New Basel–Strasbourg–Brussels Rail Connection

Testing of a New Basel–Strasbourg–Brussels Rail Connection

From July 2027, SBB, SNCF Voyageurs and SNCB will jointly pilot an extension of the existing TGV INOUI service between the two European capitals, Brussels and Strasbourg, through to Basel.

SBB/CFF/FFS (Text), Sabrina Schellenberg (Photos)
Published on 12.06.2026, Reading time 3 minutes

The existing “Brussels–France” TGV INOUI service, jointly operated by SNCF Voyageurs and SNCB, will be expanded to serve Basel, Switzerland, in partnership with SBB.

The objective is to offer a rail service with one return trip on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, thereby strengthening connections between travellers in these three dynamic markets: Switzerland, France and Belgium.

Furthermore, this extension will allow Swiss travellers to reach London via a connection in Lille or continue onwards to the Netherlands from Brussels, offering attractive rail alternatives to existing air travel options. However, under the current timetable, it is not possible to make a connection at Lille when travelling from London to Switzerland.

From early July 2027, the TGV INOUI service between Basel and Brussels-Midi will operate with the same intermediate stops as the existing service.

Departing Brussels at around 7am, the train serves Lille-Europe, Charles de Gaulle Airport TGV, Champagne-Ardenne TGV, Meuse TGV, Lorraine TGV and Strasbourg-Ville before reaching Basel SBB at approximately 12.30pm.

The return service leaves Basel at around 2pm and arrives in Brussels at approximately 7pm. Passengers changing trains at Lille-Europe for London can expect to arrive in London at approximately 8pm (UK time).

Tickets are expected to go on sale in spring 2027.

About SNCF Voyageurs

Founded on 1 January 2020, SNCF Voyageurs is the SNCF Group’s passenger rail operator, carrying around 5 million passengers each day on approximately 15,000 train services. The company provides long-distance and high-speed rail services to 230 destinations in France and across Europe via TGV INOUI, OUIGO, Eurostar and TGV Lyria. SNCF Voyageurs also operates services under public service contracts on behalf of transport authorities (regional governments and the State), including Transilien services in the Paris region, TER regional services across 11 regions, and daytime and overnight Intercités services on strategically important national routes.

Drawing on the expertise of its 65,000 employees, SNCF Voyageurs provides its customers – passengers, transport authorities and businesses – with low-carbon mobility solutions. It also provides engineering solutions for rail services and rolling stock, as well as maintenance services through Masteris. Its subsidiary SNCF Connect & Tech develops digital solutions and services, including Tesmo for businesses and local authorities, and SNCF Connect, the leading all-in-one platform for sustainable mobility designed for travellers. SNCF Voyageurs generated revenue of €20.9 billion in 2025.

About SNCB

SNCB, Belgium’s national passenger rail operator, aims to be the preferred choice for comfortable and sustainable mobility throughout Belgium. Its objective: satisfied customers who see rail as the obvious solution to their mobility needs. As a major employer in Belgium and a key player in the mobility sector, SNCB continues to invest in customer-focused, punctual, safe and comfortable transport services. Every day, SNCB’s employees work to deliver welcoming and functional stations, facilitate intermodal connectivity, maintain and renew the rolling stock, and transport passengers safely and reliably to their destinations. Every day, they place passengers at the heart of everything they do.