Car Rental in Charleroi

Why rent a car in Charleroi?

Charleroi is a fun place to visit. Although it used to have a reputation as one of the rougher places in Belgium, the city has recently made great strides to become a more attractive and enjoyable tourist destination. Charleroi might not have the same historic appeal as Northern Belgian cities like Antwerp and Bruges, but it more than makes up for it with atmosphere, creative energy, and culture.

Top ways to enter Charleroi

• Charleroi Airport: Sometimes also called Brussels South for marketing purposes, Charleroi Airport has been growing steadily over the last decade and handled more than eight million travelers in 2018. Very popular with low-cost carriers, it is served by companies like Ryanair, Wizz Air, and TUI Fly Belgium among others. Located 11km (6.8 miles) north of Charleroi city center, the airport can be reached in about 15 minutes.
• Brussels Airport: Also known as Zaventem Airport after the municipality in which it is located, Brussels Airport handled more than 25 million travelers in 2018, making it the 24th busiest airport in Europe. The airport offers flights to and from destinations not only in Europe, but also in Africa, Asia, and the Americas. Located 72km (45 miles) north of Charleroi, the airport can be reached in about 45 minutes.
• Liege Airport: A small international airport serving the city of the same name inthe  eastern part of Belgium, Liege Airport handled about 300,000 travelers in 2018. As of August 2019, the airport is only served by one airline, TUI Fly Belgium, which offers flights to holiday destinations in Morocco, Turkey, Greece, Spain, and other countries. Liege Airport is also one of the largest cargo airports in Europe. Located 88km (54 miles) northeast of Charleroi, the airport can be reached in about 50 minutes.
• Antwerp Airport: Serving the large city of Antwerp in Northern Belgium, this airport is, as of September 2019, served by only two airlines, Air Antwerp and TUI Fly Belgium, and has flights to and from the United Kingdom, Croatia, Tunisia, Italy, and other destinations. Located 105km (65 miles) north of Charleroi, the airport can be reached in about 1 hour and 10 minutes.
• Lille Airport: Also known as Lesquin Airport, it served more than two million travelers in 2018. The airport, which serves the large Northern French city of the same name, is especially active during the summer months when it has flights by 13 different airlines. Located 120km (75 miles) west of Charleroi, the airport can be reached in about 1 hour and 15 minutes. To go from Lille to Charleroi, you’ll have to cross an international border, so ask your rental car provider in advance if they permit it.
• Paris airports. Charleroi is not only French-speaking, it is less than a three-hour drive from the French capital as well. Charles de Gaulle is one of the busiest in Europe, offering connections to places across the planet, while Orly Airport, more focused on European connections, also handles over 30 million travelers every year. Both airports offer a convenient way to also travel to Charleroi, with many car rental companies offering cross-border travel (you can find those by entering your desired pick-up and drop-off dates and locations in our search).

City facts

• Located near the North Sea and the English Channel, Charleroi has an oceanic climate with warm summers and mild to cool winters. The average high temperature is 23°C  (74°F) in July, the hottest month, and 5°C  (41°F) in January. Charleroi has steady and relatively high precipitation throughout the year, with December being the wettest month and April the driest.
• As of 2018, Charleroi has a population of about 200,000, but another 300,000 people live in the city’s wider metropolitan region. The greater Charleroi region is the fifth-most populous in Belgium and the second-most populous in Wallonia, the French-speaking part of the country. The inhabitants of Charleroi are called Carolorégiens or Carolos. 
• Located on the River Sambre, the area of Charleroi has seen human settlement since at least the Iron Age. A trading center, it was later inhabited by Romans who left a number of classic villas and temples dedicated to their gods. During the Middle Ages, Charleroi was ruled first by Carolingians and then the Holy Roman Empire. The city grew rapidly as a part of the Spanish Empire, was then ruled by the French and Dutch, and finally became a part of Belgium in 1830. 

