# NMBS/SNCB Scraper — Belgian Train Schedules & Data (`studio-amba/nmbs-scraper`) Actor Fetch Belgian railway data from the iRail API — train connections, live departures, arrivals, and the full station list for NMBS/SNCB. - **URL**: https://apify.com/studio-amba/nmbs-scraper.md - **Developed by:** [Studio Amba](https://apify.com/studio-amba) (community) - **Categories:** Travel - **Stats:** 2 total users, 0 monthly users, 100.0% runs succeeded, 0 bookmarks - **User rating**: No ratings yet ## Pricing from $8.00 / 1,000 result scrapeds This Actor is paid per event. You are not charged for the Apify platform usage, but only a fixed price for specific events. Learn more: https://docs.apify.com/platform/actors/running/actors-in-store#pay-per-event ## What's an Apify Actor? Actors are a software tools running on the Apify platform, for all kinds of web data extraction and automation use cases. In Batch mode, an Actor accepts a well-defined JSON input, performs an action which can take anything from a few seconds to a few hours, and optionally produces a well-defined JSON output, datasets with results, or files in key-value store. In Standby mode, an Actor provides a web server which can be used as a website, API, or an MCP server. Actors are written with capital "A". ## How to integrate an Actor? If asked about integration, you help developers integrate Actors into their projects. You adapt to their stack and deliver integrations that are safe, well-documented, and production-ready. The best way to integrate Actors is as follows. In JavaScript/TypeScript projects, use official [JavaScript/TypeScript client](https://docs.apify.com/api/client/js.md): ```bash npm install apify-client ``` In Python projects, use official [Python client library](https://docs.apify.com/api/client/python.md): ```bash pip install apify-client ``` In shell scripts, use [Apify CLI](https://docs.apify.com/cli/docs.md): ````bash # MacOS / Linux curl -fsSL https://apify.com/install-cli.sh | bash # Windows irm https://apify.com/install-cli.ps1 | iex ```bash In AI frameworks, you might use the [Apify MCP server](https://docs.apify.com/platform/integrations/mcp.md). If your project is in a different language, use the [REST API](https://docs.apify.com/api/v2.md). For usage examples, see the [API](#api) section below. For more details, see Apify documentation as [Markdown index](https://docs.apify.com/llms.txt) and [Markdown full-text](https://docs.apify.com/llms-full.txt). # README ## NMBS/SNCB Scraper -- Belgian Railway Connections, Live Departures & Station Data Extract Belgian train data from the [NMBS/SNCB](https://www.belgiantrain.be) railway network -- route connections with transfers and durations, real-time station departure boards, and the complete list of 550+ Belgian railway stations. Powered by the open iRail API. ### What is NMBS Scraper? NMBS (Nationale Maatschappij der Belgische Spoorwegen) -- also known as SNCB in French -- is Belgium's national railway company. It operates over 4,000 daily train services connecting 550+ stations across the country. This actor does not scrape a product catalogue; it extracts live transport data. The actor talks to the [iRail API](https://api.irail.be), a community-maintained open data project that provides real-time access to NMBS/SNCB schedules, delays, platform assignments, and occupancy levels. Three modes of operation: - **Connections mode** -- find routes between two stations with departure times, arrival times, durations, number of transfers, train types, delay information, and occupancy levels. Ideal for route planning applications and fare comparison. - **Liveboard mode** -- get the real-time departure board for any Belgian station, including delays, platform changes, and cancellations. Perfect for station display boards and delay monitoring. - **Stations mode** -- export the full list of Belgian railway stations with names, coordinates, and unique identifiers. Useful for building geographic databases and transport network analysis. What people build with this data: - **Commuter apps** -- developers build dashboards showing live train status for daily commuters on specific routes. - **Delay analytics** -- researchers and journalists track punctuality on Belgian railway lines to measure service quality over time. - **Route planning** -- travel agencies and corporate travel teams find optimal connections for their Belgian itineraries. - **Station network analysis** -- urban planners and real estate analysts use station coordinates and connectivity data to study accessibility. - **Transport data enrichment** -- logistics companies