Coronavirus: impact on your international train travel

From 25 July to 4 September 2021, Thalys is daily operating the following services:

• 6 to 7 returns between Paris, Brussels and Amsterdam
• 2 returns between Paris, Brussels, Cologne and Essen (continues to Dortmund on Saturdays and Sundays)
• 2 extra returns between Brussels and Paris

From 5 September 2021, Thalys will increase its frequencies as follows:

• 16 returns between Brussels and Paris, among which :
• 9 to 10 returns between Paris, Brussels and Amsterdam
• 4 returns between Paris, Brussels, Cologne and Essen/Dortmund

Also from 5 September 2021, Thalys will provide the Premium on-board services as well and the Thalys Welcome Bar will be reopened. The Thalys lounges at Brussels-Midi and Paris Nord have been accessible again since 14 June.

Thalys will not be serving Charles de Gaulle Airport and Marne-la-Vallée until further notice.

Wearing a face mask is mandatory on Thalys trains and since Monday 9 August 2021, it has been mandatory to be in possession of a valid EU Digital COVID Certificate to access Thalys trains. This rule applies to every journey, regardless of the destination, but also according to the rules of the country of return.
The obligation already started on Sunday 1 August in Germany. The Netherlands followed on Sunday 8 August and France on Monday 9 August.

Travelling to and within France

Since 9 June 2021, the flow of travelers between France and foreign countries has been reopened according to modalities which vary according to the health situation of each country. Travelers from a green country (including Belgium) must present either a vaccination certificate (complete vaccination) or a negative (or antigenic) PCR test of less than 72 hours (except for frontier workers). Please check www.gouvernement.fr/info-coronavirus (in french) for more information about containment measures applicable in France.

Travelling to the Netherlands

As from Sunday 08/08/21, anyone travelling to the Netherlands from the age of 12 years will have to show a Covid certificate (vaccination, test or recovery certificate). Please check www.rijksoverheid.nl/onderwerpen/coronavirus-covid-19 (in dutch) for more information about containment measures applicable in the Netherlands.

Travelling to Germany

There are specific compulsory measures for entering Germany. The German health ministry requires that anyone traveling directly from an area defined as at risk by the Robert Koch Institute should leave their contact and travel details. This can be done through this online form.

In the federal state of North Rhine-Westphalia (including Aachen and Cologne), it has been mandatory to wear an FFP2 mask on public transport since Saturday 24/04/21. Any other type of mask or form of mouth and nose covering is no longer allowed in transports of North Rhine-Westphalia.

Commercial measures concerning Thalys tickets

Any Thalys Ticket purchased between 9 March 2021 and 31 December 2021 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.

Eurostar has revised their timetables and are operating a limited number of trains:

• 1 train a day in both directions between London, Brussels and Amsterdam
• 3 trains a day in both directions between London and Paris

From Moday 6 September, this frequency will increase as follows:

• 3 trains a day in both directions between London and Brussels (1 of them continuing to/departing from Amsterdam)
• 5 trains a day in both directions between London and Paris

Wearing a face mask on Eurostar is obligatory. Please read the information below about travelling from and to the UK.

Travelling to the United Kingdom.

The applicable measures when travelling to the UK depend on the colour code of  the country where you arrive from as defined by the UK authorities.

France, Belgium and the Netherlands are classed as amber countries. Amber list rules will also apply for anyone travelling from Germany who is connecting in Brussels or Paris.

However, if you have been in or through a ‘red list’ country in the 10 days prior to your arrival in the UK you will not be permitted to travel by Eurostar to the UK (as the UK Government has implemented specific rules for people travelling from a red list country, including requiring travel via a designated airport and mandatory hotel quarantine - see below).

Essential information to enter England from overseas

Everyone entering England from overseas (including UK nationals and residents) must provide proof of a negative Covid-19 test taken within 3 days prior to direct departure to England.

Fill in your Passenger Location Form up to 48 hours before arrival. You must declare all countries you have visited or transited through in the 10 days prior to your arrival on your Passenger Locator Form.

Before departure check the list of red, amber and red countries as the list can change regularly.

Red list passengers

You can only enter if you are a British or Irish National, or you have residence rights in the UK. You must enter through a designated port of entry and quarantine in a government approved hotel for 10 days.

1. Book a managed quarantine package
2. Fill in the Passenger Location Form.

Amber list passengers fully vaccinated at least 14 days before arriving in England

1. Book a test for day 2.
2. Fill in the Passenger Location Form.

Amber list passengers who are NOT fully vaccinated

1. Book tests for day 2 and 8.
2. Fill in the Passenger Location Form.
3. Make plans to self-quarantine in private accommodation for 10 full days after arrival (or full duration of stay if less than 10 days).

Green list passengers

1. Book a test for day 2.
2. Fill in the Passenger Location Form

These measures apply to all persons (including UK nationals and residents) arriving in the UK from outside the common travel area comprising the United Kingdom, Ireland, the Isle of Man, and the Channel Islands. The British Overseas Territories are not in the common travel area.

Public health requirements may vary depending upon in which nation of the UK you’re staying:

• England 
• Northern Ireland
• Scotland 
• Wales 

Failure to comply with these measures is a criminal offence and you could be fined. There are a limited set of exemptions from these measures. Check the list of exemptions carefully. You may be fined if you fraudulently claim an exemption.

