Rail station to be moved to connect Pairi Daiza animal park

The closest railway station to Pairi Daiza animal park is to be moved to make rail access to the popular Walloon attraction easier.

Pairi Daiza attracts more than 2.5 million visitors each year, but accessing the botanical park and zoo by train has been difficult, with the entrance located at a 15-minute walk from Cambron-Casteau station.

It is estimated that less than 3% of the park's visitors currently arrive by train, despite favourable ticket prices that combine the journey with access to the park. Hoping to increase this percentage to 10%, Pairi Daiza is collaborating with Infrabel and SNCB to redevelop the station.

The Cambron-Casteau station platform will be be moved by about 320 metres and an underpass will guide customers to a new entrance to the park.

"Pairi Daiza will always continue to rely on the train and actively support all initiatives that encourage its use, with a view to sustainable and shared mobility," said Eric Domb, Pairi Daiza’s founding president.

The initiative will begin in 2026 and is projected to be completed by 2028, aiming to solve the current mobility and accessibility issues.

Alongside the construction of a new train station, pedestrian and cycle access will be built for local residents.

A budget of €4.8 million has been allocated to the railway works, costing €2.6 million for Infrabel, €1.8 million for SNCB, and €400,000 for Pairi Daiza.

The zoo is also investing €10 million in the construction of the new second entrance.