Hello. We have a car and are just finishing the sights in Bastogne. We were going to drive to Luxembourg tonight. tomorrow our plan was to drive to Vianden and then stay night at Brussels airport to fly home Wednesday. We've already spent 3 nights each in Bruges and Brussels. The problem - we don't have winter tires on rental car so can't go to Luxembourg (according to rental car place and local tour guide in Bastogne). Does anyone have suggestions for this afternoon/night and tomorrow (ending at BRU)? Thanks for help!
Posted by
Belgium
381 posts
If you want to see Luxembourg, drive and park your car in Arlon and take train or bus to Luxembourg.
Busplanner here https://www.mobiliteit.lu/en/plan-a-trip/
Start: Arlon Gare Routière
Destination: Luxembourg Gare Centrale routière
Bus is for free!
Trainplanner here https://www.belgiantrain.be/en/
From: Arlon/Aarlen
To: Luxembourg (LU)
For a castle, drive to Bouillon to visit https://maps.app.goo.gl/iGCa9jPfVihkimay8
Or enjoy beautiful Dinant https://maps.app.goo.gl/ir9SF4AjFXbb8Rcv5
Posted by
Arctophilia, Northamptonshire, England
36722 posts
According to the EU driving information:
In Luxembourg, winter tyres (or all-season tyres) are compulsory for all vehicles—including passing foreign cars—during "winter weather conditions," which include ice, snow, slush, or frost. While not bound by specific calendar dates, they are required when winter conditions appear on the roads.
is that the situation in Luxembourg today and tomorrow? Here in the east of the UK it is dry until Wednesday, with temps of 15, minimum of 6 overnight. That wouldn't count as Winter Weather Conditions here.
Posted by
Arctophilia, Northamptonshire, England
36722 posts
My Lux forecast for tomorrow show 2 in the early to mid morning, 4 by 10, 6 by 11; modest chance of precip.
As long as it is over 3 I would be driving it in my car.
Posted by
Belgium
381 posts
Nigel,
here is the national regulation (instead of EU one) (but it's actually the same conclusion)
https://guichet.public.lu/en/citoyens/actualites/2025/octobre/27-pneus-hiver.html
I would certainly drive with my car and my summer tires into Luxembourg (as I always do BTW, even in winter conditions).
OP actually made one big mistake ... asking his car rental office. They refused it ... problems will start when he gets an accident, or need mechanical assistance ... in that case he ignored directives of the car rental.
Up to OP to take the risk or not!
Posted by
OP
Kansas
138 posts
Thank you, everyone! I really anppreciate your quick response annd great ideas. I agree, I wish I had not said anything at car rental agency. Ignorance is bliss. Since we were going to be short on time anyway and I picked a hotel outside Luxembourg because of the car, we decided to go with plan B which is Bouillon Castle and Dinant.
Posted by
Belgium
381 posts
You're welcome!
Just additional information.
Since you’re travelling to Dinant, you might want to visit Celles, the furthest point the Nazis managed to reach during the Battle of the Ardennes (=Battle of the Bulge).
Nothing special ... just the fact having been there ;-)
There you’ll find a Panther tank and can enjoy a delicious meal https://maps.app.goo.gl/An5D1K2mfFa4JrZu7
In 1944, during the Battle of the Ardennes, this tank served as the lead Panther tank of Kampfgruppe von Cochenhausen. On the morning of 24 December 1944, the tank struck a mine, rendering it inoperable.
The tank was later placed at the crossroads in Celles, not far from the ‘site of the disaster’. It is one of the three remaining Panzerkampfwagen V Panther tanks in the Ardennes, alongside those at the Tank Monument in Houffalize and the Tank Monument in Grandmenil.
May I also recommend this place for a delicious Moroccan meal in Dinant https://maps.app.goo.gl/Aw2Tm8e6nNX1gYPp6
Posted by
Sydney, Australia
328 posts
Dinant is stunning, you won't regret it!
Lavandula