Brussels is the easiest city in Belgium to pick up a rental car — every major company has a desk at the airport, the main train stations, and in the city centre. But driving in Brussels itself is a different story: the city has a strict Low Emission Zone covering all 19 municipalities, a 30 km/h speed limit on most roads, and some of the most confusing one-way systems in Europe. This guide tells you exactly where to pick up, what to watch out for, and when renting a car in Brussels is actually worth it.
Should You Rent a Car in Brussels?
For most tourists, the answer is: not for exploring Brussels itself. The city’s public transport network (metro, tram, bus) is excellent and covers all the major sights. Parking in the centre is expensive — expect €4–6 per hour in an underground car park — and on-street parking is scarce and heavily enforced.
Where a rental car does make sense is as a base for exploring the rest of Belgium. Pick up at Brussels Airport or Brussels-Midi station on the day you leave the city, and you’re immediately on the motorway network that connects Bruges (1 hour), Ghent (35 minutes), Antwerp (40 minutes), and the Ardennes (1.5 hours). Brussels is one of the best-connected road hubs in Western Europe.
Rental Car Pickup Locations in Brussels
Brussels Airport (BRU) — Zaventem
Brussels-Zaventem Airport is the main international airport and the most popular rental car pickup point in Belgium. All rental desks are located in the Arrivals Hall on level 2 — no shuttle bus needed. From arrivals, look for the car rental signs to your left.
Companies with desks at BRU arrivals:
| Company | Opening Hours |
|---|---|
| Avis | Mon–Sun 06:30–23:30 |
| Hertz | Mon–Sun 06:30–23:30 |
| Europcar | Mon–Fri 06:30–23:00, Sat 07:00–21:00, Sun 08:00–23:00 |
| Sixt | Mon–Sun 06:30–23:00 |
| Budget | Mon–Sun 06:30–19:00 |
| Enterprise / Alamo / National | Mon–Sun (check confirmation) |
After collecting your paperwork at the desk, follow the signs to the parking building where your car will be waiting. Enterprise and Alamo share a counter — head to the right side of the arrivals hall and take the escalators down to level 0, then follow the Enterprise signs to the car park.
💡 Tip: Brussels Airport can get very busy during peak travel periods (March–May and September–October). If you arrive on a busy morning, queues at rental counters can be 20–40 minutes long. Members of Avis Preferred, Hertz Gold, or Sixt Express can skip the queue entirely — worth signing up for free before you travel.
Brussels South Charleroi Airport (CRL)
If you’re flying with Ryanair or another low-cost carrier, you may be landing at Brussels South Charleroi Airport — which is actually 60 km south of Brussels, near the city of Charleroi. Rental desks are available here too (Avis, Europcar, Hertz, Sixt), though the selection of vehicles is smaller than at BRU.
⚠️ Critical: Do not book a car at BRU if you’re landing at CRL, or vice versa. This is the single most common — and costly — mistake tourists make when renting in Belgium. Check your boarding pass carefully before booking.
If you’re planning to head straight to Brussels city from CRL, the airport bus (Flibco) takes about 1 hour to Brussels-Midi station. From there you can pick up a rental car at the station instead.
Brussels-Midi / Gare du Midi Station
If you arrive by train — Eurostar from London, Thalys from Paris or Amsterdam, or domestic SNCB — Brussels-Midi station has rental desks from Avis, Europcar, Hertz, and Sixt. This is an excellent pickup point if you want to spend a day or two in Brussels first (using public transport) and then collect a car when you’re ready to head out of the city.
Brussels City Centre
Several companies also have offices in central Brussels neighbourhoods including Ixelles and the CBD. These can be convenient if you’re already staying centrally, but parking while you wait to pick up can be tricky. Check the company’s website for exact addresses.
Brussels Low Emission Zone (LEZ) — What Rental Car Drivers Must Know
Brussels has one of the strictest Low Emission Zones in Europe. It covers all 19 municipalities of the Brussels-Capital Region and operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Cameras automatically read number plates and issue fines to non-compliant vehicles.
