New low-cost OUIGO train connects Brussels and Paris

The Belgian and French railroads have inaugurated the first run of a new conventional train connection between Brussels and Paris. The journey will take three hours with the new connection, operated by OUIGO, SNCF’s low-cost brand, compared to 1h22 with Eurostar. A ticket is available for 10 euros one way.

With this new connection, NMBS/SNCB and SNCF want to launch an affordable offer between the two capitals that complements the current offer, making the train a mobility option for everyone in Europe.

Three daily trains

The new budget-friendly train trips to Paris – ticket prices range between 10 and 59 euros one way – come more than two years after the discontinuation of Izy’s low-cost trains, which ran between Brussels and Paris in 2 hours and 30 minutes. However, daily Eurocity trains ran between Brussels and Paris during the Olympics, stopping in Mons.

Three OUIGO trains will now run daily back and forth between the Belgian and French capitals, both during the week and on weekends, and spread throughout the day. In Belgium, this train stops at the renewed Mons station, and in France at Aulnoye-Aymeries and Creil.

Passengers have a numbered seat. Children under four travel free on the lap, and between the ages of four and 12, a flat rate of 6 euros applies. There is no catering on board.

Competitor for Flixbus

The new train connection does give Flixbus a strong competitor. A Flixbus will take you at least four hours between Brussels and Paris, and you will pay 27,99 euros.

OUIGO was launched in April 2022 and has been a commercial success so far. Since its launch, 3 million passengers have been carried, and the trains have a 70% occupancy rate. However, the offer in France is minimal: three daily round-trip connections between Paris and Nantes and two daily round-trip trains between Paris and Rennes, although a Paris-Bordeaux connection may be added.

For now, OUIGO is not yet profitable, but the first profits will be made perhaps next year and most likely in 2026.