Top sights and activities

• Saint-Christopher Church. The building of Saint-Christophe Church started in the 17th century when Belgium was still ruled by the Spanish and was later continued by the French and Belgians. As a result, the church is a unique, eclectic blend of many styles of architecture and is also one of the symbols of the city. Take a good look at the church from the outside, then marvel at the impressive mosaic inside it. After seeing the church, make sure to also check out the Town Hall, a beautiful Art Deco building from the 1930s.
• Museum of Photography. Located in a former Carmelite monastery, it is one of the largest museums dedicated to photography in Western Europe. There are exhibitions dedicated to different periods starting from the beginnings of photography and ending with the latest works of modern Belgian artists. The museum also serves as a contemporary art center and frequently hosts different events.
• Museum of Fine Arts. Known as Musée des Beaux-Arts in French, this museum celebrates the works of different Belgian artists. The museum houses different kinds of artworks, including paintings, drawings, engravings, sculptures, and even video arts. Works of world-famous masters like René Magritte and Paul Delvaux are on permanent display.
• Street art. Charleroi is famous for its street art and there’s a trail you can follow that will bring you along the city’s most famous pieces. Artists from all over the world have contributed to making the streets along the industrial factories more colorful. 
• Aulne Abbey. The ruins of the 7th-century Aulne Abbey are a 20-minute drive from Charleroi. It was originally founded as a Benedictine monastery but later became a Cistercian monastery. Today, the ruins can be visited and an on-site café and brewery can be found here too.

Traffic and parking

• Belgium drives on the right-hand side of the road.
• Unless specifically indicated otherwise, the speed limits are 120km/h (75 mph) on freeways and on roads with at least two two-lane roadways separated by a median strip, 90km/h (56 mph) outside built-up areas in the Brussels-Capital Region and the Wallonia Region, 70km/h (4 mph) outside built-up areas in the Flemish Region, and 50km/h (31 mph) within urban and built-up areas. There are also many zones where the speed limit is 30km/h in Belgium.
• It is illegal to use a mobile phone while driving.
• The legal alcohol limit is 0.05% for both experienced and novice drivers. Exceeding the limit can lead to large fines, a license ban, and even imprisonment. 
• Speed cameras are in use.
• While most Belgian roads of national importance are up to Western European standards, some rural roads, especially in Wallonia and near Charleroi, might not be in great shape, might have potholes etc. It’s therefore important to exercise extra caution when driving in the countryside, especially after dark. 
• Proof of insurance and the documentation of the car need to be in it whenever you’re driving.
• When driving, you need to have your passport or ID card with you at all times.
• The emergency number, like elsewhere in the European Union, is 112.

Toll roads

As of June 2019, there are no toll roads in Belgium. There is a tolled tunnel, the Liefkenshoektunnel, which connects Antwerp and Beveren. Located in the northern part of the country near the border with the Netherlands, it is about 70km (43 miles) north of Brussels. The toll is € 6.00 for vehicles with a height of 2.75 m or lower and € 19.00 for larger vehicles. You can pay either in cash or by credit card.

