Belgian train tickets
Buying the cheapest train ticket in Belgium can be complicated. The ticket system does not proactively warn you that there might be cheaper alternatives, depending on your wishes and habits.[1]
Tips
[edit]- There exist paper tickets, and electronic tickets.
- A PDF ticket can be handy for an expense claim.
- Tickets can be a single voyage, two-way, or season ticket.
- In Brussels you can combine train, tram, bus, and metro.
- Most tickets are electronically available via the app, or on the website. On the website you can opt for having the ticket on the eID. Some tickets require a MOBIB card.
- It is discouraged to buy a paper ticket (on the booth).
- Never buy a ticket on the train; you will pay 9 € extra, for no added value.
- When you are travelling international, you might buy 2 separate tickets (split national and international) when you have national reduction.
- It can be difficult to find the right option on the different platforms.
Overview of type of tickets
[edit]| Journey type | Ticket | Price | Comments and requirements | Format |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Free ticket | 0 € | Blind, companion, job application, journalists, civil activities (elections) | Electronic or paper | |
| -12 | Free if accompanied | Accompanied children | ||
| -26 | Reduced price | Young people | ||
| 65+ | Elderly people | |||
| Weekend | Saturday, Sunday, Holidays | |||
| Medium distance | Normal ticket | Full price is expensive | Some reductions possible | |
| Group tickets | As of 4 passengers | |||
| Event tickets | Combined ticket | Event and train | ||
| Border ticket | Neighbouring country train stations | |||
| Season ticket | Daily, or frequent travel | |||
| Train+ | Extra reduction: frequent travelers might benefit | 40 € per year | Maximum 14 € per travel | |
| 32 € per year (65+) | Maximum 5,50 € per travel (65+) | |||
| Zaventem Airport | Brussels Airport Supplement | QR code ticket required to enter the airport | ||
| City pass | All public transports | Brussel, Gent, Antwerp | MOBIB card | |
| Net ticket | Unlimited travel | (very) expensive | 1-12 month forfait |
Sales channels
[edit]For the electronic tickets, you receive an email, or you can download a PDF version:
- Electronic
- There exist a well-working mobile NMBS/SNCB app; you need a user account and an e-mail address:
- Via the website:
- Multiple electronic payment methods
- You can register your ticket with your eID number
- You can download a PDF ticket (handy to file expense claims)
- On paper:
- buy at a dispenser, using your bank card;
- or at the ticket counter in the major train stations (discouraged).
Expense claims
[edit]When you need to claim expenses, there are multiple possibilities:
- Via the SNCB app; make a PDF extract from the e-mail (first page only; including date, journey, and price)
- Via the website: download the PDF ticket
- Make a PDF scan of your paper ticket (JPEG is discouraged)
Issues
[edit]- Sometimes Payconic payment problems; use a credit card, or PayPal as fallback (you might require your bank Digipass, OTP/2FA).
- When there are network interruptions, it might be needed to login again (the system resets your credentials). You should know your e-mail adress, and password.
- Load your ticket before boarding:
- Make sure the e-ticket is loaded after the third-party payment is completed;
- Avoid mobile network coverage problems in modern trains or rural areas;
- Do not close your app during your voyage (don't perform "Close all").
- Ticket is not timely available on your eID (replication delay): keep your e-mail confirmation on your smartphone (Google drive, One drive).
- Smartphone low battery:
- find one of the few power outlets in (modern) trains;
- set your smartphone in power save mode;
- save your ticket on your eID (but once on the app, you can't transfer the ticket);
- print your ticket.
- eID tickets are not available in the app.