First-time traveler guide
Ghent, Belgium
The facts people look for first, pulled from this guide.
From Brussels Airport (BRU)
Download the SNCB/NMBS app: This is essential for real-time train schedules, platform updates, and buying tickets instantly. Buying online avoids potential queues at the station and saves you from fumbling with machines.
The price per day depends on the locker size, ranging from a minimum of €4.5 to a maximum of €13.5. The minimum rental period is one day. You can pay the charge when you choose your locker.
While the station has elevators and escalators, ongoing construction means they are occasionally out of service. If you have heavy luggage, be prepared for the possibility of using stairs.
There are paid toilets (typically €0.50) located within the station. You will find various small shops and food options on-site, which are convenient if you need a quick snack before heading into the city.
The station provides free WiFi, which is helpful for checking your final destination details or transport connections once you arrive.
Gent-Sint-Pieters is the primary hub for rail travel in Ghent. Here is how to reach the station efficiently.
From Brussels Airport (BRU) Most international visitors fly into Brussels Airport (BRU), located approximately 67 km from Ghent.
From City Center If you are staying in the historic center, the station is well-connected by local public transport operated by De Lijn.
By Taxi
Welcome to Gent-Sint-Pieters, the primary rail gateway to East Flanders. As a first-time visitor, it is helpful to know that this station has a straightforward layout featuring 12 platforms arranged in a single row. Unlike larger international hubs that span multiple levels, all 12 train platforms here are accessible from the main station hall via the central passenger thoroughfare.
Think of the station as a long, horizontal spine. The main entrance hall serves as your starting point, from which you can reach any of the 12 platforms. Because the station acts as a major East Flanders hub, you will find a mix of Intercity (IC) trains—connecting you to Brussels, Bruges, and Antwerp—alongside local and suburban services. There is no complex "upper" or "lower" level distinction for the trains themselves; all tracks are served from the same ground-level concourse area.
While the layout is relatively simple, the station has undergone extensive, long-term modernization. For a first-timer, the most important navigation tip is to stay aware of your surroundings, as ongoing construction can occasionally shift temporary walkways or access points. Always check the digital departure boards in the main hall immediately upon arrival; they will clearly indicate the current platform number for your specific train.
If you are traveling with heavy luggage, allow yourself a buffer of 5 to 10 minutes to navigate from the main hall to your platform. While the walk is generally short, the station is busy and can be crowded, especially during peak commute hours. Elevators and escalators are available to assist with vertical movement between the station hall and the platform level, but they can be heavily used. If you find yourself needing to change platforms, simply return to the central passage and follow the clear signage toward your new platform number.
Finally, do not be confused by the numbering—the platforms are numbered 1 through 12 consecutively. If you are looking for bus or tram connections, these are located in designated zones outside the main station building. Follow the signs for "De Lijn" or "Tram/Bus" once you exit the main hall to continue your journey into the city center.
Navigating Gent-Sint-Pieters can be intimidating, but I wish someone had told me these things to make my first arrival much smoother. Don't worry, just follow these tips.
The station offers automated lockers in two locations: inside the station's waiting area (accessible during station hours) and in the pedestrian tunnel next to the main building (accessible outside station hours). For early or late travel, the tunnel lockers are the best option. Lockers come in various sizes from M to XXL to fit anything from a backpack to a large suitcase.
The price per day depends on the locker size, ranging from a minimum of €4.5 to a maximum of €13.5. The minimum rental period is one day. You can pay the charge when you choose your locker. More detailed information and online reservations are available via the official B-Rail page.
Yes, you can reserve a locker online in advance via the B-Rail page to guarantee availability. This is recommended to save time and start your city trip immediately upon arrival. The reservation system is for the official NMBS lockers at Gent-Sint-Pieters station.
The minimum rental is one day. Once you open your locker after the rental period expires, you must pay the extra cost first. If you do not retrieve your belongings within 48 hours after the rental ends, the contents will be removed and you will incur an additional charge. Note that opening and re-closing the locker during the same rental period is not possible.
Yes, third-party services like Stasher offer trusted luggage storage in lockers, shops, and hotels near Gent Sint Pieters Station, starting from €3.49 per day. They advertise benefits like a 100% satisfaction guarantee, prices about half that of station lockers, flexible cancellation, and 24/7 customer support.
Yes, there is a tourist office info point located at Gent-Sint-Pieters railway station to help you start your city trip to Ghent well prepared. The webpage also highlights other station amenities like the Spoorloos Perron brasserie restaurant and a bike point offering city and cargo bikes.
Through station serving Ghent, Belgium. Gent-Sint-Pieters is the busiest railway station in Flanders and a vital hub for travelers across the Belgian network. Originally built in 1912 for the Ghent International Exposition, the station is currently undergoing a comprehensive, multi-phase renovation that began in 2010 and is expected to continue through 2027. This project is modernizing the facility while preserving its architectural significance. The station handles approximately 17.65 million passengers annually and serves as a major connection point for Intercity (IC), suburban (S), and regional (L) train lines. While the station once hosted high-speed international services, it currently functions primarily as a domestic hub with limited international connections to nearby border regions.
First-time visitors may find the ongoing construction activity noticeable, but the station remains fully functional. It features 12 platforms, which are clearly marked and well-signposted. To navigate with confidence, keep in mind that platform assignments can change up to 30–60 minutes before departure; always check the digital display boards in the main hall upon arrival. The layout is straightforward, but because of the extensive site work, allow extra time to move between the station entrance, the platforms, and the integrated tram and bus connections. English-language displays and announcements are standard, ensuring a manageable experience for international travelers.
