The SURPRISING International Train from Brussels to Luxembourg / SNCB Intercity Review
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- Опубликовано: 6 июл 2023
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Hello and welcome back to Northern Europe for another international intercity review.
Today we'll be riding on the SNCB intercity service from the Belgian capital, Brussels down to the micro-state of Luxembourg. I wasn't expecting too much from this service, but I was pleasantly surprised, although the could definitely do a few things better, so please enjoy the video!
Date of Filming: 8/6/23
Camera: GoPro Hero 10 Black
Operator: SNCB (Belgian Railways)
Departure: Brussels, Belgium
Arrival: Luxembourg City, Luxembourg
Cost: First Class €39.50 (£34.96, $43.63)
Second Class €23.80 (£21.06, $26.29)
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Announcements in Brussels-South are by default in both Dutch and French, because Brussels is in the bilingual part of Belgium. This applies not only to the tannoy announcements, but also to the screens in the station (in part because plenty of cities have different names in Dutch vs French). In stations in Flanders announcements would be in Dutch only, in Wallonia they would be in French only. Same for signalization on roads etc. This is by law.
However, *some* announcements (tannoy and screens) in Brussels-South are in four languages: Dutch, French, English and German. Those are the announcements for international trains, e.g. Eurostar and ICE etc.
The trains going to Brussels Airport are also announced in all 4 languages throughout the country. (Screens remain monolingual in Wallonia and Flanders, and bilingual in Brussels)
In this video you perhaps could have mentioned that the train run hourly, seven days-a-week. The big drawback with this service is that it takes 3 hours 16 minutes to go 230 kms! The train makes EIGHT intermediate stops. (See ERT tables 440 and 445). There used to be faster trains three times a day going through to Strasbourg and Basel, but they have been withdrawn. At risk of stating the obvious, the EU needs a fast train service linking its three main administrative centres, Brussels, Luxembourg and Strasbourg.
there is still 1 faster service a day (3 hours) during weekdays, otherwise all correct
The main problem is the track speed limit being rather low because the line is a bit "curvy".
Only the southern part between Libramont and Arlon has track speeds up to 160kph ...
I don´t see a real "fast" train service between Brussels and Luxembourg happening. There´s simply no demand for it.
A majority of travellers are locals between regional cities and commuters from/to Brussels/Luxembourg (that´s why the trains have a relatively high number of intermediate stops).
The number of passengers going the whole Brussels-Luxembourg sector are relatively small.
The lack of any bar service onboard is a result of that customer profile.
Nevertheless SNCB could install snack/drink vending machines, though.
Would certainly help better the overall experience ...
@@MHG1023 You seem to miss my point completely. I would not withdraw the existing hourly 'semi-fast' service. The EUROPEAN UNION needs a fast environmentally friendly electric train service linking its three main administrative centres of Brussels Luxembourg and Strasbourg. Politicians, officials (and lawyers) need to get between these three centres. At the moment I suspect that they either drive or fly. I would suggest an EC service every two hours (subsidized by the EU) running from Brussels to Strasbourg calling only at Namur, Luxembourg and Metz.
Good points 👍🏻😃
@@Fan652w There is a direct daily high speed service between Brussels and Strassbourg. Look-up TGV 9870.
Ahhhh.....memories! Forty odd years ago, I did the reverse joutney, Luxembourg to Brussels, and things don't seem to have changed much. After a day's meetings in Luxembourg, our group were taken to a night club, and left there about 4 a.m., completely hammered. We caught the train at 7:20-ish, and slept pretty much all the way - a nearly 5 hour trip. It was my first business trip and I remember thinking, I could get used to this!. It took me another 20+ years until I got my wish. And my last work before retirement wqs an 18month spell in Luxembourg - I like the place, even if it is completely dead on Sundays, no shops, cafes or bars open at all (except in your hotel). Thanks for that!
Sounds like a fun experience lol
Some comments here correctly underline the relatively low overall speed of this train. Because it travels through a less populated part of the country, there is no business case for a separate offer of commuter and slow trains for part of the voyage, which means this intercity train indeed has quite some stops.
Also, when leaving Brussels towards Namur the train travels over a busy stretch with plenty of long term works. For quite a ling stretch the idea is to bring this line to 4 tracks, with the 2 inner ones adapted for fast services at 160-200 km/h, and the outer tracks for 120-140 km/h use. It is exactly the same project like all of the other lines irradiating out of Brussels. But local governments and serious budget limitations did slow down this project. It should however make large progress for 2027. This Luxembourg bound IC will then win time.