overlay Belgian rail data with their delivery network to identify multimodal transport options. ### What data does NMBS Scraper extract? #### Connections mode - :bullettrain_side: **Departure/arrival station** -- official station names - :clock1: **Departure/arrival time** -- ISO datetime with timezone - :triangular_flag_on_post: **Platforms** -- assigned platform numbers - :hourglass_flowing_sand: **Duration** -- formatted (e.g., "1h 23min") and raw seconds - :arrows_counterclockwise: **Transfers** -- number of transfers required - :warning: **Delays** -- delay in minutes at departure and arrival - :no_entry: **Cancellation status** -- whether the connection is cancelled - :train: **Train types** -- IC, L, S, P train identifiers - :busts_in_silhouette: **Occupancy** -- estimated passenger load (low/medium/high) #### Liveboard mode - :station: **Station** -- the station being monitored - :arrow_right: **Destination** -- where each train is heading - :clock3: **Time and delay** -- scheduled departure and delay in minutes - :1234: **Platform** -- current platform assignment - :railway_car: **Vehicle info** -- train type and number #### Stations mode - :id: **Station ID** -- unique iRail identifier - :abc: **Name** -- standard and localised station names - :world_map: **Coordinates** -- latitude and longitude for geographic mapping ### How to scrape Belgian train data | Field | Type | Required | Description | |-------|------|----------|-------------| | `mode` | String | Yes | `"connections"`, `"liveboard"`, or `"stations"` | | `fromStation` | String | Connections | Departure station: `"Brussel-Zuid"`, `"Gent-Sint-Pieters"` | | `toStation` | String | Connections | Arrival station: `"Antwerpen-Centraal"`, `"Brugge"` | | `station` | String | Liveboard | Station to monitor: `"Brussel-Zuid"` | | `date` | String | No | Date in DD/MM/YYYY format: `"15/03/2026"` | | `time` | String | No | Time in HH:MM format: `"08:30"` | | `language` | String | No | `"nl"`, `"fr"`, `"en"`, or `"de"` (default: `"en"`) | | `maxResults` | Integer | No | Maximum results (default: 20, max: 1,000) | | `proxyConfiguration` | Object | No | Proxy settings (usually not needed for iRail) | **Tips:** - Use official station names. The iRail API is forgiving, but `"Brussel-Zuid"` works better than `"Brussels South"`. Set `language: "nl"` or `"fr"` to get names in your preferred language. - For commuter monitoring, set `mode: "liveboard"` with your home station and schedule the actor to run every 15 minutes during rush hours. - To build a complete station database, set `mode: "stations"` with `maxResults: 1000` -- there are roughly 550 active stations. ### Output #### Connections example ```json { "departureStation": "Brussel-Zuid / Bruxelles-Midi", "departureTime": "2026-04-03T08:32:00.000Z", "departurePlatform": "3", "departureDelay": 0, "arrivalStation": "Antwerpen-Centraal", "arrivalTime": "2026-04-03T09:09:00.000Z", "arrivalPlatform": "12", "arrivalDelay": 2, "duration": "37min", "durationSeconds": 2220, "transfers": 0, "vehicles": ["IC 1532"], "canceled": false, "occupancy": "medium", "scrapedAt": "2026-04-03T08:00:00.000Z" } ```` #### Liveboard example ```json { "station": "Gent-Sint-Pieters", "destination": "Oostende", "time": "2026-04-03T09:15:00.000Z", "delay": 5, "platform": "7", "vehicle": "IC 1842", "vehicleType": "IC", "canceled": false, "occupancy": "low", "scrapedAt": "2026-04-03T09:10:00.000Z" } ``` #### Stations example ```json { "id": "BE.NMBS.008892007", "name": "Ghent-Sint-Pieters", "standardName": "Gent-Sint-Pieters", "longitude": 3.7107, "latitude": 51.0355, "scrapedAt": "2026-04-03T09:00:00.000Z" } ``` ### How much does it cost? NMBS Scraper makes direct API calls to iRail -- no browser needed, no heavy crawling: | Operation | Estimated CUs | Estimated Cost | |-----------|--------------|----------------| | 20 connections | ~0.005 | ~$0.003 | | 100 liveboard departures | ~0.005 | ~$0.003 | | All 550 stations | ~0.005 | ~$0.003 | This is one of the cheapest actors to run because it simply queries a public REST API. ### Can I integrate? Belgian train data flows into your tools: - **Google Sheets** -- build a commuter delay log updated every morning - **Slack** -- get notified when your commuter train is delayed or cancelled - **Zapier / Make** -- trigger workflows based on delay thresholds - **Webhooks** -- pipe real-time departure data to your own application - **PostgreSQL / MongoDB** -- build a historical Belgian railway performance database - **Google Maps / Mapbox** -- visualise station coordinates on interactive maps ### Can I use it as an API? Yes. Perfect for