Using trains in Belgium and the Netherlands.

[SouthEastBuses]

Just discovered that in Belgium, if you're under 26 (which applies to me), you're entitled to a so called Youth ticket, which allows cheaper fares across trains in Belgium. But I have a question, does the Youth ticket discount apply to anyone in Belgium (including tourists), or just people legally resident in Belgium?

In addition, in the Netherlands, do I get any discounts on train tickets as a result of my young age (I'm currently 20 but will be 21 by the time I go to BE and NL)?

 

[AlbertBeale]

Just discovered that in Belgium, if you're under 26 (which applies to me), you're entitled to a so called Youth ticket, which allows cheaper fares across trains in Belgium. But I have a question, does the Youth ticket discount apply to anyone in Belgium (including tourists), or just people legally resident in Belgium?

In addition, in the Netherlands, do I get any discounts on train tickets as a result of my young age (I'm currently 20 but will be 21 by the time I go to BE and NL)?

In Belgium, if you're travelling with someone else, and one of you can get an age-related (or other) discount, it's not worth doing so for off-peak travel over the summer, since there's a two-for-one deal at the moment. One regular ticket is enough for two people ... which of course is cheaper than a regular one plus a discounted one.

As I remember it, age-related discounts in Belgium don't require you to be a Belgian citizen/resident - though it could have changed.

 

[SouthEastBuses]

In Belgium, if you're travelling with someone else, and one of you can get an age-related (or other) discount, it's not worth doing so for off-peak travel over the summer, since there's a two-for-one deal at the moment. One regular ticket is enough for two people ... which of course is cheaper than a regular one plus a discounted one.

As I remember it, age-related discounts in Belgium don't require you to be a Belgian citizen/resident - though it could have changed.

I am aware, unfortunately I will be travelling on my own (very likely) so the two for one ticket does not apply in my situation.

Yes, no mentions of the requirements of having to be a Belgian citizen or resident, so as far as I'm aware, that's definitely a good thing.

 

[DanielB]

No discounts for Dutch train tickets unfortunately at age 21. The cheap youth day ticket is only available until an age of 18.

 

[dutchflyer]

In NL-nothing-NL is in fact about the only country in the whole of west-EUR that does not even offer lower priced junior/student seasons-but about any uni-student however gets a free (week or weekend) unlimited subscription as part of grant. You may want to look into InterRail 1 country BeNeLux if you intend to make a few longer traindays-its slightly cheaper for junior <27.
IN BE it is for ANYone-even those from out of the EU. It is either as goPass 1 for 1 trip (online only) OR as a 10-ride pass, old style cardboard, in which you write down details. It is a general rule that anyone from young age anywhere in BE always needs to have the ´eenzelvigheidskaart´ with her/him=ID and its common this will be asked for in doubt. But as a tourist you need to have that with you anyway.
AND-in most BE school holdiays there will even be GO-UNLimited, for a very low price (for 1 week or maybe longer)-but you must then load this on a personal MoBiB chipcard, cost 5€, can be made on the spot in major stations-they can even do the foto then (which in NL is also a crime to arrange for foreigners).
In LUX all transit is free. BUT note this GO-passes and all other BE cheap offers are ONLY valid till last real stop, NOT the border points. So if you plan to go there too: have to buy another single ticket from that last stop to LUX-only BE part will be charged. (mostly about 2,50).
In DE there is now till aug. the well known 9€ alllocal monthly=extreme overcrowding in many cases, as I also have experienced.

Yes, IN BE its for anyone from where-ever. As GOpass 1 for 1 trip or the old style cardboard pass for 10-in which you write down details.
In school hols thetre is usually also GO-UNlimited-but must be loaded on local MoBiB chipcard, cost 5€ for 5 yrs.
ALL cheap local tickets only valid till last real stop, not border tariff point, so pay extra for that short section.
You may want to look into InterRail 1 country=BeNeLux here, as it has lower price for juniors for some days in NL.
In LUX its free-but the short few KMs in BE till border thus must be paid for any trip in addition.

 

[Quakkerillo]

In addition to Dutchflyer above: The names have changed in recent years, so the info is a bit outdated.

The Go Pass 1 is now called "Youth Ticket", and costs €6,60 per single journey within Belgium.
The Go Pass (for 10 rides) is now called "Youth Multi" and is €55 on paper, or €53 if you buy it through the NMBS / SNCB app. It allows for 10 journeys within Belgium just like the Youth Ticket.

In July and August, there's the Youth Holiday ticket for either €18/week or €29/month.

If you travel Cross-border, there are also "Youth Ticket" options to/from Roosendaal (NL), Maastricht (NL), and Aachen (DE) which offer a 30% discount on the regular journey price.

Sometimes, it's the cheapest then to combine a ticket to the last station before Belgium, then a Youth Ticket from either of the three stations above to the first station in Belgium, and then the internal Youth Ticket / Youth Holiday ticket for the remainder of the journey.