Bruges is one of Belgium’s most-visited cities — and one of its trickiest for drivers. The medieval centre is almost entirely car-free, parking outside it is limited, and the surrounding roads can get clogged in summer. But pick up a rental car at Bruges station and point it towards the coast, the Flemish countryside, or the French border, and you’ll see a completely different Belgium. This guide covers where to rent, where to park, what to avoid, and the best day trips from Bruges by car.
Do You Need a Car to Visit Bruges?
For visiting Bruges itself: no. The historic centre is compact and best explored on foot or by bike. The main attractions — the Markt, the Burg, the canals, the Beguinage — are all within a 15–20 minute walk of each other. Bruges is also directly connected to Brussels, Ghent, and the coast by train.
Where a rental car does make sense:
- You want to combine Bruges with places that aren’t well served by public transport (the Flemish countryside, rural West Flanders, Ypres and the WWI battlefields)
- You’re using Bruges as a base for day trips to the Belgian coast, France, or the Netherlands
- You’re travelling with luggage and want the flexibility of driving between cities
- You’re planning a broader Belgium road trip and Bruges is your first or last stop
Where to Pick Up a Rental Car in Bruges
Unlike Brussels, Bruges does not have rental car desks inside the train station building. All rental offices are located outside the city centre, within a few kilometres of the station. You’ll need to take a taxi or bus (roughly 5–20 minutes, depending on the company) or arrange a pickup with the rental company directly.
Rental companies near Bruges station
| Company | Location | Approx. distance from station |
|---|---|---|
| Avis | Sint Pieterskaai 9 (behind the station) | 5–10 min by taxi |
| Europcar | Katelijnevest area | 10–15 min by taxi |
| Hertz | Blauwe Toren industrial park (north of Bruges) | 15–20 min by taxi |
| Budget / Sixt | Various — confirm address at booking | Variable |
💡 Tip: Avis at Sint Pieterskaai is the most convenient option for train arrivals — it’s the closest to the station and accessible by bus 14 (stop: Krakelebrug). If you’re arriving by train and collecting a car the same day, book Avis or confirm the exact address with your chosen company before you travel.
Taxis from Bruges station to the rental offices cost approximately €10–15. There is a taxi rank directly in front of the station.
Can I pick up at Bruges airport?
Bruges is served by Ostend-Bruges Airport (OST), about 25 km west of the city. It handles some charter and seasonal flights, and rental desks (Avis, Europcar) are located within the terminal building. However, most international visitors to Bruges fly into Brussels Airport (BRU) — see below for how to handle that.
Flying into Brussels and picking up in Bruges
Many visitors fly into Brussels Airport and travel to Bruges by train (about 1 hour, direct), then pick up a car in Bruges when they’re ready to explore further. This is often the most practical approach — you avoid driving in Brussels altogether, enjoy Bruges on foot, and collect a car only when you want to head out into the countryside or down the coast.
Alternatively, you can pick up at Brussels Airport and drive straight to Bruges (1 hour via the E40 motorway — no tolls). The E40 is one of Belgium’s busiest and most straightforward motorways.
Driving in Bruges: What You Must Know
The car-free city centre
Bruges’ entire historic centre (the area within the ring canal) is heavily restricted for cars. Most streets are either pedestrianised, one-way, or subject to access restrictions at certain times of day. Do not attempt to drive through the city centre to reach your hotel — check with your accommodation in advance whether they have parking or can direct you to the nearest access point.
Bruges is not a LEZ city
Unlike Brussels, Antwerp, and Ghent, Bruges does not currently operate a Low Emission Zone. There are no automatic camera fines for non-compliant vehicles driving in Bruges. This may change in coming years, but for 2026 there is no LEZ to worry about.
Speed limits
The standard Belgian speed limits apply: 30 km/h in built-up residential areas, 50 km/h on urban main roads, 70 km/h on regional roads, and 120 km/h on the E40 motorway. Bruges itself has expanded its 30 km/h zones significantly in recent years.
Priority to the right
At unmarked junctions in Bruges (and throughout Belgium), vehicles from the right have priority. This catches many foreign drivers off guard. Always yield to the right unless you see an orange priority road diamond sign.
