Traffic disruptions, engineering works and service alterationsTraffic disruptions and service alterations

SNCB is closely monitoring the situation regarding the spread of Covid-19 in Belgium and in Europe, and has been in permanent contact with the FPS Public Health since the beginning of the outbreak.

Regularly check our updates of the measures taken by the main rail carriers in relation with the coronavirus.

Please notice: for most of the rail carriers, the regular fare conditions will apply. Carefully check each fare's exchange or refund conditions.

Due to planned engineering works on the Dutch rail network on Saturday 10 and Sunday 11 July 2021, InterCity services connecting Brussels with Amsterdam will terminate at Breda. 

Passengers to Rotterdam, The Hague, Schiphol-Airport and Amsterdam can change trains in Breda and make use of other NS (Dutch railway) operated trains from Breda. This applies in the opposite direction as well, for travelling from the Netherlands to Belgium.

Adapted timetables will be available in the international rail planners later on. Please check the schedules for your journey a few days before travel.

Due to planned engineering works near The Hague, InterCity services connecting Brussels with The Netherlands will not be serving The Hague on Saturday 17 and Sunday 18 July 2021. The trains that usually serve The Hague will depart and terminate at Amsterdam Central (without calling at The Hague but with an intermediate stop at Schiphol Airport). 

Adapted timetables will be available in the international rail planners later on. Please check the schedules for your journey a few days before travel.

Since July 2017, security checks for passengers travelling on high-speed trains (Thalys, TGV or ICE) have been introduced in the train stations of Brussels-Midi, Antwerp-Central and Liège-Guillemins. Part of a series of measures implemented by the government, these checks are non-systematic and non-permanent and are carried out by authorised security personnel.

Taking into account that you may be subject to the above mentioned security checks, we ask that Thalys, TGV and ICE travellers anticipate a safe time margin and make their way to the platform sufficiently on time.

Travellers are also reminded that they must not be in possession of items that could endanger their fellow passengers.

Feel free to contact us for further information about your journey.

• How early should I get to the station before my train departs? >
• What's the difference between the security checks for Thalys, TGV and ICE passengers and the Eurostar security control? >

• A negative PCR test of max. 72 hours will be required before embarking for all travellers aged 11 years and more entering the UK (including British citizens and residents) from outside the common travel area (UK, Jersey, Guernsey, the Isle of Man, and Ireland). Test result must be in either English, French or Spanish. Translations will not be accepted, and you must provide the original test result certificate. Please check the website of the British government for the full regulations about these tests.
• To protect your health and others’, everyone must complete an online Public Health Passenger Locator form before arrival in the United Kingdom.
• All travellers must self-isolate for 10 days on arrival in the UK unless they are exempted. If you have traveled to a country on the red list established by the British government in the last 10 days, your quarantine period must be done in one of the quarantine hotels provided for this purpose by the British authorities. Your hotel must be reserved before your departure. Please see the UK government site for more info on quarantine. Please check the list of exempted countries before travelling, as well as the list of work related exemptions if you travel for professional reasons.
• All travelers are required to be re-tested on days 2 and 8 of their quarantine. These tests must be booked before your departure. Please read more information about the quarantine and tests.
• Self-isolated travellers can shorten their isolation period by means of the Test to Release programme.
• It is a legal requirement that you wear a face covering on public transport in the UK.

IMPORTANT – passengers are required to enter the booking reference for their day 2 and 8 quarantine COVID tests on their Passenger Locator Form. Passengers must ensure that they enter the testing INVOICE number. This 7-digit number is issued in a second and separate email after the booking confirmation. Unfortunately, Passenger Locator Forms will not be accepted by the UK authorities without the invoice number and passengers will not be able to travel.

Failure to comply with the above measures is a criminal offence and you could be fined. If you have booked Eurostar tickets on behalf of other people, you are also responsible for ensuring all members of their party are aware of these requirements and have completed the form.

Extended Eurostar check-in

NOTICE: due to travel restrictions linked to Covid-19 and different entry conditions for each country, Eurostar check-in times are temporarily longer than usual. Eurostar asks their passengers to arrive at the station 90 to 120 minutes before departure (45 to 60 minutes for Business Premier passengers). Depending on your departure station, the access gates are closing 30 or 45 minutes before departure (10 or 20 minutes for Business Premier passengers).

What you need to know when entering the UK >