But once the train passes Namur, there is another obstacle: these are the Ardennes, a very nice wooded area with rivers in rather narrow valleys. The trainline historically follows some if these valleys which leads to plenty of curves. The line is also crushed between rocks ans the river, so there is little space to improve things. Luckily, over 20 years ago, there was a consensus that this line needs a speed increase. The number if travellers (also by car and plane) on this stretch do not at all justify a dedicated high speed line. So it was decided to upgrade the line. The idea is to get to 160 km/h, but that will not be the case for every kilometre of track. These works include removing rocks and trees hanging above the line, so it is quite a challenge. The limited budget did not allow for speedy work but the end of the works is approaching, probably 2025.
So welcome in a few years time, but I’m quite sure there will still be no catering and no wifi since the SNCB does not see this as a priority at all.
Well summed up ✌🏻
There are even slower trains on these lines... But you could compare it to Cornwall, from a Belgian standpoint, all these stops on the IC are small cities and other important transport hubs for their region. While unimportant from a national point of view, they definitely have an important role regionally. So like St Erth or Truro, who in itself aren't major destinations, they are served by buses and trains serving other destinations (e.g. in Ottignies (busiest station in Wallonia), there's a line from Charleroi, Leuven, as well as one to Louvain-la-Neuve, both with large universities, in Marloie, there's a line connecting it with Liège, in Libramont, you can get to Bertrix, and there are buses to Bastogne, Marbehan serves as a hub for much of southern Luxembourg province (Belgium), etc.)
Faster trains would be nice, but not at the cost of fewer trains to these stations.
The works aren't finished yet, but a big milestone was passed last year, with the re-electrification at 25 kV~ in stead of 3 kV= from the Luxembourg border to Hatrival (between Rochefort-Jemelle and Libramont).
You only briefly mentioned the stations in Brussels, @@NonstopEurotrip, the train starts in Brussels-Midi (South) station, goes North first, serving Central and North stations, before making a U-turn and serving 2 more stations, Brussels-Schuman (European Commission, last station with a metro connection) and Brussels-Luxembourg (European Parliament). In reverse, these stations are effectively the main stations for passengers coming to Brussels. Which means that for most passengers, the trip isn't as long as yours.
Don't put your shoes on a train seat!! How the next guests will feel? -- Greets, TRANSSIB TRAVEL in St. Petersburg, Russia
Exactly. As a train lover I would never do that.
It's a bed too 😜
Yep!
@@NonstopEurotrip Yeah you don't put your poop trodden shoes in bed do you?
Or maybe you were fearful your smelly feet would gas the people around you? 🤣🤣🤣
I was thinking the same!
Excellent as always. Just be careful with your shoes on train seats. I had a major discussion on that topic in Spain!
Also a bed.
Shoes and seats are a no-go. It starts with shoes on seats and ends with graffiti on trains.
Not sure why so many people are slating this train - it looks so comfy and spacious, especially compared to UK intercity travel these days.
True that ✌🏻✌🏻
Especially the GWR Class 800 😂
Vending machines, wifi and plugs in the right place would make it a first class service. Thanks for the ride. 🇺🇾
You bet ✌🏻😃
SNCB can't even get the screens on their 3 year old "new" trains to work properly... I wouldn't get my hopes up for any of that to happen in the next 15 years
Some of the trains in Europe are so incredible and the journey is so breathtaking. But it’s so expensive to travel on the train in and around Europe.
Cheaper than the UK 🤪
You were being polite with your description of Brussel Zuid station.
Diplomatic 🙃
@@NonstopEurotrip In fact, none of the three main Brussels stations are anything to write home about. Having inbound Eurostar passengers from London alight at Brussel Zuid, is a cruel act.
And well-framed, just a few meters to the right, and there's a homeless person camping for months, now.
I think Brussels-Midi main station corridor, with all the shops, is okay, as are the HS platforms, but the rest has been abandoned for decades, now. A few years ago, they finally gave the canopies on the older platforms a new coat of paint and cleaned the place. It's sad we have to be happy with that 'progress'.
I do like Brussels-North station, though, it's the surrounding area I'm not the biggest fan of. Central station is okay, just very, very busy. And I'm not sure how I feel about the dark tunnel walls. Probably to avoid having to repaint them when they would have been clearer...
If I'm not mistaken, you were travelling in a 'Eurofima' coach from the 70s. I guess they put the plugs in wherever they could (they certainly didn't feature them when I travelled in one across Belgium in the 80s!). Definitely very comfortable. Shame about the lack of catering. Unfortunately, this is often the case on quite long-distance trains here in France.
