Ticket inspections and On-board Fare

During an on-board ticket inspection, the train conductor checks the tickets (paper and electronic versions) of all of the passengers. When he or she appears, show him or her your ticket right away. If you or one of the people you’re travelling with has a reduced fare ticket, make sure you also have the documents entitling them to the reduction ready.

We strongly advise you to buy your ticket before boarding the train, as your ticket will cost € 9 more (only electronic payment from 01/05/2023). You can easily buy a ticket through one of our different sales channels (website, SNCB app, ticket vending machine, or at the ticket counter). Avoid fines and travel with a valid transport ticket. If you board the train without a valid ticket, or if you have a valid ticket but are unable to prove it, there are two options available to you:

• You buy a ticket at the On-board Fare (price of the ticket + €9, only electronic payment from 01/05/2023) and continue on your journey.
• If you do not buy a ticket at the On-board Fare for any reason, the train conductor will issue a statement of irregularity for an amount of €90, and you will be able to continue on your journey.

Sometimes it is possible to be reimbursed for a ticket purchased at the On board Fare or to cancel a statement of irregularity:

• If you didn’t have a valid ticket before boarding the train, contact the Customer Service through this contact form if you think that you were prevented from buying an On-board Fare ticket for legitimate reasons, in view of getting a €90 statement of irregularity cancelled. You must then pay the amount of the On-board Fare ticket.
• If you had a valid ticket but were unable to present it at the ticket inspection, you will have 14 calendar days (from the inspection date) to present your ticket or season ticket, valid on the inspection date in question, at a ticket counter of your choice, along with the ticket bought at the On-board Fare or the statement of irregularity issued during the ticket inspection, to be refunded the cost of your ticket or have your €90 statement of irregularity cancelled at no cost.

Please also be aware that the €9 Onboard Fare supplement will not apply in the case of:

• products not available at a ticket vending machine
• boarding the train at a stop without a ticket counter or vending machine
• boarding the train at a stop where the train conductor’s ticket machine indicates that the vending machine is out of order
• general system breakdown
• Brussels Airport Supplement (Diabolo) for Brussels Airport – Zaventem
• tickets from Eijsden, Lezennes, Hellemmes, Pont de Bois, Annappes, Croix l'Allumette to Belgium, tickets between 2 stations in France or Luxembourg, Bike Supplement from Luxembourg and France, Pet Supplement from Luxembourg, and for each accompanied child.

The train conductor’s ticket machine automatically recognises where this is the case. Should a supplement be applied regardless (e.g. in the event of an out-of-order vending machine not flagged by the train conductor’s ticket machine), please contact the Customer Service via this contact form.

This surcharge applies for security reasons and to limit fraud, so we strongly advise you to buy your ticket before boarding the train, as your ticket will cost € 9 more (only electronic payment from 01/05/2023). Avoid fines and travel with a valid ticket.

With the multiplication of sales channels (website, app SNCB, automatic sales machines and ticket offices), it is increasingly easy to buy your ticket anywhere and anytime. It is also possible to get help from a distance to buy a ticket at the ticket machines in stations. In addition, as with other forms of public transport, it is normal to buy your ticket before boarding. Avoid fines and travel with a valid ticket.