Belgium

In Belgium, both FIP 50 and FIP Coupons can be extensively used. The Belgian National Railway operator SNCB (Société nationale des chemins de fer belges) or NMBS (Nationale Maatschappij der Belgische Spoorwegen) is almost the sole operator of public passenger trains and can be used with FIP. Special attention should be paid to surcharges for Brussels Airport Zaventem.

Additionally, international Eurostar trains operate, which can be used at a discount with special FIP Tickets. The trains are listed as train category EST in the connection information.

Furthermore, international TGV trains of the SNCF from France operate, for which the FIP Coupon of SNCB are not valid. Only special FIP Global Fares can be booked for these trains. For the Eurocity trains from Brussels to Paris operated by OUIGO, no FIP discounts apply.

Identify Train Operators and Search Connections

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Not all trains in the country (e.g. ICE) are shown in the SNCB / NMBS online timetable.

DB Website

You can search for trains using the journey planner. In the More Information section for each train, the operator is specified. For cross-border connections, multiple operators are often involved.

(The operator information is correct in almost all cases. Outside Germany, operator details may be incorrect if train numbers are used more than once.)

To Website

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vagonWeb

On the vagonWeb website, you can search for individual train numbers. However, it is not possible to search for connections. If several trains with the same train number exist, you must select the correct route of the train. Afterwards, the Carrier is displayed. For cross-border connections, multiple operators are shown.

To Website

Belgium has an extensive and dense rail network. Unlike other countries, there is no real fare distinction between train categories in Belgium, except for international ICE, TGV, and Eurostar connections. Due to the central location of the capital Brussels, it is the hub of Belgian train traffic and is connected via 4 high-speed lines to Germany, France, and the Netherlands.

On other routes, the speed is rather average. Trains in Belgium usually run on a regular schedule and are mostly punctual. The most important cities are connected several times an hour.

Particularly noteworthy are the impressive station buildings of Liège-Guillemins and Antwerp Central.

Luxembourg

From Luxembourg, cross-border SNCB trains to Liège or Brussels can be used. In 2nd class, the FIP Ticket (Coupon or FIP 50) is sufficient for the entire route, as public transport in Luxembourg is free in 2nd class. For 1st class, an additional FIP Ticket for CFL is required.

Germany

Long-distance

From Germany, the cross-border ICE from Frankfurt, Cologne and Aachen can be used to reach Brussels. From June 2026, a weekend service between Cologne and Oostende will also be offered. ¹ From September 2026, a direct connection between Cologne and Antwerp via Brussels Airport Zaventem will be introduced. ²

For all ICE connections, a ticket for the German section to Aachen Süd(Gr) of DB as well as a ticket for the Belgian section from Aachen Süd(Gr) of SNCB or a through FIP 50 Ticket is required.

The Eurostar (formerly Thalys) can also be used from Germany to reach the SNCB network. Here, a special FIP Ticket from Eurostar is required for the entire section including within Belgium. (see Eurostar)

Regional

The S41 operated by SNCB runs between Aachen and Liège-Saint-Lambert. When using the S41, it is currently not clearly regulated whether a tariff operator change takes place at Aachen Süd(Gr).³ Therefore, it is unclear whether a DB ticket (e.g. DB FIP Coupon, national travel benefit for DB employees, or FIP 50 Ticket) is required between Aachen Hbf and Aachen Süd (Gr), or whether FIP Coupons from SNCB are accepted from Aachen Hbf onwards.

Netherlands

From the Netherlands, cross-border regional trains (including the IC) can be used; for these, an additional FIP Ticket from NS is required. Furthermore, long-distance trains (ECD and EC) operate, where an extra surcharge may apply on the Dutch section (between Rotterdam and Schiphol).

The Eurostar (formerly Thalys) can also be used from the Netherlands to reach the SNCB network. Here, a special FIP Ticket from Eurostar is required for the entire section, including within Belgium. (see Eurostar)

France

From France, SNCF operates international TGV trains from Brussels to Lyon, Marseille, Rennes, Nantes, and Strasbourg. For these, expensive FIP Global Fare tickets must be purchased. There is also an OUIGO connection from Paris to Brussels, which cannot be used with FIP.

Alternatively, Eurostar trains run from Paris to Brussels, which can also be used with FIP Global Fare tickets, and are cheaper than the TGV trains.

There are also various TER regional train connections from France to Belgium that can be used with FIP. For example, between Lille and Namur as well as between Lille and Antwerp. Normal FIP 50 Tickets as well as a combination of an FIP Coupon from SNCB and SNCF are valid on these routes.