There's also a Youth-Pass ticket (18 - 25 yrs) and Senior ticket (65+ yrs) for 6.60 euros. Children under 12 travel for free only if they are accompanied by someone who is 18 yrs or older.
And don't forget the passes. 10 single trips for €96 or €59 (-26) between any 2 Belgian stations... You'd still have to buy a ticket for Arlon-Luxembourg for €2.60, but that really is an unbeatable price.
There are plans to abolish them and replace them with a reduction card (with capped pricing), but we'll have to see how that turns out.
I did Trier - Luxembourg a couple of years ago, a really good trip, best of all was the return fare, from memory it cost me 4 euro's return for the German part of the journey, the Luxembourg part being free. The train came down from Koblenz and was a double deck emu, seriously comfortable and great views if you're upstairs. I'd recommend this journey to anyone who is in the area, Trier to Luxembourg is quite a scenic trip.
Excellent!!!
Thank you for an excellent video about a line with which I am familiar. I would generally agree with your comments. Another plus point is that between Namur and Luxembourg the line goes through the Ardennes and (if the weather is good!) very scenic.
Exactly ✌🏻✌🏻
Thanks for the reviews looks like a nice journey. Put it on my (Long) list ;-)
Have fun!
Thank you so much for this wonderful video for us 😁😁
My pleasure 😊
I just love it how in Belgium all announcements on big train stations and airports are also made in German. It feels like home.
The centre of Luxembourg reminds me a lot of central Edinburgh in particular the gardens around Waverley station. Another fine journey is from Luxembourg to Koblenz as it follows the Moselle river for a good part especially good views in a double decker. Another enjoyable watch. Cheers
Thanks for sharing 😊
I much prefer the other route from Belgium to Luxembourg starting in Liège via Triosvierges. It is a stunningly beautiful trip through the Ardennes of Belgium and Luxembourg and takes 2hrs40mins it’s usually quiet too.
Sounds great!
13 stops, it's fucking boring everytime i take this train. The other train from Liege i hate, because the seats are plastic
I love the handicapped and bicycle info. Well done!
✌🏻✌🏻
i love the trams in Luxembourg. They have a very sleek design from outside and colorful from inside :)
Plus, they're totally free! They should also be in Milan, Rome and Naples, to remove traffic from the city center and beyond.
Yes they do!!
Amazing Video. Thanks for all tips. Regards from Chile. HB
My pleasure!
Bring more new luxury train videos like this.. I love all your videos sir and blog was superb and amazing 💥💥💥
Sure 👍
Awesome 😎😎😎😎
The last time I took trains to Luxembourg was 30 years ago, from Delft The Netherlands. The outward journey passed through Rotterdam, Antwerpen, and Brussel. I changed train at Brussel Central, went south through Brussel Midi, and reached Luxembourg. That was indeed a long trip. Unfortunately, I can't remember the details, too long time ago.
Thank for sharing!
Great timing, just in time for lunch!
Hope you enjoyed it! 😊
Hi. Love these videos - very informative and professionally done. The only thing I find lacking (mostly) on many such videos (not only yours) is general information on the route - i.e. approximately how often this particular train runs (per day or week) and some indication of if it changes in terms of price and 'busyness' during the day or week. I realise reliable info on this may be hard to get; but just saying - it would be nice to have. Thanks. Keep it up.
Thanks for the tips! I will try and include that information ☺️ℹ️
Great comontary thanks
Glad you enjoyed it John ☺️
Nice video!
Thanks!
The lay-flat seats are great for second class. I am really impressed.
Thats normally not, so don't plan on that, as it's just sometimes random that this coach is in the formation. I was sometimes lucky to catch one, one time i was very upset because there was one I6 in the formation (thats what the trains are called) but it was closed.
Not just EU and Schengen but the Benelux Treaty of 1944 pre-dated the Treaty of Rome. This meant that a passport free travel area was already in existence between the three countries long before the EEC/EU.
✌🏻✌🏻✌🏻
Belgium and Luxembourg also shared the same currency, even long before the euro. Technically they were different currencies (each country had its own banknotes and coins BEF and LUF), but they were traded at 1-1 and mutually accepted.
@@DrErikEvrard Yes, I remember that well. The BEF/LUF situation along with the XAF and XOF in Africa, pre-dated the EUR by many years. I wonder why the NLG didn't link up with the BEF and LUF? Also, while emphasis has always been placed on rail connections between BXL and LUX and BXL and AMS, forget about a fast journey between AMS and LUX either via BXL or MST. A fast Dutch/Luxembourg connection was never on the radar screen.
