Coronavirus: impact on your international train travel

As a result of the Covid-19 epidemic, Thalys is adapting its capacity and reducing its train supply.

From Sunday 13 December 2020 to Sunday 31 January 2021, the frequency will be adapted as follows:

• 1 return between Paris, Brussels and Amsterdam (every day)
• 1 return between Paris, Brussels, Cologne and Essen (continues to Dortmund on Sundays)
• 2 extra returns between Brussels and Paris (only 1 on Saturdays and Sundays)

As a preventive measure, the Premium on-board services are temporarily suspended and the Thalys Welcome Bar remains temporarily closed until 30 March 2021.

Thalys will not be serving Charles de Gaulle Airport and Marne-la-Vallée until the end of 2020. Besides, Thalys Snow will only operate from Brussels this Winter (not from the Netherlands nor Antwerp).

Wearing a face mask (or any alternative that covers nose and mouth) is mandatory on Thalys trains.

France, the Netherlands and Germany in "red zone" for Belgian residents

The Belgian Federal Public Service of Foreign Affairs has declared France, the Netherlands and Germany as a red zone. This means that non-essential travel (tourism) from Belgium to its neighbouring countries is strongly discouraged. Visitors travelling from these countries for non-essential reasons who enter Belgium are required to remain in quarantine and have themselves tested upon arrival. Please check https://diplomatie.belgium.be/en for more information.

Travelling to and within France

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

Travelling to the Netherlands

Since 29 December 2020, travellers aged 13 and over coming from a risk area are required to show negative results of a PCR test in order to enter the Netherlands. This measure only applies to international and intercity trains with a journey greater than 30 km from the Dutch border. In the absence of a negative PCR test of max. 72 hours before arrival in the Netherlands, access to the train may be refused. Given the need to carry out this check, Thalys asks customers to present themselves for boarding at least 40 minutes before departure.

Notice for Dutch residents

The Dutch authorities are urging persons residing in the Netherlands who have visited a region or country classified "red" or "orange" (including Belgium and France) to quarantine themselves for 10 days. More specifications about the quarantine (in Dutch).

Notice for passengers travelling to Germany

There are currently 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.

Commercial measures concerning Thalys tickets

Thalys tickets purchased until 31/01/2021 for journeys until 31/05/21 can be exchanged without having to pay the usual exchange fee (only the possible fare difference between the new and the original ticket may be due), or fully refunded through the original point of sales until 30 days after the original travel date.

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 have been operating only a limited number of trains.

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

For travel from London to Brussels
Since 25 December 2020, a negative PCR test of max. 72 hours is required for all people not residing in Belgium, regardless of their nationality. In addition, it is again authorized, for passengers departing from the United Kingdom, to transit through Belgium to their country of nationality or main residence (if it is a country of the European Union). If the passenger has a rail connection from Brussels with one of these countries, and if he has stayed outside Belgium for less than 48 hours or will stay less than 48 hours in Belgium, he will not be required to test negative.

For travel from London to Paris or Lille
From reports you will have heard in the news, it is expected that a negative PCR COVID test will be required to travel to or via France. You will not be allowed to travel if you do not have a negative PCR COVID test result taken less than 72 hours before travel.

For travel from London to the Netherlands
Only essential travel is allowed to the Netherlands. All travellers need to have proof of a negative PCR test result taken less than 72 hours before travel.

Important - for all destinations, please carry a printed copy of your test results with you.

Travelling to the UK

• To protect your health and others’, everyone must complete an online Public Health Passenger Locator form before arrival in the United Kingdom.
• As from Monday 18 January 2021, a negative PCR test of max. 72 hours will be required before embarking for all travellers aged 11 years and more entering the UK. Test result must be in either English, French or Spanish. Translations will not be accepted, and you must provide the original test result certificate. Please check the website of the British government for the full regulations about these tests.
• Travellers may be required to self-isolate for 10 days on arrival in the UK. Currently travellers are required to self-isolate when arriving in the UK from France, Belgium and the Netherlands. Please check the list of exemptions before travelling, as this list can change at short notice.
• It is a legal requirement that you wear a face covering on public transport in the UK.

Failure to comply with the above measures is a criminal offence and you could be fined. If you have booked Eurostar tickets on behalf of other people, you are also responsible for ensuring all members of their party are aware of these requirements and have completed the form.

