SNCB (Belgian National Railways)
Belgium's national railway operator running one of Europe's densest rail networks, connecting all major Belgian cities with frequent InterCity services and cross-border trains to 5 neighbouring countries
200 km/h
Not available
Free assistance at 174 stations (24h advance booking), new M7 accessible coaches with sliding ramps, guide dogs travel free
Netherlands, Luxembourg, France, Germany — cross-border conventional trains + hub for Eurostar, TGV INOUI, ICE
About SNCB
SNCB (Societe Nationale des Chemins de fer Belges), also known as NMBS in Dutch, is Belgium's national rail operator carrying 245 million passengers annually across one of Europe's densest railway networks. The network spans approximately 3,500 kilometres of track, connecting every major Belgian city with frequent InterCity services running at least hourly on main routes.
Belgium's compact geography makes the train the ideal way to travel between cities. Brussels to Antwerp takes just 35 minutes, Brussels to Bruges around one hour, and Brussels to Liege approximately one hour. With no seat reservation required on any domestic service, passengers simply buy a ticket and board the next available train — making Belgian rail travel remarkably flexible.
SNCB also serves as Belgium's gateway to international rail travel. Brussels-Midi station is a major European hub where passengers can connect to Eurostar services to London, Paris, and Amsterdam, TGV INOUI trains to French cities, ICE services to Cologne and Frankfurt, and Nightjet sleeper trains to Vienna. SNCB International (b-europe.com) handles bookings for all these international services.
SNCB Fleet
M7 InterCity (Double-Deck)
Up to 200 km/h
SNCB's newest and most common InterCity rolling stock. These modern double-deck coaches built by Bombardier and Alstom feature air conditioning, power sockets at every seating bay, LED lighting, higher ceilings, increased legroom, and real-time information screens. First class is located on the upper deck. Wheelchair accessible coaches with automatic sliding ramps for independent boarding.
Key features: Modern double-deck with power sockets, LED lighting, and accessible sliding ramps
I11 InterCity (Single-Deck)
Up to 200 km/h
Single-deck coaches used primarily on the east-west IC-01 line from Eupen to Oostende via Brussels, and on EuroCity services between Brussels and Rotterdam. These coaches offer a comfortable ride with air conditioning and first class (2+1 seating) and second class (2+2 seating). Power sockets available only at the end bays.
Key features: Single-deck InterCity with low noise levels, used on Brussels–Rotterdam EuroCity
AM08 Desiro ML
Up to 160 km/h
Modern 3-coach electric multiple units built by Siemens, with 305 trains forming the backbone of SNCB's suburban S-train and regional services. These low-floor trains feature air conditioning and are fully accessible for passengers with reduced mobility. Bicycle compartments available.
Key features: Low-floor accessible EMU for S-train and regional services, 305-unit fleet
AM96
Up to 160 km/h
Three-coach electric multiple units with a distinctive rubber-front design allowing passage between coupled units. Air-conditioned and used primarily on InterCity connections. These versatile trains can operate on both Belgium's 3kV DC network and the 25kV AC cross-border lines to France and Luxembourg.
Key features: Dual voltage (domestic + cross-border), walk-through gangway between coupled units
Travel Classes
1st Class
More spacious seating with extra legroom, available on all SNCB train types. On M7 double-deck coaches, first class is exclusively on the upper deck, identifiable by a yellow band on the exterior.
- ✓Spacious seating with extra legroom
- ✓Upper deck on M7 coaches (scenic views)
- ✓Yellow band on exterior identifies 1st class
- ✓Power sockets on M7 coaches
- ✓Quieter carriages
2nd Class
Standard comfortable seating available throughout the train. On M7 coaches, second class is on both the lower and upper decks with modern amenities including power sockets and information screens.
- ✓Comfortable seating on all train types
- ✓Lower and upper decks on M7 coaches
- ✓Power sockets on M7 coaches
- ✓Real-time information screens on M7
- ✓Bicycle compartment access
Popular SNCB Routes on EuroTrain
Luggage Policy
No specific weight or dimension limits for personal luggage. Store in overhead racks, under seats, or between seats. Must not exceed intended storage space or block corridors.
