What you should know before hiring a car in Brussels
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Distance from Brussels city centre |
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| 9 mi | ||
| 26 mi | ||
Car hires in Brussels: practical information
Where to rent a car in Brussels
Planning a trip to the European capital? Brussels is the cultural centre of the continent, a meeting place for cultures, traditions, history and politics. There are major car hire companies at Brussels National Airport and in the city centre, particularly around Gare du Midi. Be aware that car hire rentals from the airport and main train station tend to cost more due to additional taxes.
Driving in Brussels: parking and other tips
Brussels city centre has dozens are public car parks, with varying tariffs. It’s best to choose a spot and park down for the day and explore on foot, as you wouldn’t want to miss the chance to happen upon something unexpected and new while you’re on holidays in Brussels.
Watch out for car-free day in September, where all motorised vehicles are “banned” from the city centre to promote alternative ways of transportation.
Road trips from Brussels: what to do, what to see
Waterloo
A famous batter took place here, one that changed the face of Europe forever! It was here, just 15km south of Brussels that Napoleon faced Waterloo and Bluecher. Don’t miss a climb to the top of Lion’s Mound for views of the entire battlefield.
Bruges
Bruges is a must if you have time to explore more of Belgium. It’s located in the north, in Flanders. It is one of the best preserved pre-motorised cities in Europe and it’s hard not to be charmed by the city’s architecture. The only thing is, this place can get super busy with tourists, especially in summer and on weekends. If you want the place all to yourself, visit over the Christmas holidays or mid-week.
Antwerp
Antwerp is the world’s “diamond city,” with over 70% of the world’s diamonds being traded here. It’s also a pretty beautiful destination in Flanders. Visit Peter Paul Rubens’ house, tour the Plantin Moretus Museum to learn about bookbinding, feed the animals at the Antwerp Zoo and do visit Het Muntplein, where graffiti artists are free to paint without fear of the police.