Because we want to provide you with the best possible information about your international train tickets, we have made a list of the various fare types and the respective fare conditions for you.
All train journeys to the United Kingdom make use of the Eurostar, the high-speed train line through the channel tunnel, between Brussels, Lille, Paris and London.
There are two types of international train tickets: those for trains that require a reservation, and those that do not.
High-speed trains, such as Eurostar, generally require that passengers reserve a seat, and the tickets are only valid for the specific train, date and class booked, unless otherwise stated in the fare conditions.
International tickets for trains that do not require a reservation, such as the Intercity and local trains, are limited to a specific route, but not to a specific departure time or train, unless otherwise stated in the fare conditions. These international train tickets are valid for a maximum of one day and the validity period is specified on the ticket.
It is important that you check in before the Eurostar service departs.
Your ticket includes advice on how long in advance you should be at the departure station to ensure a smooth check-in process. The advice varies depending on the ticket/fare, this is listed at the top of your Eurostar ticket. The advice is usually between 45 and 90 minutes before departure.
Your ticket/fare determines how long in advance you should check in, this is stated at the top of your Eurostar ticket:
If you have an international ticket with a Eurostar reservation that is also valid for transport to and from Any Dutch Station, your international ticket for the Any Dutch Station–Brussels South v.v. route will also be valid on the day before or after the date specified on the ticket. Eurostar tickets that are also valid for transport to and from Any Dutch Station constitute multiple contracts.
Any complaints, delay refunds, compensation claims or damages claims relating to carriers other than NS International that result from a transport contract set up through NS International can be submitted to NS International. Depending on which carrier is targeted in the claim, NS International will either process the claim itself or forward it to the carrier in question.
If you have reserved a seat, we ask that you be seated in your reserved seat within 15 minutes of boarding the train. If you do not do so, the Train Manager may give your seat to another passenger.
A Mobile Ticket is a ticket that you can save in the NS International App and display on the screen of your smartphone. If you book a Mobile Ticket for a journey starting at your departure station, then you do not need to check in and out. If you need to pass through access gates or show your ticket, simply use the Mobile Ticket barcode on your smartphone screen. You will receive an e-mail confirmation with a link to the Mobile Subject to alterations Ticket. Opening this link on your smartphone will automatically download and save the Mobile Ticket in the NS International App under ‘My Bookings’. Mobile Tickets are subject to the standard fare conditions.
Homeprint tickets must be printed on A4 paper before you begin your journey. You will receive an e-mail confirmation of your homeprint booking, which also includes a button that lets you print your homeprint ticket.
The following rules apply:
The more expensive rates for Thalys and Eurostar services are subject to fairly lenient conditions for exchanges and refunds. As a result, some travellers do not feel a need to cancel their tickets prior to departure. In order to fill seats left empty by ‘no-show’ passengers, you may be offered an overbook ticket if your requested train is fully booked. An overbook ticket is a reservation without a seat assignment. In consultation with the Train Managers, you may be seated in an unoccupied seat, or if none are available, on one of the folding seats at the front and rear of the train. These tickets can be recognised by the notification ‘No seating reservation’.
The following rates apply to transporting your bicycle on a Eurostar service:
You are requested to report to the Luggage Sending/Retrieval desk in Brussels-South/Midi station an hour before the train’s scheduled departure. The same process applies for departures from London St. Pancras. Please report to the Euro-despatch Centre an hour before the train’s scheduled departure.
Bicycles may only be brought aboard Thalys trains if both wheels have been removed and if the bicycle is transported in a special bicycle cover (max. 135 x 85 x 30 cm). Folding bicycles are permitted if they are folded up and transported in a cover.
More information about travelling with a bicycle
You can also call the NS International Customer Service on +31 30 2300023 or visit the NS International service desk in the service shop at most major stations.
It is always a good idea to take out a travel insurance policy when you travel. Travel insurance provides you with security in the event that you need medical assistance, are involved in an accident or lose your luggage.
Certain types of fares are subject to high cancellation fees. It is therefore recommended that you purchase cancellation insurance in advance
Each train type has different facilities for transporting luggage. Travellers are required to label their luggage with their first and last name when they are travelling by train to and in France.
More information about travelling with luggage
Travelling with pets is not permitted in the Eurostar, with guide dogs forming the sole exception. In this case, the dog must have been trained by a member organisation of one of the following associations:
Eurostar has different rules and regulations regarding compensation for delays. You can find the information on the page Compensation for delays or call the NS International Customer Service on +31 30 2300023.
Under certain circumstances, travellers may be eligible for compensation in the event that their international train experiences a delay. One of these conditions is that the delay must involve a Subject to alterations cross-border route. The compensation is calculated based on the price of a single ticket, including surcharges, but excluding booking fees or transaction fees. Compensation claims amounting to less than €4 will not be paid out. Compensation is usually paid out in the form of a debit to the traveller’s bank account. Compensation requests can be sent to the railway company from which you purchased your ticket, or one of the carriers involved in your international journey. If you wish to receive compensation for a delay, you must submit a compensation request to NS International within three months of your journey.
More information about compensation for delays
You can find travel tips, advice before you leave,up-to-the-minute information, information about planned works, the international Travel Planner and information about discount fares. For more information, please contact us in our online chat, call the NS International Customer Service on +31 30 2300023 or visit the NS International service desk in the service shop at most major stations.
