In Belgium in July and August 2025, more than 9.5 million passengers travelled by train, almost 3% more than last year, the NMBS / SNCB reports in a press release. 

The train continues to gain popularity among leisure travellers, including during the summer holidays. Compared with the summer of 2019, the growth amounts to almost 30%. Weekend travel also rose, with 2% more passengers than in 2024 and as much as 37% more than in the summer of 2019.

The Belgian Railways earmarked leisure travel as an area of growth a while ago.

NMBS / SNCB sought to respond to this increasing demand by strengthening services to tourist destinations such as amusement and animal parks, the coast and music festivals, while also offering additional discounted fares. The company’s aim is to encourage as many people as possible to choose the train as a safe, comfortable and sustainable means of transport.

Popular summer destinations

The Belgian coast remained one of the top destinations during the summer. In July and August, more than one million passengers bought a ticket to or from one of the eight coastal stations, a quarter more than in 2019, before the coronavirus crisis.

To manage this demand, NMBS / SNCB deployed additional Coast Express trains to and from Blankenberge, De Panne (La Panne), Knokke and Ostend. 

Railway staff were supported by student workers, while Securail, the security service of NMBS / SNCB, and local police zones ensured a safe and pleasant welcome for the large numbers of travellers.

Festivals

Music festivals also proved popular, with more than 240,000 festivalgoers travelling with NMBS / SNCB this summer. At the request of organisers, additional services were laid on for around twenty festivals, including about one hundred night trains.

Bikes

An increasing number of passengers are also taking their bicycles on board. Compared with summer 2024, 13% more cycle tickets were sold. Folding bicycles do not require a ticket and can be carried free of charge.

Punctuality

Punctuality remained high during the summer months. In both July and August, trains achieved a punctuality rate of more than 93%, compared with just over 91% last year.

International travel

International train travel also continued to grow in popularity. Through NMBS / SNCB International, 1.6 million bookings were recorded for July and August, more than 6% higher than last year. Compared with the summer of 2019, the increase reached 50%.

NMBS / SNCB offers journeys to over 6,000 destinations in 14 European countries. The most popular destinations this summer were France, Germany, the United Kingdom and the Netherlands. 

Services included the new EuroCity Direct to Amsterdam, the EuroCity to Rotterdam and the OUIGO to Paris, all departing from Brussels-South.

Return to the regular timetable

On Monday 1 September, the start of the school year, NMBS / SNCB has returned to its full timetable, with more peak-hour P-trains and suburban S-trains.

Since Monday 25 August, a direct S81 service has been running throughout the day between Louvain-la-Neuve and the European Quarter in Brussels.

Since 1 September, following the completion of works on the Carsoel bridge in Uccle / Ukkel, the S5 services between Mechelen (Malines, Mechlin), Brussels-Luxembourg and Enghien (Edingen) and Geraardsbergen (Grammond), the S7 between Vilvoorde (Vilvorde), Mérode (Merode) and Halle (Hal), and the S9 between Landen, Brussels-Luxembourg and Nivelles (Nijvel) will once again run their full routes.

Region Express Network

This strengthening of the S-network represents a boost for the Brussels Regional Express Network (GEN, RER). The services provide a sustainable alternative for motorists seeking to avoid congestion into and out of the capital during roadworks at the Leonard junction.

During these works, rail passengers can park their cars at the Louvain-la-Neuve station for a reduced daily rate of €1 before continuing their journey by train. The car park offers more than 700 spaces. 

Travellers with a valid ticket automatically benefit from the reduced rate by scanning their MoBIB card or travel document.