Bus Hire in Ghent

Ghent (Gent) is the capital of East Flanders and Belgium's third-largest city, 55 kilometres west of Brussels via the E40 motorway. The historic centre is formed by the confluence of the Lys and the Leie rivers, creating a dense network of canals, bridges, and quaysides. The city's skyline is defined by three medieval towers visible from across the city: the Belfry (1380, UNESCO World Heritage Site with the Great Bell Roland), St Bavo's Cathedral (with the Ghent Altarpiece), and St Nicholas's Church (the oldest of the three). Ghent has a large student population (Ghent University, 45,000 students) and a strong cultural event calendar.

Brussels Airport (BRU) is 55 kilometres east via the E40 (approximately 45 minutes). The Ghent-Sint-Pieters railway station (the main station, 2 kilometres south of the city centre) has good coach parking in the station area. The Ghent Festivities (10 days of outdoor music and street events in mid-July) is the largest non-commercial street festival in Europe, drawing up to 1.5 million visitors and generating very high coach hire demand.

Gravensteen Castle and the Medieval Waterfront

Gravensteen (Castle of the Counts, on Sint-Veerleplein in the city centre) is a 12th-century castle rebuilt by Philip of Alsace, Count of Flanders, in 1180 on the model of the Crusader castles of the Holy Land. The castle is fully enclosed and in excellent condition: a moated enclosure with a keep, towers, and a dungeon with a collection of torture instruments. The castle is accessible on a self-guided audio tour; group tickets are available with advance booking. The Korenlei and Graslei (the two quaysides facing each other across the Leie, 200 metres south of Gravensteen) are flanked by medieval guild houses (the best row of intact medieval guild facades in Belgium) and are the most photographed waterfront in Ghent. Boat tours of the canals depart from the Korenlei.

St Bavo's Cathedral and the Ghent Altarpiece

St Bavo's Cathedral (Sint-Baafskathedraal, on Sint-Baafsplein in the city centre) is a Gothic cathedral built between 1274 and 1569. The cathedral's centrepiece is the Adoration of the Mystic Lamb (Ghent Altarpiece), a 24-panel polyptych painted by Jan and Hubert van Eyck and completed in 1432. The altarpiece is considered the founding work of the Flemish Primitive tradition and one of the most studied and most stolen works of art in the world (it has been stolen more times than any other painting). The panels are displayed in a purpose-built climate-controlled room in the chapel; a separate ticket is required for the altarpiece room. Groups should book the altarpiece visit in advance. The Crypt houses Rubens' The Entry of Bishop Antonius Triest (1654).

Ghent Festivities and the University Quarter

The Ghent Festivities (Gentse Feesten, ten days in mid-July) transform the city centre into a series of outdoor concert stages, street theatre venues, and free performance spaces. The festival draws up to 1.5 million visitors over ten days and is the largest non-commercial street festival in continental Europe. Coach hire for the Gentse Feesten -- for school and student groups, corporate events, and music fans -- should be booked 8 to 10 weeks in advance, as city-wide traffic restrictions are in place. Ghent University (45,000 students, founded 1817 by William I of the Netherlands) occupies much of the historic quarter and the university library (1936, a Flemish Expressionist building at Rozier) is a distinctive visit for academic groups. The Design Museum Ghent (at the Jan Breydelstraat, covering 300 years of decorative arts and design) is a strong option for design-sector corporate groups.

What Bus Hire Costs in Ghent

As a rough guide, a minibus (up to 19 seats) in Ghent runs around 250 to 490 EUR per day, a midi-coach (around 35 seats) around 415 to 820 EUR per day, and a full-size coach (49 to 55 seats) around 640 to 1,210 EUR per day. Ghent is a major destination with steady year-round demand. The Ghent Festivities (mid-July) and Christmas market periods see the highest coach hire demand. The final figure depends on your route, the date, and how long you need the vehicle and driver. We confirm a fixed price with no hidden charges, so send your details for a free quote.

Services Available in Ghent