Parking in Bruges
Cars cannot park in the historic centre of Bruges. All tourist parking is in designated car parks on the edge of the ring canal, from which you walk (5–15 minutes) into the centre. This is enforced and the system is well-organised.
Main car parks for tourists
| Car Park | Location | Walking time to Markt | Approx. price |
|---|---|---|---|
| ‘t Zand | South-west of centre | 8–10 min | €3–4/hour, €12–14/day |
| Katelijnepoort | South of centre (near Begijnhof) | 10–12 min | €3–4/hour, €12–14/day |
| Centrum / Biekorf | North of Markt | 5 min | €4–5/hour (most central — most expensive) |
| Bargeplein | North of centre | 12–15 min | €2–3/hour |
💡 Best value tip: Park at ‘t Zand for the whole day if you’re spending a full day in Bruges. At €12–14 for the day, it’s much cheaper than hourly parking and the walk to the Markt is easy and pleasant.
Bruges also has a free Park & Ride at the Rode Poort site on the outskirts. Parking is free, and a shuttle bus connects to the centre. This is the best option if you’re arriving on a busy summer weekend when central car parks fill up early.
Best Day Trips from Bruges by Car
This is where a rental car really earns its keep. Bruges is ideally positioned for some excellent drives.
The Belgian Coast (15–40 min)
The Belgian coastline runs 67 km from De Panne in the south-west to Knokke-Heist in the north-east. Driving it lets you stop at whichever beach resort takes your fancy — the Coastal Tram connects all the resorts but a car gives you flexibility to stop at quieter spots. De Haan is the prettiest, Oostende the liveliest, and De Panne has the biggest dunes.
Ypres and the WWI Battlefields (35–45 min)
Ypres (Ieper) and the surrounding Flemish Fields are home to some of the most moving WWI memorials in the world — the Menin Gate, Tyne Cot Cemetery, Passchendaele. Public transport connections from Bruges are poor, making this one of the most compelling reasons to have a car. Allow a full day.
Ghent (30 min via E40)
Ghent is just 30 minutes by car from Bruges. Drive in, park at one of the P+R facilities on the edge of the city (Bourgoyen or Wondelgem are well-signposted), and take the tram into the centre. Note that Ghent has a strict LEZ — confirm your rental car is compliant before driving in.
Damme and the Flemish Countryside (15 min)
Damme is a tiny, beautiful canal town just north-east of Bruges. Drive (or cycle) along the Damse Vaart canal, stop for a local beer, and enjoy a corner of Flanders that most tourists miss entirely.
Lille, France (1 hour)
Cross into France and you’re in Lille in about an hour. Most rental agreements allow driving in France — confirm at booking. Note that French motorways have tolls (bring a credit card). Lille is a fantastic city for a day trip: great food, beautiful architecture, and half the crowds of Bruges.
Antwerp (1 hour via E40/E17)
If you haven’t been to Antwerp, the drive from Bruges takes about 1 hour. Antwerp has a strict LEZ — check compliance before entering. Park at ‘t Eilandje near the MAS museum and explore on foot.
How to Get the Best Price on a Rental Car in Bruges
- Compare prices across companies using RentalCars — rates in Bruges vary significantly between Avis, Europcar, and Hertz for the same car class.
- Book at least 2 weeks ahead. Last-minute rentals in Bruges (especially in summer) are much more expensive and choice is limited.
- Consider picking up in Brussels instead. If you’re flying into BRU, sometimes it’s cheaper to rent at the airport and drive to Bruges (1 hour), rather than taking the train and renting locally.
- Choose a small car. Bruges’s surrounding roads are mostly single-carriageway regional routes. A compact or economy car is perfectly adequate and significantly cheaper than an SUV.
- Check your credit card for CDW cover. Many premium credit cards include collision damage waiver as a free benefit — meaning you can skip the rental company’s expensive daily excess waiver.
Frequently Asked Questions: Car Rental in Bruges
For the full guide to renting a car anywhere in Belgium — including LEZ rules, driving laws, age requirements, and insurance tips — see our Car Rental Belgium guide. If you’re picking up in Brussels, see our dedicated Car Rental Brussels guide.
