How will SNCB’s new range of tickets affect you?

SNCB to completely overhaul its range of tickets in autumn 2025
Some existing tickets (i.e. the Youth, Senior, Youth Multi, Local Multi and Standard Multi tickets) will no longer be offered and will be replaced by new products and discounts. These are scheduled to be rolled out on October 15 2025 and January 2026.

Some of the main changes at a glance:

With the standard per-kilometre fare, the cost of train travel remains the same as before, but long-distance journeys will be up to 20% cheaper.

For example, travelling on the train from Brussels to Ostend will cost less than before under the new fare schedule. Fixed-fare tickets, such as the Youth Ticket or Senior Ticket, will be replaced by discounted tickets (also an attractive option for short-distance journeys).

The new saver card offers sharply reduced prices during off-peak hours (weekdays from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. and from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.) and during weekends. You also get to benefit from lower maximum prices.

For example, having a saver card means you’ll never pay more than 14 euros per journey (2nd class) regardless of when you travel. Without a card, the same journey would cost 20.90 euros.

The saver card costs 6 euros a month or 48 euros a year for adults aged between 26 and 64. If you’re under 26, a senior citizen or entitled to a ‘preferential reimbursement discount’, you pay 4 euros a month or 32 euros a year.

If you’re planning a group day out for four or more people, you qualify for a 40% discount. Larger groups of 15 or more people get a 60% discount for advance bookings.
To find out how long you need to book in advance or what the other conditions are, check out the SNCB website.

Some tickets (i.e. the Youth, Senior, Large Family, Youth Multi, Local Multi and Standard Multi tickets) will no longer be offered but will be replaced by discounted tickets.

Return tickets will also be discontinued, which means you will have to buy a single ticket to and from your destination.

Check out the new fare schedule for adults (26-64 age group), young people (12-25 age group), senior citizens (65 and older) and people entitled to a ‘preferential reimbursement discount’. A few examples of what the new tickets will cost:

• Standard: long-distance journeys up to 20% cheaper
• Weekend: 30% discount on Saturdays, Sundays, public holidays and ‘bridge days’ specified by SNCB (now also for single journeys)
• Children (under 12) travel for free when accompanied by an adult (maximum of four per paying traveller)

Additional discount with the new saver card Train+

• 40% discount during off-peak hours (max.12.50 euros in 2nd class)
• Additional 40% discount during weekends (max. 8.80 euros in 2nd class)
• Maximum price: never more than 14 euros per journey (in 2nd class) during peak hours
• Cost: 6 euros (card valid for a month) or 48 euros (card valid for a year). 

• 40% discount on standard fares, including for short distances (without a  saver card)
• Discount also applies when travelling 1st class
• Children (under 12) travel for free when accompanied by an adult (maximum of four per paying traveller)

Additional discount with the new saver card Train+

• Maximum price: never more than 5.50 euros per journey (in 2nd class) regardless of when you travel
• 40% discount during off-peak hours, Saturdays, Sundays, public holidays and ‘bridge days’ specified by SNCB
• Cost: 4 euros (card valid for a month) or 32 euros (card valid for a year)

See full details of the new fares on the SNCB website.

Nothing for the time being. Some new fares and tickets will be introduced on 15 October 2025 and others in January 2026. Nothing will change either in 2025 for anyone currently holding a season ticket for work or school.

Your season ticket continues to be valid. If you still have a Youth/Local/Standard Multi ticket, you can continue using it until it expires. Please note that Multi tickets purchased on or after 1 April 2025 only remain valid for six months.

Got a question?  You should find the answer here.