One amenity that would be nice would be to have a spot on the train with some vending machines and a microwave. That way one could warm up one’s meal and perhaps buy a beverage. Or even a bag of chips or a sandwich if one turned up hungry. Could make some extra money for the train and passengers more comfortable.
Yes, but just bring a few bits along and it'll be fine ☺️
@@NonstopEurotrip I know I can pack my own snack, I'm just thinking ideas out loud. I suspect that train couldn't make a profit on human staffed catering, but an unattended set of vending machines? I think that would make the trip better for some folks and help the train earn a few bits more.
I travelled that route in November 2021, but boarded from Brussels North (as my hotel was nearby) and it was on a duplex set. I used an airline style seat with a large sturdy table and plenty of legroom.
Nice scenic journey and Luxembourg city is indeed very scenic, a real hidden gem.
if you went by duplex, I suppose you had to change trains in Arlon for a connecting train? The M6 duplexes aren't allowed in Luxembourg, I believe.
@barvdw That's right. 👍
@@barvdw Not true, M6 can go to Luxembourg
@@DriesDeTreinspotter they can, but on L42 (Gouvy), all trains are Desiro. From Troisvierges, you can change for a CFL train to Luxembourg which is generally more comfortable.
In March 1981 i travelled from Hastings/England via Folkestone, Oostende, Brussels, Luxemburg to Basel 🇨🇭and from there to my town in Switzerland. From Brussels to Basel i travelled with TEE trans europe express in 1st class. The trainset was from SBB 🇨🇭with Restaurant car and i enjoyed this journey.
Sounds like a great trip!!
Great video !! A good trip from Luxembourg as well is the line Luxembourg to Liège in Belgium. Run on SNCB trains, by CFL staff at Luxembourg then Belgian staff from the border is a very scenic route.
Thanks for the tip!
Are you talking about the line that runs the north-south axis of Luxembourg? I can't seem to find any schedule that takes me that way; they all want to connect me via Namur.
I would assume the reason for the power sockets being where they are is that they are for the cleaners to use and weren't designed initially for portable devices in mind. I'm not sure if they'll ever be retrofitted with better placed sockets.
Probably not. Don't forget, these carriages date from the late 70s. It's unlikely they will continue to circulate for another 20 years...
@@barvdw Yeah, I wrote "I'm not sure" when I really meant to write "I doubt". It would be too much work for a carriage that's on its way out.
They where build withouth the power sockets. In 2016 rebuild, with the power sockets there just to make it easy to build, because the cables are also on top of the train. You can charge and lay your phone on the bagage space above the seats
had no clue the compartments were still in use, awesome
Yep 😊👍🏻
My wife and I caught the train from Vielsalm in Belgium to Luxembourg , it was nice . Luxembourg is a beautiful city . I really enjoyed the video 😊
Thanks for sharing!
That was the other international service starting from Liege. Also a nice trip, but till 2018. now the trains are super bad with seats from plastic, no tables, just 1 toilet, 1st class has only 32 seats!!
08m.54s Sorry to be negative, but please don't put your feet on the seat! This is someone's back rest when back to normal position.
Also a bed.
@@NonstopEurotripYeah, so? Still not with shoes on. That's just not okay and we really should not have to be pointing this out to you....
pretty unique , also the scenery reminds a classic north european landscape🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩
Because it is lol
I take this train a lot as I live near Ciney. I've always really enjoyed this train it's super comfy especially those compartments that are very unique, no other SNCB trains have them. One thing to note is that there is no cellular network at all between Rochefort-Jemelle and Libramont. Also, yes transport is free in Luxembourg but if you take RTGR buses that cross borders or SNCB/CFL trains that go outside of Luxembourg you still need to buy a ticket! But for example if you are in Arlon a ticket to Luxembourg is only about 2.50€. You can also risk taking the RGTR bus to Luxembourg without paying but be careful.
Thanks for sharing 🙏
@NonstopEurotrip No probs it's my favorite train here in Belgium and one of my favorite routes 😊
Great trip. I don't know this train trip considered as underrated or hidden gem, since this route definitely rare on this platform.
Glad you enjoyed it!
Hi, thanks for the video super helpful, I have 2 questions if you may please:
1.) are there spaces to put large suitcases? I’ll have 2 so can you advise if I just go for the closed compartment or open?
2.) is there taxi stand outside the Luxembourg station?
There's plenty of luggage space and all public transport is free in Luxembourg
I recall when one these Trains ran as the Eurocity NMBS run all the Weg to Basel SBB ! Was an long Run and so unwune an NMBS Train in Basel to see !
