No. 4 of 6 at BRU

Budget

Name: Budget at Brussels Airport: Counterwise rating
Item: Budget (Brussels Airport)
Rating: 4.9
Author: Counterwise

at Brussels Airport

Walk 5 min

High consensus Check prices ↓

At a glance

Budget at Brussels Airport is ranked No. 4 of 6 car rental desks at the airport, with a Counterwise Score of 4.9/10 (Poor).
The Budget desk is in a nearby car park or building, about 5 minutes on foot from the terminal at Brussels Airport.
A credit card in the main driver's name is required; the deposit amount is not confirmed yet.
Fuel policy: full to full. Opening hours: Sun–Fri 06:30–23:30, Sat 06:30–21:30; key drop.
Main red flag from travellers: Many reviewers (about 11 in the last 12 months) say the desk refused to hand over a prepaid car because they had no flight ticket or boarding pass. They say this was not clearly stated at booking, and some report no or only partial refunds. Several of these bookings were made through brokers..

Based on 182 reviews analysed · Last updated 11 November 2026 · How scores work

The short version

Based on roughly 135 useful Google reviews after excluding 10 (about 190 reviews in total), this desk gets many positive reports on speed, friendly service and newer cars. Recent reviews also show serious, repeated problems: refusals to release prepaid cars without a flight ticket or boarding pass, disputed damage charges of several hundred euros, and a confusing car return area. Web evidence is mostly undated or old and mixed, so it adds little beyond the reviews.

AI-assisted summary of 182 recent Google reviews and web reports, reviewed by our editor on 12 November 2026. How we do it

Score breakdown

Each sub-score is out of 10. Higher is always better for you. How the weights work

Deposit & damage disputes(30% of score)

Poor3.0/10

How often travellers report surprise damage charges, slow deposit refunds or disputed scratches. Based on 27 reports · high confidence.

Counter upselling(20% of score)

Mixed6.0/10

Pressure to buy extra insurance, upgrades or add-ons at the desk. Higher means less pressure. Based on 8 reports · low confidence.

Booking honoured(20% of score)

Poor2.5/10

Whether you get the car category and the price you booked, without new fees at the counter. Based on 30 reports · high confidence.

Queue time(15% of score)

Mixed7.5/10

Typical wait from reaching the desk (or shuttle stop) to holding the keys. Based on 17 reports · medium confidence.

Car condition(15% of score)

Mixed7.0/10

Cleanliness, mileage and mechanical state of the cars handed out. Based on 20 reports · medium confidence.

How this score was built

AI analysis of reviews and web reports (the sub-scores above, weighted): 4.8 · counts 70%
Star ratings on review platforms, rescaled against all desks we rate: 5.1 · counts 30%
10 of 192 recent reviews excluded as unreliable (solicited staff praise, other locations, broker-only disputes). How we clean reviews
Pulled 13% toward the airport average, because recent reviews are few (102 after weighting by age).

High consensusOur independent signals (AI review analysis, web reports and star ratings) point the same way.

What travellers flag

Red flags (5)

Many reviewers (about 11 in the last 12 months) say the desk refused to hand over a prepaid car because they had no flight ticket or boarding pass. They say this was not clearly stated at booking, and some report no or only partial refunds. Several of these bookings were made through brokers.
Nine reviews from the past year report sizeable post-rental damage charges (roughly 290 to 1,080 EUR), often for minor scratches or chips on cars already marked with prior damage. Reviewers complain of thin photo evidence and no on-site chance to dispute. Recent Trustpilot reviews describe the same pattern.trustpilot.com
Eight reviews since April 2026 say the car return area is hard to find because of airport works and unclear signs or map directions. Several drivers paid 11-17 EUR in public parking fees after entering the wrong car park.
About eight recent reviews describe slow or missing replies from customer service on refunds, invoices and charge disputes. Some say the company's reply only points them to social media.
About nine reviews from the past 12 months describe rude or dismissive treatment by counter or return staff, often in refusal or damage-charge situations. Many other reviews describe friendly staff, so experiences are mixed.

Green flags (4)

Many reviews (about 14) describe quick, efficient pickup and return with clear explanations, often under 10 minutes.
Cars are often reported as new, low-mileage and clean, with 10 recent reviews praising their condition.
Several renters (about 7) report a free upgrade or a choice of car within their booked category.
A few recent reviews report existing scratches being noted at pickup, no billing surprises and a fast deposit release, in one case within minutes. These reports contrast with the damage-charge complaints.

Practical facts

Location	Nearby car park or building, about 5 min on foot from the terminalsource
Opening hours	Sun–Fri 06:30–23:30, Sat 06:30–21:30; key dropsource
Credit card required	Yes, in the main driver’s namesource
Typical deposit	Not confirmed yet
Fuel policy	Full to fullsource
Shares the desk with	Avis

“Not confirmed yet” means we have not verified that fact yet. We never guess.

Sources

Web pages behind this rating’s facts and flags, found through search APIs. The review analysis also used 182 recent Google reviews of this desk, which we do not republish.

Before you go

Tick these off at the counter. (Nothing is saved; it's just for you.)

Take photos and a short video of the car at pickup, including wheels, windscreen and the fuel gauge.
Check the fuel level matches the contract before you drive off.
Decline duplicate insurance at the desk if you already have excess cover. Bring proof of your policy.
Bring a credit card in the main driver’s name with enough available credit for the deposit (amount not confirmed yet).
Allow walking time: the desk is about 5 min on foot from the terminal, longer with luggage.
Check the closing time (Sun–Fri 06:30–23:30, Sat 06:30–21:30; key drop). If your flight lands late, call the desk: some wait, others close on time.

Budget at other airports and stations

Same brand, different counter. We rate each location on its own.

Budget at Brussels Airport: questions and answers

Is Budget at Brussels Airport any good?

Budget at Brussels Airport has a Counterwise Score of 4.9/10 (Poor) and is ranked No. 4 of 6 desks at the airport. Main green flag: Many reviews (about 14) describe quick, efficient pickup and return with clear explanations, often under 10 minutes.. Main red flag: Many reviewers (about 11 in the last 12 months) say the desk refused to hand over a prepaid car because they had no flight ticket or boarding pass. They say this was not clearly stated at booking, and some report no or only partial refunds. Several of these bookings were made through brokers..

Do I need a credit card to rent from Budget at Brussels Airport?

Yes. Budget at Brussels Airport requires a credit card in the main driver's name for the deposit.

How much is the deposit at Budget at Brussels Airport?

The deposit amount at Budget at Brussels Airport is not confirmed yet. Check the rental terms when you book. The lowest confirmed starting deposit at this airport is at Avis (€200).

Where is the Budget desk at Brussels Airport?

The Budget desk is in a nearby car park or building, about 5 minutes on foot from the terminal at Brussels Airport. It shares the counter with Avis.

What are the opening hours of Budget at Brussels Airport?

Budget at Brussels Airport is open Sun–Fri 06:30–23:30, Sat 06:30–21:30; key drop. Fuel policy: full to full.

Other desks at Brussels Airport

Ranked by Counterwise Score. Compare all 6 desks side by side