SNCB International | Buying International Rail Ticket

Can I buy international rail ticket with Ecocheque or Eco pass ticket?

Edenred EcoCheque and Sodexho Eco Pass Tickets are valid at our stations for the purchase of national train tickets in Belgium, but not for the purchase of international train tickets.

However, you can use your Edenred EcoCheques or Sodexo Eco Passes at Jetair Centres for the purchase of combined train + hotel abroad options.

Why do I need a card reader for paying online credit card?
To guarantee the security of your online transactions, we have opted to use 3D-Secure. In a 3D-Secure system, the issuing banks ask customers to verify their transactions.

Belgian banks generally opt for a system using your banking app or a digicode generated by a card reader. Other banks opt to send an authentication code by text, or a system requiring an answer to a "secret question".

We realise that this measure is one more step (or obstacle) when making your purchase, but this is the most secure way of guaranteeing that your credit card can only be used on our site by its legitimate holder.

Why can price for the same journey vary from one train to another?

Several rail companies (such as Thalys, Eurostar, TGV® or Deutsche Bahn) apply a yield management system, that is, a system of variable prices depending on train occupancy and how far ahead your booking is made.

The benefits of this system are twofold:

it means the rail company can optimise passenger numbers for each train throughout the day, week or year (and therefore not only during peak periods);
it means that you, the passenger, can get lower prices by travelling at less busy times or by booking as far ahead as possible.

What's the easiest way to find the lowest fares for inter city train?
If you're travelling by InterCity train between Belgium and the Netherlands, buy your tickets at least 7 days in advance: the Early Bird fare offers around 40% off for travelling from Monday to Thursday and around 20% off for travelling from Friday to Sunday (depending on the distance).

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.

Is it essential that I reserve a seat before traveling on an international train?

This depends on the type of train you intend to take.

If you're travelling on board Thalys, Eurostar, TGV®, TGV Lyria, overnight trains or trains operated by Trenitalia (Frecciarossa, Frecciargento, Frecciabianca and Intercity), you must reserve a seat on the train, but this is automatically included in your ticket free of charge.

If your booking is for an ICE or IC train operated by Deutsche Bahn, reserving a seat is optional. However, you are strongly advised to do so for long journeys. In 2nd class, a surcharge of €6 applies to each seat reserved. However, seat reservations are free of charge in 1st class if made when you purchase the ticket. Handy tip: on ICE trains, the illuminated signs above each seat indicate which places are free and which are occupied between the various stops.

In Benelux countries and on regional trains in other countries, it is not possible to reserve a seat. On these trains, the ticket alone (without a seat reservation) is enough. This ticket is generally valid all day for travel on the date indicated on your ticket (except for any time restrictions applicable to specific offers or reduced fares).