What you need to know when entering the UK >

Travelling to and within France

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

Exchange of Eurostar tickets

Tickets purchased after 1 July 2020 can be exchanged for later travel until 30 April 2021 included, until 14 days before the originally scheduled travel date (subject, however, to the payment of a possible difference in price between the original and the new ticket). Tickets changed less than 14 days beforethe initially scheduled travel date can be changed by paying exchange costs of €40 per Standard ticket or €50 per Standard Premier ticket (on top of the possible difference in price between the original and the new ticket).

For travel between 8 September and 15 November:

• If your train is running: free exchange for a later trip (subject to payment of a possible difference in price between the original and the new ticket) or possibility to get a travel voucher (valid until 1 June 2021) until 1 day before the originally scheduled travel date.  
• If your train is cancelled: free exchange or possibility to get a travel voucher (valid 12 months) until 60 days after the initially scheduled travel date.

Since 13 December 2020, TGV INOUI has been operating a normal service from and to Brussels again.

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

Travelling to and within France

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

If cancelled prior to travel, TGV tickets for journeys until 4 January 2021 (including possible TER connections in France) are fully refundable free of charge through their original point of sale. TGV tickets for journeys from 5 January to 7 March 2021 can be exchanged for free or entirely refunded until 3 days before the scheduled travel date. If cancelled less than 3 days before the departure, the ticket's usual fare conditions will apply.

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

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.

Travelling to the Netherlands

Since 29 December 2020, travellers aged 13 and over coming from a risk area are required to show negative results of a PCR test in order to enter the Netherlands. This measure only applies to international and intercity trains with a journey greater than 30 km from the Dutch border. In the absence of a negative PCR test of max. 72 hours before arrival in the Netherlands, access to the train may be refused. Given the need to carry out this check

Note for Dutch residents

The Dutch authorities are urging persons residing in the Netherlands who have visited a region or country classified red or orange (including Belgium) to quarantine themselves for 10 days. More specifications about the quarantine (in Dutch).

The Netherlands in "red zone" for Belgian residents

The Belgian Federal Public Service of Foreign Affairs has declared the Netherlands as a red zone. This means that non-essential travel (tourism) from Belgium to the Netherlands is strongly discouraged. Visitors travelling for non-essential reasons who enter Belgium from this zone, are required to remain in quarantine and have themselves tested upon arrival. Please check https://diplomatie.belgium.be/en for more information.

Tickets for the IC Netherlands purchased before 17 September are fully refundable at their original point of sale.

Tickets purchased from 17 September are subject to the refund conditions of the selected fare. Exception: Early Bird tickets for trips up to 30 April 2021 can be exchanged free of charge until the day before the originally scheduled departure provide the new travel date is at least 7 days in the future too. If there is a price difference between the old and the new ticket, only the difference will be due.

Please note: if you cancel online, our system will automatically apply the normal refund conditions of your ticket. If the fare conditions of your ticket do not provide a full refund, please contact us on +32 2 801 90 10 for a full refund following the corona virus (for tickets purchased from SNCB).

ICE trains are operating according to their normal schedule on the Brussels-Cologne-Frankfurt connection. However, the BordBistro carriage will remain closed as from Monday 2 November 2020. 

Wearing a mask is obligatory on all ICE trains. 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 will be 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).

Tickets for travel until 31 January 2021 are fully refundable at their original point of sale until the mentioned travel date.

Travelling to and within 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. 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.

Due to the more restrictive preventive measures in force in several European countries, Nightjet trains are temporarily suspended until February 10, 2021.

Nightjet tickets for the concerned travel dates can be entirely refunded through their original point of sale.

Please note: if you cancel online, our system will automatically apply the normal refund conditions of your ticket. If the fare conditions of your ticket do not provide a full refund, please contact us on +32 2 801 90 10 for a full refund following the corona virus (for tickets purchased from SNCB).

Safety measures in the Netherlands:

• from 1 June, wearing a mask is mandatory on all trains and public transport in the Netherlands (no alternatives such as scarves or buffs allowed).
• from 1 July, travelling with a bicycle and travelling in a group are allowed again.

Please read all safety measures applicable in trains and stations in the Netherlands.

Note for Dutch residents

The Dutch authorities are urging persons residing in the Netherlands who have visited a region or country classified red or orange (including Belgium) to quarantine themselves for 10 days. More specifications about the quarantine (in Dutch).

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.

Wearing a mask is compulsory on regional trains to and from Aachen. You can use a homemade mask, bandana or scarf (covering nose and mouth) to protect yourself and others, throughout your trip. 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.