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Travel Belgium Like a Local: What to Know About Renting a Car

Driving in Belgium is the best way to get to know this beautiful country and get the most out of it. Driving allows travelers to have more freedom and spontaneity and control over their journey. The Belgian International Driving Permit not only serves as a translation of your native driving licence, but is also considered mandatory by most car rental firms.

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With your rental car, be sure to visit Brussels. The capital of Belgium enchants all tourists. Here you can explore the bars, shop, stroll through the various markets, enjoy (sweet) delicacies and local dishes, and stroll through the busy streets, museums and other attractions.

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You can also come to town Bruges. Here you can walk along the alleys and canals. Be sure to climb to the top of the belfry, sail down the canals to admire the Church of Our Lady or the Beginhof Monastery. Northern Venice is in any case a romantic place. Due to such tourist success, prices are high here, and it is better to go there on weekdays outside of school holidays.

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Another must-see city is Antwerp. It is the second largest port in Europe and the second largest city in Belgium. Cultural Antwerp is world famous for its diamonds. You will find diamond merchants near Antwerpen-Centraal station.

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Official website of the Belgium Ministry of Tourism - www.belgium.be

Road Trip Through Belgium: Discover Iconic Spots and Hidden Gems

Embark on an unforgettable journey through Belgium by a rented car, exploring the country's rich history, stunning architecture, and picturesque landscapes. This compact European nation offers a diverse array of experiences, from medieval towns to modern cities, making it the perfect destination for a road trip adventure.

Must-Visit Destinations

Brussels: Start your journey in the capital, home to the iconic Grand Place and the quirky Atomium.
Bruges: Explore the romantic canals and well-preserved medieval architecture of this UNESCO World Heritage site.
Ghent: Discover the vibrant student city with its impressive castle and charming old town.
Antwerp: Visit the fashion capital of Belgium, known for its diamond district and impressive cathedral.

Hidden Gems Off the Beaten Path

As you navigate your rental car through Belgium's scenic roads, don't miss these lesser-known treasures:

Dinant: Marvel at the clifftop citadel and birthplace of the saxophone inventor, Adolphe Sax.
Durbuy: Wander through the charming streets of "the smallest city in the world."
Mechelen: Climb the St. Rumbold's Tower for panoramic views and explore the hidden Hofkes (small courtyards).
Leuven: Experience the lively atmosphere of this university town and admire its stunning Gothic architecture.

Culinary Delights Along the Way

No road trip through Belgium would be complete without indulging in the country's famous culinary offerings. Be sure to sample local specialties such as Belgian waffles, chocolate, frites, and a wide variety of Belgian beers. Stop at charming roadside cafes and local breweries to fully immerse yourself in the gastronomic culture.

With its excellent road network and compact size, Belgium is an ideal destination for a road trip. From iconic landmarks to hidden gems, this journey will take you through the heart of European history and culture, creating memories that will last a lifetime.

Driving in Belgium

Driving in Belgium is characterized by the regionalization of part of the traffic rules. For foreign visitors, some rules and poor road conditions may come as a surprise. You should keep an eye on both the speedometer and road signs that indicate the speed limit while driving on Belgian roads.

Safety is a top priority here. Outside the settlement, you can drive at a speed of no more than 90 km / h. The speedometer reading in the village should not exceed 50 km / h. On the motorway, the minimum speed is 70 km/h, and you can accelerate up to 120 km/h.

The fines here are very high, as in all of Europe. To avoid them, be sure to follow the rules of the road. Many road sections are equipped with video surveillance and radar systems. Children under the age of 12 can only be transported in a special child seat. In this case, it is necessary to take into account the weight and heightof the child. You cannot carry a child in the front seat, only in the back.

The seat belt is charming not only for drivers, but also for front and rear seat passengers. If you do not want to run into a serious fine, you will need to install a hands free system on your phone. It is not allowed to turn on the dipped beam without proper need.

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The legal blood alcohol limit in Belgium is 0.5 ppm. Exceeding this norm in any traffic accident automatically makes you guilty.

All traffic violations in Belgian cities can be divided into several types, given the amount of penalties:

€50 - parking in the wrong place, car not locked, seat belt not fastened, transporting a child without a special child seat;
€100 - talking on the phone while driving, driving through a yellow traffic light, polluting the environment, not respecting the priority at the intersection;
€150 - refusing to obey the police, running a red traffic light, turning off parking lights / headlights at night;
€200-2750 - driving in reverse, illegal stopping at the crossroads, traffic in the opposite lane, non-observance of the rules at the railway crossing, U-turn through the median su).

Renting an electric car in Belgium

Belgium is quite unique in terms of comfort and loyalty to electric car drivers. Belgium is recognized as the second country in terms of the number of private electric cars. The country has active restrictive entry requirements for large cities that do not apply to electric vehicles. For this reason, driving electric cars in the country is convenient and profitable.

Local Tesla rental gives you access to many business facilities in the capital, as well as to other big cities. For electric vehicles in the country, special bonuses are provided in the form of priority parking. If you want to rent an electric car in Belgium, you should take into account the main characteristics of the Belgian road lanes. First of all, pay attention to speed, autonomy and safety in use.