building real-time transport dashboards: **Python:** ```python from apify_client import ApifyClient client = ApifyClient("YOUR_API_TOKEN") run = client.actor("studio-amba/nmbs-scraper").call(run_input={ "mode": "connections", "fromStation": "Brussel-Zuid", "toStation": "Antwerpen-Centraal", "time": "08:30", "maxResults": 5, }) for conn in client.dataset(run["defaultDatasetId"]).iterate_items(): delay = f"+{conn['departureDelay']}min" if conn['departureDelay'] > 0 else "on time" print(f"{conn['departureStation']} -> {conn['arrivalStation']} | {conn['duration']} | {delay}") ``` **JavaScript:** ```javascript import { ApifyClient } from "apify-client"; const client = new ApifyClient({ token: "YOUR_API_TOKEN" }); const run = await client.actor("studio-amba/nmbs-scraper").call({ mode: "liveboard", station: "Gent-Sint-Pieters", maxResults: 10, }); const { items } = await client.dataset(run.defaultDatasetId).listItems(); items.forEach((d) => { const delay = d.delay > 0 ? ` (+${d.delay}min)` : ""; console.log(`${d.vehicle} -> ${d.destination} at ${d.time}${delay} platform ${d.platform}`); }); ``` ### FAQ **Is this real-time data?** Yes. The iRail API provides live data from the NMBS/SNCB systems, including current delays and platform changes. **Do I need an iRail API key?** No. The iRail API is open and free. This actor handles all the request formatting and response parsing for you. **Can I query Thalys, Eurostar, or ICE international trains?** iRail focuses on domestic Belgian trains. International high-speed services may appear in connections passing through Belgian stations, but coverage is limited. **What happens if a station name is wrong?** The iRail API will return an error if it cannot match the station name. Use the `stations` mode first to get exact names. **Can I track a specific train number?** Not directly. Use liveboard mode to monitor departures from a station, which includes train numbers (vehicle identifiers). **Does the scraper support bus or tram data?** No. Only NMBS/SNCB railway services. For De Lijn (Flemish buses/trams) or STIB/MIVB (Brussels), different data sources are needed. ### Limitations - Depends on the iRail API. If iRail is down or rate-limited, the actor will fail gracefully with an error message. - Connection results are limited to what iRail returns per query (typically 6-10 options per time slot). For more, shift the time window. - Occupancy data is estimated and not always available for every train. - Station names must match iRail's database. Use `mode: "stations"` to get the authoritative list. - Historical data is not available -- iRail only serves current/upcoming schedules. ### Related Belgian transport and travel scrapers - [Scandlines Scraper](https://apify.com/studio-amba/scandlines-scraper) -- ferry routes between Denmark and Germany - [Touring Scraper](https://apify.com/studio-amba/touring-scraper) -- Belgian automobile club travel guides and road info - [UiTinVlaanderen Scraper](https://apify.com/studio-amba/uitinvlaanderen-scraper) -- find events to travel to across Flanders - [VDAB Scraper](https://apify.com/studio-amba/vdab-scraper) -- Flemish jobs (plan your commute!) ### Your feedback Need additional transport data, want to track specific routes over time, or found an issue? Reach out through the Apify platform or open a GitHub issue. We build what users ask for. # Actor input Schema ## `mode` (type: `string`): What to scrape: train connections between two stations, a station's live departure board, or a list of all stations. ## `fromStation` (type: `string`): Departure station name (e.g. 'Brussel-Zuid', 'Gent-Sint-Pieters'). Required for connections mode. ## `toStation` (type: `string`): Arrival station name (e.g. 'Antwerpen-Centraal', 'Brugge'). Required for connections mode. ## `station` (type: `string`): Station name for liveboard mode (e.g. 'Brussel-Zuid'). ## `date` (type: `string`): Date for the query in DD/MM/YYYY format (e.g. '15/03/2026'). Defaults to today. ## `time` (type: `string`): Time for the query in HH:MM format (e.g. '08:30'). Defaults to now. ## `language` (type: `string`): Language for station names: nl (Dutch), fr (French), en (English), de (German). ## `maxResults` (type: `integer`): Maximum number of results to return. ## `proxyConfiguration` (type: `object`): Proxy settings. The iRail API is public and usually doesn't require a proxy. ## Actor input object example ```json { "mode": "connections", "language": "en", "maxResults": 20 } ``` # API You can run this Actor programmatically using our API. Below are code examples in JavaScript, Python, and CLI, as well as the OpenAPI specification