Car & Van Hire - Brno

Brno, the second largest city in Czechia, is often overlooked in favour of Prague. However, when you travel here, you're in for a treat. This charming city has its own unique vibe, with striking architecture, fascinating history and great places to eat and drink. This is a student city, so you can expect great nightlife and plenty of low-cost fun during the academic year. Visit in summer, and you'll find an entirely different city, one that's far quieter.

Start your tour of Brno by wandering the old town, exploring the narrow alleys, old buildings and traditional markets. Take a detour into the Cathedral of St Peter and St Paul, the city's most spectacular building. This 12th-century cathedral sits on Petrov Hill and can be seen from almost everywhere in the city. Once you go inside, you'll see a stunning Baroque interior. You can climb the cathedral's tower for the best views around.

Another site with great views is the Old Town Hall. When you enter, watch out for the stuffed crocodile hanging from the ceiling. This odd sight is said to represent a legendary dragon that menaced the townsfolk in years gone by. Within the town hall, you can climb the 174 steps to the observation deck. Don't panic - there are informative signs and exhibits along the way, allowing you to stop and catch your breath.

The Capuchin Crypt in Brno is one of the city's most famous attractions, though it's not recommended for the faint of heart. Inside you can see the mummified remains of many Capuchin friars. Due to the order's vow of poverty, the friars believed that coffins were an unnecessary expense. As such, their bodies were left uncovered in the crypt, and today, they have become a morbid but fascinating tourist attraction.

Use car hire in Brno to enjoy some great day trips. One of the best is the Lednice-Valtice complex, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Here you can see the stunning Baroque Valtice Castle and the nearby Lednice Château. This opulent complex gives you a glimpse into how aristocrats lived in the past.

If you prefer something more natural, take advantage of car or van hire in Brno and head to the Moravian Karsts Show Caves. You'll be given a helmet, headlight and coverall, and you can choose a number of different routes to explore the interior of this huge cave complex.

When driving in Brno, you should be aware of a few hazards on the streets. As this is a student city, you can expect a large number of both pedestrians and cyclists. Always check carefully when getting out of a parked vehicle to make sure that you're not going to bump into a bike. You'll also be sharing the road with trams. Always pass trams on the right. It is illegal to pass them on the left. Trams have right of way over both cars and pedestrians.

Brno has a complex parking system for residents, but it's far simpler for visitors. The city is divided into three zones: A, B and C. Zone A covers the historic city centre. Visiting drivers cannot enter this zone without a permit. Zone B is a ring around the city centre, and Zone C covers the rest of the city. You can park in both of these zones, with the rates being cheaper in Zone C.

You can pay for parking in Brno in several different ways. There are parking meters in Zone B, which accept coins or cards. You can also pay via SMS or by using a mobile app.

If you want to drive on Czech motorways, you will need to buy a vignette. These are available for different periods, from ten days to one year. Driving on highways or other toll routes without a vignette is illegal and will see you receive a hefty fine. Nowadays, it is common to use an electronic vignette.

When driving between cities, the highways are the most convenient option. They are generally well-maintained and in good condition. You can venture onto the back roads if you wish, but make sure you have a GPS or a map, as signage is often missing.

Brno is very close to the borders with Slovakia and Austria, so many travellers pass through as part of a longer pan-European road trip. All three countries are part of the Schengen zone, so there is no border control between them. If you are planning to cross an international border, make sure to talk about it first with your Enterprise Rent-a-Car agent. You should also keep in mind that you'll need to change currency. Austria and Slovakia both use the euro, but Czechia does not.

Czechia has a zero-tolerance policy when it comes to drinking and driving. There is no legal minimum BAC: if you have consumed alcohol, no matter how small the amount, you cannot drive.