Did you book your train tickets at SNCB International, either online, through our app or via our contact centre? With MyTrain, you can find all your booking details, such as departure times or seat numbers, very easily.
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Complementing the high-speed train offer, InterCity trains tak you from any Belgian station to around 400 destinations in The Netherlands at high frequency. Easily book your InterCity train tickets between Belgium, the Netherlands, France and Luxembourg from SNCB International.
There's no seat reservation on our InterCity trains. This is why you won't find a carriage or seat number on your ticket, as you are free to choose a seat on board the train in the travel class indicated on your ticket (1st or 2nd class).
With your InterCity train ticket you can get on and off when you want along the route you have booked. You can also choose between direct connections or a journey with one or several changes. You can also use as many IC or local trains as you wish.
As a bonus, travelling on board of InterCity also gives you the right to interrupt your journey should you want to. If you're travelling from Brussels to Amsterdam with a Flex ticket, for instance, you may get off at Antwerp or Rotterdam and spend a few hours there before continuing your trip to Amsterdam (using the same train ticket).
Exception: if you travel on the InterCity Netherlands train (Brussels and Amsterdam via Breda) with a cheaper Early Bird ticket, your ticket is only valid at the time selected at the time of your purchase and on the specific train mentioned on your ticket.
Please note the following conditions:
Note: If you take a train that requires payment of a mandatory surcharge or a reservation (for example, Thalys) for all or part of your journey, you must pay this surcharge in addition to your ticket. Please check which type of train you are taking when you consult the timetable for your journey.
In addition the the Benelux, InterCity trains run in other European countries as well, offering their own services and fares. Some examples:
There are also InterCity trains which run across the European borders - often under the name of EuroCity. Some examples:
All these are available through SNCB International, via the Contact Centre, in 28 Belgian stations and in travel agencies approved by SNCB International.
You can take your bike on most trains. But conditions vary from one rail company to another:
Eurostar
On the Paris-London route, normal bicycles can be transported through Eurostar's baggage check-in service if they are unclipped and packed, and if booked in advance via travelservices@eurostar.com. Until further notice, this service is not available in Brussels and Lille.
TGV INOUI
Folding bikes and bikes in a cover measuring a max. of 120 x 90 cm (front wheel unclipped) can be taken on the train free of charge, provided they are placed in the space reserved for luggage. This space can be found at the end of the carriages. Due to limited space, bikes which are not folded up or have not had their front wheel unclipped are not allowed on board TGV.
All luggage (including bikes) that you place in luggage compartments must carry a label with your name and seat number. Labels are available free of charge at your station of departure.
ICE
Folding bikes can be taken free of charge as luggage on ICE trains. However, due to limited space, non-folding bikes (even with front wheel unclipped) are not allowed on the ICE Brussels-Cologne-Frankfurt. To travel with your bike to Germany, take regional or InterCity trains instead, on which bikes are allowed.
Conventional InterCity and regional trains
On most InterCity and regional trains, you can take your bike (or tandem, tricycle or bicycle with a trailer) if you purchase a special bike ticket, available online, at our Contact Centre or at ticket offices of stations with international ticket sales.
Destination | Fare departing from Belgium |
The Netherlands (via Roosendaal or Maastricht) | €4 |
The Netherlands* (via Breda) | €12 |
Aachen | €4 |
Luxembourg | €4 |
Lille, Roubaix, Tourcoing, Maubeuge, Aulnoye | €4 |
As the number of spaces is limited, we recommend you travel at off-peak times. Loading and unloading bikes are the passenger's responsibility.
* For security reasons, the number of bicycles admitted on IC Netherlands (Brussels-Amsterdam) is limited to 4.
Nightjet
Taking your bicycle on Nightjet is only allowed on the trains equipped with a dedicated carriage for luggage and bicycles, with a compulsory reservation for a fixed price of €12 per bicycle each way. Such a carriage is available on the following connections:
Taking your bicycle on the direct Brussels-Vienna connection is not allowed.
However, you can take a foldable bike with you as free hand luggage if it's folded and packed in a format that makes it possible to store it above your seat or in the luggage racks of couchette or seater compartments.
For security reasons, it is not allowed to remove the pedals and/or turn the steering rod, nor to leave your bicycle in the corridor or near the entrance doors of the train.
