iRail — Free Belgian Railway Data API (No Key)

TL;DR

iRail provides free, real-time access to Belgian railway data from NMBS/SNCB, including train schedules, station information, vehicle positions, and live departures. Query connections between any two Belgian stations, get vehicle details by train ID, or list live departures from a specific station. Data is sourced from NMBS/SNCB open data feeds. JSON format, no API key needed. Essential for Belgian commuters, travel apps, and public transport enthusiasts.

Quick start: https://api.irail.be/vehicle/?id=BE.NMBS.IC1832&format=json

No API key needed — just make a request!

How to Use This API

1. Get Vehicle (Train) Information

https://api.irail.be/vehicle/?id=BE.NMBS.IC1832&format=json

2. Live Departures from a Station

https://api.irail.be/liveboard/?station=Brussel-Zuid&format=json

3. JavaScript — Track a Train

fetch('https://api.irail.be/vehicle/?id=BE.NMBS.IC1832&format=json')
  .then(r => r.json())
  .then(data => {
    console.log(`Train: ${data.vehicle}`);
    console.log(`From: ${data.stops[0].station}`);
    console.log(`To: ${data.stops[data.stops.length-1].station}`);
    data.stops.forEach(s => {
      console.log(`  ${s.scheduledDepartureTime}: ${s.station}`);
    });
  });

4. Python — Find Connections

import requests

params = {
    'from': 'Antwerpen-Centraal',
    'to': 'Brussel-Noord',
    'format': 'json'
}
data = requests.get(
    'https://api.irail.be/connections/', params=params
).json()

for conn in data['connection'][:3]:
    dep = conn['departure']['time']
    arr = conn['arrival']['time']
    print(f"Departs {conn['departure']['station']} -> {conn['arrival']['station']}")

IC1832 details: https://api.irail.be/vehicle/?id=BE.NMBS.IC1832&format=json

Try This URL Now

Frequently Asked Questions

What train ID format should I use?: Train IDs follow the pattern BE.NMBS.{trainNumber} (e.g., BE.NMBS.IC1832). The train number is found on NMBS/SNCB schedules and station displays.
What endpoints are available?: /vehicle/ (train details), /connections/ (journey planning), /liveboard/ (station departures), /stations/ (all stations), and /disturbances/ (disruptions).
Can I search stations?: Yes, use https://api.irail.be/stations/?format=json to get all NMBS/SNCB stations with names, coordinates, and IDs.
What format does the API use?: Always append &format=json for JSON responses. The API also supports XML without the parameter.
How often is data updated?: Liveboard and vehicle data updates in real-time from NMBS/SNCB. Connection data is based on the published schedule with real-time delay adjustments.
Is the API rate limited?: iRail is a free community project. Reasonable usage is expected. For high-volume applications, consider self-hosting.

API Details

API URL: https://api.irail.be/
Documentation: docs.irail.be
Category: Transport
Authentication: Not Required
Geographic Coverage: Belgium (BE) — NMBS/SNCB railway network

What You Can Build

Belgian train tracker with real-time delay information and platform changes
Journey planner for commuting between any two Belgian cities
Station departure board widget for your phone or smartwatch
Train disruption alert system that notifies your daily route
Multi-modal transport app combining iRail with Belgian bus data