More Belgians Pick International Trains For Holidays

Belgians are increasingly boarding international trains for their holidays abroad, as new figures and industry analyses point to a gradual but clear shift away from flights and long car journeys in favour of rail.

Rising rail demand in Belgium’s travel market

Recent monitoring of Belgium’s rail market shows that passenger traffic has continued to recover and grow, with increases observed in both national and international segments in 2023 compared with the previous year. While overall rail use is still below pre‑pandemic levels, publicly available data from the national regulator indicate that international passenger traffic recorded one of the strongest rebounds, suggesting that cross‑border routes are attracting more leisure travellers.

Travel industry organisations report a similar pattern on the demand side. According to coverage of figures compiled by the association of Flemish travel agents, agencies sold roughly twice as many train journeys for the peak summer months of 2024 as in the previous year, with growth largely driven by holidaymakers booking international routes. Industry observers note that this surge comes despite generally higher travel prices, indicating that a growing share of Belgians are prepared to prioritise rail for their main vacation.

European statistics also show rail gaining ground within the continent’s passenger transport mix, even though the car and the plane still dominate for long distances. Belgium remains a medium‑sized rail market in European terms, but the country’s dense network and central location between France, the Netherlands and Germany make it well placed to benefit from renewed interest in cross‑border trains, including for leisure travel.

Analysts point out that the trend is gradual rather than spectacular. Surveys of Belgian travellers still show the car and the plane as the most common modes for trips abroad, particularly to southern Europe. Yet within this overall picture, rail is consistently winning share on specific corridors where direct, fast or overnight links are available, most notably to neighbouring countries.

Climate concerns and comfort reshape holiday choices

Changing attitudes to climate and sustainability are one of the main factors behind the shift. A recent European Investment Bank survey found that nearly two thirds of Belgian respondents expect to adapt their lifestyle because of climate change, and transport habits are among the most visible areas for change. Other polling by insurers and travel companies shows that many Belgians say they are increasingly aware of the carbon footprint of flights and long car journeys.

While only a minority are currently prepared to give up flying altogether, surveys suggest that more travellers are willing to switch to rail when the alternative is practical, especially for routes of under 1,000 kilometres where journey times are competitive. Reports also indicate that Belgian holidaymakers are more likely than before to factor in extreme weather, heatwaves and wildfires when choosing destinations, which in turn reinforces interest in closer, rail‑accessible regions such as northern France, the Netherlands and western Germany.

Comfort and convenience also play a role. Passenger feedback collected in media coverage and online forums points out that international trains allow travellers to depart from city‑centre stations, avoid long security lines and baggage restrictions, and arrive directly in urban cores at the other end. Families in particular value the ability to move around on board and bring more luggage, while younger travellers are drawn by rail passes and seasonal offers that can make multi‑stop trips across Europe more affordable.

Safety considerations add another layer. Recent holiday barometer surveys show that a majority of Belgians now take geopolitical risks and security concerns into account when planning trips. Although this does not necessarily favour rail over other modes directly, it encourages some travellers to replace long‑haul destinations with closer European ones, where trains often provide a competitive and lower‑stress alternative to regional flights.

More cross‑border routes linking Belgium to Europe

The growing appeal of international train travel has coincided with an expansion of cross‑border services from Belgium. The country’s main rail operator, together with foreign partners, now offers a dense network of high‑speed and regional connections to France, the Netherlands, Germany and beyond. Existing flagship links, such as high‑speed services between Brussels and Paris or Amsterdam, continue to attract large numbers of leisure passengers heading to city breaks or onward connections to southern Europe.

At the same time, new operators are targeting the overnight and niche leisure segments. European Sleeper, a Belgian‑Dutch cooperative, has launched and progressively extended a night train linking Brussels with Amsterdam, Berlin and Prague, with plans publicised for further expansion towards Italy. The service, which runs several times a week, is marketed as a comfortable and climate‑friendly way to cross Europe while saving on hotel nights, and has quickly become a symbol of the continent’s wider night‑train revival.

These developments add to long‑standing international routes, including seasonal high‑speed trains that take Belgian travellers directly to holiday regions in southern France, as well as frequent intercity services to Cologne, Aachen and other German cities. Travel specialists note that once a direct rail link exists and is well promoted, demand from Belgian holidaymakers tends to build steadily, particularly among repeat travellers who become accustomed to train‑based itineraries.

Infrastructure managers also highlight that international passenger train‑kilometres on the Belgian network have increased, reflecting both new services and higher frequencies on some existing lines. This growth has required coordination between operators and infrastructure providers in several countries, but industry reports suggest that there is still capacity for additional services on key corridors if demand continues to strengthen.

Price pressures, promotions and the role of younger travellers

Economic conditions remain a mixed factor for international rail. High inflation and tighter household budgets have made Belgian consumers more price‑sensitive, leading some to delay major trips or opt for holidays closer to home. Surveys for summer 2024 and 2025 show a modest drop in the share of Belgians planning to travel abroad at all, largely for financial reasons. Within this constrained environment, however, competitively priced rail promotions are helping to nudge some travellers toward trains rather than planes.

Belgian rail operators and their European partners have periodically introduced discounted fares and youth products aimed at encouraging off‑peak and shoulder‑season travel. Domestic offers, such as low‑cost summer passes for young people, make it easier for travellers under 26 to reach border stations and connect with international services. Industry observers say such initiatives are particularly influential in shaping long‑term habits among students and young professionals, many of whom are consciously seeking lower‑carbon ways to see Europe.

Competitive dynamics with low‑cost airlines are complex. For certain routes, short‑haul flights still undercut train fares, especially when booked well in advance. Yet comparisons shared in consumer reporting show that, once luggage and airport transfers are factored in, night trains or high‑speed services can be price‑competitive for popular city pairs such as Brussels to Berlin or Paris, especially during peak holiday periods when airfares surge.

Travel experts caution that price alone will not determine the outcome. Reliability, clear information and booking simplicity are also decisive. As rail operators improve digital platforms and integrate ticketing across borders, they are making it easier for Belgian travellers to plan and book international journeys entirely by train, which could further reinforce the current shift in preferences.

Challenges ahead for sustaining the rail momentum

Despite the encouraging indicators, several obstacles could slow the rise of international train travel among Belgians. Capacity constraints on busy routes, limited rolling stock for night trains, and the high cost of modernising infrastructure all pose challenges. Industry analyses point out that some cross‑border services remain vulnerable to delays and disruptions, which can undermine confidence among first‑time users.

There are also questions about how far current trends can go without broader policy support. Environmental groups and some mobility experts argue that rail’s climate advantage will translate into significantly higher market share only if pricing reflects the environmental cost of different modes, for example through taxes on aviation fuel or incentives for low‑carbon travel. For now, most Belgian holidaymakers are adapting at the margins rather than radically overhauling how they travel.

Even so, the cumulative effect of new routes, targeted offers and shifting public attitudes is reshaping the choices available to Belgian travellers. For many, particularly in urban areas, it is becoming normal to at least consider the train when planning an overseas city break or regional getaway. As more people share positive experiences of travelling abroad by rail, the perception of international train journeys as slow or inconvenient is gradually being replaced by an image of comfort, climate awareness and a more relaxed start to the holidays.

Whether this momentum can be maintained will depend on the continued expansion and improvement of services in and around Belgium. If operators and policymakers succeed in addressing reliability and capacity issues, current trends suggest that an ever larger share of Belgians will be taking the train when they head abroad for their next vacation.