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Compare rental cars from top companies in Brussels with Road Genius. From affordable cars to luxury SUVs and minivans, you'll find vehicles at great prices. Pick up at Brussels Airport (BRU), in the city centre, or at Brussels Midi/Zuid Station, and compare deals on automatics and compact cars for easier parking. Planning day trips to Bruges, Ghent or Antwerp? Book early around EU summit periods when demand and prices rise.

Car Rental Locations & Options

Map of campervan rental depots near 531644

Brussels Airport

Location	👍 Pros	👎 Cons
Brussels Airport (BRU)	Car available immediately upon arrival All major rental companies present Extended hours (6:30 AM-11 PM) Wide choice of cars, including automatics	Higher prices due to airport fees Possible long waits after busy flights Heavy traffic driving into Brussels
Brussels City Centre	Cheaper than renting at the airport Convenient if you are already in the city Multiple locations near major hotels	Shorter opening hours (often close by 6 PM) Many locations are closed on Sundays Smaller selection of cars Fewer automatic cars available
Brussels Midi/Zuid Station	Convenient for Eurostar/Thalys train arrivals Central location Good public transport links	Can be crowded when busy trains arrive Shorter opening hours than the airport Smaller selection of cars
Brussels North/Nord Station	Less crowded than Midi station Good access to northern city areas Easy access to highways for Antwerp/Ghent	Fewer rental companies present Area is less focused on tourism Limited opening hours

Car Rental Prices

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

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

Saving Tips

Compare pick-up locations. City centre or Midi Station often have lower base rates than BRU Airport, but check hours and vehicle availability before you choose.
Book by season, not habit. For EU Summit weeks, summer and major trade fairs, book 6-8 weeks ahead. In winter, prices usually soften, so compare often and be flexible with dates.
Hunt weekend deals. Friday-Monday specials are common in Brussels. Shifting pickup or return by a day can reduce your total.
Pick the right car. Manuals are cheaper than automatics. Smaller cars cost less and are easier to park. For longer day trips, diesel can cut fuel spend.
Time your pickup. If you’re staying central first, use transit and collect the car later from a city branch to avoid paying for idle days and pricey parking.
Save on parking and fuel. Use green or blue zones or Park and Ride, and note many areas are free on Sundays. Validate mall parking where offered. Refuel at hypermarket stations for lower prices.

Parking and Local Driving in Brussels

Area	Options	Costs (Approx.)	Key Considerations
City Centre	Public garages (Interparking, Q-Park) Limited street parking (Red/Orange zones)	Garages: Hourly and daily fees apply Street: Hourly fees apply with time limits	Use garages for longer stays; Grand Place has several nearby (Albertine, Grand Place)
European Quarter	Office building garages Limited street parking	Garages: Hourly fees apply Street: Heavily regulated, time-limited	Many office garages offer evening/weekend rates
Residential Areas	Street parking (often Blue/Green zones) Private garages for rent	Blue zones: Free using disc (time limited) Green zones: Hourly fees generally apply	Blue disc needed for time-limited zones
Shopping Districts	Mall/supermarket parking Underground garages	Validation systems common	Shopping centres like Docks Bruxsel may offer validation

Zone System:

Red zones: Highest cost, strictly time-limited (max 2 hours)
Orange zones: Medium cost, longer limits (max 4-5 hours)
Green zones: Lower cost, suitable for longer stays
Blue zones: Free using disc showing arrival time (usually max 2 hours)

Payment Methods:

Metres accept coins and increasingly credit cards
Mobile payment apps (4411, Seety, EasyPark) are widely used
Some garages offer reservation systems through their own websites or apps

Restrictions:

Avoid yellow lines or red/white striped areas (no stopping zones)
Never block tram lines or bus lanes (strictly enforced plus heavy fines)
Be aware of market days in different neighbourhoods when certain streets are closed

Why rent a car in Brussels

Waterloo - 20 km, 30 min
Leuven - 30 km, 35 min
Mechelen - 25 km, 30 min
Ghent - 60 km, 45-60 min
Antwerp - 50 km, 45 min
Bruges - 100 km, 75-90 min

Local Rental Locations

Driving Distances from Brussels

FAQs for Brussels Car Rental

Is it necessary to have a car in Brussels city centre? You don't really need one for the city centre, as the public transport is excellent and finding a park can be tricky. You'll find a car is most useful when you want to explore beyond the city or need to visit multiple locations for business.

How do I handle the Brussels Low Emission Zone (LEZ)? Rental cars from Brussels agencies are almost always new enough to meet LEZ requirements and are already registered. If you bring a car from outside Belgium, you don't need to register it separately for the Brussels LEZ, but you must check that your vehicle meets the standards.

What documents do I need to rent a car in Brussels? You'll need a valid driver's licence, a credit card in your name and a passport or ID card. Most rental companies accept non-EU licences for short-term rentals.

Can I return my rental car outside business hours? Yes, most locations have a key drop box so you can return the car after hours. It's a good idea to take photos of the car and mileage for your records.

Are there any driving restrictions on Sundays or holidays in Brussels? There are no special restrictions, but keep in mind that many streets in the historic centre are for pedestrians only. You can often park for free on Sundays, or you'll find parking rules are less strict. Also, remember the Brussels-Capital Region has a Car-Free Sunday every September. This means there are major driving restrictions, so you should check the date beforehand.