RST Travel Vouchers on SNCB

[Das85]

Hi All

Sorry to ask something I'm sure has been discussed to death but not finding it that easy to locate information to my question. Even asking SNCB directly.

So I've booked FIP Eurostar to Belgium and travelling to Bruges.

I've ordered the RST International travel vouchers and wanted to ask if anyone has used them and advise how they work.

Do I have to book in advance seats and pay? If so can this be done online or on the day?

Also are these discount vouchers or free tickets? Don't fancy being stuck at the other end.

Any advice on use of these be greatly appreciated

 

[Rab Smith]

Are your vouchers for SNCB or SNCF? Two very different ways of using coupons. If travel is in Belgium with SNCB coupons, it's very easy. No compulsory reservations and valid on any SNCB train.
SNCF for France a bit different.

 

[Das85]

Are your vouchers for SNCB or SNCF? Two very different ways of using coupons. If travel is in Belgium with SNCB coupons, it's very easy. No compulsory reservations and valid on any SNCB train.
SNCF for France a bit different.

Hi Rab

The vouchers are SNCB not SNCF.

Thank you for your sensible friendly response. Compared to the second one from Phileas Fogg. Im assuming his comical advice was helpful but had already obtained as much clarification when asking alexa

 

[Rab Smith]

Belgium is a great country for coupons. Trains staff are very friendly and helpful. If you have time, I recommend a trip down to Luxembourg via Arlon. Public transport in Luxembourg city is free.
Brugge is a gorgeous city.

 

[TravellingPhil]

Our neighbouring countries, with the exception of France, are the most brilliant places to use RST Travel vouchers in. (Ireland, NI, Belgium and The Netherlands) As others have said, they are easy and flexible, partners and independents get vouchers for them and you get two allocations per year. And as already mentioned, you are then also able to reach Luxembourg from Belgium too which is a great place to visit.

Also, if you're going next year before March, get them this year and set your travel date as the 31st December because they are valid for 3 months from that date and will come out of your 2025 allocation leaving your 2026 ones intact. (Unless you've already used your 2025 ones of course)

 

[RJ]

Are your vouchers for SNCB or SNCF? Two very different ways of using coupons. If travel is in Belgium with SNCB coupons, it's very easy. No compulsory reservations and valid on any SNCB train.
SNCF for France a bit different.

Going on a slight tangent, I’ve had some France FIP coupons in the post and have been researching my journey, but only part way through getting my head around it. I will be travelling from Paris to Strasbourg on a weekday.

I’ve been looking at two trains;

The 1011 which is TGV inOui branded. I understand I can use a coupon, but also need a paid reservation before boarding.

The 1054 service is ICE branded. I know I need a reservation, but on account of it being an international service, am trying to work out if the FIP coupon covers my domestic journey, or if I need to pay a Global Fare.

This is where my research paused. The next step is making the purchases. I think I can make reservations by going to a SNCF ticket office or ringing them, but trying to get clear information on if I need to pay a Global Fare!

 

[Rab Smith]

Going on a slight tangent, I’ve had some France FIP coupons in the post and have been researching my journey, but only part way through getting my head around it. I will be travelling from Paris to Strasbourg on a weekday.

I’ve been looking at two trains;

The 1011 which is TGV inOui branded. I understand I can use a coupon, but also need a paid reservation before boarding.

The 1054 service is ICE branded. I know I need a reservation, but on account of it being an international service, am trying to work out if the FIP coupon covers my domestic journey, or if I need to pay a Global Fare.

This is where my research paused. The next step is making the purchases. I think I can make reservations by going to a SNCF ticket office or ringing them, but trying to get clear information on if I need to pay a Global Fare!

I've used the ICE from Frankfurt to Paris before with Coupons and it cost me €10 so would expect around the same from Paris back. The TGV can be booked via the SNCF helpline using the English speaking option.

Lots of information on this thread below
And a general search for FIP brings up loads of great information.

Booking FIP reservations in advance

Hello! I'm planning a journey to Paris in July, as it's been usual post-CoViD. Does anyone here know how early in advance can FIP reservations be made? I booked a flight from Barcelona to Lisbon on a Monday afternoon and I want to make sure I can reserve a spot on the Paris to Barcelona TGV...

www.railforums.co.uk

 

[Das85]

Thank you for help and advice. Seems like on arrival shouldn't be too much of a pain to use the vouchers provided and arrange once arrived

 

[Starmill]

Generally seats can't be reserved on domestic Belgian trains (usually only groups) so you show up, get on the train, and off you go.