and MCP server setup. ## JavaScript example ```javascript import { ApifyClient } from 'apify-client'; // Initialize the ApifyClient with your Apify API token // Replace the '' with your token const client = new ApifyClient({ token: '', }); // Prepare Actor input const input = {}; // Run the Actor and wait for it to finish const run = await client.actor("studio-amba/nmbs-scraper").call(input); // Fetch and print Actor results from the run's dataset (if any) console.log('Results from dataset'); console.log(`💾 Check your data here: https://console.apify.com/storage/datasets/${run.defaultDatasetId}`); const { items } = await client.dataset(run.defaultDatasetId).listItems(); items.forEach((item) => { console.dir(item); }); // 📚 Want to learn more 📖? Go to → https://docs.apify.com/api/client/js/docs ``` ## Python example ```python from apify_client import ApifyClient # Initialize the ApifyClient with your Apify API token # Replace '' with your token. client = ApifyClient("") # Prepare the Actor input run_input = {} # Run the Actor and wait for it to finish run = client.actor("studio-amba/nmbs-scraper").call(run_input=run_input) # Fetch and print Actor results from the run's dataset (if there are any) print("💾 Check your data here: https://console.apify.com/storage/datasets/" + run["defaultDatasetId"]) for item in client.dataset(run["defaultDatasetId"]).iterate_items(): print(item) # 📚 Want to learn more 📖? Go to → https://docs.apify.com/api/client/python/docs/quick-start ``` ## CLI example ```bash echo '{}' | apify call studio-amba/nmbs-scraper --silent --output-dataset ``` ## MCP server setup ```json { "mcpServers": { "apify": { "command": "npx", "args": [ "mcp-remote", "https://mcp.apify.com/?tools=studio-amba/nmbs-scraper", "--header", "Authorization: Bearer " ] } } } ``` ## OpenAPI specification ```json { "openapi": "3.0.1", "info": { "title": "NMBS/SNCB Scraper — Belgian Train Schedules & Data", "description": "Fetch Belgian railway data from the iRail API — train connections, live departures, arrivals, and the full station list for NMBS/SNCB.", "version": "0.1", "x-build-id": "dq8C64aZpN6OlsoVn" }, "servers": [ { "url": "https://api.apify.com/v2" } ], "paths": { "/acts/studio-amba~nmbs-scraper/run-sync-get-dataset-items": { "post": { "operationId": "run-sync-get-dataset-items-studio-amba-nmbs-scraper", "x-openai-isConsequential": false, "summary": "Executes an Actor, waits for its completion, and returns Actor's dataset items in response.", "tags": [ "Run Actor" ], "requestBody": { "required": true, "content": { "application/json": { "schema": { "$ref": "#/components/schemas/inputSchema" } } } }, "parameters": [ { "name": "token", "in": "query", "required": true, "schema": { "type": "string" }, "description": "Enter your Apify token here" } ], "responses": { "200": { "description": "OK" } } } }, "/acts/studio-amba~nmbs-scraper/runs": { "post": { "operationId": "runs-sync-studio-amba-nmbs-scraper", "x-openai-isConsequential": false, "summary": "Executes an Actor and returns information about the initiated run in response.", "tags": [ "Run Actor" ], "requestBody": { "required": true, "content": { "application/json": { "schema": { "$ref": "#/components/schemas/inputSchema" } } } }, "parameters": [ { "name": "token", "in": "query", "required": true, "schema": { "type": "string" }, "description": "Enter your Apify token here" } ], "responses": { "200": { "description": "OK", "content": { "application/json": { "schema": { "$ref": "#/components/schemas/runsResponseSchema" } } } } } } }, "/acts/studio-amba~nmbs-scraper/run-sync": { "post": { "operationId": "run-sync-studio-amba-nmbs-scraper", "x-openai-isConsequential": false, "summary": "Executes an Actor, waits for completion, and returns the OUTPUT from Key-value store in response.", "tags": [ "Run Actor" ], "requestBody": { "required": true, "content": { "application/json": { "schema": { "$ref": "#/components/schemas/inputSchema" } } } }, "parameters": [ { "name": "token", "in": "query", "required": true, "schema": { "type": "string" }, "description": "Enter your Apify token here" } ], "responses": { "200": { "description": "OK" } } } } }, "components": { "schemas": { "inputSchema": { "type": "object", "required": [ "mode" ], "properties": { "mode": { "title": "Mode", "enum": [ "connections", "liveboard", "stations" ], "type": "string", "description": "What to scrape: train connections between two stations, a station's live departure board, or a list of all stations.", "default": "connections" }, "fromStation": { "title": "From Station", "type": "string", "description": "Departure station name (e.g. 