Extended Eurostar check-in

NOTICE: due to travel restrictions linked to Covid-19 and 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

For travel between 08/09/20 and 30/09/21 inclusive :

• You can easily rearrange your trip without paying an exchange fee up to 7 full days before departure. You’ll only pay the possible difference in fare (if applicable).
• You can still change your booking within 7 days of your departure, but you’ll need to pay a €40 exchange fee for Standard tickets, plus any difference in fare.

TGV INOUI is operating its normal schedule between Brussels and France.

Since 09/08/21, producing a health pass (certificate of vaccination, negative PCR test or antigenic test of less than 72 hours) is compulsory on board TGV INOUI (domestic and international) and Intercités trains operated by SNCF, both on the outbound and inbound leg.

Wearing a mask is mandatory on all trains and public transport in France.

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

TGV tickets for journeys from 9 August to 12 September 2021 can be exchanged for free or entirely refunded until the scheduled departure (in the case of an exchange, only the possible price difference between the original and the new ticket will be charged).

The IC Netherlands trains are operating a normal service between Brussels and Amsterdam / The Hague. However, the on-board catering service is temporarily suspended.

Travelling to the Netherlands

As from Sunday 08/08/21, anyone travelling to the Netherlands from the age of 12 years will have to show a Covid certificate (vaccination, test or recovery certificate). 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 mandatory on all trains and public transport in the Netherlands from the age of 13 (no alternatives such as scarves or buffs allowed). Please read all safety measures applicable in trains and stations in the Netherlands.

From 5 May to 11 June 2021, the ICE service on the Brussels-Cologne-Frankfurt connection will be limited to 4 trains a day in each direction. Before 5 May and as from 12 June 2021, ICE trains operate with their normal frequence of 7 trains a day. However, the BordBistro remains closed. 

Wearing a mask is obligatory on all ICE trains. In the federal state of North Rhine-Westphalia (including Aachen and Cologne), it has even been mandatory to wear an FFP2 mask on public transport since Saturday 24/04/21. Any other type of mask or form of mouth and nose covering is no longer allowed in transports of North Rhine-Westphalia.

Please read the safety measures applicable in trains and stations in Germany (German).

Travelling to Germany

All German Länder are taking measures to prevent the spread of the Covid-19 virus. In order to travel safely during the Covid-19 pandemic, it is recommended to respect the instructions of local authorities, the German Ministry of Health (page in German), the German Ministry of the Interior (page in German), the German police (page in German), and the Robert-Koch Institute (page in German).

There are currently specific obligatory measures for entering Germany. The German health ministry requires that anyone traveling directly from an area defined as at risk by the Robert Koch Institute should leave their contact and travel details. This can be done through this online form.

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.

Wearing a mask is mandatory on trains and all trains and public transport in France (no alternatives such as scarves or buffs allowed). Please read the safety measures applicable in regional trains and stations of northern France (French).

Travelling to and within France

Since 9 June 2021, the flow of travelers between France and foreign countries has been reopened according to modalities which vary according to the health situation of each country. Travelers from a green country (including Belgium) must present either a vaccination certificate (complete vaccination) or a negative (or antigenic) PCR test of less than 72 hours (except for frontier workers). Please check www.gouvernement.fr/info-coronavirus (in french) for more information about containment measures applicable in France.

Tickets for travel until 31 January 2021 are fully refundable at their original point of sale until the mentioned travel date. Tickets for travelling after 31 January 2021 are subject to the usual refund conditions of the chosen fare.

Wearing a mask is compulsory on trains operating in Luxembourg. You can use a homemade mask, bandana or scarf to protect yourself and others, throughout your trip. Please read the safety measures applicable in trains and stations of Luxembourg.

Tickets for journeys to and from Luxembourg until 31 January 2021 included can be fully reimbursed until the initially scheduled travel date via their original point of sale. Tickets for travelling after 31 January 2021 are subject to the usual refund conditions of the chosen fare.

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

As from Sunday 08/08/21, anyone travelling to the Netherlands from the age of 12 years will have to show a Covid certificate (vaccination, test or recovery certificate). 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 mandatory on all trains and public transport in the Netherlands (no alternatives such as scarves or buffs allowed). Please read all safety measures applicable in trains and stations in the Netherlands.

Tickets for travel from Belgium to Maastricht or Roosendaal (and vice versa) until 31 January 2021 are fully refundable at their original point of sale until the mentioned travel date. Tickets for travelling after 31 January 2021 are subject to the usual refund conditions of the chosen fare.

Wearing a mask is obligatory on all ICE trains. In the federal state of North Rhine-Westphalia (including Aachen and Cologne), it has even been mandatory to wear an FFP2 mask on public transport since Saturday 24/04/21. Any other type of mask or form of mouth and nose covering is no longer allowed in transports of North Rhine-Westphalia.

Please read the safety measures applicable in the trains and stations of the Aachen region (German).

Notice for passengers travelling to Germany

There are currently specific obligatory measures for entering Germany. The German health ministry requires that anyone traveling directly from an area defined as at risk by the Robert Koch Institute should leave their contact and travel details. This can be done through this online form.

Tickets for travel with regional trains between Belgium and Aachen until 31 January 2021 are fully refundable at their original point of sale until the mentioned travel date. Tickets for travelling after 31 January 2021 are subject to the usual refund conditions of the chosen fare.