Driving an electric car in Belgium will help you to use many advantages on the motorways: traveling in comfort, high speed, power and sustainability. Such machines are unpretentious, and they do not need constant monitoring of the technical condition of the vehicle. The country's rental companies offer the following models of electric vehicles and their modifications:

Tesla Model 3
Opel Mokka-e
Nissan LEAF
Hyundai Ioniq 5

Good to know

Monthly price chart. Approximate prices for 7 days rental

January

€141

February

€120

March

€132

April

€177

May

€192

June

€196

July

€261

August

€206

September

€169

October

€140

November

€145

December

€300

The most popular cars in Belgium

Fiat 500

€13 / Day

Citroen C1

€14 / Day

Ford Fiesta

€18 / Day

Ford Focus

€23 / Day

Opel Astra Estate

€28 / Day

Audi A4

€32 / Day

BMW X1

€33 / Day

Ford Foxus Estate

€33 / Day

Mercedes C Class

€43 / Day

BMW 5 series

€45 / Day

Ford Tourneo

€55 / Day

BMW 4 Cabrio

€65 / Day

Audi A6

€70 / Day

Audi A5 Cabrio

€75 / Day

Mercedes Vito

€80 / Day

Popular car rental places in Belgium

Brussels Airport Charleroi

Brussels Airport Zaventem

Antwerp Airport

Ostend Airport

Liege

Zeebrugge

Antwerp

Ghent

Bruges

Ostend

Leuven

Tongeren

Arlon

Bastogne

Wommelgem

Neufchateau

Bilzen

Namur

Required documents for rental cars

Driving license

Credit card

Voucher

Passport

A valid international driver's license is required!

10 Key Tips for a Smooth Car Rental Experience

Download desired area of Google maps for offline access

All modern smartphones have a GPS function. You can save on the "Navigator" service and roaming charges for the Internet if you download maps in the Google Maps application in advance. Offline maps also support route building and navigation. To download a map - open the area you need by controlling the scale, and enter "ok maps" in the search.

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Book a car in advance

Belgium is a popular holiday destination and the car rental service is in great demand here. Therefore, it is recommended to book a car in advance. When booking online, you know exactly which car, for what price and under what conditions you will get in Belgium. The main advantage of early booking is the cost savings. The less time left before the start of the rental, the higher the cost of the rental becomes. The optimal period for booking in rental companies is 6 weeks before receiving the car. If you book early, two days before receiving the car, you can cancel the order without any penalties.

Which car to choose

Tourists who expect to drive only around the city and its immediate surroundings prefer to rent compact cars, VW Up or VW Polo. For trips to the mountains, you need a car with increased power. You should go on such a trip with a full tank, as fuel consumption in the mountains increases one and a half to two times. An all-wheel drive crossover would be the ideal car for this. Renting Ford Foxus Estate in Belgium will cost €31 per day.

What you need to pay attention to when receiving a car

Before picking up, you are required to carefully inspect the car and point out to the rental company manager for scratches, damage and defects, such as dirty seat upholstery. You should check the ignition and the fuel level in the tank. You need to know the conditions for returning the car - where exactly, with what amount of fuel to return the car.

The rental agreement must include a telephone number to contact the rental company. It is designed so that customers can get help in emergency situations, such as when a car breaks down or in the event of an accident. A call to the rental company should be done first, even before the arrival of the police.

Insurance advice

When you pick up your rental car, you need to take it seriously. This is especially true if you do not intend to purchase additional insurance. You should carefully inspect the received car and fix all scratches, dents, and other defects in the contract. It is also recommended to take a picture of the existing damage to the car, its number, write down the name of the rental company employee.

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What types of insurance are available for car rental?

Third Party Liability (TPL). This is a third party liability protection. If you are the culprit of an accident, the insurance will compensate for the costs of the victims for you.
Collision Damage Waiver (CDW). This is to protect your vehicle from any damage. She works with a franchise. This is the amount that you will have to pay in case of damage in any case. The company will cover anything over the limit. The insurance does not cover theft.
Theft Waiver (T.W.). This is car theft protection. Operates with a franchise.
Personal Accident Insurance (PAI). This is medical insurance for the driver and passengers.

Check out the fuel policy

For trips over long distances, it is better to choose the option with the already included payment for a full tank. If you have a short trip, then this service is inappropriate. Be sure to read the fuel policy before making a booking:

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If necessary, use the special filter to select the most convenient option for you.

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Unlimited mileage

Before renting a car, you should check with the rental company if there is a limit on the daily mileage for a car. Typically, tourists use a rental car to travel not only around the city, but also to travel to neighboring cities and even countries. If such a restriction exists, it is recommended to choose a rental option where there is no limit. In this case, the total cost of mileage will be lower, since you will not have to pay extra for exceeding the mileage. On our site, in the search results, check the filter "Unlimited mileage" to see the offers you need.

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Compare conditions of different rental companies

When choosing a rental car in Belgium, you should carefully read all the terms of the rental. This is due to the fact that different companies may differ not only in rental prices, but also in conditions for limiting mileage, the cost of additional services, and the amount of the deposit. To compare rental conditions, it is convenient to use the search and booking system on our website.

Which rental company to choose

Pay attention to the car park. Large and reliable companies regularly buy new cars.

Our clients name the top companies in Belgium - EUROPCAR with an average rating 9.9 points and SIXT with 9 points.

We show all the rental conditions of different companies. Read the rules carefully before booking a car.

Getting a car at a rental office

Getting a rented car in Belgium is as follows: You show the manager a voucher, as well as the necessary documents - a passport and an international driver's license. The manager draws up a lease agreement, after which the agreed amount of the security deposit will be blocked on your bank card. Before receiving the car, it is necessary to inspect it, fix the existing damage and inform the manager about them.

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4,7

Excellent value for money. The pick-up process was a little confusing, but I would use it again!

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The search was very simple to use, the price was really low, and there were no problems with the rental car company.

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Everything proceeded as expected. The complete coverage compensation really worked.

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