The good news for rental car customers: virtually all modern rental cars are LEZ-compliant. A petrol car built after 2000 and a diesel car meeting Euro 5 standards (generally post-2011) will both pass. Still, always confirm with your rental company before driving into the city.
If you’re driving your own car into Brussels — or if you have any doubt about a rental vehicle — you can check compliance and register for a tourist exemption (maximum 8 days per year) at lez.brussels. Do this before entering the zone.
Fines for LEZ violations in Brussels start at €350.
Driving in Brussels: Rules That Catch Tourists Off Guard
30 km/h speed limit
Brussels introduced a citywide 30 km/h speed limit on most urban roads. The main ring road (R0) and a few major arterial roads remain at 50 km/h or 70 km/h, but everywhere else — including most streets in the city centre — the limit is 30. Speed cameras are numerous. Do not rely on your sat-nav to catch every zone.
Priority to the right
At unmarked junctions, vehicles coming from the right have priority — even if you’re on what appears to be the main road. This rule applies throughout Belgium but is particularly catching in Brussels’s maze of residential streets. Always yield to the right unless you see a priority road sign (orange diamond).
Tram priority
Trams always have right of way in Brussels. Never cut in front of a tram or park on tram tracks, even briefly. Fines are severe and enforcement is consistent.
Parking in Brussels
Parking in Brussels city centre is expensive and enforcement is strict. Here’s what to know:
- On-street paid parking: Most central streets use pay-and-display machines or the RingRing / 4411 parking apps. Rates are typically €2–5 per hour depending on zone. Blue Zone streets (free with a parking disc, 1–2 hour limit) exist mainly in residential areas outside the centre.
- Underground car parks: The most reliable option. Parking Brussels operates several central car parks including at the Grand-Place area, Avenue Louise, and near the EU quarter. Expect €4–6 per hour, or €25–35 per day for a full day.
- Park & Ride (P+R): Six P+R facilities sit on the outskirts of Brussels connected to metro lines. Parking is free or very cheap (€1–3/day), and you take the metro in. Ideal if you’re staying in Brussels but want to avoid driving in the city. The most central ones are at Erasme (metro line 5) and Kraainem (metro line 1).
Best Routes Out of Brussels by Car
- Brussels to Bruges: 1 hour via the E40 motorway. No tolls. One of the most straightforward drives in Belgium.
- Brussels to Ghent: 35–40 minutes via the E40. Park at a P+R on the edge of Ghent and take the tram in.
- Brussels to Antwerp: 40–45 minutes via the E19. Note that Antwerp also has a strict LEZ.
- Brussels to the Ardennes: 1.5–2 hours via the E411 towards Namur and Luxembourg. This is where having a car really pays off — public transport to the Ardennes is very limited.
- Brussels to the Belgian Coast: 1.5 hours via the E40 to Ghent then onwards to Bruges and Ostend.
How to Get the Best Price on a Rental Car in Brussels
- Compare before you book. Use a comparison tool like RentalCars to check rates across Avis, Sixt, Hertz, Europcar, and Budget in one search. Prices at Brussels Airport vary enormously between companies for the same vehicle class.
- Book at least 2 weeks ahead. Last-minute prices at BRU can be 2–3x higher than advance rates. The sweet spot is 2–4 weeks before your trip.
- Avoid airport surcharges where possible. Rental companies add an airport location fee (typically 10–15% of the total) for BRU pickups. If you’re spending a few days in Brussels first, picking up at Brussels-Midi station instead can save money — though the convenience of airport pickup often outweighs the saving.
- Check your credit card insurance. Many gold and premium cards include collision damage waiver (CDW) cover as a free benefit. If yours does, you can decline the rental company’s excess waiver — which can cost €15–30 per day.
- Choose the right car size. Brussels city streets are narrow. A small city car (Renault Clio, VW Polo class) is much easier to park than an SUV, and significantly cheaper. If you need more space for the Ardennes or long motorway stretches, step up to a compact — not an SUV — unless you specifically need the ground clearance.
Frequently Asked Questions: Car Rental in Brussels
For the complete guide to renting a car anywhere in Belgium — including LEZ rules, driving laws, parking tips, and age requirements — see our Car Rental Belgium guide.
