Belgian tickets

[AlbertBeale]

If spending a few days in Belgium, and making a handful of rail journeys while there (mix of singles/returns, probably mostly - though not exclusively - on one route [ie Ostend-Brugge-Ghent-Brussels]), is there any type of local/regional ticket that's cheaper than just individual tickets for each journey? (Exact details of journeys won't be known in advance, if that's relevant.)

Are there day returns which are generally cheaper than two singles?

Can you break your journey on point-to-point tickets?

Are there any special deals for two people travelling together?

Are there any age-related discounts for older people?

Thanks in expectation of expert information.

 

[Alfonso]

Senior tickets...return anywhere for 7.20 sound like a bargain. Otherwise for non over 65s, weekend tickets are a good deal https://www.belgiantrain.be/en/tickets-and-railcards/overview-products/adult-senior

 

[rvdborgt]

If spending a few days in Belgium, and making a handful of rail journeys while there (mix of singles/returns, probably mostly - though not exclusively - on one route [ie Ostend-Brugge-Ghent-Brussels]), is there any type of local/regional ticket that's cheaper than just individual tickets for each journey? (Exact details of journeys won't be known in advance, if that's relevant.)

There are no real local or regional tickets.

Are there day returns which are generally cheaper than two singles?

There are weekend return tickets, which are just a bit more expensive than a single.

Can you break your journey on point-to-point tickets?

Yes you can. No formalities needed.

Are there any special deals for two people travelling together?

There are sometimes temporary promotional tickets that offer such a discount. Currently there are none.
There's also the "Standard Multi", still better known under its former name "Rail Pass", which is a 10-journey pass for currently €87. It can be used by multiple people at the same time.

Are there any age-related discounts for older people?

There's a senior ticket for 65+, a day return for €7.20.

Please have a look at the NMBS website. All information is available in English. All fares will go up considerably on February 1st.

 

[dutchflyer]

As above. Only addition: senior returns ONLY from 9.00 on mo-fr, any time satsun. And all A to B returns are only valid via most direct route, as presented by railplanner, no sideways or imaginative creative thought out routings!
And as advice: when asking such things always good to state age etc. for possible discounts. In BE there are also ample for juniors <26, but that will likely not apply here.
The special promotional offers are in practice always and only during BE school hols, summer and around Xmas-1/1. Quite often as twofers: 2 for 1.

 

[rvdborgt]

As above. Only addition: senior returns ONLY from 9.00 on mo-fr, any time satsun. And all A to B returns are only valid via most direct route, as presented by railplanner

It is not that limited. Please check the rules.
You can always use the shortest route. Alternatively, you can use an alternative route:
- with trains that get you to your destination earlier.
- with fewer changes, which may take max. 30 minutes longer.
- with trains that use the same section twice, in case changing at the station where the rail lines meet is not possible.

 

[johnnychips]

When I went recently, I used a Standard Multi at €87 for ten journeys. So evidently, if you make ten journeys, the average fare has to be more than €8.70 to be worthwhile. If arriving at Zaventem airport, you still have to pay the supplement.

 

[Jamesrob637]

I used to have a Go Pass for €45/ten journeys as a student. Was handy living in Bruxelles and having a girlfriend in Gent.

 

[Flying Snail]

The complete lack of any network/integrated/day/week type tickets is pretty poor, especially compared to the wide ranges available in Netherlands, Germany, etc.

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

It is not that limited. Please check the rules.
You can always use the shortest route. Alternatively, you can use an alternative route:
- with trains that get you to your destination earlier.
- with fewer changes, which may take max. 30 minutes longer.
- with trains that use the same section twice, in case changing at the station where the rail lines meet is not possible.

When I used these tickets, there were cross-border senior fares to Aachen and Roosendaal I think, but not elsewhere (eg Lille or Luxembourg).

 

[rvdborgt]

When I used these tickets, there were cross-border senior fares to Aachen and Roosendaal I think, but not elsewhere (eg Lille or Luxembourg).

