Belgian rail workers are set to strike from tonight, and travellers heading to Brussels on Monday face disruption. Here is what is confirmed and what to do.
What is happening
Belgian rail operator SNCB has confirmed a reduced rail service as part of a strike starting on Sunday 11 October at 22:00 and ending after the last train on Monday 12 October. An alternative timetable will run according to staff availability, with the service plan appearing in SNCB’s journey planner 24 hours in advance.
Eurostar has announced cancellations affecting some services operating to and from Brussels. Brussels is a major interchange, so the consequences extend beyond Belgium itself. Passengers connecting through Brussels to the Netherlands, Germany, France or Luxembourg could face revised schedules or reduced services, and a cancelled domestic connection can stop you reaching an otherwise operating international departure.
Separately, Brussels Airport says it currently expects no impact on air traffic from Monday’s action, though it warns that public transport disruption may affect journeys to and from the terminal.
If you are travelling London to Brussels
- Check your individual Eurostar booking before setting out. The operator’s travel updates page is the authoritative source for your train, and cancellations are listed by train number.
- Look at your complete journey, not just the international leg. Check your connections within Belgium and your return trip too.
- If your travel is not essential, consider postponing. Eurostar typically offers free exchanges and refunds during strike disruption, and the Brussels service pattern should normalise from Tuesday.
- Services to Paris are expected to run normally, so Paris bound travellers are largely unaffected.
- Allow much more time if you must travel. With domestic capacity reduced, alternative routes fill up fast.
What about the rest of the week
This is a defined 24 hour style action, not an open ended dispute, so disruption should be concentrated on Monday 12 October. SNCB says to check the planner the day before travel and again before leaving, since the alternative timetable depends on how many staff turn up.
The strike comes days after separate action that hit Brussels Airport’s ground handler Alyzia on 9 October, which saw around 140 flight cancellations, and ahead of a packed European strike calendar that includes Italy’s multi layer aviation strikes on 16 October and the Leeds Bradford airport walkout on 16 to 18 October. October 2026 is turning into a month where checking before you travel is not a nicety but a necessity.
The bottom line
Tonight’s Belgian rail strike is short but sharp for cross Channel travellers. If Brussels is your destination on Monday, check your Eurostar booking first, plan for cancellations, and be ready to rebook. If you can wait a day, do.