Ah yes, Train 96 \m/
@@officialmcdeath That is it. Such an wonderful Train. Seeing this NMBS Loco and Wagons all the Way in Switzerland. Was relatively cheap, too!
Good times!
I took once an RE11 Service from Luxembourg Ville to Trier Main Station (Trier Hbf) but the train goes even further to Koblenz Main Station (Koblenz Hbf) and even there once per day further to Düsseldorf Main Station (Düsseldorf Hbf) but from Koblenz to Düsseldorf it travels as an Intercity.🎉 It travels as an Stadler Kiss Doubledecker Set from CFL.
And what i forgot... In Trier it waits a couple of minutes because it couples together with a RE1 (Mannheim Main Station - Koblenz Main Station) via Neustadt...Kaiserslautern...Saarbrücken and of course Trier. And there it connects to the RE 11 that came from Luxembourg. But there are couple of trains that dont couple with the RE1.
Thanks for sharing!
@@NonstopEurotrip Pleasure my friend
Not this Summer, there are major works in that line, so at least part will be substituted by buses.
@@barvdw True but i spoke just for if everything goes like the plan
I was lucky to get a double decker set on this route when I rode it during my Interrail trip two weeks ago.
I wouldn't call that lucky 😉
@@NonstopEurotrip really? Are the SNCB double deckers meant for regional services or something? I thought they made my trip a lot more interesting, as it was the first time I rode a double decker train.
@@AymanTravelTransport yes they are. These coaches I rode are far comfier
@@NonstopEurotrip ah fair enough, maybe I need to try those next time!
WOW WOW WOW WOW WOW WOW WOW
Have done this route many times. It's certainly worth mentioning that, if you're 25 and under, tickets one-way are just EUR 9,60!
Great value!
I am a Belgian and I never took these. Maybe once. But like I want to take that train too!!!
The train is so beautiful thank you for sharing like 🔔💯🤝OK my friend
Thanks for visiting 😊
I am very impressed with the video quality of your trips. May I ask what camera equipment you use please?
GoPro hero 10 😎
Thank you. Appreciated and keep up the good work.
They are refurbishing old carriages with sockets but thin one probably not. WiFi is not yet planned. In the Netherlands they had rail catering but with COVID it was from that moment suspended. And probably in Belgium domestic train never gone have rail catering in the near future. This specific route also it’s driving over the border it’s still planned in the national time table.
One quirk about Belgian train ticket is that they allow unlimited interruption of the journey. You can get off midway, explore a city, and get back on another train later in the day with the same ticket.
You can in the UK too unless it's an advanced ticket
If you depart from Brussels and are closest to the Brussels-Luxemburg station, you should catch the train there and cut about 15 minutes from your journey. You could also catch it at Brussels-Shuman (metro access). But of course, you'll have less seating choice :s
Exactly why I didn't 🙃
Muito lindo trem boa viagem ai show
That compartment looked really nice when you’re alone, but I think it would be very cramped with 6 people.
They're not too bad, but rarely full
Welcome to my country (Luxembourg) where trains are free ;)
The service is probably the most frequent international intercity connection there is besides Vienna Bratislava (but not the same distance)
In terms of seating, the compartment is by far the worst. The 2nd class coaches are getting a bit dated, but they are about the most comfortable in Europe with good seat pitch even for tall people, a very good tray table and loads of knee room.
The first class is even better
As for the speed, well they are upgrading the line (which will take till 2030 unfortunately) and the train does quite the city trip in Brussels as the line goes form central to north (which makes no geographic sense) to then turn back south to the european quarter...
The 4G signal is soso ;)
the lack of power sockets sucks
and a few parts are already 160 km/h
I much prefer the compartments 😀
Please do a review on Renfe's S 121 from Madrid to Gandía. I love them and I travelled to Gandia in 2022
I've filmed one, but not on that route!
@@NonstopEurotrip ok. When will you release the video and which route did you do?
Nice service, I would also advice the Luxemburg-Liege IC service for the views.
Thanks for the tip!
Thanks for the tip!
great views, but since a few years, the trains are done by Desiro units in stead of these carriages. While perfectly fine for short trips and stopping services, they are not meant for trips such as Liège-Luxembourg...
At least the collapsed tunnel seems to be back in order...
Need some catering on a 3 hour international train trip...
Eventually, I suppose, this will be operated by a boring EMU.. Love a loco hauled train.
