Hertz
Budget
Avis
Sixt
Europcar
Keddy by Europcar

Compare 1,000s of Car Rentals

No Booking Fees

No booking fees. Free cancellation on most cars

Find Low Prices

Save by finding great deals and securing low price rentals

Finding a car hire in Belgium is easy with Road Genius. Compare prices of vehicles from dozens of suppliers in Belgium with no booking fees. Popular Belgium car hire locations include Brussels Airport, Charleroi Airport, Brussels Midi and city centres, with easy drives to Bruges, Ghent, Antwerp and the Ardennes. Automatics can be limited, so compare early for summer and consider city pickups for lower base rates.

Map of campervan rental depots near 531644
Location 👍 Pros 👎 Cons
Brussels Airport (BRU)
  • Immediate car access
  • All major hire companies on-site
  • Longer opening hours (6:30 AM-11 PM)
  • Wider choice of cars, including automatics
  • Higher prices due to airport fees
  • Long waits possible at busy times
Brussels City Centre
  • Cheaper prices (no airport fees)
  • Convenient if staying in Brussels first
  • Avoid airport traffic
  • Shorter opening hours
  • Often closed on Sundays
  • Fewer cars to choose from
  • Fewer automatic cars available
Charleroi Airport (CRL)
  • Major hire companies on-site
  • Good for budget airline arrivals
  • Cars are parked nearby (P1)
  • Long waits when many flights arrive at once (can exceed 40-60 minutes)
  • Fewer cars to choose from than at Brussels Airport
Brussels Midi Train Station
  • Convenient for Eurostar/Thalys arrivals
  • Central location in the city
  • Shorter opening hours than airports
  • Fewer cars to choose from
  • Long waits possible at busy times

Car Rental Prices

How much does it cost to rent a car in Belgium?

On average, car rentals in Belgium cost around €49 per day, with the lowest-priced rentals available from €14 per day.

How to save?
  • Compare pickup spots: City depots in Brussels or Antwerp often beat airport rates. Check opening hours and automatic availability. Compare any one-way fees, especially cross-border.

  • Book smart for peak vs off-peak: For July–August and Christmas/New Year, book 3+ months ahead. In winter, prices are lowest, so 4–8 weeks out is usually fine. Mid-week pickups can be cheaper, and spanning a Saturday night may unlock lower weekly pricing.

  • Right car = lower cost: Pick a compact manual if you’re comfortable. Automatics are limited and typically €5–15/day extra. For long highway runs like Brussels–Ardennes or Luxembourg, a diesel can cut fuel costs.

  • Trim the extras: Extra driver, GPS and child seats add daily fees. Use your phone for navigation and only add drivers you’ll actually use. Bring your own child seat if practical.

  • Avoid return penalties: Fill up before drop-off to skip fuel service charges and return on time to avoid an extra day. Budget extra time for Brussels ring road traffic.

  • Use budget parking: In Brussels, Antwerp and Ghent, park at P+R and hop on transit. In Bruges, use the train station parking and free shuttle to the centre instead of pricey garages.

Parking and Driving

Location Parking Options Estimated Costs (Approx.) Tips
Brussels
  • Underground garages (Indigo, Interparking)
  • Street parking (metered)
  • Park & Ride facilities
  • Check posted rates for garages and street parking
  • P+R options often lower cost
Use P+R lots on outskirts (Kraainem, Ceria) and take metro into centre
Bruges
  • Station parking
  • 't Zand garage
  • Limited street parking
  • Daily rate at Centrum Station
  • Higher rates in central garages
Park at train station and use shuttle to the centre
Antwerp
  • P+R facilities
  • City centre garages
  • Limited street parking
  • P+R: Low-cost or free options
  • Centre garages: Higher rates
Low Emission Zone in city centre. Most hire cars qualify for entry.
Ghent
  • Central garages
  • Park & Ride options
  • Blue zone parking
  • Rates vary in central areas
  • P+R: Low-cost options
Historic centre is largely car-free; park outside and walk in

Parking Rules:

  • Blue zones require a disc (usually in hire car) to display arrival time
  • Red and white lines on kerbs indicate no-parking zones
  • Yellow lines mean no parking at any time
  • Pay close attention to signs as enforcement is active

Driving Rules:

  • Drive on the right side of the road
  • Speed limits:

    • Urban areas: 50 km/h
    • Brussels-Capital Region: 30 km/h generally except on major roads where otherwise posted
    • Rural roads: 70 km/h in Flanders, 90 km/h in Wallonia
    • Highways: 120 km/h
  • Priority to the right rule: At unmarked intersections, yield to vehicles coming from your right
  • Roundabouts: Yield to traffic already in the circle
  • Blood alcohol limit: 0.5‰ (lower than US/UK standard)
  • Toll roads: No general highway tolls in Belgium (except Liefkenshoek Tunnel in Antwerp)
  • Low Emission Zones (LEZ): Brussels, Antwerp and Ghent have LEZs. Hire cars usually qualify
Why hire a car in Belgium

Hire a car to see:

  • Flanders cities – Bruges, Ghent, Antwerp

  • Ardennes – La Roche-en-Ardenne, Bouillon, Han-sur-Lesse

  • Meuse River valley – Namur, Dinant

  • Belgian coast – Oostende, Knokke-Heist, De Haan

  • Heritage sites – Waterloo Battlefield, Villers-la-Ville Abbey

  • Cross-border day trips – Amsterdam, Luxembourg, Lille

FAQs

Do I need an International Driving Permit in Belgium?
No, you just need a valid licence from your country if you're visiting from most countries. Belgium generally accepts non-EU licences for short stays up to 6 months.

Can I take my Belgian hire car to other countries?
Yes, most hire companies let you drive to nearby countries like France, the Netherlands, Germany and Luxembourg. They often don't charge extra for this. Just make sure you tell the company when you pick up the car.

Do I have to pay tolls on Belgian highways?
No, you don't have to pay tolls for passenger cars on Belgium's highways. You only need to pay a toll for the Liefkenshoek Tunnel in Antwerp.

What should I do if I get into an accident?
You need to fill out the European Accident Report form. You should find one in the car's glove box. If anyone is injured or the cars are badly damaged, you should call the police on 112. Always tell the rental company what happened as soon as you can.

Do hire cars come with winter tyres?
Not always. If you are travelling in winter, especially to the Ardennes region, you should ask for winter tyres when you book your car. The hire company might charge you an extra fee for them.