Regional buses serve every area of Belgium, from whichever is the nearest city or large town. In general, the only part of the country where it makes sense to plan on going by bus instead of by train is the Ardennes, which has few rail lines. Fares and schedules are available from STIB (tel.

Traveling between cities in Belgium is incredibly efficient thanks to one of the densest and most punctual rail networks in the world, operated by SNCB/NMBS. The train is the "gold standard" for domestic travel; for example, the journey from Brussels to Ghent or Antwerp takes roughly 40 to 50 minutes, with trains departing several times an hour. You don't need to book domestic tickets in advance, as prices are fixed, and you can simply tap a contactless card or buy a ticket at the station. For those under 26 or over 65, there are significant discounts like the "Youth Holidays" or "Senior Ticket." While trains cover the major hubs, regional travel in Flanders is supplemented by De Lijn buses, and in Wallonia by TEC buses. For travelers looking for the most budget-friendly option, private bus companies like FlixBus connect major cities like Bruges and Liege for very low fares. Because the country is so compact—only about 175 miles at its widest point—many locals also use a combination of train and folding bicycles, which are easily accommodated on most Belgian rail carriages for a small fee.