Forewarned is forearmed tho 🙃🍻
i dont think nmbs/sncb will retire loco hauled trains any time soon in 2015 they order 600+ new bilevel coaches around less than half are self-propelled by a power car most are loco hauled
Edit: currently there are now plans of retiring the I11 single level coach, the I10 will be retired this year.
I must say, you had ALOT of luck on this journey because when I usually take this ride, it is fully booked or dirty as heck. Btw there are 3 trains per day that are "faster" than this one, with about 1 hour, these are express commuter trains and do not stop at every station. Greetings from Luxembourg, more specifically from one of the villages you passed throu!
I seem to get lucky quite a lot 😂
SNCB operates only 15 locos (1346->1360). 1301 until 1345 are used by Lineas for freight services
Couple Questions: 1. Which Alps route is more scenic in your opinion, Brenner Pass or Semmering Pass? Or both are equal? 2. If you take a Railjet from Munich to Vienna does it cross the Semmering Pass?
They are both great... And no the Munich Vienna Railjet doesn't pass semmering, you need one to Graz.
So awesome to see these international trains. From someone in a country were long distance trains only run daily. Thanks so much for the videos. Always so professionally filmed and edited.
Thanks for watching and for your lovely comment! 🙏🏻
You travel yo the city or the country of Luxemburg? Normally there are no compartments in trains. It is like a tramway or a metro inside. But these trains are the exceptions. So funny to see the place I kive through the eyes of a tourist🎉 Be blessed!
Both 👌🏻😍
Good Morning from a rainy US. It's good to know there's an easy route to Luxembourg from Brussels. Never been to the latter and this would make a quick day trip. I expect one can then get a train to Germany or France from there. With such a high GDP, I'd expect Luxembourg to be expensive, but with free transport svcs, it's probably acceptable. What do you think? Rick in MD
Part of the reason of the high GDP is because a lot of people that work in Luxembourg, actually live in Belgium, France or Germany. So their income adds to the GDP (simplifying things a bit here; GDP per capita is not the same as average income), but not to the number of inhabitants.
Having said that, I've been in Luxembourg city once, as a child, and what I remember most is that we were walking along a street where every other shop was either high-end audio equipment or a jeweller.
So it's probably a bit more expensive than EU average, but below Switzerland or Norway levels.
@@SeverityOne Thanks for the update. I kinda thought it would be comparable to Switzerland and Norway. I know they're really expensive countries, altho I want to visit both for the scenery..
I found it more expensive than Norway and Switzerland!
Good morning Rick 🌞✌🏻
Overall, I think Belgium is a great example of how to manage a railway system.
Gets a lot of flack but lower cost than any other neighboring country, most lines hourly or much better, and extremely dense coverage throughout the country. Not too bad!
@@liamtahaney713 That's already a lot, yes! Predictable, accessible, easy to use, reaches almost everywhere... What we need.
That's probably because Belgium was the very first country in the world after Britain to create a train line (Brussels to Mechlin, 1835) and the very first without "if or but" to open an international train line (Brussels to Paris, 1846). The Belgians have accumulated an awesome know-how in managing railways.
Agreed!!
@@SMILYSUNFLOWER Yes, undeniably. Switzerland is arguably world champion in terms of passenger rail, on equal footing with Japan. #2 in Europe is in my opinion Austria. I don't know where Belgium actually stands in a European ranking but it's very good.
Hi. Did I miss something? Did you actually say which ticket you bought? I'm not a fan of people putting shoed feet on upholstered seats - take shoes off or find something to protect the material. Your voice seems to be different! I did laugh to myself when I saw your mobile standing to attention!
Just a big standard second class ticket
Was that a street dog in the station?
Definitely not, we're not in Asia now dude 😎
WRT free mass transit, the bus and tram service in Aubagne (near Marseille) has been free for over a decade IIRC \m/
true, but as a whole country, Luxembourg is still the first and only.
The big advantage of the Belgian railway are the prices. Luxembourg to Lille for 12,50€ if you're under 26 is extremely cheap.
If i have the time i take the slower route from Strasbourg over Luxembourg passing Belgium to Lille, instead of the fast but expensive TGV connection over Paris. It's just way cheaper.
That's really good!
Belgium and Luxembourg are also members of Benelux ( Belgium, Netherlands and Luxembourg ) as well. Taxfree trade and travel without bordercontrol. This was even before the EU was founded. You could also see this as the father of the EU.
I travelled last week from Brussels Central to Luxembourg and back. We did not get mobile range throughout the journey, no WiFi, no USB port to charge a device and a long journey to do such a short distance... it was tiring journey because the train stops for many minutes in each station and the stops are at least 15 to 16 and since we went and came back on the same day it was 6 and a half hours of travelling time. A relatively faster train could have saved at least 3 hours.
