Renting a car in Ghent between individuals: full guide

Ghent is a city best experienced on foot, by bike and by tram. Between the Korenmarkt, the banks of the Leie and the university campus, the car is often not the everyday best friend of a Ghent local. But as soon as you want to head to the coast, carry big purchases or visit family in the Flemish countryside, having a vehicle for a few hours or days changes everything.

Peer-to-peer car rental answers exactly this need: you book a car close to home, only when you need it, without the constraints of a traditional agency. On Vehado, booking is done online, often instantly, with secure payment and a price shown in advance. Here is how to make the most of it in Ghent.

Why rent a car between individuals in Ghent

In Ghent, owning a car in the city centre often means tricky parking and fixed costs that pile up. Renting occasionally from a neighbour is a simple and affordable answer.

• Proximity: vehicles available in most neighbourhoods, a few minutes' walk away.
• Peace of mind: each rental includes insurance and assistance, and profiles are verified (identity and driving licence).
• Mutual trust: after each rental, renter and host leave a review, and a photo inspection is carried out before and after.
• Transparency: the price is announced at booking, with no surprises at a counter.

A deposit (security deposit) is requested from the renter; it is not charged if the car is returned in good condition.

Common uses departing from Ghent

From Ghent, a car rented for a few hours or a weekend opens up many possibilities:

• Coast getaway: Ostend, Knokke or De Haan are less than an hour away, ideal for a day by the sea.
• Bruges nearby: about thirty kilometres away, perfect for a trip without depending on train timetables.
• Trip to the Netherlands: Terneuzen, Middelburg or further, the border is quickly reached.
• Light moving and big shopping: an estate car or small van to carry furniture and boxes.
• Family and student life: bringing your things back at the end of a student flat, picking someone up from the airport.

Where to pick up your car, neighbourhood by neighbourhood

Vehado connects renters and hosts across the whole city. Depending on your starting point, you'll find vehicles near you:

• Historic centre / Korenmarkt: handy if you stay near the quays, but keep in mind the limited traffic in the very centre.
• Sint-Pieters (Gent-Sint-Pieters): around Ghent-Sint-Pieters station, ideal if you arrive by train and continue by car.
• Ledeberg and Gentbrugge: residential neighbourhoods in the south-east, well connected to the ring road and routes to Brussels.
• Sint-Amandsberg: in the north-east, handy for reaching the E17 towards Antwerp.
• Muide and Rabot: close to the port and the north of the city, with quick access to the E34.

A simple filter on the map shows you the cars available around the pickup point that suits you.

Ghent's LEZ: which vehicle to choose

Ghent applies a Low Emission Zone (LEZ) across a large part of the centre. The oldest and most polluting vehicles are restricted or subject to conditions there. To drive stress-free in Ghent's inner centre:

• Prefer a recent vehicle or an electric/hybrid car, generally compatible with the LEZ.
• Check the vehicle's listing before booking: engine type, standard and year are useful to know where you can drive.
• If your trip stays outside the centre (coast, motorway, outskirts), the LEZ constraint is much smaller.

When in doubt, choose an electric model offered by a host: it's often the simplest way to reach the heart of Ghent without a second thought.

When to book and pay less

Ghent is a student and tourist city: demand rises in certain periods. A few reflexes help you book at the best price:

• Anticipate sunny weekends: as soon as the weather is nice, departures to the coast go fast.
• Avoid major events: the Gentse Feesten in summer, the start of the academic year, long bank-holiday weekends.
• Compare several neighbourhoods: a vehicle in Ledeberg or Sint-Amandsberg can be more affordable than in the centre.
• Book in advance to lock in a rate and a LEZ-suitable model.

Payment is made online via Stripe (cards, Bancontact), with a price you know before confirming.

Practical tips for a successful rental

• Do the photo inspection at departure and return: it's your best protection.
• Check your KYC (identity and licence) before booking to validate your profile without waiting.
• Read the host's conditions: included mileage, fuel, key handover times.
• Return the car clean and on time: this makes the deposit release easier and earns you good reviews.
• Communicate via messaging in case of the unexpected (delay, question about the pickup point).

Ready to book your car in Ghent?

Renting a car in Ghent between individuals combines flexibility, a transparent price and peace of mind thanks to insurance included and verified profiles. Whether for a day at the coast, a trip to Bruges or a simple student move, you'll find the vehicle you need, in the neighbourhood that suits you.

Do you have a car sitting in the garage? Consider also offering it for rent to make your journeys pay off. Otherwise, all that's left is to find your car in Ghent.