 

[ricohallo]

Going on a slight tangent, I’ve had some France FIP coupons in the post and have been researching my journey, but only part way through getting my head around it. I will be travelling from Paris to Strasbourg on a weekday.

I’ve been looking at two trains;

The 1011 which is TGV inOui branded. I understand I can use a coupon, but also need a paid reservation before boarding.

The 1054 service is ICE branded. I know I need a reservation, but on account of it being an international service, am trying to work out if the FIP coupon covers my domestic journey, or if I need to pay a Global Fare.

This is where my research paused. The next step is making the purchases. I think I can make reservations by going to a SNCF ticket office or ringing them, but trying to get clear information on if I need to pay a Global Fare!

As far as I know the ICE is basically treated as a TGV domestically, and you'll need a domestic paid reservation if travelling from Paris to Strasbourg. It's best to inquire by ringing SNCF as the amount you have to pay depends on whether the train is classified as peak or off-peak, but it is very unclear which trains fall under which category.

 

[Rab Smith]

Generally seats can't be reserved on domestic Belgian trains (usually only groups) so you show up, get on the train, and off you go.

They are not generally busy trains. I can't remember any time I struggled to get a seat

 

[185]

From experience, SNCB is generally one of the most FIP friendly countries, reminds me of the Netherlands, staff were lovely in both countries.

 

[reb0118]

NMBS/SNCF are a breeze to use your FIP facilities with. With a free coupon just hop on & travel. Trains are generally frequent & regular. Note that Belgium has two main languages: Flemish in the North (Flanders) and French in the South (Wallonia). The announcements & displays may change at the language border.

Bruges (brooze) is the French for Brugge which is in Flanders. Other French names for Flemish towns include Anvers for Antwerpen (En. Antwerp); Gand for Gent (En. Ghent): Ypres for Ieper; Courtrai for Korkrijk, Malines for Mechelen (En. Mechlin); &c..

Conversely, there are Flemish names for Walloon towns. Bergen for Mons; Namen for Namur; Luik for Liège; Rijsel for Lille (Fr); Borgworm for Waremme; Doornijk for Tornai; &c..

Brussel/Bruxelles/Brussels/Brüssel, albeit geographically in Flanders, is officially bilingual.

Wherever possible use the local name whilst in the locality, that said it is unlikely that you will be stabbed in the throat with a goedendag (good day) for using the French form for Brugge as did happen to those unable to pronounce "schild en vriend" (shield and friend) ccorrectly in Flemish.

Brugge is a fascinating wee town. Very walkable and best seen without the hordes of tourists - if you get time do the circuit walk around the outer canal.

Two good choices for local beer include the Bourgogne des Flandres Brewery & Distillery and the Huisbrouwerij De Halve Maan with its potent Straafe Hendrik Tripel ale at about 8%.

 

[rvdborgt]

Note that Belgium has two main languages: Flemish in the North (Flanders)

You mean Dutch. I know many English speakers refer to Dutch in Belgium as "Flemish", but you should know better once you know more about Belgium.

 

[Starmill]

You mean Dutch. I know many English speakers refer to Dutch in Belgium as "Flemish", but you should know better once you know more about Belgium.

Actually many people who grew up in and have family from Flanders use the English word Flemish to describe the language variation as well as the culture, even if they would usually say Nederlands or Néerlandais when speaking Dutch or French. I think what you're getting at is the Belgian constitution's expression of the language and the government's formal language rules, rather than the everyday one. Either way, it's not a good idea to chide people like this.

 

[rvdborgt]

I think what you're getting at is the Belgian constitution's expression of the language and the government's formal language rules, rather than the everyday one.

I've lived in Flanders for several decades now and although everyday usage may have been different in the past, few people in Flanders use "Flemish" (or equivalents in other languages) for the language they speak. At least that's my experience. Some will even correct you (not just me).

Either way, it's not a good idea to chide people like this.

If it came across that way, then I apologise but I'm just trying to point out the facts.