I mean, that's a vast over exaggerating, but as I said it could be better but it's far from bad. Forewarned is forearmed after all
What according to you is over exaggerating in my comment? Everything I said are facts. Can you dispute any? The numerous stops are by far what makes the trip take so long and not having mobile range for a 3.15h journey was definitely not the most pleasant.
My wife and I will be doing this journey in a few weeks time from St Pancras. We'll be on the 12.33 from Brussels to Luxembourg. We're hoping to pop over to trier as well as we're in Luxembourg for 3 nights. Under £20 for the 2 of us to pop over the border into Germany. Bargain 😮
Have a great trip!
It's a good review although most of the trains don't have the compartment coach, most are fully open. The "I11" coaches are IMHO the best in Belgium, I prefer them to the newer M7s (yet to appear on this route) althogh others may have a different view. You are lucky to have kept the compartment to yourself as those trains are shorter than they used to be due to building work at Luxembourg station forcing them into short platforms and never getting back into a longer platform.
There isn't normally good 4G throughout the journey, the hilly bit in the middle has a poor signal, at least for my mobile operator.
The more common open coaches have one power socket in roof at each end and that's it - as you said, for the cleaners. Some of the trains on this route are the older M6 double deck stock of which the refurbished ones have a lot more power sockets if someone is desperate.
As others have said, the former EC 90/91/96/97, Iris and Vauban, were faster and if you go far enough back had a dining car. There are a couple of SNCB/NMBS dining cars still around but sadly they only get used when someone hires a train.
Thanks for the information 🙂
ya thought all the I6's were gone from almost all service including that route now and only do a few P trains now. odd to see it in a video filmed in June 2023
how long is this train ride nowadays ?
All the information is in the video
03:07 only HST and trains to the airport are announced in German, English, French and Dutch. Anything else is just Dutch / French. 04:45 you catched a special I6 coach wich only runs when another coach is defect, or on some rush hour trains. Normally this train has no coupes and does not have that good seats.
Thanks for the information 🙂ℹ️
I love voiceovers. Before, I thought they were awful but now I am used and I love them. Sorry for the complications
That's great to hear 😊
Oh for the days when you could catch the TEE IRIS from Bruxelles to Luxembourg and enjoy a meal in the Restaurant Car. What have we lost?
🥲🥲🥲
SNCB is on cheap end of Intercity services : the fares are low, but there's no service. Some trains are comfortable, especially the ones using those international I10 and I11 coaches, others not at all (AM08 Desiro 😶).
Thanks for the information ℹ️🙂
It looks like a basic but alright train service. Brussels desperately needs a better train station though, both Midi and Noord look downright dilapidated. The city could really use the Berlin/Vienna treatment of a brand new central station from the ground up, or at the very least a very big rebuilding of Midi to make it better and more suitable as a national and international railhub.
Yeah I agree, it's a bit dingy and claustrophobic 😕
That would be considered a high speed train here in the US!😊
And yet, this line is regarded as horribly slow by locals (everyone who regularly travels between Brussels and Luxemburg City complains about it). It's arguably the worst mainline service from Brussels.
@@yagi3925 I'm just keeping it real.
@@yagi3925 the worst? I think there are a few vying for that title, especially when considering punctuality. While not great and quite slow, Brussels-Mons is a lot less punctual, not much faster, etc, with often quite old rolling stock. Antwerp-Brussels, connecting the 2 main cities in Belgium, is slow, not very punctual and while in theory it has a decent frequency (2 stopping services, 2 semi-fast services and 2 fast services, plus the line to Amsterdam serving the Airport), too many of them get cancelled. The Dorsale, connecting Liège with Charleroi via Namur, isn't exactly very punctual or fast, either...
That's a bang for the buck.....Too bad they are pretty empty.
People depend on the cars today.
Not in Europe they don't
@@NonstopEurotrip I think stefanv9660 means eastern Europe, which is up on a car frenzy since like 20 years now. It'll calm down soon enough
I think by normal définition, Luxembourg is not a micro-state. I will check it.
the problem with sncb is the rundown trains and them almost never going line speed as the timetables have more slack than neccesary to decrease the amount of late trains.
due to this journey times are way longer than they need to be.
Yeah I seriously noticed this riding around on them. You see on the platform ENBARQUEMENT TERMINÉ but the train would sit on the platform for another two minutes. Felt like an eternity when it did that.