'Brussel-Zuid', 'Gent-Sint-Pieters'). Required for connections mode." }, "toStation": { "title": "To Station", "type": "string", "description": "Arrival station name (e.g. 'Antwerpen-Centraal', 'Brugge'). Required for connections mode." }, "station": { "title": "Station", "type": "string", "description": "Station name for liveboard mode (e.g. 'Brussel-Zuid')." }, "date": { "title": "Date", "type": "string", "description": "Date for the query in DD/MM/YYYY format (e.g. '15/03/2026'). Defaults to today." }, "time": { "title": "Time", "type": "string", "description": "Time for the query in HH:MM format (e.g. '08:30'). Defaults to now." }, "language": { "title": "Language", "enum": [ "nl", "fr", "en", "de" ], "type": "string", "description": "Language for station names: nl (Dutch), fr (French), en (English), de (German).", "default": "en" }, "maxResults": { "title": "Max Results", "minimum": 1, "maximum": 1000, "type": "integer", "description": "Maximum number of results to return.", "default": 20 }, "proxyConfiguration": { "title": "Proxy Configuration", "type": "object", "description": "Proxy settings. The iRail API is public and usually doesn't require a proxy." } } }, "runsResponseSchema": { "type": "object", "properties": { "data": { "type": "object", "properties": { "id": { "type": "string" }, "actId": { "type": "string" }, "userId": { "type": "string" }, "startedAt": { "type": "string", "format": "date-time", "example": "2025-01-08T00:00:00.000Z" }, "finishedAt": { "type": "string", "format": "date-time", "example": "2025-01-08T00:00:00.000Z" }, "status": { "type": "string", "example": "READY" }, "meta": { "type": "object", "properties": { "origin": { "type": "string", "example": "API" }, "userAgent": { "type": "string" } } }, "stats": { "type": "object", "properties": { "inputBodyLen": { "type": "integer", "example": 2000 }, "rebootCount": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "restartCount": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "resurrectCount": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "computeUnits": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 } } }, "options": { "type": "object", "properties": { "build": { "type": "string", "example": "latest" }, "timeoutSecs": { "type": "integer", "example": 300 }, "memoryMbytes": { "type": "integer", "example": 1024 }, "diskMbytes": { "type": "integer", "example": 2048 } } }, "buildId": { "type": "string" }, "defaultKeyValueStoreId": { "type": "string" }, "defaultDatasetId": { "type": "string" }, "defaultRequestQueueId": { "type": "string" }, "buildNumber": { "type": "string", "example": "1.0.0" }, "containerUrl": { "type": "string" }, "usage": { "type": "object", "properties": { "ACTOR_COMPUTE_UNITS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "DATASET_READS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "DATASET_WRITES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "KEY_VALUE_STORE_READS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "KEY_VALUE_STORE_WRITES": { "type": "integer", "example": 1 }, "KEY_VALUE_STORE_LISTS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "REQUEST_QUEUE_READS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "REQUEST_QUEUE_WRITES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "DATA_TRANSFER_INTERNAL_GBYTES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "DATA_TRANSFER_EXTERNAL_GBYTES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "PROXY_RESIDENTIAL_TRANSFER_GBYTES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "PROXY_SERPS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 } } }, "usageTotalUsd": { "type": "number", "example": 0.00005 }, "usageUsd": { "type": "object", "properties": { "ACTOR_COMPUTE_UNITS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "DATASET_READS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "DATASET_WRITES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "KEY_VALUE_STORE_READS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "KEY_VALUE_STORE_WRITES": { "type": "number", "example": 0.00005 }, "KEY_VALUE_STORE_LISTS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "REQUEST_QUEUE_READS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "REQUEST_QUEUE_WRITES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "DATA_TRANSFER_INTERNAL_GBYTES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "DATA_TRANSFER_EXTERNAL_GBYTES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "PROXY_RESIDENTIAL_TRANSFER_GBYTES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "PROXY_SERPS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 } } } } } } } } } } ```