Under the name Pride Express, a train is chartered to bring pride-goers from Ghent, Brussels and Antwerp in Belgium to Amsterdam in the Netherlands for Pride Amsterdam and its Canal Parade on Saturday 2 August 2025.
“Hop on board the Pride Express on August 2, 2025: a party train to the Amsterdam Canal Parade. Departing from Ghent, Brussels or Antwerp, you’ll ride to Amsterdam in a train packed with beats, glitter and good vibes. It’s a moving celebration with a DJ, bar, lounge compartments and an open, welcoming atmosphere. In the evening, we’ll bring you safely back home. No stress, just joy”, the website says.
Bar on bord: drinks, vibes and glitter
“Cocktails, mocktails, beer or soft drinks, our Pride Express Bar has got it all. Order your favorites from our cheerful bar crew and soak up the vibrant Pride atmosphere. Toast with friends, or make some new ones along the way. Cheers to Pride.”
If we can believe the images shown on the website, this looks like NMBS / SNCB‘s SR-3 disco/ bar car.
You may bring your own food. Alcohol must be purchased at the onboard bar, bringing your own alcohol is not allowed.
Dance on wheels: your rolling club between the cities
“Our DJ will keep the beats flowing nonstop as you dance your way across borders in this vibrant, moving club. With stunning lights and an open-minded vibe, it’s the perfect spot to let loose, connect, and shift into Pride mode. Here, the party starts before you even arrive.”
Relax, connect and recharge: comfy seats and chill vibes
“Need a break from the buzz? Our lounge is the perfect spot to chill, chat, or catch up on your socials. Looking for a bit more privacy? Rent your own private lounge area for six and enjoy the ride in style.”
If we can believe the images shown on the website, this looks like NMBS / SNCB I6 first class coaches.
How to get home?
Organiser Jurgen Dedeckere tells Trip By Trip he felt out place going to and from Utrecht Pride last year. “I was wearing too short shorts, I was holding a drink and I felt awkward”, he says.
Also, his options were to return to Belgium at 9PM or book a hotel room. The same issue arises for Pride Amsterdam. And we all know hotel rates in the Dutch capital are crazy.
Convinced there must be other ways, he looked out for options. He contacted Train Charter Services, who service Belgium and the Netherlands for European Sleeper, who found rolling stock for Jurgen. There will be a bar car, a disco car, ‘lounge’ coaches which will indeed be I6 coaches and regular coaches.
The train will not stop at intermediate stations in the Netherlands. “I work with a flat rate. Also, there’s quite good domestic offering. And for a first edition, I didn’t want to have to advertise on two markets”, Jurgen says.
“First I wanted a train from Brussels and Antwerp to Amsterdam, but as the rolling stock is stocked in Ostend and has to pass Ghent anyway, why not include Ghent as a stop?”.
300
Jurgen has capped the number of passengers to 300. “Higher than that would require finding another bar car.”
Tickets are already on sale. The train will absolutely ride when 150 are sold.
Midnight
The return trip will be around midnight. It’s too early to pinpoint an exact departure time.
Afterparty
Jurgen is talking to one of the partners, Café Den Draak, and others to organise afterparties in Antwerp and Brussels. “So you don’t necessarily have to go home and sleep when you return all stoked from pride in Amsterdam.”
Are you interested? Go to the Pride Express website in Dutch, French and English.
The latest on LGBTQIA+ events such as prides in Belgium
- BRUSSELS PRIDE 2025 | Saturday 17 May Pride March parade starts at Mont des Arts / Kunstberg at 2:30 PM.
- Leuven Pride 2025 on Saturday 27 September.
- ANTWERP PRIDE 2025 THEME | Do Not Just March.
- Darklands organiser calls out unnecessary rules other events aren’t subjected to.
- Queer March Ghent 2025 from 1 to 31 March.
- Limburg Pride composes anthem for first edition.
- BRUSSELS | International collective launches Pride Museum, seeks location.
- Belgium to host Eurovision Song Contest 2026? But in which city?.
- PinX LGBTQIA+ Film Festival in Ghent and in Antwerp from 29 January to 2 February 2025.
- Antwerp Queer Arts Festival broadens horizon to Bruges and Leuven.
- ANTWERP 2025-2030 | City government agreement supports bid for EuroGames in Antwerp in 2028.
- Liège Pride 2025 on Friday 22, Saturday 23 and Sunday 24 August.
- CHARLEROI PRIDE | Three days of inclusivity and festivities.
- Antwerp Queer Arts Festival from 3 to 31 August 2024: programme.
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