Belgium by train

Map with popular domestic routes in Belgium

View approximate train travel times between popular Belgian cities using InterCity trains:

Train station of Antwerp

Hip and happening Antwerp

Belgium’s second-largest city, Antwerp (Antwerpen), is a busy, buzzing metropolis with plenty to see and do. From unsurpassed cuisine to cutting-edge fashion to architecture and history, Antwerp is a traveler’s playground. The Cogels-Osylei, one of the most fascinating streets in Belgium (and some believe, in all of Europe), is teeming with magnificent 19th century architecture.

Waterloo

Outdoor fun throughout Belgium

Mild temperatures and varied landscapes make Belgium a great outdoor destination. The Ardennes are a nature-lover’s paradise: lush hills, flowing rivers, cycling, kayaking, skiing – the works. In Rochefort, rent bikes and cycle along unused train tracks to Houyet. And the Waterloo Battlefield, looking as it did during the famous battle back in 1815, is near Brussels. In June, there are costumed battle re-enactments.

Grand Place, Brussels

Beauty and bonbons in Brussels

One of the most vibrant squares in Europe, the Grand-Place is a 13th century market in the city center of Brussels. It blends age-old architecture with modern shops, markets and cafes. Home to the famous Atomium and Manneken Pis, the Grand-Place is steeped in history. The Chocolate Museum (Musée du Cacao et du Chocolat) must be seen to be believed. The country produces well over 150,000 tons of the sweet stuff each year.

Old town of Ghent

Get social in Ghent

Although it lies quietly in the shadow of Antwerp, Ghent (Gent) is a perfect stop between modern Antwerp and ancient Bruges – and a place where food, beer and fun have risen to an art form. Wander the 13th century streets and it won’t be long before you find the perfect environment for your taste, and friendly people with whom to share it.

The Wallon Life Museum, Liege

Oozing artistic charm

Art and history reign supreme in Liège (Luik). No visit would be complete without a trip to the Musée d’Art Réligieux et d’Art Mosan. For a peek inside the lives of Wallonia’s most famous artists (including René Magritte and Paul Delvaux), try the Musée de l’Art Wallon.

Carnival

This celebration before the Lent is all about colorful costumes, rich folklore, food, music, parades and performances. The most popular and famous event is held in Binch. You haven’t seen anything until you set eyes on the wax-masked Gilles clowns throwing oranges at passersby. 

Festival XS

Festival XS presents about 20 short plays over 3 days, ranging from 5 to 25 minutes long in Brussels. Theatre, dance, circus, object and puppet theatre come together in creative profusion. Offering artists space in which to experiment, XS is also an invitation to be daring and to innovate. By producing short works, companies are free to explore new territories and take risks. XS is a meeting place between the spectator and the performer, between different aesthetics and ideas, to discover what might happen.

Find more information here
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Logo of Meininger Hotel

Transport and accommodation deals

With a Eurail Pass valid in Belgium, you can travel by bus to neighboring countries, and get a 10% discount at the Brussels Meininger Hotel.
 

See all pass benefits for Belgium

Sign of the train station of Gent, Belgium

Quick facts

• Capital: Brussels

• Population: 11 million

• Language: Dutch (Flemish), French, German

• Currency: Euro (EUR)

• Dialing code: +32
   

Train stations in Belgium

The main hub stations in Belgium are Bruxelles Midi/Brussel Zuid, Brussel Centraal, Brussel Noord, Antwerpen Centraal, Gent Sint-Pieters and Luik Guillemins. At these train stations, it's possible to connect to trains to Belgium’s main cities and many international destinations.
 

Station facilities

Stations in Belgium usually have excellent facilities, often including:

• Luggage lockers

• Foreign exchange desks

• Restaurants and cafés

• Tourist information offices

• ATM cash machines

• Elevators and escalators

• Access for disabled passengers
   

Spelling of city names

On the Eurail train timetable and at stations you'll usually find the local spelling of Belgian cities and train stations.

Here is the local spelling of some popular Belgian cities:

• Antwerp = Antwerpen

• Bruges = Brugge

• Brussels = Brussel/Bruxelles

• Ghent = Gent

• Ostend = Oostende

There are a number of train types in Belgium ready to transport you. The Belgium network is operated by NMBS/SNCB. Use the Eurail train timetable to check times for trains in Belgium.

Regional and intercity trains in Belgium

The main rail network in Belgium is made up of the following regional trains and intercity trains:

• InterRegio trains connect regional destinations with cities like Antwerp and Brussels. You can also travel to Maastricht/Roosendaal (the Netherlands) or Luxembourg  city.

• InterCity trains link larger cities like Brussels, Antwerp and Liège. You can also travel to The Hague and Rotterdam (the Netherlands), Luxembourg city and Lille  Flandres (France).

• CityRail trains operate in the area surrounding Brussels. 

• Brussels Airport Express trains run between cities like Antwerp, Ghent, Brussels and Brussels Airport.

High-speed trains in Belgium

International high-speed trains in Belgium

These high-speed trains operate to and from Belgium:

• EuroCity trains link Brussels with Luxembourg, Strassbourg (France) and Basel (Switzerland).

• Eurostar trains operate between Brussels and London (Great Britain). 

• ICE trains connect Brussels with German cities Cologne and Frankfurt.

• Thalys trains connect Brussels with Amsterdam (the Netherlands) and Paris (France).

• TGV trains link Brussels with Paris and Marseille (France).