Ghent car rental guide
Top 10 Car Rental Companies in Ghent
The best car rental companies in Ghent are Sixt, Hertz, Europcar. Prices start from €33/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 Ghent
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€36/day
all-in estimate
View Sixt deal
#2
Hertz
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €300Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From€38/day
all-in estimate
View Hertz deal
#3
Avis
Top ratedFull-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €300Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From€35/day
all-in estimate
View Avis deal
#4
Europcar
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €250Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From€34/day
all-in estimate
View Europcar deal
#5
Budget
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €250Min age 21Free cancellationAirport
From€31/day
all-in estimate
View Budget deal
#6
Enterprise
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €300Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From€37/day
all-in estimate
View Enterprise deal
#7
Alamo
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €250Min age 21Free cancellationAirport
From€32/day
all-in estimate
View Alamo deal
#8
National
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €300Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From€39/day
all-in estimate
View National deal
#9
Thrifty
Local pickFull-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €200Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From€29/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 Ghent
| Car type | From / day | Example | Seats |
|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | €33 | VW up! | 4 |
| Compact | €39 | Renault Clio | 5 |
| SUV | €60 | VW Tiguan | 5 |
| Minivan (7-seat) | €80 | VW Touran | 7 |
| Luxury | €108 | Audi A4 | 5 |
Pickup locations
Where to pick up a car in Ghent
Airport — Brussels Airport (BRU)
BRU is Belgium's main hub, about 55km southeast of Ghent; rental desks are in the arrivals area with a direct motorway link.
Downtown — Ghent city center (Sint-Pieters Station)
Downtown desks near Ghent-Sint-Pieters station suit travelers arriving by train who want to skip the airport surcharge and explore Flanders directly.
Fees
Fees at a glance
| Fee | Typical amount | When it applies |
|---|---|---|
| LEZ (low-emission zone) check | Free registration, fines if non-compliant | Driving into Ghent's city center |
| 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 |
Local intelligence
Things to know before renting in Ghent
- Belgium has no motorway vignette — roads around Ghent are toll-free for regular passenger cars.
- Ghent enforces a low-emission zone (LEZ) in its city center, so check your rental car's compliance before driving downtown.
- Ghent is a lively university city with one of Belgium's best-preserved medieval centers.
- Bruges is only about 40 minutes away by car, making the two Flemish cities an easy combined road trip.
- Brussels Airport sits roughly 55km from Ghent, a straightforward motorway drive for pickup or drop-off.
- Antwerp, Belgium's diamond capital, is within easy reach for a day trip from Ghent by car.
- Ghent's historic core is largely pedestrian and bike-friendly, so a rental car is best used for exploring beyond the city.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions about renting a car in Ghent
Do I need a vignette to drive in Belgium?
No, Belgium has no general motorway vignette. Roads around Ghent are toll-free for regular passenger cars.
Is there a low-emission zone in Ghent?
Yes, Ghent enforces an LEZ in its city center — check that your rental car meets the emission standards before driving downtown.
How far is Brussels Airport from Ghent?
About 55km, roughly a 45-minute to 1-hour drive along the motorway.
Do you need a car in Ghent?
Not for the compact, bike-friendly historic center, but a car is useful for day trips to Bruges, Brussels, or Antwerp.
Can I drive from Ghent to Bruges easily?
Yes, Bruges is about 40 minutes away by car, one of the easiest day trips from Ghent.
Is Antwerp accessible from Ghent by car?
Yes, Antwerp is within easy day-trip range from Ghent and popular for its diamond district and port.
What is the cheapest car type in Ghent?
Economy cars like a VW up! start around €33/day. An SUV for a longer road trip starts around €60/day.
Nearby trips