- •No specific weight or dimension limits for personal luggage
- •Store luggage in overhead racks, under seats, or between seats
- •Must not exceed intended storage space or block corridors
- •No luggage delivery service (third-party Wibag service at Brussels-Midi)
- •Folding bikes count as luggage and travel free
Non-folding bikes require a Bike Supplement: €3 per journey off-peak, €5 during weekday peak hours. Folding bikes travel free — fold before boarding and place under your seat. Designated bicycle spaces are limited; ask the train conductor. No bike loading at Brussels Central, Brussels Congress, or Brussels Kapellekerk.
Source: Carrier website
Booking Tips
No Reservation Needed
No seat reservation is needed or available on SNCB domestic trains — simply buy a ticket and board any departure on your route.
Tickets Available Online and via App
Tickets are available at belgiantrain.be or via the SNCB app. You can show your ticket as a PDF on your phone.
Take Advantage of Discount Passes
Belgium offers excellent value travel passes: Weekend Ticket (50% off return journeys), Go Pass (youth under 26), and Senior Ticket (age 65+).
Book International Trains Separately
For international journeys via Eurostar, TGV INOUI, or ICE, see SNCB International at b-europe.com or search on EuroTrain for schedules and fares.
Check Your Train Type for Amenities
Check which train type serves your departure via the belgiantrain.be journey planner — it shows the exact rolling stock so you know if power sockets are available.
Frequently Asked Questions about SNCB
SNCB does not currently offer WiFi on board its trains. However, free WiFi is available at 27 major stations across Belgium when you log in with a My SNCB account. Stations with WiFi include Brussels-Midi, Brussels-Central, Antwerp-Central, Bruges, Ghent-Sint-Pieters, and Liege-Guillemins.
No. Seat reservation is not available on SNCB domestic services. Your ticket is valid on any departure on the route shown, so you can simply board the next available train. This makes Belgian rail travel very flexible.
It depends on the train type. The newest M7 double-deck coaches have power sockets at every seating bay. Older M6 double-deck coaches have no sockets. I11 single-deck coaches have sockets only at the end bays. Check which train type serves your departure via the belgiantrain.be journey planner.
Yes. Non-folding bikes require a Bike Supplement costing €3 per journey during off-peak hours or €5 during weekday peak hours. Folding bikes always travel free when folded and placed under your seat. Bike spaces are limited, so ask the conductor. No bike loading is permitted at Brussels Central, Congress, or Kapellekerk stations.
First class offers more spacious seating with extra legroom. On the M7 double-deck coaches, first class is exclusively on the upper deck, identified by a yellow band on the exterior. Both classes have air conditioning on modern trains and power sockets on M7 coaches.
Children under 6 travel free when accompanied by an adult. Children aged 6-11 can travel at reduced fares. Youth under 26 can use the Go Pass for discounted travel across Belgium.
SNCB offers free assistance at 174 stations. Book at least 24 hours in advance via the SNCB Assist app, online through My SNCB, or by calling +32 2 607 30 00. Arrive at the meeting point 20 minutes before departure. SNCB is rolling out new M7 accessible coaches with automatic sliding ramps for independent boarding.
Yes. With a standard Belgian train ticket, you can stop at any station on the direct route, as long as you complete the journey on the same day.
Brussels-Midi is a major European rail hub. Eurostar serves Paris (1h22), London (2h), and Amsterdam (1h50). ICE serves Cologne (1h50) and Frankfurt (3h). TGV INOUI serves 25+ French cities. Nightjet sleeper trains serve Vienna and Innsbruck. SNCB also runs conventional cross-border trains to Lille, Luxembourg, Aachen, Maastricht, and Roosendaal.
SNCB offers delay compensation for domestic journeys. You can request a delay certificate online or at the station. For international trains booked through SNCB International, different compensation rules apply depending on the operator.
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