On most trains, you can take your pet with you. But rules vary from one rail carrier to another:
"conventional" daytime trains (e.g. Intercity or regional trains) to/from Belgium
ICE and other trains operated by Deutsche Bahn
Eurostar between Belgium, France, Germany and the Netherlands
Exception: animals are not allowed on board Eurostar Snow and Eurostar Sun.
Eurostar to/from London
Animals are not allowed on board Eurostar trains to/from the United Kingdom. Only guide dogs accompanying a blind passenger are authorised under strict conditions. They must have:
A special free ticket is issued for the transportation of a guide dog accompanying a blind passenger.
TGV INOUI
Overnight trains
NS International - Regus Express lounges, situated at Amsterdam Central, Rotterdam Central and Schiphol stations are pleasant relaxing spaces, where you can relax or work whilst waiting for your train. They offer a Wi-Fi connection and meeting rooms.
These lounges can be used by:
Generally speaking and unlike most high-speed trains, InterCity and regional trains in Belgium, Luxembourg and the Netherlands do not require a reservation. For these trains, when choosing a Flex/Standard ticket, you get an open ticket, valid on any train (at any time of the day) on the date and route mentioned on your ticket. Great flexibility!
Exception: if you travel with a cheaper Early Bird ticket on the InterCity Netherlands train (Brussels and Amsterdam via Breda), your ticket is only valid at the time and on the specific train selected at the time of your purchase.
Similarly, on IC and ICE trains run by Deutsche Bahn, seat reservation is optional. Consequently, most tickets for journeys in Germany do not necessarily show the time either. Remember though, that the Supersparpreis, Supersparpreis Europa and Sparpreis Europa economy fares do require you to use the specific train you chose when buying your ticket. In this case, the train number and time of departure are shown on your ticket.
If you're travelling with the InterCity train between Belgium and the Netherlands (via Breda), buy your tickets in advance! Early Bird tickets are available in limited quantities and are only available for journeys outside of peak hours at the time and on the specific train selected at the time of your purchase. Enjoy 25% or 40% off purchases made respectively at least 3 or 5 days prior to departure.
If you're travelling between Belgium and Luxembourg, however, it may be cheaper to travel in the weekend: the Weekend fare offers 30% off your return journey from Friday to Sunday. And if you're younger than 26, the Youth fare will offer 30% off for travelling any day of the week.
If you're travelling between Belgium and Northern France with InterCity and TER Hauts-de-France trains, go for a return trip between Friday morning and Sunday evening: with the Weekend fare, you get 40% off. This Weekend fare applies to journeys to and from: Abbeville, Amiens, Annappes, Arras, Ascq, Aulnoye Aymeries, Baisieux, Béthune, Boulogne Ville, Calais Ville, Chantilly Gouvieux, Compiègne, Croix l'Allumette, Croix Wasquehal, Douai, Dunkerque, Etaples Le Touquet, Hellemmes, Le Cateau, Lens, Lezennes, Lille Flandres, Maubeuge, Noyon, Paris Nord (via Maubeuge/Aulnoye), Pont de Bois, Pont Ste Maxence, Roubaix, St Quentin (Aisne), Tourcoing, Valenciennes.
If you're younger than 26, there's a Youth fare for travelling between Belgium and the same destinations in Northern France. This Youth fare offers 30% off and is valid anytime.
For this type of train, there are no restrictions on the various fares. So you don't need to book ahead to get the best prices.
International season tickets are only available on the Brussels-Lille service (rail passes valid on TGV INOUI and Eurostar).
If you regularly take the same journey between Belgium, France, Germany and the Netherlands with Eurostar, remember that Eurostar offers a Premium Pass and Frequent Pass, which means you benefit from cheaper flexible fares. Check the Eurostar website for more information about the Premium and Frequent Passes.
And lastly, as part of our national service, there are various types of seasonal tickets that are valid until the border (as well as specific season tickets to the neighbouring cities of Aachen, Maastricht, Roosendaal, Lille, Luxembourg and Maubeuge). They can be combined with a rail pass from another rail company to continue your journey in one of our neighbouring countries.
More information about NS railcards from the border to your destination in the Netherlands >