Driving in Belgium
May 1, 2015, 9:55 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2008
Location: North of YYZ
Programs: Aegean Flying Blue
Posts: 176
Driving in Belgium
We're travelling to Amsterdam and plan to visit Belgium as well. As we usually do, we rent a car and drive around. From guidebooks, we read about the dangerous driving habits of drivers in Brussels and that one should just leave the car in the parking at the hotel. Actually, we do not usually drive in Paris or Rome for example. Just how "bad" are the drivers in Brussels? Should we take the train to Brussels then?
Appreciate any advice. Thanks!
Appreciate any advice. Thanks!
May 1, 2015, 12:20 pm
#2
Moderator: UK and Ireland & Europe
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Biggleswade
Programs: SK*G, Lots of Blue Elsewhere
Posts: 13,611
I never found Brusselaar drivers particularly dangerous, but I always found the city a bit of a pain to navigate. It has slightly archaic rules (lots of priority to the right, even on roundabouts, contrary to neighbouring Flanders) and endless, poorly signed tunnels, with a fair bit of congestion.
You have no need to a car to get you round the city - between the metro and the trams, you're well covered (it's usually quicker and easier anyway). Personally, I'd only drive from Amsterdam to Brussels if I were planning on getting to less accessible places around the country. For Brussels, Ghent, Bruges and Ostend, I wouldn't bother. Into the countryside, or stopping off en route, yes, I'd drive. But once in Brussels, I'd park up and leave it there until it's time to go...
You have no need to a car to get you round the city - between the metro and the trams, you're well covered (it's usually quicker and easier anyway). Personally, I'd only drive from Amsterdam to Brussels if I were planning on getting to less accessible places around the country. For Brussels, Ghent, Bruges and Ostend, I wouldn't bother. Into the countryside, or stopping off en route, yes, I'd drive. But once in Brussels, I'd park up and leave it there until it's time to go...
May 2, 2015, 1:48 am
#3
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 1999
Location: Seat 1A, Juice pretty much everywhere, Mucci des Coins Exotiques
Posts: 34,339
With a GPS its easy to drive in Brussels and anywhere else in Belgium. I did it a couple of weeks ago with the family and was right in the center. But once I parked at my hotel at the Grand Place, I just walked around from there. There's not much you need transport for as a tourist. When I go on business though I always take the train and use trams/metro/taxi.
May 9, 2015, 11:51 am
#6
Join Date: May 2015
Location: Zurich, Switzerland
Programs: Miles & More
Posts: 3
I never found Brusselaar drivers particularly dangerous, but I always found the city a bit of a pain to navigate. It has slightly archaic rules (lots of priority to the right, even on roundabouts, contrary to neighbouring Flanders) and endless, poorly signed tunnels, with a fair bit of congestion.
You have no need to a car to get you round the city - between the metro and the trams, you're well covered (it's usually quicker and easier anyway). Personally, I'd only drive from Amsterdam to Brussels if I were planning on getting to less accessible places around the country. For Brussels, Ghent, Bruges and Ostend, I wouldn't bother. Into the countryside, or stopping off en route, yes, I'd drive. But once in Brussels, I'd park up and leave it there until it's time to go...
You have no need to a car to get you round the city - between the metro and the trams, you're well covered (it's usually quicker and easier anyway). Personally, I'd only drive from Amsterdam to Brussels if I were planning on getting to less accessible places around the country. For Brussels, Ghent, Bruges and Ostend, I wouldn't bother. Into the countryside, or stopping off en route, yes, I'd drive. But once in Brussels, I'd park up and leave it there until it's time to go...