Ghent is one of the most unusual medieval cities in Belgium; located in Flanders. Note: Flanders is a historical region in what is now the Netherlands, Belgium, and France; historical county, (translated from the Dutch Vlaanderen translates as "low-lying swamp"). It was founded in the 7th century, and by the 13th century it was considered the second most important city in Europe after Paris.
Ghent is the largest city and capital of East Flanders. The climate is moderately warm, characterized by high rainfall. The population is about 270 thousand people; the city is not overly crowded with tourists, so it is great for those who want to see the sights at a relatively relaxed pace.
The visiting card of Ghent is the architecture that carries the centuries-old history of the city.
The closest operating Antwerp Airport is 60 km from Ghent, you can use a rented car for a comfortable ride.
You can learn more about the life of Ghent on the city's official website at the link: visit.gent.be
What to see in Ghent
Ghent is famous for its architectural sights that literally take tourists to the medieval streets.
Castle of the Counts of Flanders (Gravenstein)
Gravenstein – built in the 12th century, this castle is one of the most famous fortresses in northwestern Europe. Initially, in the 9th century, a small building served to protect against Viking attacks, but after 3 centuries, during the reign of Robert I, a huge stone tower was erected. Throughout its existence, the fortress was used as a mint, a court, a factory and even a prison.
Today, everyone can visit the Castle of the Counts of Flanders, inside the museum of justice and weapons is open to visitors, exhibits are presented in the form of ancient weapons, instruments of torture and paintings.
The tower operates an observation deck with great views of Ghent.
Saint Bavo's Cathedral is a Gothic cathedral built on the site of a chapel. Located in the city center, it is the main cathedral of Ghent. The heightof the building is about 87 meters.
The Grosli and Korenli embankments.
The Grosli and Korenli embankments are two of the most beautiful embankments the city of Ghent, located on the two banks of the river Lys in the heart of the old city.
Where to go near Ghent
There are several beautiful cities near Ghent that you can visit in 1-2 days. To move around the cities, you can rent a car (for example, Bookingautos - car rental in Ghent).
Bruges
Small town Bruges - the capital of West Flanders - is located 40 km from Ghent, close to the border with the Netherlands. The influence of Dutch traditions is felt in the life of the city, language, architecture and cuisine. It is one of the most picturesque places in Europe.
Durbuy
200 km from Ghent is the smallest city in the world, with population of 500 people. The town has retained its medieval architecture. A river flows in the center, along which you can ride a boat.
Food: the best restaurants in Ghent
The national cuisine of Belgium combines dishes from neighboring countries such as France, the Netherlands, Germany.
Seafood dishes are especially popular in the north of the country; meat in the south.
Belgian waffles with chocolate are the hallmark of the country.
Ghent's popular places:
Restaurant Valentijn (+32 9 225 04 29. Rodekoningstraat 1 Patershol, Gent 9000 Belgium). Official website of the institution - restaurantvalentijn.be
Vrijmoed (+32 9 279 99 77. Vlaanderenstraat 22, Gent 9000 Belgium). The establishment has 2 Michelin stars. Official website - www.vrijmoed.be
Where to park in Ghent
There are several car parks in Ghent to park your car. On Sundays, street parking is free.
Best paid parking lots:
P7 Sint-Michiels (+32 9 266 29 20. Sint-Michielsplein 8 9000 Gent, Belgium) 472 parking spaces; Parking for 7 minutes is free, 30 minutes is €1, all day is €14, and Monday and weekend parking is €6 per day.
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
* Data calculated based on car bookings for the previous 2 years.
In August rental companies located in Ghent rent much more cars than in the rest of the year. This month marks the smallest range of cars on offer and the highest rental prices. In such a high season, when the number of available cars is minimal, you should arrange a rental as early as possible. This will allow you to get the best rental option at the most favorable price.
The best time to rent a car in Ghent is November. During this period the cost of renting a car of a compact category starts from €21, which is approximately 32% lower compared to the average price during a year.
Convertibles are especially popular in summer. It is difficult to find a free car for rent, and you will have to pay more than usual for a trip with a breeze. Renting VW Beetle Cabrio during Summer period can costs €333 per day.
Our rental office in Ghent can offer you a wide selection of over 40 car models. You can rent exact car model. All cars are new and technically fully functional.
What affects the cost of renting a car in Ghent? These are three indicators: car class, time of year and rental period. The highest prices are in summer, and the lowest are in autumn and winter. The tariff is reduced if you order the service for a long time. Some specific examples: a compact model Opel Astra in March-April costs about€21 per day. But book a car right away for a week - and the price will drop to €19 per day. These are standard prices for budget cars. The middle class will cost an average of €35-€86 per 24 hours. This can be Skoda Superb,Fiat Tipo Estate or Opel Mokka. In Ghent convertibles can be rented for a minimum of €74. Luxury models raise the bar to €333 per day. Some exclusive cars are valued at more than 400€ per day.
The demand for electric cars is growing not only in the segment of their sales. These cars are just as popular when renting, which is often accompanied by the provision of a free parking space and the possibility of free car charging around the city. To rent an electric car you should set the appropriate filter. Moreover, the rental of Renault Zoe when ordering in Ghent will cost quite a modest amount.
Documents required for car rental
Driving license
Credit card
Voucher
Passport
Attention!
A valid international driver's license is required!
10 tips for your car hire in Ghent
Download desired area of Google maps for offline access
Before the trip, we recommend that you download the necessary maps to the Google Maps application on your smartphone. This will allow you to build travel routes and use offline navigation on the ground. Thus, you can significantly save on Internet roaming charges, as well as on the "Navigator" service. Downloading the map is easy. You should select the required area, set the desired scale and enter "ok maps" in the search field.
Book a car 6 weeks in advance
Ghent 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 Ghent. 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 for rent
Tourists who expect to drive only around the city and its immediate surroundings prefer to rent compact cars, Toyota Aygo or Opel Astra. 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 Fiat Tipo Estate in Ghent 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 recommendations
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.
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.
Fuel Policy
When you pick up your car, you may be asked to pay for a full tank of fuel right away. This condition will suit you if you plan to travel long distances. For a couple of trips around the city, you don’t need so much fuel, and therefore it doesn’t make sense to overpay. Pay attention to the fuel policy when booking a car. If necessary, use the special filter to select the most convenient option for you.
Rent without mileage limit
According to the rental conditions, the mileage can be limited or unlimited. Travel lovers should choose the option without a limit. It will cost more, but in the end it will save. Check the appropriate box to filter offers with unlimited mileage.
Compare prices and conditions from different car rental companies
When choosing a rental car in Ghent, 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 Ghent - sixt with an average rating 9.8 points and budget with 9.7 points.
We show all the rental conditions of different companies. Read the rules carefully before booking a car.
Car pick-up procedure
Getting a rented car in Ghent 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.
Our main advantages
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Change or cancel within 48 hours for free!
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Car rental reviews: Ghent
Based on 8255 reviews
Rate 4,8/5
Based on 8255 reviews
Tony
4,8
Without a doubt, I will continue to use Bookingautos on a regular basis. Thank you very much for your assistance!
Michael
4,7
Excellent value for money. The pick-up process was a little confusing, but I would use it again!
Luna
4,5
The search was very simple to use, the price was really low, and there were no problems with the rental car company.
Jody
4,9
Everything proceeded as expected. The complete coverage compensation really worked.
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