Brussels
Car Hire - Booking car hire for Brussels
is another facet of your holiday which is best done
on the internet. I suggest booking online, from a
local car rental agency (before you depart for Brussels)
or from a Travel Agent. You will get the best deal
this way – look for weekly rates with unlimited
miles. Compare rates as much as possible and you will
find the best deal. If you are arriving into Brussels
National airport you will find the following rental
cars to choose from: Sixt, Alamo, National, AVIS,
Hertz, and Europcar. There are several sites where
you can book these cars. Other companies besides these
can make arrangements for you to pick up your car
at the airport.
A note for American visitors! Brussels
has extremely aggressive drivers, so I would be careful
yet aggressive as well if you decide to drive in the
city. They typically will not stop for pedestrians
and remember what I mentioned before about the right
of way rule - often it is the person coming in from
the side street that has the right of way –
so remember this. The problem many Americans have
is that they are too timid- if you are, you are the
greatest hazard on the road since the norm in Europe
is to drive fast and aggressively. Make sure you do
not do some site-seeing in the left lane – this
lane is only for passing.
Another thing to remember is if you are staying in
the Centre of Brussels, check about
parking at your hotel. For your general centre city
sightseeing, a hired car is best left at your hotel,
but it will be of great value if you decide to tour
outside the city or to move on to another European
country.
I recommend Rick Steves Europe site for information
on what you can expect when driving in Europe - http://www.ricksteves.com/news/0406/driving.htm.
(Here’s one of those weird/cute looking European
Smartcars). There are other great sites that give
you great information on types of Rental Cars
in Brussels/Belgium with the prices etc.
Here’s a list of major Rental Car Company
Websites and links with each giving information
on their own company’s deals:
Sixt Rental Car
http://www.e-sixt.com/
Alamo Rental Car
http://www.bnm.com/alamo.htm
National Rental Car
http://www.nationalcar.com/servlet/DocHandler/index.html?4c43c6a1e1259b61
Avis Rental Car
http://www.avis.com/AvisWeb/home/AvisHome
Hertz Car Rental
http://www.hertz.com/servlet/LoginServlet?defPos=us
EuropCar Rental
http://wap.europcar.de/