The transport contracts between the traveller and the carrier(s) are subject to the relevant carrier’s general and special terms and conditions. Several carriers may be part to the transport contracts referred to in the previous section, and your journey may consist of several separate transport contracts, even if you are using a single ticket. Please refer to NSinternational.nl/en/terms-andconditions or the point of sale for more information. A copy of the terms and conditions can be provided at no extra charge upon request. Transport contracts entered into with the carriers NS International B.V. or HSA Beheer N.V. (which trade under the brand name NS International) are solely applicable to transport using high-speed trains or cross-border trains. In the event of a transfer to or from said trains, a contract with another carrier may go into effect. The following regulations and conditions apply to the transport contracts referred to in the previous section: EU Directive on Travellers’ Rights, the General Terms and Conditions of NS International, the applicable Train Type Conditions, and the specific Fare Conditions.
| Fare types | Fare conditions | Exchange | Refund** | Header |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Business Premier (1st class) | None | Permitted before the train’s scheduled departure, if the ticket is unused.* | 100% refund before the train’s scheduled departure, if the ticket is unused. No refunds will be granted after the departure time. | Content |
| Standard Premier (1st class) | None | Permitted up to 45 minutes before the train’s scheduled departure, if the ticket is unused. Exchange fee: € 40 per person and per single ticket + any price difference with the best available fare.* | Not permitted. | Content |
| Standard (2nd class) | None | Permitted up to 45 minutes before the train’s scheduled departure, if the ticket is unused.Exchange fee: € 30 per person and per single ticket + any price difference with the best available fare.* | Not permitted. | Content |
| Child (1st and 2nd class) | Children aged 4 to 11 on the travel date, and children under the age of 4, who will be travelling in their own seat. Children under the age of 12 are not permitted to travel with Eurostar unaccompanied. | Permitted up to 45 minutes before the train’s scheduled departure, if the ticket is unused. Exchange fee: € 20 per person and per single ticket + any price difference with the best available fare.* | Not permitted. | Content |
| Rail Pass | Holders of a valid (and validated) Interrail Global Pass or Eurail Global Pass. Not intended for holders of an Interrail One Country Pass, Eurail One Country Pass or BritRail Pass. The pass must be validated for the day of the journey. Only 1st-class pass holders are permitted to travel in ‘Standard Premier’. | 1x permitted before the train departs. Exchange fee: €20 per person per single ticket in Standard Premier’ and €15 per person per single ticket in ‘Standard’. | Not permitted. | Content |
| Wheelchair (1st class) | Intended for wheelchair passengers, who are unable to walk independently for 200 meters (no proof of disability required). They must remain seated in the wheelchair for the duration of the journey. | Permitted before the scheduled departure of the train, if the ticket is unused. Exchange fee: € 30 per person and per single ticket + any price difference with the best available fare.* | Not permitted. | Content |
| Companion (1st and 2nd class) | Intended for the travelling companion of a wheelchair passenger, or visually or otherwise physically or mentally impaired passenger. Disabled passengers may travel with no more than one companion. Companions of a wheelchair passenger up to the age of 16 must be at least 16 years of age on the travel date. | Permitted before the scheduled departure of the train, if the ticket is unused. Exchange fee: € 30 per person and per single ticket + any price difference with the best available fare.* | Not permitted. | Content |
*) If the new ticket costs less than the original ticket, the price difference will not be refunded.
**) No refunds will be granted for partially unused tickets.
| Fare types | Fare conditions | Exchange | Refund** | Header |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Business Premier (1st class) | None. | Permitted before and up to 60 days after the train’s scheduled departure time, if the ticket is unused.* | 100% refund before and up to 60 days after the train’s scheduled departure date, if the ticket is unused. | Content |
| Standard Premier (1st class) | None. | Permitted up to 45 minutes before the scheduled departure of the train, if the ticket is unused. Exchange fee: € 30 per person and per single ticket + any price difference with the best available fare.* | Not permitted. | Content |
| Standard (2nd class) | None. | Permitted up to 45 minutes before the scheduled departure of the train, if the ticket is unused. Exchange fee: € 30 per person and per single ticket + any price difference with the best available fare.* | Not permitted. | Content |
| Child (1st and 2nd class) | Children aged 4 to 11. Children under the age of 12 are not permitted to travel with Eurostar unaccompanied. | Permitted up to 45 minutes before the scheduled departure of the train, if the ticket is unused. Exchange fee: € 20 per person and per single ticket + any price difference with the best available fare.* | Not permitted. | Content |
| Rail Pass | Holders of a valid (and validated) Interrail Global Pass or Eurail Global Pass. Not intended for holders of an Interrail One Country Pass, Eurail One Country Pass or BritRail Pass. The pass must be validated for the day of the journey. Only 1st-class pass holders are permitted to travel in ‘Standard Premier’. | Permitted once before the train departs. Exchange fee: € 20 per person per single ticket in ‘Standard Premier’ and €15 per person per single ticket in ‘Standard’. | Not permitted. | Content |
| Wheelchair (1st class) | Intended for wheelchair passengers, who are unable to walk independently for 200 meters (no proof of disability required). They must remain seated in the wheelchair for the duration of the journey. | Permitted before the scheduled departure of the train, if the ticket is unused. Exchange fee: € 30 per person and per single ticket.* | Not permitted. | Content |
| Companion (1st and 2nd class) | Intended for the travelling companion of a wheelchair passenger, or visually or otherwise physically or mentally impaired passenger. Disabled passengers may travel with no more than 1 companion. Companions of a wheelchair passenger up to the age of 16 must be at least 16 years of age on the travel date. | Permitted before the scheduled departure of the train, if the ticket is unused. Exchange fee: € 30 per person and per single ticket.* | Not permitted. | Content |
*) If the new ticket costs less than the original ticket, the price difference will not be refunded.
**) Partially unused tickets will not be refunded.