You need to know, there’s a bit of a hitch if you’re planning to go directly from Poland to Belgium by train – there aren’t any. But don’t worry, you can still get there by hopping on a train to Berlin, switching to another train in a different German city, and finally reaching Belgium. I think you’ll be excited to hear that from May 25, 2023, a night train from Berlin to Brussels has been added to the options. And once you’re in Brussels, it’s a breeze to catch a train to just about any Belgian city you fancy.
- You may also want to read: A Guide to Poland’s Rail Network – Map, Routes and Train Tickets
The First Lap – Boarding the Train to Berlin
Majority of the folks from Poland prefer taking a train to Germany via Berlin. The service is top-notch – you’ve got rapid connections from Warsaw and Gdynia to Berlin, there’s the Wawel train, even a night train, plus regional trains from places like Kostrzyn nad Odrą and Szczecin.
PKP Intercity offers a smashing Super Promo International deal for tickets to Berlin. I can tell you the best bargain ticket prices currently look something like this:
- Warsaw – Berlin EUR 24.90 (2nd class)/EUR 34.90 (1st class)
- Poznań – Berlin EUR 14.90 (2nd class)/EUR 24.90 (1st class)
- Przemyśl – Berlin – EUR 19.90 (2nd class)/EUR 34.90 (1st class)
- Kraków – Berlin – EUR 19.90 (2nd class)/EUR 34.90 (1st class)
- Katowice – Berlin – EUR 19.90 (2nd class)/EUR 34.90 (1st class)
- Gdańsk – Berlin EUR 24.90 (2nd class)/EUR 34.90 (1st class)
If you happen to be in Szczecin, Kostrzyn, Słubice or any other city in western Poland, there’s an option to travel to Berlin by regional trains at local regional asociations’ own fare rates or grab a Deutschlandticket monthly ticket for regional and public transport for EUR 49, which is set to roll out in spring 2023 (it was meant to debut in January, but got pushed back at the last minute). You can find Polregio’s deals for trips to Germany on the carrier’s website .
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Tickets can be found at www.intercity.pl , reiseankunft.bahn.de or bahn.de
The Berlin-Brussels Train Via Amsterdam
Starting from May 25, 2023, the European Sleeper carrier is all set to introduce a new route from Berlin to Brussels via Amsterdam. It’s like a nighttime magic carpet ride that makes reaching several European capitals a whole lot simpler. The train’s got it all – carriages with seats for those who want to take in the views, berths for folks who fancy a bit of a lie-down, and even sleeping carriages for those who like their creature comforts. I can tell you the timetable is pretty neat – you leave Berlin in the evening and by morning, you’re in Amsterdam or Brussels. With this route in place, heading to the Netherlands by train just became a cinch.
Here’s the cost breakdown – seated car tickets start at €49, couchette cars (that’s a 6-seat compartment) go for €79, and the cheapest sleeping car seats are a tad over 100 euros. It’s worth to say that the ticket prices depend on how busy a particular connection is, so there might be a bit of a fluctuation. Mark your calendars – ticket pre-sale kicks off on February 20, 2023.
You can nab your tickets at www.europeansleeper.eu
Getting to Belgium with Deutsche Bahn – Let’s Talk Costs
If you manage to snag promotional tickets, reaching Brussels by train won’t break the bank, unless of course, you’ve got to bunk down at a hostel en route. For instance, let’s consider a train journey from Warsaw to Brussels:
- Train ticket Warsaw – Berlin PKP Intercity: EUR 24.90
- Train ticket Berlin – Brussels: EUR 29.90
That’s a total of €54.80. Not too shabby, right?
But remember, these are the prices if you manage to get the cheapest tickets, which can be a bit of a challenge. I think if you’re buying a week in advance, you should be prepared to shell out at least 75 euros one way.
If you’re traveling by train from Poznań to Brusels, you can knock off 10 euros from your expense. Though, for a number of reasons, I’d advise against buying tickets from international websites selling train tickets to Brussels.
Now, with the launch of the Berlin-Brussels night train, everything changes. It makes getting to Belgium by train a piece of cake and you might even save on hostel expenses.
- Don’t forget about safety: Train Travel Safety in Poland and Beyond – Things To Know
Railways in Belgium
When it comes to getting around in Belgium, the railway is your main squeeze. There are oodles of connections – with trains hitting the track every 30 minutes or so between the big cities. The ticket prices are a pretty good deal when you think about how much you earn. Non-modernized passenger trains give you about the same level of comfort as Polish trains, and let me tell you, the Intercity trains are really something.
They’re fast, they’re comfy, and guess what? They cost the same as the passenger trains. For all you network ticket aficionados out there, Belgium is your playground. Thanks to short distances, handy connections and speedy tracks, you can check off several beautiful cities from your travel bucket list in a day. When it comes to exploring the country, I’ll focus on jaunts from certain cities that can serve as your home base. And remember, the railway in Belgium is a hot ticket for tourists too.
