
Note for Dutch residents
The Dutch authorities are urging persons residing in the Netherlands who have visited a region or country classified red or orange (including Belgium) to quarantine themselves for 10 days. More specifications about the quarantine (in Dutch).
North Holland and South Holland in "red zone" for Belgian residents
The Belgian Federal Public Service of Foreign Affairs has declared the Dutch provinces of North Holland and South Holland as a red zone. This means that non-essential travel (tourism) from Belgium to North Holland or South Holland is strongly discouraged. Visitors travelling for non-essential reasons who enter Belgium from this zone, are required to remain in quarantine and have themselves tested upon arrival. Please check https://diplomatie.belgium.be/en for more information.
Tickets for the IC Netherlands purchased before 17 September are fully refundable at their original point of sale.
Tickets purchased from 17 September are subject to the refund conditions of the selected fare. Exception: Early Bird tickets for trips up to 31 December 2020 can be exchanged free of charge until the day before the originally scheduled departure provide the new travel date is at least 7 days in the future too. If there is a price difference between the old and the new ticket, only the difference will be due. For purchases from 1 January 2021, the normal fare conditions will apply again.
Please note: if you cancel online, our system will automatically apply the normal refund conditions of your ticket. If the fare conditions of your ticket do not provide a full refund, please contact us on +32 2 801 90 10 for a full refund following the corona virus (for tickets purchased from SNCB).
ICE trains on the Brussels-Cologne-Frankfurt connection will get back to the normal schedule from 2 August 2020.
Since Monday 11 May, wearing a mask has been compulsory on all ICE trains. Please read the safety measures applicable in trains and stations in Germany (German).
Travelling to Germany
All German Länder are taking measures to prevent the spread of the Covid-19 virus. In order to travel safely during the Covid-19 pandemic, it is recommended to respect the instructions of local authorities, the German Ministry of Health (page in German), the German Ministry of the Interior (page in German), the German police (page in German), and the Robert-Koch Institute (page in German).
There are currently specific obligatory measures for entering Germany. The German health ministry requires that anyone traveling directly from an area defined as at risk by the Robert Koch Institute should leave their contact and travel details. This can be done through this online form.
Commercial measures
- Tickets purchased before 13/03 for travel until 03/05 can be refunded entirely or can be used flexibly on any DB train on the same route until 31/10/2020 (including Sparpreis and Supersparpreis saver tickets, which are usually limited to the train mentioned on the ticket).
- For tickets purchased before 13/03 for travel after 03/05, the regular refund conditions will apply. However, these tickets can be used flexibly on any DB train on the same route until 31/10/2020 (including Sparpreis and Supersparpreis saver tickets, which are usually limited to the train mentioned on the ticket).
- Tickets purchased as from 13/03 are subject to the fare's normal travel and refund conditions.
Please note: if you cancel online, our system will automatically apply the normal refund conditions of your ticket. If the fare conditions of your ticket do not provide a full refund, please contact us on +32 2 801 90 10 for a full refund following the corona virus (for tickets purchased from SNCB).
Wearing a mask will be 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).
Tickets for travel until 31 October 2020 are fully refundable at their original point of sale until the mentioned travel date.
Adapted train offer between Belgium and Luxembourg. Please consult the real time timetable via the SNCB app or via the SNCB route planner.
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 October 2020 included can be fully reimbursed until the initially scheduled travel date via their original point of sale.
Assistance for people with reduced mobility on the Luxembourg network has been suspended by CFL for the duration of the pandemia in Luxembourg. It is therefore no longer possible to book assistance for travel to or from Luxembourg.
ÖBB Nightjet hs resumed a normal service since 29 June 2020, and the normal fare conditions are applicable.
Tickets to/from Vienna purchased until 16 September 2020, however, can be entirely refunded.
Please note: if you cancel online, our system will automatically apply the normal refund conditions of your ticket. If the fare conditions of your ticket do not provide a full refund, please contact us on +32 2 801 90 10 for a full refund following the corona virus (for tickets purchased from SNCB).
Please read the safety measures applicable in trains and stations of Austria.
The S43 trains on the Hasselt-Liège-Maastricht connection will be operating between again between Visé and Maastricht as from Monday 11 May.
Please consult the real time timetable via the SNCB app or via the SNCB route planner.
Safety measures in the Netherlands:
- from 1 June, wearing a mask is mandatory on all trains and public transport in the Netherlands (no alternatives such as scarves or buffs allowed).
- from 1 July, travelling with a bicycle and travelling in a group are allowed again.
Please read all safety measures applicable in trains and stations in the Netherlands.
Note for Dutch residents
The Dutch authorities are urging persons residing in the Netherlands who have visited a region or country classified red or orange (including Belgium) to quarantine themselves for 10 days. More specifications about the quarantine (in Dutch).
Please consult the real time timetable via the SNCB app or via the SNCB route planner.
From Monday April 27, wearing a mask is compulsory on regional trains to and from Aachen. You can use a homemade mask, bandana or scarf (covering nose and mouth) to protect yourself and others, throughout your trip. Please read the safety measures applicable in the trains and stations of the Aachen region (German).
Notice for passengers travelling to Germany
There are currently specific obligatory measures for entering Germany. The German health ministry requires that anyone traveling directly from an area defined as at risk by the Robert Koch Institute should leave their contact and travel details. This can be done through this online form.
