Brussels

Europe > Belgium > Brussels (BRU)

The Car or no Car advice for  Brussels can be broken down into three similar questions - do you need a car in Brussels ;  is it worth it (based on costs), and ultimately - should you rent one? (a balance of the two).

🚆 🚌⛴️ Do we need to rent a car in Brussels ?

These scores are based on the quality of public transport and other travel options. If these are good enough to see the main points of interest, then you don’t need to rent a car.

🇧🇪 Mode

Score
🚆 Non-car score non-car score 8

💰💶💳 Is it worth hiring a car in Brussels?

These scores reflect the practical factors that affect whether renting a car is convenient, good value, and stress-free.

🇧🇪 Factor

Score
🚗 Car Score car rental availability score 7
🚗Do we need a car in Brussels? Is it worth it? Should we rent one? | Comment
Brussels blends grand squares, Art Nouveau façades, elegant cafés and international energy. Because the city has strong public transport and a tightly packed centre, many visitors ask: should you rent a car in Brussels? The answer depends on whether you plan to explore only the city’s central districts or head outward to the wider Belgian countryside. Since Brussels is one of Europe’s most interconnected capitals, you can usually skip the car without losing any freedom.

🚶‍♂️ Exploring Brussels Without a Car

Brussels is extremely walkable, especially around the Grand-Place, the Galeries Royales, the Sablon and Sainte-Catherine. Moreover, the metro and tram networks cover almost every corner of the city, giving you easy access to the Atomium, Parc du Cinquantenaire, the EU Quarter and the African Museum at Tervuren. Because stations sit close together, getting around feels quick and simple.

🚆 Day Trips by Train Are Exceptionally Easy

Belgium has one of Europe’s densest railway networks. In fact, trains from Brussels reach Bruges, Ghent, Antwerp, Leuven, Liège and Namur so quickly that hiring a car often slows you down. Additionally, international trains reach Paris, Amsterdam, Cologne and London, which makes Brussels a perfect hub for travellers who want to stay car-free.

🚗 When a Car Helps

A rental car becomes useful only if you plan to explore rural areas far from the rail network. For example, reaching small Ardennes villages, certain hiking routes or secluded accommodation can be easier by road. Nevertheless, most attractions sit close to a station. Even countryside areas are reachable with a bit of planning.

🎯 Conclusion: Should You Rent a Car in Brussels?

  • ❌ Skip the car if you plan to explore the city and enjoy easy rail day trips across Belgium.

  • ❔ Consider renting a car in Brussels only if your itinerary focuses on rural Ardennes villages or hiking routes with limited public transport.

🚗Do we need a car in Brussels? Is it worth it? Should we? Destinations | Comment

🚗 ✅ ❌ Summary Table

This summary score brings how much you really need a car, whether it’s worth it, driver options, local driving rules, and an overall recommendation.

🇧🇪 Factor

Score
🚗Should You Rent a Car in Brussels?
 overall should you rent a car score 3
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