Hi,

we are spending 7-10 days in Belgium (this August). The plan is to have "base station" in Brussels, spend a couple of days exploring it, and make day trips by train to Antwerpen, Bruges, Gent and maybe some other city (suggestions? We are considering 2-day trip to Amsterdam, also).

So the question is - what's the cheapest way to cover train expenses? www.b-rail.be has extensive information on fares, but only in French, which I unfortunately don't understand. Our budget is very tight, so every saved euro counts.

There will be 2 of us, 1 may be eligible for student discount (is under 26 and has ISIC card).

So, dear Belgium experts, what would you suggest?

For the -26 the Go Pass will be the cheapest solution. It costs 43 euro for 10 single journeys in 2nd class ; I'm not sure for the +26.
A regular single ticket Brussel-Antwerpen (which is the shortest trip of the ones you mention) costs 5.80 euro - with the Go Pass this will only be 4.30 euro.

I will ask my sister which pass she has since she's over 26 herself and always uses it for train travel within Belgium.
I'll get back to you as soon as I heard from her.

My sister uses the Rail Pass at 65 euro for her trips within Belgium. Her usual traject is a long one that would cost 16.90 euro <b>single fare</b> if she would buy a loose ticket. With the rail pass she pays only 6.50 euro!
In fact both Go Pass and Rail Pass are blank tickets on which you write - before departure of the train - the station of departure and of destination.
The passes are not nominal so you can both travel on one (Rail) pass if you think you will need less than 10 tickets (that would be 2.5 return journeys per person).
Best is to try to figure out what trips you are going to make and what they would cost if you would buy loose tix.

Myriam, are the rates you quoted week-end rates? Belgian trains are cheaper on week-ends. *IF* Dunga decides not to get a pass, traveling on week-ends to the farthest destinations will save a few euro.
The good news overall is that Belgian trains are pretty inexpensive.

@ BTilke
The passes (validity one year) can be used throughout the week and the weekend. Every single trip is priced 4.30 (-26 yrs) or 5.80 (+26 yrs).
My sister usually travels Eupen-Antwerpen for which the weekday rate (return) is 33.80 euro and the weekend rate (return) 13 euro. So she's always cheaper off using a Rail Pass (2 x 5.80).
For shorter trips on a weekend the special weekend rate might be cheaper, though. Something to check out.

@ Dunga
If you need some specific information that you cannot find in English, let me know. I will gladly look it up for you and translate.