The Ultimate Belgium Netherlands Road trip
10 Days, 2 Countries, 1 Overpacked Trunk
Think you need three weeks and an EU passport to explore Belgium and the Netherlands? Think again. This Belgium Netherlands road trip squeezes maximum adventure into a short time frame – with actual food, sleep, and sanity breaks included.
📍 Belgium Netherlands Road trip Overview
Short Drives, Big Vibes
Plan for 10 days, a decent GPS, and a playlist that survives 17 border crossings (ok, just one – but it *feels* like more). Here’s where you’re headed:
- Ghent – artsy, canal-filled, and suspiciously clean
- Bruges – fairy tale central with tourist prices to match
- Antwerp – fashion, diamonds, and more waffles
- Rotterdam – architecture gone wild
- Utrecht – canals, calm, and your mental reset button
- Amsterdam – bikes, boats, museums, and mild chaos
🗓️ Day-by-Day Itinerary
Because You Like Plans (But Not Too Much)
Day 1: Ghent
Start your trip with medieval towers, a graffiti alley, and possibly the best fries in the country. Read the full guide here: 1 Day in Ghent
Day 2: Bruges
Get your camera ready. Bruges is painfully photogenic. Just don’t spend your entire day in a chocolate coma. → 1 Day in Bruges
Day 3: Antwerp
Cool city alert: Diamond capital, hipster coffee, and a train station that looks like Hogwarts.
Day 4: Rotterdam
Modern madness. Cube houses, bridges, and art installations that make you question reality.
Day 5: Utrecht
Underrated, relaxed, and perfect for recovering from Amsterdam.
Day 6: Amsterdam
You know the drill: bikes, canals, museums, cheese. And crowds. So many crowds.
Optional: Extend your trip with stops in The Hague, Delft, Maastricht, or even bounce into Luxembourg. Go nuts.
🎒 What to Pack (Besides Snacks and Patience)
- 🧥 Rain jacket (yes, in July too)
- 📱 Google Maps, Maps.me, or a crystal ball
- 🔌 EU plug adapters (for your 47 devices)
- 🎵 Your “Driving Into The Sunset” playlist
💡 Belgium Netherlands Road trip Tips You Didn’t Ask For
- Fuel up in Belgium – it’s cheaper (surprising, we know)
- Train alternatives? Sure. But then it’s not a road trip, is it?
- Use Park4Night if you’re sleeping in a van/camper
- Avoid city centres with your car unless you enjoy near-death parking experiences
🔗 Expand the Trip
We’re writing individual guides for each stop. Here’s what’s live:
- ✅ 1 Day in Ghent
- ✅ 1 Day in Bruges
- ✅ 1 Day in Antwerp
- ✅ 1 Day in Rotterdam
- ✅ 1 Day in Utrecht
- ✅ 1 Day in Amsterdam
Bookmark this page, and come back when your next travel craving kicks in.
❓ FAQ Belgium Netherlands road trip (Frequently Avoided Questions)
🚗 Can I do this Belgium Netherlands road trip without a car?
Yes – trains are an option. But this is a road trip, remember?
🛑 Is it safe to drive in Belgium and the Netherlands?
Mostly. Watch out for aggressive roundabouts and Dutch cyclists with a death wish.
🧾 Do I need a visa?
If you’re from the EU or most Western countries: nope. But check anyway. travel-europe.europa.eu
🚗 Are there toll roads in Belgium or the Netherlands?
- Belgium: No tolls for regular cars, except the Liefkenshoek Tunnel in Antwerp.
- Netherlands: No toll roads, except the Westerschelde Tunnel in Zeeland.
⛽ How much does fuel cost?
- Belgium: Usually cheaper than in the Netherlands. Use apps like Tankkaart or ANWB Onderweg for prices.
📱 Do you need roaming?
- No. EU roaming is free, so you can use your mobile data just like at home.
🛑 What’s the speed limit?
- Belgium: 120 km/h on highways.
- Netherlands: 100 km/h during the day, 120–130 km/h at night (check the signs!).
🚿 Are there free showers on the road?
- Sometimes at big gas stations (like Total or Shell). Most campsites have them (paid or included). Use Park4Night or Campercontact to check.
🧾 Do you need an environmental sticker?
- Belgium: Yes, for low emission zones (LEZ) in Antwerp or Brussels. You can register online for free.
- Netherlands: No sticker needed, but some cities restrict older diesel vehicles.
🌦️ When’s the best time to go?
- May to September is ideal. Just… expect rain. It’s the Low Countries.
🏕️ Should I book campsites in advance?
- Yes in high season (July/August). Off-season? You’ll usually find spots last minute.
🧭 Best road trip apps?
- Google Maps, Park4Night, Waze, ANWB Onderweg, Campercontact, Flush (for public toilets).
🅿️ Can you wild camp?
Technically, no. Wild camping is not officially allowed in either Belgium or the Netherlands. But in practice? It’s a bit of a grey zone.
You can wild camp in remote spots (especially with a van or camper) if you’re discreet — think one night, no campfire, no trash, no chairs and tables outside. Locals often do it, and it’s rarely enforced unless you’re being obvious or annoying.
Just know:
- Police might ask you to move, especially in touristy or protected areas.
- Fines are possible but uncommon.
Want to reduce the risk? Use apps like Park4Night to find tolerated wild spots or quiet parking areas where others have stayed without issues for your Belgium Netherlands road trip.
