Covid: stay safe while travelling abroad

Thalys has been operating 95% of its normal train offer again since 1 April 2022.

Thalys provides the Premium on-board services and the Thalys Welcome Bar and the The Thalys lounges at Brussels-Midi and Paris Nord are accessible.

Since 16/05/22, wearing a mask on board Thalys is only compulsory between Brussels and Germany (from 12 years old).

Travelling to France

For travellers who have been vaccinated (according to European regulations), no test is required at departure. Proof of a complete vaccination schedule is sufficient to arrive in France, regardless of the country of origin. Non-vaccinated travellers must still present a negative test to travel to France.

Please check www.gouvernement.fr/info-coronavirus (in french) for more information about containment measures applicable in France.

Travelling to the Netherlands

Please check www.rijksoverheid.nl/onderwerpen/coronavirus-covid-19 (in dutch) for more information about containment measures applicable in the Netherlands.

Travelling to Germany

Travelers from 12 years of age to Germany must be able to present an EU-Covid certificate (vaccination, recovery or test certificate).

Commercial measures concerning Thalys tickets

Any Thalys Ticket purchased between 9 March 2021 and 27 June 2022 can be exchanged for another travel date (exchange free of charge for Standard, Comfort, Youth and Senior fares, or for a fee of €5 for Standard Mini, Comfort Mini, Youth Mini, Premium Mini and Group Mini fares). Only the possible price difference between the original ticket and the new ticket should be paid for.

Passengers whose Thalys train is cancelled can address their original point of sales for a free exchange or a full refund until 30 days after the original travel date.

The UK government has suspended all travel restrictions related to Covid-19 as from Friday 18 March 2022. Wearing a fase mask on Eurostar is no longer mandatory since 16 May 2022.

Extended Eurostar check-in

NOTICE: due to different entry conditions for each country, Eurostar check-in times are temporarily longer than usual. Eurostar asks their passengers to arrive at the station 90 to 120 minutes before departure (45 to 60 minutes for Business Premier passengers). Depending on your departure station, the access gates are closing 30 or 45 minutes before departure (10 or 20 minutes for Business Premier passengers).

Flexible exchange of Eurostar tickets.

Eurostar is making its conditions more flexible: until 7 days before the scheduled departure, any Eurostar ticket can be exchanged free of charge and as many times as you like (only the possible fare difference between the original and the new ticket - if applicable - must be paid). Less than 7 days prior to the departure date, Eurostar tickets can still be exchanged with an exchange fee of €40 per Standard ticket or €50 per Standard Premier ticket (+ the possible fare difference between the original and the new ticket).

TGV INOUI is currently operating 90% of its normal schedule between Brussels and France.

Since 16/05/22, wearing a face mask on public transports is no longer obligatory in France.

Travelling to France

For travellers who have been vaccinated (according to European regulations), no test is required at departure. Proof of a complete vaccination schedule is sufficient to arrive in France, regardless of the country of origin. Non-vaccinated travellers must still present a negative test to travel to France. Wearing a mask in all public transports remains compulsory.

Please check www.gouvernement.fr/info-coronavirus (in french) for more information about containment measures applicable in France.

The IC Netherlands trains are operating a normal service between Brussels and Amsterdam.

Travelling to the Netherlands

Please check www.rijksoverheid.nl/onderwerpen/coronavirus-covid-19 (in dutch) for more information about containment measures applicable in the Netherlands.

Wearing a mask is no longer mandatory on public transport in the Netherlands, but recommended in case of occupation peaks. Please read all safety measures applicable in trains and stations in the Netherlands.

ICE trains have resumed their normal frequence of 7 trains a day between Brussels, Cologne and Frankfurt. 

Specific measures on trains in Germany

The "3G rule" ("geimpft, genesen oder getestet", meaning "vaccinated, healed or tested") no longer applies on trains of Deutsche Bahn (DB) since 20 March 2022.

Depending on the local rules in force in some Federal states (Bundesländer), the wearing of a surgical mask or FFP2 may still be required. This is still the case on board the ICE trains Brussels-Cologne-Frankfurt.

Commercial measures

Tickets purchased after 13/03/20 are subject to the fare's normal travel and refund conditions. Deutsche Bahn recommends to opt for a flexible fare if you have any doubt about maintaining your trip.

Since 16/05/2022, wearing a mask is no longer mandatory on public transports in France.

Travelling to France

For travellers who have been vaccinated (according to European regulations), no test is required at departure. Proof of a complete vaccination schedule is sufficient to arrive in France, regardless of the country of origin. Non-vaccinated travellers must still present a negative test to travel to France.

Please check www.gouvernement.fr/info-coronavirus (in french) for more information about containment measures applicable in France.

Wearing a mask is compulsory on trains operating in Luxembourg. Please read the safety measures applicable in Luxembourg.

Since 26 May 2021, Nighjet trains have resumed 3 direct overnight services a week between Brussels and Vienna.

It is obligatory to wear an FFP2 mask on board except in your cabin if you are alone or only accompanied by members of your family or "social bubble".

Before entering Austria, you must register less than 72h before you depart by means of the Pre-Travel Clearance available on www.oesterreich.gv.at.

You will also have to prevent one of the following to enter Austria:

• an evidence of vaccination
• a negative PCR test of less than 72 hours
• an evidence of recovery from previous Covid infection

If none of these can be presented, a test has to be taken immediately, or at the latest within 24 hours after arrival.. 

Please check www.oesterreich.gv.at for more information about containment measures in Austria.

Travelling to the Netherlands

Please check www.rijksoverheid.nl/onderwerpen/coronavirus-covid-19 (in dutch) for more information about containment measures applicable in the Netherlands.

Wearing a mask is no longer mandatory on public transport in the Netherlands, but recommended in case of occupation peaks. Please read all safety measures applicable in trains and stations in the Netherlands.

The "3G rule" ("geimpft, genesen oder getestet", meaning "vaccinated, healed or tested") no longer applies on trains of Deutsche Bahn (DB) since 20 March 2022.

Depending on the local rules in force in some Federal states (Bundesländer), the wearing of a surgical mask or FFP2 may still be required.