They now also exist to Luxembourg and France but the fare structure is now such that splitting at the last Belgian station can be cheaper, especially for day trips as a senior or journeys within the validity of a domestic weekend return.

 

[AlbertBeale]

Thanks to all for your expertise/experience.

I felt sure I'd easily find out everything I wanted to know - if not more.....

PS: Does an age concession operate on other pubic transport too (ie buses/trams)?

 

[johncrossley]

Thanks to all for your expertise/experience.

I felt sure I'd easily find out everything I wanted to know - if not more.....

PS: Does an age concession operate on other pubic transport too (ie buses/trams)?

Yes, but only as a season ticket

For Brussels:

STIB-MIVB - Brussels Intercommunal Transport Company

www.stib-mivb.be

A senior season ticket will cost you 60 euros and will give you access to the STIB network for a whole year.

For Flanders:

https://www.delijn.be/en/content/vervoerbewijzen/abonnementen/omnipas-65plus/

One ticket for all your journeys by bus or tram. Are you 65 or over and do you regularly travel with De Lijn? Then there’s an affordable ticket for you: the Omnipas 65+. It gives you unlimited travel on all De Lijn buses and trams (except for Limburg express lines) in Flanders and Brussels.

How much does my Omnipas 65+ cost?​

Period of validity	Price
12 months	€ 56 + € 5 (administrative fee MOBIB)

For Wallonia:

https://www.letec.be/View/The_65%2B_subscription/247

Are you aged 65 years or above? With the annual Express 65+ subscription, travel on the entire TEC network at reduced rates (€12 a year) or even free of charge if you have BIM status.

 

[Birkonian]

Thanks to all for your expertise/experience.

I felt sure I'd easily find out everything I wanted to know - if not more.....

PS: Does an age concession operate on other pubic transport too (ie buses/trams)?

I suggest you download the SNCB app. It is in English and very easy to understand. Simply input a journey and you can check the prices. Add a credit or debit card to your account and you can buy a ticket in 30 seconds.
Ditto the De Lijn app for buses/trams in Flanders. €2.50 for a single journey, €7.50 for a day ticket. The 10 tickets for €17 option is excellent value. They are valid for 1 year. Just validate them individually while waiting at the bus stop.

 

[AlbertBeale]

I suggest you download the SNCB app. It is in English and very easy to understand. Simply input a journey and you can check the prices. Add a credit or debit card to your account and you can buy a ticket in 30 seconds.
Ditto the De Lijn app for buses/trams in Flanders. €2.50 for a single journey, €7.50 for a day ticket. The 10 tickets for €17 option is excellent value. They are valid for 1 year. Just validate them individually while waiting at the bus stop.

Thanks for the suggestions - though when travelling around I won't be carrying anything I could run an app on. And I choose not to have lots of electronic-money-related accounts with my financial information held on other people's systems.

I presume I can still buy bus/tram tickets as I go along if I want to.

 

[Birkonian]

Thanks for the suggestions - though when travelling around I won't be carrying anything I could run an app on. And I choose not to have lots of electronic-money-related accounts with my financial information held on other people's systems.

I presume I can still buy bus/tram tickets as I go along if I want to.

You can pay contactless but not cash. Only main stops have ticket machines.

 

[MarcVD]

You can pay contactless but not cash. Only main stops have ticket machines.

All stations in the country have at least one ticket machine.

 

[Birkonian]

All stations in the country have at least one ticket machine.

Yes, agreed for trains but the question was about buses and trams.

 

[ricohallo]

As for De Lijn, you can buy the 10 tickets for 17 euros at a ticket machine too. It's actually better value than the digital one, as it is valid for 3 years rather than one. It will be printed on a disposable chip card.

 

[rvdborgt]

As for De Lijn, you can buy the 10 tickets for 17 euros at a ticket machine too.

Also at railway ticket counters (in Flanders at least) and a lot of other sales points.