Ideas for day trips

• Brussels. Much more than just a center for diplomacy and politics, Brussels is a unique destination in its own right. Some of its most famous landmarks are the Town Hall of Brussels, the Basilica of the Sacred Heart, Manneken Pis and the Royal Greenhouses. A place where medieval and futuristic architecture exists side by side, the city is a renowned hub of arts, entertainment, and food. Located just 63km (39 miles) north of Charleroi, the city can be reached in about 50 minutes.
• Namur. A small city with a great past, Namur used to be inhabited by Celts, Romans, and Merovingians. The city has tens of protected buildings and historic sites; some of the landmarks include Saint Aubain’s Cathedral and the Belfry of Namur. Although not its largest city, Namur is the capital of Wallonia, the French-speaking part of Belgium, and is home to the Walloon Government. Located 43km (26 miles) east of Charleroi, Namur can be reached in about 25 minutes.
• Ghent. Historical but youthful, Ghent is one of the most enjoyable cities in Belgium. Visitors are charmed by its classy architecture, museums with works by world-class painters, impressive street art, and large number of cultural venues. Ghent is also said to be the gastronomic capital of Belgium and offers everything from high-end restaurants to a pancake boat cruise. Located 110km (68 miles) north of Charleroi, the city can be reached by car in about one hour.
• Bruges. A city near the North Sea, Bruges (or, as it is known in Dutch, Brugge) is made up of countless small canals, winding narrow streets, and medieval architecture. Enjoy the city by going on a boat tour, visit the impressive Church of Our Lady, and go to see the Basilica of the Holy Blood. Located some 150km (93 miles) northwest of Charleroi, Bruges can be reached in about 90 minutes.
• Liege. The largest city of Wallonia, Liege has a reputation as a fairly industrial place, but actually has plenty of charm and entertainment to offer for any visitor. Known for its picturesque riverfront and well-preserved old town, it boasts a large number of palaces, churches, and museums, so the one-hour drive from Charleroi is definitely worth it. If your rental car supplier permits it, you can afterwards even skip over the border to either Maastricht in the Netherlands, Aachen in Germany, or Luxembourg.
• Caves of Han. These are the most famous caves in Belgium and it’s possible to go on a 2-km guided walk inside the caves. There’s a wild park on this domain as well. Here, European wildlife like bears and lynxes can be spotted.
• Vêves Castle. This is one of the most beautiful medieval castles in Belgium. It’s often called “Sleeping Beauty’s Castle” and looks as if it’s coming straight out of a fairytale. The nice thing about this castle is that it can easily be combined with a visit to Walzin Castle and Dinant, the city where the saxophone was born.
• Lille. Equal parts industrial, historical, and modern, Lille is, according to many visitors, one of the most interesting cities in all of France. The city’s Flemish-inspired architecture is similar to that of Charleroi but grander in scale, and it can also serve as a gateway to the Upper Normandy region to the southwest. The drive from Charleroi takes only about 90 minutes.
• Leuven. Considered to be one of the places with the highest quality of living in Belgium, Leuven is a charming city to visit. Home to a world-class university, Leuven, or Louvain, is also known for its many cultural heritage sites and architectural landmarks. Located in the primarily Flemish-speaking part of the country, thanks to its convenient geographic location Leuven can be visited on the same trip as Antwerp, Brussels, or Ghent.

Most popular cars

The most popular rental car in Charleroi is the Citroen DS3, and many travelers also go for the Ford Fiesta and the Skoda Fabia. The most popular rental car types are compact, economy, and economy elite.

Further destinations

• Paris. The City of Light has many faces. While it more than deserves its title as the capital of romance, architecture, and classical art, Paris is also a hub for entertainment, photography, innovation, and many other contemporary fields. Whichever version you choose to visit, it’s almost guaranteed that you won’t be disappointed. Located 290km (180 miles) southwest of Charleroi, France’s capital can be reached in about three hours. You’ll have to cross an international border, so ask your rental car provider in advance if they permit it.
• The Netherlands. The Netherlands is a land of contrasts. It has beautiful and varied cities including the impressive Amsterdam, picturesque Hague, industrial Rotterdam, and serene Maastricht. Outside urban areas, you’ll find impressive sand dunes, classic Dutch windmills, unique protected areas, and quaint countryside villages. Amsterdam is 265km (165 miles) north of Charleroi, and you can easily see the rest of the country from there. As with France, ask your rental car provider in advance if they permit you crossing the international border.
• Cologne, Germany. This is the largest city in the German state of North Rhine-Westphalia. It’s a cultural destination with plenty of beautiful sights like the Cologne Cathedral, the Great St. Martin Church, the botanical garden and Hohenzollern Bridge. On top of that, Cologne has got plenty of interesting museums too.
• Luxembourg. This small country is home to many castles and there are plenty of amazing hikes to do here as well. It’s a great destination for history buffs and nature lovers.

Car rental prices in Charleroi

• Small cars - from $55 per day
• Medium cars - from $62 per day
• SUVs - from $51 per day
• Premium cars - from $217 per day
• Large cars - from $80 per day
• Station wagons - from $73 per day
• Vans - from $72 per day

Money-saving and other tips

There are things you can do to get a great rental car:

• Compare the rates of different rental car providers
• Book your rental car well in advance
• Plan your route before you go
• Know your fuel and mileage requirements
• Visit during the month when the rental prices are the cheapest. According to our data, visiting Charleroi is the cheapest in August when renting a car is about 38% cheaper than the yearly average and a whole 53% cheaper than renting a car in April.