Considering a Car Rental in Leuven? Everything You Need to Know:
Leuven, a charming Belgian city known for its rich history, stunning architecture, and vibrant student life, is best explored with the freedom of a rental car. If you're considering renting a vehicle for your visit, Bookingautos is here to help you navigate the process and find the best deals from both international and local car rental companies in Leuven.
Why Rent a Car in Leuven?
While Leuven's city center is compact and walkable, having a car at your disposal opens up a world of possibilities:
Flexibility to explore the beautiful Flemish countryside
Convenient transportation for day trips to Brussels, Antwerp, or Ghent
Hassle-free shopping trips to outlet centers or local markets
What to Consider When Renting
Before booking your rental car in Leuven, keep these factors in mind:
Driving requirements: Ensure you meet the age requirements and have a valid driver's license
Insurance options: Consider additional coverage for peace of mind
Fuel policy: Understand whether you need to return the car with a full tank
Parking: Be aware that parking in Leuven's city center can be challenging and expensive
Navigating Leuven by Car
Driving in Leuven is relatively straightforward, but keep these tips in mind:
Be cautious of numerous cyclists and pedestrians, especially near the university
Pay attention to one-way streets in the city center
Use parking garages on the outskirts of the center for more affordable rates
Consider leaving your car at your accommodation when exploring the historic center
With Bookingautos, you can easily compare offers from various car rental companies in Leuven, ensuring you get the best deal for your needs. Whether you're planning to explore the Grand Béguinage or venture out to discover the region's famous breweries, a rental car provides the perfect means to make the most of your visit to this captivating Belgian city.
Video Guide to Must-Visit Locations
Where to Park Your Rental Car in Leuven
Leuven, a charming Belgian city, offers several parking options for your rental car. Here are some of the best places to park:
City Center Parking
Parking Ladeuze: Located near the central library, this underground parking is convenient for exploring the historic center.
Parking Station: Situated next to the train station, ideal for day trips or if you're staying nearby.
Park and Ride Options
For longer stays or budget-friendly alternatives, consider these options:
Parking Vaartkom: A large, free parking area on the outskirts of the city with easy bus connections to the center.
Parking Bodart: Another free option with good public transport links to central Leuven.
Remember to check parking regulations and fees, as they may vary depending on the location and time of day.
Good to know
Most Popular Agency
Sixt
Most popular car class
Compact
Average price
26 € / Day
Best price
19 € / Day
Monthly price chart: Average price per week of rent
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 Leuven 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 Leuven 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.
During the summer months in Leuven there is a significant increase in demand for convertible rentals. This causes an increase in prices and the limited choice of such cars. A day of rental BMW 4 Cabrio will cost you €338.
Average prices for 1 day rental for different car classes:
4x
2x
A/C
3x
Citroen C1
Citroen C1
€14 / Day
4x
2x
A/C
4x
Ford Fiesta
Ford Fiesta
€18 / Day
5x
3x
A/C
4x
Audi A4
Audi A4
€32 / Day
5x
4x
A/C
5x
Ford Foxus Estate
Ford Foxus Estate
€33 / Day
4x
3x
A/C
5x
BMW X1
BMW X1
€33 / Day
4x
3x
A/C
4x
BMW 5 series
BMW 5 series
€45 / Day
8x
4x
A/C
5x
Ford Tourneo
Ford Tourneo
€55 / Day
4x
2x
A/C
2x
BMW 4 Cabrio
BMW 4 Cabrio
€65 / Day
Bookingautos offers a wide range of cars of any class. In Leuven you can rent a convertible, SUV, sedan, minivan, as well as a business class car. Our rental fleet consists of new cars manufactured in 2024 year.
When calculating the rental price for a car in Leuven, seasonal demand, the class of the car itself and the duration of the rental are taken into account. In winter, renting a car is the cheapest. In the summer, rent will cost more expensive. An additional discount for long-term rentals is provided by many car rental companies, which makes your trip even more profitable for the budget. For example, in the spring months, the compact Ford Fiestamodel can be rented for just €21 per day. Renting the same car for a week will cost less and will be only €16. The situation is similar with other models of the budget segment. Among them are Skoda Superb, Opel Astra Estate, VW Tiguan, which can be rented for as little as €33-€27 per day. Approximately for €71in Leuven you can rent a convertible car. Premium segment models are more expensive, the rental will cost from €338 per day. If we talk about exclusive models, then when ordering them, you should be prepared for an amount of 450€ or more for daily use.
In recent years in Leuven the demand for electric rental cars has been growing steadily. Their popularity is due to the presence of numerous free parking lots and recharging stations. You will be able to rent Renault Zoe in Leuven by selecting start and end dates of the rental in the search filter.
Required documents for rental cars
Driving license
Credit card
Voucher
Passport
Attention!
A valid international driver's license is required!
10 Smart Tips to Make the Most of Your Car Rental
Download desired area of Google maps for offline access
Download the map in the Google Maps mobile app in advance. Select the desired area, type "OK MAPS" in the search box and start the search. Then wait for the map to save. Ready! Navigation will work even without an internet connection - thanks to the GPS function. It is present in all modern smartphones. You can not only find the desired address, but also build a route. And all this is free.
Book a car 6 weeks in advance
Leuven 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 Leuven. 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
Choose a car according to the purpose of your trip. You can drive around the city and its surroundings in a compact car Fiat 500 or Ford Fiesta. These models are the most popular with our customers in Leuven.
In the mountains, more powerful transport will be required. Pay attention to the volume of the engine - it must be more than 1.6 liters. An all-wheel drive crossover would be ideal. Opel Astra Estate will cost €38 per day. By the way, before leaving, do not forget to refuel with a margin. On the rises, the fuel goes one and a half to two times more. Gas stations in mountain villages are rare.
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
Rental companies in Leuven may offer different insurance options. They differ in price and set of options. Here are the basic types:
Third Party Liability (TPL)/Third Liability Protection (TLP). 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 Insurance (TI)/Theft Protection (TP)/Theft Waiver (TW). This is car theft protection. Operates with a franchise.
Super Loss Damage Waiver (SLDW)/Theft Protection+Collision Damage Waiver (TP+CDW). Full protection against theft and damage, even if you are the culprit of the accident.
Personal Accident Insurance (PAI). This is medical insurance for the driver and passengers.
If you want to save money and choose the cheapest insurance, carefully inspect the car upon receipt. Make sure the machine is not damaged.
Check out the fuel policy
When renting a car, you should pay attention to the fuel policy of rental companies. Often, when renting, tourists have to pay the cost of a full tank of fuel. This option is suitable for long-term rentals and long trips. But if you're only renting Leuven for a day or two, or if you're only planning short trips, such as to a small island, then you probably won't need a full tank. You can get acquainted with the fuel policy in the "Important information" section of the car you have chosen.
Mileage without limits
The rental company may set a daily mileage limit. You will have to pay extra for exceeding the limit. Please check this condition before booking. It is possible that a more expensive rental option will turn out to be more profitable in the end: it will not require any additional expenses. To filter cars with unlimited mileage - use the "Mileage" filter in the search results.
Compare prices and conditions from different car rental companies
When choosing a rental car in Leuven, 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.
How to choose a rental company
Pay attention to the car park. Large and reliable companies regularly buy new cars.
Our clients name the top companies in Leuven - 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 Leuven 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 advantages
24/7 support in all popular languages
Change or cancel within 48 hours for free!
No additional fees
Car rental reviews: Leuven
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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