For the trains of the national carrier, you don’t need to buy seat reservations. Before you embark on your Belgian train journey, do check out the discounts and promotional offers. I’ve included some basic info in this article, but for the latest prices and offer terms, head to the carrier’s website.
1. Timetables and Prices in Belgium
Check out national timetables and prices at: www.belgiantrain.be
For international timetables and prices, www.b-europe.com is your go-to resource.
Interestingly, I discovered on the Belgian railways website that tickets bought at the ticket office can cost you a few more euros by way of commission – about 3.50 or even 7 euros.
Your furry friends are welcome aboard Belgian Railway trains, but they need their own ticket. If you’re bringing along a bicycle, the ticket prices are flat-rate, and there’s an option for a one-day ticket too.
Detailed info on transporting bicycles Detailed info on transporting pets
2. Hopping Onboard the Belgium Train from Poland
As I already explained, there’s no direct train from Poland to Belgium. In yesteryears, the EN Jan Kiepura train to Cologne and Amsterdam was a convenient choice, and from there you could switch to a train to Belgium.
The current best way to travel from Poland to Belgium by train is as follows:
- a) Head to Berlin (by bus or train)
- b) From Berlin, catch a train to Cologne
- c) From Cologne, hop on a Deutsche Bahn or Thalys train to Belgium.
The landscape changed quite a bit on May 25, 2023, when the European Sleeper carrier announced a new Berlin-Brussels route via Amsterdam. With a night train connecting several European capitals, your journey just got a lot easier. Plus, this makes heading to the Netherlands by train a piece of cake.
Tickets start from €49 for seated cars, €79 for couchette cars (that’s a 6-seater compartment), and over 100 euros for the cheapest seats in the sleeping cars. Just remember, the ticket price does hinge on the occupancy of a particular connection, so there could be some variation. Ticket pre-sale kicks off on February 20, 2023.
3. Euregio Ticket Mass Rhine
The Belgian EuregioTicket has its German cousin – the Euregio-Ticket Mass Rhein. This is a one-day network ticket that gives you the right to travel by rail, select buses and public transport in the Meuse-Rhine Euroregion. For a pretty penny, you can traverse the Belgian-German-Dutch border with Deutsche Bahn (R and RE), Dutch Railways and Belgian Railways.
Find yourself a cozy place to stay, and in one day you can tick off Belgian Liege, Dutch Maastricht, and German Aachen from your list, or even smaller towns, which are plentiful in the validity area of the aforementioned ticket.
This offer is worth looking into, as it can save you a bundle when compared to international transport ticket prices. On weekends and holidays, it’s an even sweeter deal, particularly for families with kids.
4. Thalys Trains
Thalys trains are comfy, high-speed machines that link Paris with Brussels, Amsterdam, and Cologne. They have a lot going for them, but there’s one downside. They’re not exactly a bargain. I can’t give you precise prices, because they’re based on specific connections, train occupancy, and dates, meaning they can vary quite a bit depending on your day of travel.
Thalys train travelers can benefit from several promotional offers that are friendly to the wallet. The carrier runs promotions a few times a year, which can make traveling a lot cheaper than usual. For example, in December, they offer discounts for travel in January.
There are two classes available on Thalys trains. Comfort Class 2 is similar to second class. In Comfort 1 class, you get more comfortable seats, extra space, free newspapers in various languages, and an electrical outlet at each seat. You also have the option of ordering meals in the bar car with delivery straight to your seat.
According to industry insiders, these trains will soon be phasing out.
Thalys website: www.thalys.com
5. Eurostar Trains
Eurostar trains are high-speed vessels that sail under the English Channel. They connect London with Paris, Lille, and Brussels. These are TGV trains decked out in different colors, soon to be replaced by modern Velaro trains. The journey is comfortable and quick, but not exactly cheap. Due to the intricate tariff system, I’ll just list a few sample prices. Before you travel, make sure to visit the carrier’s website to check the price for a specific connection.
On Eurostar trains, you can choose from three classes – Standard, Standard Premier, and Business Premier. Standard Premier class offers more comfortable seating, free magazines, and meals (available at a cost) served at your seat. The Business Premier class gives you a slew of additional perks, including priority check-in, newspapers and magazines, and a power socket at each seat.
Because prices can fluctuate depending on the day and the train, it’s not sensible to give specific prices. The earlier you buy, the less you pay.
Return tickets are generally cheaper than two separate one-way tickets. The prices quoted here are mostly promotional prices, so the actual cost may be significantly higher. You can buy tickets online on the carrier’s website. Remember, passengers have to go through check-in, so be sure to arrive at least 30 minutes before your train is scheduled to depart.
Website: www.eurostar.com
Making a Reservation
I strive to keep my information as up-to-date as possible, but things might change. For things like discounts or any issues with the journey, it’s best to reach out directly to the carrier or check out the many travel groups.
References:
- https://rail.cc/train/warsaw-to-brussels
- https://www.raileurope.com/en/destinations/warsaw-brussels-train
