Discover Ostend on Your Own Terms: Car Rental Guide and Tips
Ostend, a charming coastal city in Belgium, is best explored at your own pace. With Bookingautos, you can easily find and compare the best car rental deals from various companies in Ostend, allowing you to embark on your Belgian adventure with convenience and flexibility.
Why Rent a Car in Ostend?
Renting a car in Ostend offers numerous advantages:
Freedom to explore the city and surrounding areas at your leisure
Easy access to nearby attractions and beaches
Convenience for day trips to other Belgian cities
Comfort and privacy during your travels
Tips for Renting a Car in Ostend
1. Book in advance: Secure the best rates and ensure availability, especially during peak tourist seasons.
2. Choose the right vehicle: Consider your needs and the number of passengers when selecting a car size.
3. Check insurance options: Understand what's covered and consider additional protection if needed.
4. Familiarize yourself with local traffic rules: Belgian driving regulations may differ from your home country.
5. Plan your routes: Research your destinations and parking options beforehand.
Must-Visit Destinations by Car
With your rental car, you can easily reach some of Ostend's top attractions:
De Haan: A picturesque coastal village known for its belle époque architecture
Bruges: Take a day trip to this stunning medieval city, just 30 minutes away
By choosing Bookingautos for your car rental needs in Ostend, you're ensuring a hassle-free experience with access to the best deals from both international and local car rental companies. This allows you to focus on what really matters – creating unforgettable memories in this beautiful Belgian coastal region. Whether you're planning to lounge on Ostend's expansive beaches, explore its rich history, or venture into the surrounding Flemish countryside, a rental car provides the perfect means to discover Ostend and beyond on your own terms.
Video Guide to Must-Visit Locations
Where to Park Your Rental Car in Ostend
Ostend offers several convenient parking options for your rental car. Here are some of the best places to park:
Underground Parking Centers: Located in the city center, these provide secure parking close to major attractions.
Street Parking: Available throughout the city, but be aware of time restrictions and payment methods.
Park & Ride: Located on the outskirts of Ostend, offering free parking and shuttle services to the city center.
Popular Parking Locations:
Parking Centrum: Located near the train station and shopping areas.
Parking 't Zee: Convenient for beach access and the promenade.
Parking Kursaal: Ideal for visitors attending events at the Kursaal convention center.
Remember to always check parking signs and rates, as they may vary depending on the season and location. It's advisable to book parking in advance during peak tourist periods to ensure availability.
Good to know
Most Popular Agency
Avis
Most popular car class
Compact
Average price
27 € / Day
Best price
19 € / Day
Average cost for 7 days 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
* The average cost of renting a car in Ostend for seven days. The data is calculated based on car bookings for the previous 365 days.
The best month to rent a car in Ostend is November. There are fewer tourists and a lot of available cars. You can book a compact class model at a price from €19. This is 31% cheaper than the average during the year.
The best time to rent a car in Ostend is November. This month, rental prices are minimal, below the annual average by 34%, and start from €19 for a Compact car.
The highest demand for car rental occurs in summer. The cost increases, on average, by 30-50% and the choice of available cars is significantly reduced. For example, in July, the average price for a popular car model Toyota Camry is €75per day.
Bookingautos offers a wide range of cars of any class. In Ostend 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.
What affects the cost of renting a car in Ostend? 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 VW Polo in March-April costs about€19 per day. But book a car right away for a week - and the price will drop to €15 per day. These are standard prices for budget cars. The middle class will cost an average of €27-€38 per 24 hours. This can be Toyota Camry,Audi A4 Estate or Toyota Rav-4. In Ostend convertibles can be rented for a minimum of €75. Luxury models raise the bar to €337 per day. Some exclusive cars are valued at more than 400€ per day.
Recently, in Ostend has seen a rise in demand for electric car rentals. They do not pollute nature and save money. The city has free parking and cheap charging stations. To rent an electric car in Ostend, select the appropriate filter in the car search and fill in the dates you need. The best option could be Renault Zoe.
List of required documents
Driving license
Credit card
Voucher
Passport
Attention!
A valid international driver's license is required!
Expert Car Rental Tips: 10 Things to Keep in Mind
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.
Book a car 6 weeks in advance
Ostend is now in ever-increasing demand, which affects the high demand for car rental. By booking online, you can avoid any unpleasant surprises after you arrive at your destination. Both with the car itself and with its rent.
It is better to book a car at least one and a half months before the trip. As the required date approaches, the number of available offers is reduced, and the cost of the remaining models increases. If plans change and the trip is postponed, then you can cancel the rental without any sanctions 2 days before it starts.
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 Ford Ka or VW Polo. These models are the most popular with our customers in Ostend.
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. Audi A4 Estate will cost €32 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 at the time of 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.
Check out the 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.
Mileage without limits
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.
Compare prices and conditions from different car rental companies
When choosing a rental car in Ostend, 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 Ostend - 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 Ostend 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: Ostend
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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