Brussels, Charleroi Airport, SNCB, Infrabel, HR-Rail, Metros, and Cross-Border Trains Halted as Belgium Travel Grinds to a Halt Amid New Strikes

The nationwide railway strike, spanning nine days, has already begun, significantly affecting public transport in Brussels, Antwerp, Bruges, and other major cities. Adding to the chaos, airport workers will continue their monthly strikes, further impacting flight schedules at Brussels Airport and Charleroi Airport. Meanwhile, cross-border train services to Lille, Maubeuge, Luxembourg, Roosendaal, Maastricht, and Aachen are also affected.

With public transport crippled and mass protests fueling further instability, Belgium's travel system is grinding to a halt. Passengers are urged to check for real-time updates and explore alternative routes to navigate the disruptions.

Belgium's rail services will be severely impacted as workers across the country's railway network go on strike for nine days.

Most SNCB personnel, along with employees of Infrabel and HR-Rail, are participating in the strike, meaning train services could come to a near standstill.

International train services, such as Eurostar, TGV INOUI, EuroCity, EuroCity Direct, ICE, and OUIGO, are expected to remain unaffected. However, travelers are advised to check for real-time updates on the SNCB International website.

If you are traveling between Belgium and neighboring countries, SNCB suggests considering alternative routes, particularly for local cross-border trains to or from:

Travelers who rely on local connections within Belgium before or after an international journey should be prepared for possible disruptions.

This could lead to flight delays and cancellations, affecting both domestic and international air travel. Brussels Airport, Charleroi Airport, and other regional airports may experience disruptions, so passengers should check with their airlines before traveling.

Additionally, mass protests and demonstrations are expected to continue, particularly in Brussels, leading to further disruptions to public transport and potential road closures.

The railway strike follows recent mass protests in Brussels, where an estimated 50,000 people took to the streets in opposition to new government policies.

The demonstrations are mainly against government reforms, including:

A general strike has also been scheduled for 31 March, which could cause further disruptions across the country.

If your travel plans are affected by the strikes, you may be entitled to compensation or a refund under EU law.

To apply for refunds or check your rights, visit the official SNCB website or the customer service page of your train operator.

With multiple transport strikes planned over the next six weeks, travelers in Belgium should stay flexible and well-informed. The nationwide railway strike from 21 February to 2 March, coupled with ongoing airport worker strikes and mass protests, means significant disruptions are expected to continue into spring.

For live updates and further information, visit the SNCB International website or local transport news sources. Safe travels!