Introduction
Although Maastricht is the capital of the Dutch province of Limburg, the city has been called the most Belgium city of the Netherlands. The city has a decided air of 'savoir vivre', and is a popular weekend destination. The city was founded by the Romans on a fordable place in the river Meuse. Maastricht has a beautiful historical center, with at its center the Vrijthof. Weather permitting, that square is filled with people.
Population
Maastricht has 120.000 inhabitants. Their average age is quite high, for one thing because elderly people like to relocate to the city. On the other hand, there are also many students, due to the presence of a university and polytechnic.
Location
The city is located in the extreme south-east of the Netherlands, in the south of the province of Limburg. It is located on both banks of the river Meuse, between the plateau of Margraten and the Haspengouw.
Economy
The city's economy depends less and less on industry (cement, porcelain and ceramics) and more and more on knowledge, services, conferences and exhibition, and higher education.
Tourism also plays an important role. In 2005, 400,000 people stayed in Maastricht one or several nights. And then there are the day trippers, who visit Maastricht from elsewhere in Netherlands or Belgium, or during their vacation in Limburg.
Airports
Eight kilometers to the north of the city, along the A2 motorway, lies Maastricht Aachen Airport. There are regular flights to Amsterdam, Berlin and Bucharest. In addition, there are flights of low cost carriers to popular holiday destinations.
Public transport
Citybus Maastricht provides public transport in the city. Hermes and Limex operate regular services to places in the region. From Maastricht you can also take the bus to Belgium, with the Belgian company De Lijn.
The Central Station is located within walking distance of the center. There are good connections with the rest of the Netherlands and cities in Belgium. The train station Randwyck is located near the MECC conference center.
Traffic and Parking
The A2 motorway runs right through the eastern suburbs of Maastricht. In the city itself it is no longer a motorway, but a very busy city route, with regular traffic jams. Early 2008, work will begin on moving this road underground.
In the city center you can only use paid parking from 8 am to 18 pm, on shopping evenings and during shopping Sundays (every first Sunday of the month). On other Sundays, parking is free. Along all the entry routes there are signs that point the way to major car parks and areas. The signs also indicate how many spaces are available. On very busy days (Fridays, Saturdays and shopping Sundays) drivers can use the P+R area near the MECC (Maastricht Exhibition & Conference Center). From the P+R area you can take a high-speed bus to the market. Signs along the A2 show you how to get to the P+R area.
The Maastricht Tourist Office (VVV) provides free folders about parking in the city.
Hotels
Maastricht has plenty of hotels in every price range. There are also hotels in the vicinity of the city, often at beautiful locations. Maastricht has one 5 star hotel. The city attracts tourist all year through, especially during weekends. The MECC regularly organizes major events, which also attract many visitors. So it's advisable to book your hotel room in advance.
External Sources
For more information about Maastricht, we recommend Google, and the following sources:
Frequently asked questions
Is EasyTerra Car Rental the cheapest?
Yes, we offer a guarantee of the lowest price - because we compare various retailers, we can always offer you the best price in town.
What do I need to do when picking up a car?
To pick up your car, you will need your voucher, passport, driver's license and a credit card. It is very important that your driver's license and credit card are in the same name as the main driver. Keep in mind that the local rental company will reserve a certain amount on your credit card as a deposit. This requires the PIN code for your credit card. If your driver's license is foreign (for example, in Chinese), you must bring a translation with you. Only your original passport and driver's license will be accepted - a copy is not sufficient.
Are there any additional costs?
Our rates are all-inclusive. Our reservation department will inform you in advance should additional costs apply. You can always cancel your booking free of charge if you do not agree (this must be done at least 48 hours prior to the start of the car hire period).
What kind of insurance is applicable to my car rental?
In general, Liability Insurance, Fire Insurance, All-Risks Insurance and Theft Insurance are included in the cost of your rental car.
What is a worry-free label?
This label indicates that a rental car satisfies the following requirements: Unlimited kilometers, no excess liability (and no excess cover available), sustainable energy policy, and that the car rental company has a good reputation. Availability of cars satisfying these four requirements will speed up the selection of a suitable vehicle for you.
How can I change or cancel my reservation?
You can cancel your reservation through "My Account". We recommend contacting us by phone if your changes to your booking or cancellation takes place at short notice (48 hours or less).
When will I get a confirmation of my booking?
Most reservations will receive confirmation within minutes after payment takes place. We recommend contacting our Booking Department for last minute reservations (pick-up within 48 hours).
Which car rental companies are compared by EasyTerra Car Rental? at this location
- Alamo Rent a Car
- Avis
- Enterprise
- Europcar
- Hertz
- National Car Rental
- SIXT Rent a Car
- Thrifty
