There are few trains running between Germany and Belgium, but the well-organized railway system in Belgium allows easy access by train to the major cities directly from Germany or with only one transfer.
Last updated: 01.06.2024
Railway border crossings between Germany and Belgium:
Aachen Hbf DB – Hergenrath SNCB
Aachen West DB – Montzen SNCB (freight only)
Walheim DB – Raeren SNCB (freight only)
Railway traffic on the border crossing Losheim (Eifel) DB – Losheimergraben SNCB was ceased in 2003. The entire line was converted to a bike path. The Ravel L45a – Bütgenbach – Losheimergraben cycle path is connected with the Vennbahn – of the longest cycling trails on disused railway tracks in Europe spanning across 3 countries from Aachen, Germany to Troisvierges, Luxembourg with a total length of 125 km.
Trains between Germany and Belgium – useful websites
Deutsche Bahn – journey planner and online shop
SNCB – journey planner and online shop
Nightjet – official website and online shop
Train travel in Germany – a comprehensive guide
Train travel in Belgium – a comprehensive guide
Trains between Germany and Belgium – promotional tickets
Deutsche Bahn offers Super saver fare for low-cost travel between Germany and the Belgium. Promotional tickets are called in German Super Sparpreis Europa. You can book tickets up to six months (180 days) before you journey until shortly before a train is due to depart. Super saver fare tickets are excluded from exchange and cancellation. You may only travel on long-distance trains (IC/EC) and on the days indicated on the ticket.
Most flexible are Saver fare promotional tickets – there is a cancellation fee. Deutsche Bahn offers also Group Saver tickets for groups of under six passengers.
If you want to travel around border regions, you can buy Euregio Ticket (description at the end of the article)
Trains from Berlin to Brussels
Currently, there are no direct daytime trains between Berlin and Brussels. Both capitals are connected by Nightjet and European Sleeper trains. Nightjet trains are operated by Deutsche Bahn in cooperation with Austrian Railways and European Sleeper train run twice a week from Prague to Brussels via Dresden, Berlin, Hannover and Amsterdam.
There are daytime trains from Berlin to Cologne, Aachen and Frankfurt am Main, where you can change train and travel directly to Brussels.
ICE and Eurostar trains between Germany and Belgium
There are daily high-quality trains from Brussels to Germany.
Deutsche Bahn in cooperation with SNCB runs Intercity Express (ICE trains) on the following routes:
Cologne – Brussels
Frankfurt am Main – Brussels
Thalys trains operated by Eurostar run between Brussels and Cologne.
Cologne and Frankfurt am Main are well-connected by train with most of major cities in Germany. From Liege or Brussels you can continue your journey to many cities and towns in Belgium.
Tickets for these trains are expensive, but there are promotional tickets, so book as soon as possible and avoid peak dates and times.
Eurostar – journey planner and online shop
Nightjet trains between Germany and Belgium
Currently, there are two Nightjet trains to Belgium:
Berlin – Brussels
Vienna – Brussels
Train from Vienna to Brussels pass through Germany. It is a good option if you start your journey in Munich.
Nightjet train from Vienna to Amsterdam stops at Cologne Hbf station. You can change train and continue your journey from Cologne to Bruxelles by ICE or Thalys/Eurostar train.
Nightjet trains are comprised of seating carriages with compartmens, couchette cars and sleeping cars. Passengers can choose between standard sleeping cars and deluxe sleeping cars with a private shower in compartment.
Ticket prices for Nightjet train start at:
seating carriage – 29.90 EUR
6-berth couchette – 49.90 EUR
4-berth couchette – 59.90 EUR
3-bed sleeping car – 89.90 EUR
2-bed sleeping car – 109.90 EUR
1-bed sleeping car – 159.90 EUR
3-bed sleeping car with shower – 99.90 EUR
2-bed sleeping car with shower – 139.90 EUR
1-bed sleeping car with shower – 189.90 EUR
In fact, available tickets are much expensive. Book well in advance for the cheapest prices.
European Sleeper train
An overnight train from Brussels to Prague via Amsterdam, Berlin and Dresden . European Sleeper train is cheaper than Nightjet trains (based-price tickets) but carriages are older and less comfortable. Train has seating carriages with compartments, couchette cars and sleeping cars.
European Sleeper – official website
Cross-border trains between Germany and Belgium
There is the only one cross-border train between Germany and Belgium.
Trains operated by SNCB run multiple times each day from Aachen to Liege. Journey time is about 75 minutes with many stops, for example in Verviers, where you can change train and continue your journey to Eupen or Spa.
Sometimes old electric multiple units run on the route, sometimes comfortable air-conditioned Belgian carriages.
Tickets are much cheaper than for ICE and Eurostar trains. I recommend Euregio Ticket for tourists – description below.
Euregio Ticket
If you want to travel by regional trains between border regions of Germany, Netherlands a Belgium there is a perfect cheap one-day ticket for unlimited travels through the Euroregion Meuse-Rhine. You can visit for example: Aachen (Germany), Maastricht (Netherlands), Liege, Verviers and Spa (Belgium).
The ticket is valid only in 2nd class.
The ticket allows you unlimited use of public transport throughout the European Region: Liège, Limbourg, Aachen and Maastricht. De Lijn has five lines running from (Belgian) Limburg to Maastricht.
Belgium: SNCB, De Lijn (except express lines), TEC Verviers and TEC Liège
Germany: DB, Aachener Verkehrsverbund and the district of Euskirchen
The Netherlands: NS and Arriva
– ticket is valid for 1 person weekdays only
– ticket valid for up to a maximum of 5 people (2 adults and 3 children under 12) Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays
Euregio-Ticket – more information and validity (SNCB)
Euregio-Ticket – more information and map of validity (NS)
