Bruges car rental guide
Top 10 Car Rental Companies in Bruges
The best car rental companies in Bruges are Sixt, Hertz, Europcar. Prices start from €34/day for an economy car, the minimum age is 21, and airport pickup adds about 12%.
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Ranked comparison
Top 10 rental companies in Bruges
Ranked by customer rating, price transparency and pickup convenience. Each opens a pre-filled search.
#1
Sixt
Editor’s pickFull-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €300Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From€37/day
all-in estimate
View Sixt deal
#2
Hertz
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €300Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From€39/day
all-in estimate
View Hertz deal
#3
Avis
Top ratedFull-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €300Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From€36/day
all-in estimate
View Avis deal
#4
Europcar
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €250Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From€35/day
all-in estimate
View Europcar deal
#5
Budget
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €250Min age 21Free cancellationAirport
From€32/day
all-in estimate
View Budget deal
#6
Enterprise
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €300Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From€38/day
all-in estimate
View Enterprise deal
#7
Alamo
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €250Min age 21Free cancellationAirport
From€33/day
all-in estimate
View Alamo deal
#8
National
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €300Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From€40/day
all-in estimate
View National deal
#9
Thrifty
Local pickFull-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €200Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From€30/day
base rate
View Thrifty deal
Prices are indicative market estimates · Last checked 2026-07-21 · 2 public sources (DiscoverCars + market data)
Price guide
Prices by car type in Bruges
| Car type | From / day | Example | Seats |
|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | €34 | VW up! | 4 |
| Compact | €40 | Renault Clio | 5 |
| SUV | €62 | VW Tiguan | 5 |
| Minivan (7-seat) | €82 | VW Touran | 7 |
| Luxury | €110 | Audi A4 | 5 |
Pickup locations
Where to pick up a car in Bruges
Airport — Brussels Airport (BRU)
BRU is Belgium's main hub, about 100km southeast of Bruges; rental desks are in the arrivals area with a well-signed motorway route to the coast.
Downtown — Bruges city center (Station area)
Downtown desks near Bruges station suit travelers who arrive by train and want to explore West Flanders and the coast without the Brussels detour.
Fees
Fees at a glance
| Fee | Typical amount | When it applies |
|---|---|---|
| Airport surcharge | ~12% of base rate | BRU airport pickup |
| Young-driver fee (21–24) | €10–20/day | Drivers under 25 |
| Additional driver | €5–9/day | Per extra driver |
| Refundable deposit | €300–450 | Standard hold at pickup |
| One-way drop-off fee | Varies, often €50+ | Returning to a different city, e.g. Brussels |
Local intelligence
Things to know before renting in Bruges
- Belgium has no motorway vignette — the roads around Bruges are toll-free and well-lit at night.
- Bruges is nicknamed the "Venice of the North" for its network of medieval canals winding through the old town.
- Bruges's historic center is largely pedestrianized and canal-lined, so a rental car is best kept for day trips beyond the city.
- Ghent is only about 40 minutes away by car, making it an easy pairing for a Flanders road trip.
- Brussels, home to the main international airport, is roughly 1.2 hours from Bruges by car.
- The Belgian coast, including Ostend, is a short drive from Bruges and popular for day trips to the seaside.
- A smaller regional airport, Ostend-Bruges (OST), also serves the area alongside the larger Brussels hub.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions about renting a car in Bruges
Do I need a vignette to drive in Belgium?
No, Belgium has no general motorway vignette. Roads around Bruges are toll-free for regular passenger cars.
How far is Brussels Airport from Bruges?
About 100km, roughly a 1.2-hour drive along a well-signed motorway.
Is there a smaller airport near Bruges?
Yes, Ostend-Bruges (OST) is a smaller regional airport closer to the coast, alongside the larger Brussels Airport (BRU).
Do you need a car in Bruges?
Not for the historic center, which is compact, canal-lined, and largely pedestrianized. A car is useful for day trips to Ghent, Brussels, or the coast.
Can I drive from Bruges to Ghent easily?
Yes, Ghent is about 40 minutes away by car, one of the easiest day trips from Bruges.
Is the Belgian coast accessible from Bruges by car?
Yes, Ostend and the surrounding coastline are a short drive from Bruges, popular for a seaside day trip.
What is the cheapest car type in Bruges?
Economy cars like a VW up! start around €34/day. An SUV for a longer road trip starts around €62/day.
Nearby trips
