The new timetable is part of the second phase of the Transport Plan December 2023 – December 2026. A plan that makes several minor adjustments every year in December to optimize train traffic and, among other things, to meet the needs of travelers and staff.
Direct connection Knokke-Leuven
The IC train Knokke – Brussels Airport-Zaventem continues to Leuven during the weekend. The process will now look like this:
Knokke – Duinbergen – Heist – Bruges – Aalter – Ghent-St.-Pieters – Brussels-South – Brussels-Central – Brussels-North – Brussels Airport-Zaventem – Leuven.
L train from Zeebrugge-Strand to Mechelen
The L trains from Zeebrugge-Strand to Ghent-St.-Pieters will now continue to Mechelen during the weekend. The stops are in:
Zeebrugge-Strand – Lissewege – Brugge-Sint-Pieters – Bruges – Oostkamp – Beernem – Maria-Aalter – Bellem – Hansbeke – Landegem – Drongen – Ghent-St.Pieters – Merelbeke – Melle – Kwatrecht – Wetteren – Schellebelle – Wichelen – Schoonaarde – Dendermonde – Buggenhout – Malderen – Londerzeel – Kapelle-op-den-Bos – Mechelen .
L train between Kortrijk and Mechelen
During the weekend, this train will now run from Kortrijk to Ghent-St.-Pieters. The further stops in Dendermonde and Mechelen will be abolished. From Ghent-St.-Pieters you can now take the L train Zeebrugge-Strand to Mechelen (see above).
Going abroad for a while?
Also good news for those who like to visit our northern neighbors, because from December 15 there will be a faster connection between Brussels and Amsterdam. The Eurocity Direct takes you via Brussels South, Antwerp Central, Rotterdam and Schiphol Airport to Amsterdam South. You need to buy a EuroCity Direct Ticket for this train.
There is also good news for those who want to go to Paris. There is a new train connection between Brussels-South and Paris-Nord.
More information and new timetables outside West Flanders can be found on the NMBS website.