Car Hire Ghent
Let’s be honest — Ghent doesn’t always get the love it deserves. Most people rush through Belgium hitting up Brussels for the waffles and Bruges for the fairytale vibes, completely skipping this absolute gem in between. Big mistake. Ghent is what happens when you take all the medieval charm of Bruges but add an actual living, breathing city on top. Students, creatives, and locals fill the cobblestoned streets, giving it an energy that’s hard to resist. And having a rental car here? That’s your ticket to exploring beyond the city limits without being tied to train schedules.
Strategically, Ghent is brilliantly positioned. You’re smack in the middle of Belgium’s Flemish region, with easy access to the coast, the French border, and major cities in every direction. The city itself is walkable (once you’ve parked), but the real magic happens when you venture out. Think windswept beaches, World War I battlefields, and those picture-perfect Belgian towns that haven’t been overrun by tour buses yet. If you’re planning to see more than just one city, picking up your car hire in Ghent just makes sense.
Picking Up Your Rental Car
Most car rental companies in Ghent operate from two main spots: the city center offices (handy if you’re already in town) and the pickup point near Gent-Sint-Pieters railway station. If you’re arriving by train, the station location is your best bet — it’s a quick walk from the platforms, and you’ll be on your way within minutes. Some companies also offer hotel delivery, which is brilliant if you’re staying a few nights and want to explore on foot before hitting the road.
Documentation-wise, you’ll need your driving licence (an International Driving Permit if your licence isn’t in Latin script), your passport or ID card, and the credit card used for booking. Belgium is pretty straightforward about this stuff, but make sure your card has enough credit for the deposit — it can be steep depending on the car category. One thing to watch: Ghent’s city centre has a low-emission zone, so double-check that your rental vehicle meets the standards if you plan to drive into the historic core. Most modern rentals will be fine, but older vans or larger vehicles might not make the cut.
Parking in Ghent is manageable if you know where to look. The underground car parks near Vrijdagmarkt and Sint-Pieters station are reasonably priced and save you the headache of hunting for street spots. Just avoid the pedestrianised areas in the medieval centre — they’re strictly off-limits, and the fines aren’t worth it.
Where to Go
Bruges — About 40 minutes northwest via the N50 and E40. Yes, it’s touristy, but for good reason. The canals, the Belfry, the swans gliding past medieval facades — it’s all genuinely stunning. Go early morning or late afternoon to avoid the worst crowds, and park at the ‘t Zand underground car park rather than attempting the narrow centre streets.
Brussels — Roughly 45 minutes southeast on the E40. The capital gets a mixed reputation, but the Grand Place is spectacular, and the Art Nouveau architecture in Ixelles is worth the drive alone. If you’re flying out of Brussels Airport, it’s about an hour from Ghent — handy to know if you’re dropping your car there.
The Belgian Coast — Ostend is about 50 minutes away, and it’s your gateway to the entire coastline. The coastal tram runs the full length of the Belgian seaside, so you can park in Ostend and hop on the tram to explore quieter spots like De Haan or Knokke. Perfect for a breezy day when you want to escape the city heat.
Ypres and the WWI Battlefields — About an hour southwest via the E40 and N38. This is sobering, essential stuff. The Menin Gate, Tyne Cot Cemetery, and the countless memorials scattered across the countryside tell stories that stay with you. Having a car here is invaluable — many of the smaller sites aren’t accessible by public transport.
Antwerp — Just under an hour northeast on the E17. Belgium’s second city is a brilliant mix of fashion, diamonds, and a food scene that rivals anywhere in Europe. The MAS museum and the riverside neighbourhoods are fantastic, and it feels completely different from Ghent — worth the drive for the contrast alone.
Tips for Driving
Driving in Belgium comes with a few quirks you should know about. First up: speed limits. In built-up areas it’s generally 30 km/h or 50 km/h (watch for signs, as 30 zones are increasingly common in residential streets). Outside towns, you’re looking at 70 km/h on rural roads, and 120 km/h on motorways. Belgian motorways are free to use — no tolls — which is a nice bonus.
One thing that catches people out is the “priority from the right” rule. At intersections without markings or signs, traffic coming from the right has priority, even if you’re on a bigger road. It feels counterintuitive at first, but you’ll get used to it. Also, trams always have priority — always. If a tram stops to let passengers on or off, you must stop too, and you can’t overtake a stationary tram. Just wait patiently.
Headlights should be on at all times — it’s the law, even during the day. And if you’re driving in winter, keep in mind that snow isn’t super common in this part of Belgium, but when it hits, it can cause chaos. If you’re visiting between November and March, check the forecast and consider winter tyres if you’re heading into rural areas.
Finally, Belgian drivers have a reputation for being… assertive. They’ll tailgate, they’ll nip into gaps you didn’t know existed, and they’ll use their horns liberally. Don’t take it personally, keep your cool, and stick to the rules. The roads themselves are generally in good condition, and the signage is clear once you get used to the bilingual place names in the Flemish region.
Ready to explore Ghent and beyond? Book your car hire today and discover everything this brilliant corner of Belgium has to offer — from medieval cities to windswept coastlines, all on your own schedule.