Train travel between the Netherlands and Belgium

[UP13]

My wife and I are taking a very rare child-free trip to the low countries this week. We will be travelling from Rotterdam to Ghent on Wednesday and then will be travelling from Ghent to Brussels on Thursday to connect with the Eurostar.

Is it worth booking the tickets online in advance or is there no advantage to buying on the day?

 

[Amalie]

The Eurocity and Eurocity Direct trains have dynamic pricing and it’s highly encouraged to book it ahead of time. I’m not sure about SNCB, but NS sometimes sells cheaper train tickets if you book them ahead, although it is then coupled to that exact train. Usually though, for regional travel in Belgium or The Netherlands, buying them on the same day is fine. In The Netherlands you don’t even need to buy a ticket, just tap in and out of each station with your credit card (just like an oyster card). Do note that buying a ticket from a machine costs an additional 1€ in The Netherlands.

 

[rvdborgt]

For Rotterdam-Gent, there are Saver fares available and they go up the closer you get to the travel date. Check prices on www.b-europe.com; Eurostar will be expensive, then Eurocity Direct. If you find it too expensive, then add "via Breda" to see the usually lower fares for the EuroCity. the NS website doesn't let you do that and often hides these cheaper options.
In case the EuroCity or Eurocity Direct is cancelled, you can take the next EuroCity or Eurocity Direct, regardless of which one you originally booked.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 26 Oct 2025 ==

The Eurocity and Eurocity Direct trains have dynamic pricing and it’s highly encouraged to book it ahead of time. I’m not sure about SNCB, but NS sometimes sells cheaper train tickets if you book them ahead, although it is then coupled to that exact train.

The EC and ECD Saver tickets are only linked to a specific train on the part of the route that crosses the border. NS and NMBS are supposed to sell them for the same price but NS don't let you influence the connection search and will often hide the slightly slower and cheaper EC options.

Usually though, for regional travel in Belgium or The Netherlands, buying them on the same day is fine. In The Netherlands you don’t even need to buy a ticket, just tap in and out of each station with your credit card (just like an oyster card). Do note that buying a ticket from a machine costs an additional 1€ in The Netherlands.

Recently increased to €1.50.

 

[Amalie]

The EC and ECD Saver tickets are only linked to a specific train on the part of the route that crosses the border. NS and NMBS are supposed to sell them for the same price but NS don't let you influence the connection search and will often hide the slightly slower and cheaper EC options.

Ah apologies. In this instance I meant to say that NS also sometimes sells domestic tickets cheaper if you book them ahead of time, which are then linked to specific trains.

 

[Gaelan]

I’m not sure about SNCB, but NS sometimes sells cheaper train tickets if you book them ahead, although it is then coupled to that exact train

Domestic NS tickets are never linked to an exact train as far as I know. The “PriceTime” discounted tickets are linked to a time window of a few hours, during which you can get any train.

 

[UP13]

Thanks for the advice everybody.

Lastly, our Dutch trains reliable enough for some of the very short transfer times at Antwerp? I'm thinking whether it'll be worth getting two different trains and exploring Antwerp for an hour or two...

 

[bspahh]

Lastly, our Dutch trains reliable enough for some of the very short transfer times at Antwerp? I'm thinking whether it'll be worth getting two different trains and exploring Antwerp for an hour or two...

I would have a look around Antwerp station. There is quite a contrast between the ticket hall which is like a cathedral and the platforms which feel more like a department store.

You also might come across a flashmob

 

[rvdborgt]

Lastly, our Dutch trains reliable enough for some of the very short transfer times at Antwerp? I'm thinking whether it'll be worth getting two different trains and exploring Antwerp for an hour or two...

There are 3 trains/hour between Antwerp and Ghent, so I wouldn't be too worried about that. You're not tied to any train there, so you can stay in Antwerp as long as you want.
In Ghent, the Dampoort station is a bit closer to the centre, and it's the first station you'll arrive at.

