Belgium: Up to 50% Discount on Same-day Return Train Trips

The Belgian state railway company SNCB is currently offering a Winter Promo Ticket, discounting same-day roundtrip tickets by approximately 50% until January 7, 2024 (booking & travel). The offer applies to domestic trains in Belgium for both first and second class.

However, it’s important to mention that young travellers under 26 can take advantage of the youth ticket (€7,1 per direction) or the unlimited €19 weekly pass for the duration of this sale. On weekdays after 9 in the morning, seniors over 65 can also travel for €7.8 return. For these travel groups, the discount is usually not the cheapest option (depending on the distance).

Examples

The discount is not exactly 50% as it only applies to the “non-fixed” part of the ticket price which is somewhere between €1.1 and €1.9.

These are some of the discounts available:

• Brussels – Liege: €18 instead of €33.60 (First class: €27.80 instead of €52)
• Brussels – Gent: €11.40 instead of €20.40 (First class: €17.60 instead of €31.20)
• Brussels – Brugge: €17.40 instead of €32 (First class: €26.60 instead of €49.40)
• Brussels – Antwerp: €9.60 instead of €16.80 (First class: €13.60 instead of €23.40)
• Brussels – Oostende: €20.40 instead of €38 (First class: €31.20 instead of €59)

Weekend Ticket

If you are not planning to travel to Belgium until January 7, 2024 or if you’d plan to have a weekend trip (not necessarily same-day return), there is a permanent offer. The Weekend Ticket also gives up to 50% off (except for the fixed part) for both travel classes, but only for weekends and Fridays after 19:00. In addition, the discount also applies to extended weekends and public holidays listed on SNCB’s site.

Belgium has one of the densest railway networks in Europe, ranging from the German, Dutch, Luxembourg and French borders to the coastal tram on the North Sea and concentrating around Brussels. The vast network and SNCB’s service on them allow you to navigate inside Belgium on railways very efficiently.

Bottom Line

This is a nice sale from SNCB, especially when you look at the discounted first class ticket prices. However, SNCB has a number of concurrent seasonal and permanent sales that offer similar or better savings. Luckily, SNCB will always show you the cheapest price including the youth and senior offers, so you can evaluate which offer suits your trip the best.

Cover Picture: Peer Linder