Antwerp-Sint Niklaas Rail Service Disrupted for Duration of School Holiday
Antwerp, Belgium – Train service between Antwerpen-Centraal and Sint-Niklaas has been suspended for the duration of the school holiday, beginning today, February 15, 2026, and continuing through Friday, February 20, 2026. The disruption is due to ongoing track work between Antwerp and Gent-Sint-Pieters, according to reports.
The work, which includes the renewal of rail sleepers, is intended to ensure the safety of the rail network. Direct train service between the two cities will not be available. Passengers traveling between Sint-Niklaas and Antwerpen-Berchem/Antwerpen-Centraal are advised to travel via Mechelen or Dendermonde, while those heading to Antwerpen-Zuid should route their journeys through Puurs or Dendermonde.
National rail operator SNCB is implementing replacement bus services between Antwerpen-Berchem and Melsele, and between Antwerpen-Berchem and Hoboken-Polder. These buses will connect with tram line 3 at the Zwijndrecht-Dorp tram stop, providing access to Antwerpen-Centraal.
Trains between Gent-Sint-Pieters and Antwerpen-Centraal will be rerouted, impacting service to several stations. Intercity trains originating from Oostende will not stop at Gent-Dampoort, Lokeren, Sint-Niklaas, Beveren, or Antwerpen-Zuid.
Travelers are strongly encouraged to consult the NMBS online journey planner for the most up-to-date route information and schedules. The planner accounts for the ongoing work to determine optimal travel routes. Trainline provides information on typical travel times, which usually take around 27 minutes, though the fastest services can complete the journey in as little as 22 minutes.
The disruption comes as renovation work at the Linkeroever train station also commenced today, further impacting rail services in the region. Rome2rio indicates that the cheapest travel option between the two cities currently costs approximately $5.
