Extra Trains to Belgian Coast as Heatwave Sparks Surge
Belgium’s national railway operator SNCB/NMBS is deploying 26 additional train services to the Belgian coast this weekend to accommodate a surge of passengers seeking relief from an intense heatwave sweeping across the country. The extra trains, running to and from the popular coastal destinations of Ostend (Oostende) and Blankenberge, began operating on Saturday 20 June and will continue through Sunday 21 June, according to RTBF.
Heatwave Breaks Records
The measure comes as Belgium experiences one of its most significant June heatwaves in recent years. On Friday 19 June, temperatures in Uccle reached 32°C, breaking the daily record set in 2000, as confirmed by meteorologist David Dehenauw of the Royal Meteorological Institute (IRM). The Brussels Times reported that the new record underscores the intensity of the current heat event.
Belgium activated its “high heat and ozone peaks” warning plan on Monday 15 June, with the IRM issuing a yellow heat warning. The heatwave is part of a broader European heat event, with temperatures forecast to approach or exceed 39°C in inland areas of Belgium in the coming days. French President Emmanuel Macron has called for vigilance as Western Europe faces its second extreme temperature event of 2026, following an unusually hot spell in May.
SNCB’s Response
The railway operator is taking a proactive approach to manage the expected passenger surge. Additional staff will be deployed at stations to manage passenger flows on platforms. SNCB spokesperson Dimitri Temmerman explained the situation to KW.be: “In case of greater crowding, it is possible that travellers may have to wait at the station before they can take a train with sufficient available seats. Travellers are therefore advised to avoid the busiest times of the day as much as possible.”
Passengers are encouraged to use SNCB’s journey planner, available via the app and website, which displays expected occupancy levels on trains. The operator specifically advises avoiding peak hours: arriving at the coast between 11:00 and 14:00, or departing between 17:00 and 20:00.
Broader Context
The heatwave has prompted a range of measures across Belgium. Brussels parks and green spaces were closed from Thursday evening as a precaution. The VRT NWS reported that the Interregional Environment Unit (Ircel) activated the warning phase of the federal ozone and heat plan, with high ozone concentrations expected though not anticipated to exceed European reference thresholds.
The IRM defines a heatwave as a period when maximum temperatures reach at least 25°C for five consecutive days, including at least three days with temperatures of at least 30°C. The current June temperature record for Belgium remains 38.8°C, set on 27 June 1947 in Uccle, though forecasts suggest temperatures could approach this level around 23-25 June, particularly in inland areas like Limburg and Brabant.
Implications for Coastal Travel
The Belgian coast is a perennial summer destination for residents seeking relief from heat, particularly during weekends. Ostend and Blankenberge are among the most accessible coastal towns by rail from major cities including Brussels, Antwerp, and Ghent. SNCB typically runs extra trains to the coast during summer months and holiday weekends, but the current deployment of 26 additional services represents a larger response than similar measures during the Whitsun weekend in May, when 24 extra trains were scheduled.
What to Watch
As the heatwave is expected to persist into the coming week, questions remain about whether additional measures will be needed beyond the weekend. Some peak-hour (“P”) trains are scheduled for cancellation on Monday and Tuesday as the heat continues. The coordination between transport authorities and public health warning systems demonstrates Belgium’s integrated approach to crisis management during extreme weather events, a capability likely to be tested more frequently as climate change increases the frequency and intensity of heatwaves across Europe.
Passengers planning coastal trips are advised to check the SNCB journey planner for real-time occupancy information and to travel outside peak hours where possible to ensure a smoother journey.