 

[AdamWW]

The Eurocity and Eurocity Direct trains have dynamic pricing and it’s highly encouraged to book it ahead of time.

Quite a change from how it was not that long ago.

Is it fully dynamic now like the Eurostar services in that the fare on a given train is now whatever they say it is and there are no flexible tickets any more?

 

[rvdborgt]

Quite a change from how it was not that long ago.

Is it fully dynamic now like the Eurostar services in that the fare on a given train is now whatever they say it is and there are no flexible tickets any more?

There have been Saver fares for a number of years now.
There are still flexible fares on both EC and ECD services but especially on the latter that's not really cheap.

 

[AdamWW]

There have been Saver fares for a number of years now.

Unless I'm getting mixed up, a few years ago there were only two fare levels on the Amsterdam to Brussels trains - the regular fare and an Early Bird fare that was valid for any train on the chosen day (and was also refundable, I think).

 

[Amalie]

Unless I'm getting mixed up, a few years ago there were only two fare levels on the Amsterdam to Brussels trains - the regular fare and an Early Bird fare that was valid for any train on the chosen day (and was also refundable, I think).

That “any train of the day” fair is a lot more pricier now and not the “default” anymore. I miss it too. It’s nice to be able to choose to take a later or earlier train to get back for a day trip.

 

[rvdborgt]

Unless I'm getting mixed up, a few years ago there were only two fare levels on the Amsterdam to Brussels trains - the regular fare and an Early Bird fare that was valid for any train on the chosen day (and was also refundable, I think).

Ah yes, that's correct. The savers that tie you to a specific train were introduced in June 2024 IIRC.

 

[mrgreen]

It's worth registering your credit card with the Netherland's official OVpay phone app. Then when you tap in and tap out with it, the transactions are confirmed immediately on your phone, and you can check details of your journey as well as looking up train times etc. It also makes sure (before your holiday) that your credit/debit card will be one of the allowed ones.

Another advantage of using the app is that you can register as eligible for age discount (the app photographs you to see how decrepit you are!), then the discount is automatically applied on any journeys.

Tapping in with your credit card works on Dutch buses and trams as well; you tap in on the platform for Utrecht trams, but on the vehicle for Amsterdam trams and all buses.

 

[peteb]

It's worth registering your credit card with the Netherland's official OVpay phone app. Then when you tap in and tap out with it, the transactions are confirmed immediately on your phone, and you can check details of your journey as well as looking up train times etc. It also makes sure (before your holiday) that your credit/debit card will be one of the allowed ones.

Another advantage of using the app is that you can register as eligible for age discount (the app photographs you to see how decrepit you are!), then the discount is automatically applied on any journeys.

Tapping in with your credit card works on Dutch buses and trams as well; you tap in on the platform for Utrecht trams, but on the vehicle for Amsterdam trams and all buses.

I like tap in for trams in Utrecht as you do it when entering the station not the mad scrum to tap the on board machine as in eg: Lyon. What is confusing is whether you also need to tap out on leaving the mode of transport. Sometimes it seems you do eg: buses on Mallorca, sometimes not. Is there a definitive guide anywhere to tap in and out?

 

[DanielB]

Another advantage of using the app is that you can register as eligible for age discount (the app photographs you to see how decrepit you are!), then the discount is automatically applied on any journeys.

Registring your bank or credit card also has the advantage of being able to add personalised subscriptions to it, which will be introduced in many regions as of next year.

What is confusing is whether you also need to tap out on leaving the mode of transport. Sometimes it seems you do eg: buses on Mallorca, sometimes not. Is there a definitive guide anywhere to tap in and out?

In the Netherlands it's simple: you always check out when leaving the vehicle in case the vehicle has validators. When the validators are on the platform (or in the station building) you only do so when changing operator.
Trains are the main mode where you'll often be able to change without tapping out (as long as the operator is the same), furthermore this applies to the Amsterdam and Rotterdam metro, the trams in Utrecht (but not from tram to bus) and the Waterbus in the Drechtsteden region.