@@aidanfell4297 then you haven't taken the train Kortrijk-Lille Flandre it sits around in mouskroen for about 20 minutes
Thanks for including a peek at the bicycle storage. However, I need to know more about a train’s provision for cycles if I’m to be tempted to use it. Is there a way of locking the bike to something secure? And with a compact but heavy 25kg E-bike is it possible to use the cycle area without having to hoist/hang the bike from a hook? In this video it would have been interesting to see how the featured cyclist actually used the cycle facility for their particular type of bike. Thanks!
Honestly I don't know sorry, you'd have to contact the operator
is this journey free with a youth holiday ticket? I can not find any information about going from belgium to luxembourg with that ticket. I don't mind buying a supplement or whatever, I just can't find if it is even necessary
I don't believe it's included, I'm afraid
you'll need a ticket for Arlon-Luxembourg, costing €2.60, I'm afraid. You could avoid this surcharge by making a detour via Athus (not in the weekend), which is a Belgian station considered a Luxembourgish tariff point.
@@barvdw thanks! Last night I found the little supplement indeed. For 2.60 that is no problem :) again thanks so much.
The Belgian railway network suffers from a glaring drawback: when leaving from Brussel Zuid, you travel for 30 minutes but are still in... Brussels!!! Why a direct connection between Brussel Zuid and the line to Namur was never planned and built remains a mystery to me...
Absolutely 🤣
Free public transit? That's amazing. Why is the average income so high in Luxembourg?
Tax haven 😉
@@NonstopEurotrip It's a bit more complicated regarding the average income. Yes, it's still the highest average salary in Europe (around €48,000), and the highest median salary (around €42,000), but that's a far cry from the €140,000. But that's not salary: that's GDP per capita; in other words, how much each Luxembourger contributes to the country's GDP. And the big discrepancy is partly caused because a lot of people that work in Luxembourg don't live there. That raises GDP per capita.
Are any of the stops long enough that one can jump off and get a bite to eat on the platform?
Nope!
@@NonstopEurotrip Too bad. Could be some fun stuff that way.
No. Until Namur, there are 2 trains an hour, so if you're on time, you could take a train half an hour early and get something from Namur station, alas, the offer is better in Brussels. If you get off later, there are some places with decent restaurants nearby (Ciney, for instance), but you will have to wait an hour for the next train.
@@barvdw Wow, you have this nailed. I’m very impressed. There are some routes in the world where one can hop off for 15 minutes and there are amazing options on the platform. Apparently not this one though.
@@hemaccabe4292 no, with that many stops, you want the station time to be as short as possible, with some reserve, of course.
I know you are definitely not a fan of Russia 🇷🇺 but I’d like to know your detailing and views on the trans Siberian railway and Sapsan high speed train from Moscow to St. Petersburg
I'll definitely try them both once Russia is disbanded.
Oooh, that was a heavy burn. @@NonstopEurotrip
3 hours and 17 minutes for 220 km? That's about 67 km/h
That's mainly because the train runs a kind of U shaped route through Brussels, stopping no less than 4 times inside the city limits. If you take the travel time fom the last station in Brussels, it' considerably shorter.
It's not meant to be highspeed ✌🏻
The thing is with this compartment coaches... it was first class but the change it to second class and renew the interior a bit!
Exactly 💯
Your channel name is " NONSTOP EUROTRIP" How do you manage your personal hygiene if you are continually on the move? And how do you keep in contact with your family & Friends, Do you get visits from them on long waits in between trains A swift birthday party in Liege Guillemens/ A visit of a Escort while waiting at WIEN HBF ???
Something like that. I stay in nice hotels and travel with family and friends where possible, and meet up with my network of friends around the world!
Toilet is notably handicapped unfriendly. I would like clean though.
there's a handicapped accessible toilet in the I11 control car in the train.
@@barvdw Thank you. You are the coolest! I still think all bathrooms could use some grab bars though.
A small correction, not all announcements in Brussels are in 4 languages. Only the international services and airport services are. All announcements are bilingual French-Dutch, though.
people don't go to Bruxelles Midi for it's architecture then
Definitely not 😂
You put your shoes on the seat! :((
😢😢😢
The platforms of Brussels South (midi) and north stations are a national disgrace. Overall, the stations in Flanders (Dutch-speaking part of Belgium) are much nicer. Next time you should visit Antwerp Central Station, one of the most beautiful stations in the world :) (and a much, much nicer city than Brussels too)
Oh I agree with you on that 😊
Your voice makes the video better
Keep your voice in every video
Thank you dude 😎