What train ticket do I need to buy to take a bicycle with me on the train to Belgium?

Question

I want to take the train from Haarlem (The Netherlands) to Antwerpen (Belgium) and would like to take my non-folding bike with me. It is unclear to me where I can buy a ticket and what the special periods/routes are when this is not allowed at all.

What I've found so far

I know that the Dutch railroad provider (NS) allows to travel with a bicycle:

• during off-peak hours
• for €7.50 one way

I found that the Belgian railroad provider (SNCB) allows to take a bicycle with you:

• whenever, but after asking the conductor
• for €4 one way

However, according to the NS International website (where I intend to buy my ticket) one can take the bike:

• only on the Intercity Brussels
• for €12 one way, and if travelling in July/August an extra €4 reservation fee

I am confused on what kind of ticket I should buy and if I should choose a specific route. I can e.g. take an intercity + regional train or two intercity trains (or the Thalys, but that's very expensive, so I don't consider that). Can I take a bike on both options?

Should I buy separate bike tickets from NS and SNCB on-line or should I buy the NS International ticket?

Question

Which train ticket do I need to buy and what train lines can I choose to be able to take my bicycle with me?

Answer 1

Since somewhere in 2024 there is a possibility to book a bicycle ticket online for trips to and from Belgium and Luxembourg.

For other destinations you still have to book the ticket at a physical counter or through the customer service. From my experience with the NS International customer service (in 2021 when you couldn't book on-line) I learned the following:

• It takes a very long call of around 1 hour to get hold of the right desk.
• You need the 12 euro international ticket, regardless of any regional trains before/after the international part.
• If using the phone, you need to pay by credit card and hand over all your information (name, d.o.b., credit card number, CVC code).
• Tickets are linked to a name, you need to show a photo ID when a train conductor checks the ticket. If buying by phone, triple check that the person on the other end got the name right, as otherwise they might misspell your name and you need to call (and wait) again to get that corrected.