Eurocity Direct

• Only bring luggage that you can easily carry and store.
• Luggage must not cause any inconvenience to other passengers.
• The trains do not have maximum size restrictions, but your luggage must always be able to fit in one of the following places:
  - in the luggage racks above the seats
  - under the seat
  - in the larger luggage racks or spaces between the compartments
  - large suitcases can be placed on the balcony, as long as you do not block any doors or walkways
• Keep an eye on your belongings during the journey; this is your own responsibility.
• Different conditions apply to wheelchairs, folding bicycles and (electric) bicycles:

Transporting bicycles
Passengers with impaired mobility

• Regular luggage such as suitcases, bags and backpacks
• Foldable prams or buggies
• Musical instruments
• Oxygen cylinders (with doctor's certificate)

You may not carry goods that are prohibited by customs or other government authorities. These include:

• Narcotics
• Firearms, including replicas and toy weapons
• Stabbing or combat weapons (including ceremonial or sporting weapons)
• Explosives or fireworks
• Gas cylinders

It is not possible to bring extra luggage for a fee. Luggage that does not meet these conditions may be refused.

To take your bicycle on the train, you will need an international bicycle ticket. The following conditions apply:

Type of bicycle

• Permitted: regular bicycle, electric bicycle (battery must remain in/on the bicycle during the journey) and fatbike. .
• Folding bicycle: may be transported free of charge as luggage when folded. A fatbike folding bicycle is too large when folded and is subject to the rules for regular bicycles (bicycle ticket is mandatory).
• Not permitted: cargo bikes, bicycle trailers, wagon carts, mopeds and similar bicycles.
• Tandems, tricycles, recumbent bicycles and Segways are only permitted if they are being used as aids by passengers with disabilities. They can be transported free of charge if the passenger has a disability card and/or the vehicle is marked with a disability sticker.

Use and placement

• A maximum of 1 bike per person.
• Groups are not permitted to bring bicycles.
• The bicycle must be placed in the designated carriage, which is identifiable by the bicycle symbol on the doors.
• All luggage must be removed from bicycles during the journey. You are responsible for loading, transferring and unloading your own bicycle.

A bicylce ticket is always booked for 2nd class.
You can purchase an international bicycle ticket to and from Belgium via:

• You can book, change and cancel bicycle tickets for journeys anywhere in Belgium online.
• The price of a bicycle ticket varies depending on the route.
• It is not possible to reserve bicycle spaces on Eurocity Direct trains.

Bicycle tickets do not guarantee a space on the train. Each train has a limited number of spaces for bicycles. If these are occupied, your bicycle will not be transported and you will have to wait for the next similar type of train. From May to September, trains are particularly busy with bicycles. We therefore recommend choosing the Eurocity Direct service, which offers more spaces for bicycles.

Bringing a bike on a regional train in Belgium

• You can take your bicycle with you on regional trains via Roosendaal and Visé (near Maastricht). You can book your ticket online.
• Bicycles are not permitted at a number of stations in Belgium: to/from Brussels Central, Brussels Congress and Brussels Kapellekerk.

If you have any questions, please contact NS International Customer Service, NS International desk or the Train manager of the train you are travelling on.

Eurocity Direct offers twelve spaces (assembled bicycles). EuroCity has two bicycle spaces (assembled bicycles). These numbers apply to trains with an unaltered composition and may change in the event of disruptions and emergencies.

• Children 0 to 3 years:
  Travel free of charge on your lap or at the child fare with their own seat.
• Children 4 to 5 years:
  Travel free of charge. Children must always be accompanied by a parent/guardian or an adult with written permission from the parent/guardian.
• Children 6 to 11 years:
  Travel free of charge. Children must always be accompanied by a parent/guardian or an adult with written permission from the parent/guardian. Children aged 6 and above may travel unaccompanied if they have written proof of permission from a parent or legal guardian. Unaccompanied children receive a 50% discount on the standard adult fare on the Dutch section of the journey and a 40% discount on the Belgian section.
• Children and young people 12 to 25 years:
  Travel at the youth fare.

• Baby care:
  There are no baby facilities on board.
• Stroller:
  You may take the pram or stroller on board for free, when travelling with a child. You can store your stroller in the carriage you are sitting in, provided you fold it.

• Small pets: Small pets can travel free of charge if they are transported in a cage, bag or basket. These must not exceed 55 x 30 x 30 cm (L x W x H). If the train is busy, you must place the cage, bag or basket on your lap.
• Large pets: You must purchase a ticket for large pets. The fixed price is £6 per single journey, regardless of destination or class. Dogs not travelling in a cage, bag or basket must be kept on a lead and wear a muzzle. You cannot reserve a seat for pets.
• Guide and assistance dogs: Travel free with a companion ticket. More information for passengers with impaired mobility travelling.

For larger pets that cannot be transported in a cage, bag or basket, purchase a ticket at:

• NS ticket machine at the station.
• NS International desk or NS desk at the station
• NS International Customer Service via 030 - 2300023 (available daily between 07.00 and 23.00 hours).

• Passengers with intellectual, visual or mobility impairments pay the standard fare.
• Holders of a OV-Begeleiderskaart or EU Disability Card may travel with one companion and one assistance dog free of charge.
• For journeys to Belgium and Luxembourg, neither the companion nor the assistance dog needs a ticket. However, a free companion ticket can be issued on request.
• You must always travel with your companion.
• No distinction is made between passengers in wheelchairs and those with other disabilities.
• Assistance dogs are welcome and travel free of charge..

• Wheelchair spaces are located in the middle of the train, in both 1st and 2nd class.
• Wheelchair spaces cannot be reserved.
• Maximum wheelchair dimensions (to fit in trains, lifts and mobile bridges): 150 x 70 cm (L x W) 137.5 cm high (including luggage)
• According to the Dutch source page, 150 x 85 cm is sometimes considered the outer limit; therefore, always use the most strict dimensions: maximum 150 x 70 cm.

Maximum weight:

• Manual wheelchair + passenger: max. 200 kg (when using NS Travel Assistance).
• Electric wheelchair or mobility scooter + passenger: max. 300 kg.

Aids with combustion engines are not permitted.

• Oxygen cylinders are permitted but a doctor's certificate is required.
• The following items may be brought along free of charge, provided there is space in the bicycle storage room (reservations are not possible): tricycle; electric bicycle; recumbent bicycle; walking frame; walking aid; balance bike; tandem; Segway.

Conditions for aids in the bicycle compartment:

• Max. 150 x 70 cm (L x W) and 137.5 cm high.
• Do not place them in wheelchair spaces.
• You must show one of the following passes: OV Begeleiderskaart, Handicap Parking Card, WMO Transport Pass (Regiotaxi) or Valys Pass.
• Please attach a disabled sticker to the aid in a visible place.

• You can request assistance with boarding and disembarking through the NS Travel Assistance.
• Requests can be made up to 24 hours before departure..
• However, not all Belgian stations offer assistance. View the list via NMBS.
• Additional rules apply to journeys through multiple countries, so you should always request assistance as far in advance as possible.
• You can apply for an OV-Begeleiderskaart from Argonaut.