Car Hire in Romania

Why hire a car in Romania?

An unknown quantity to many foreign visitors and a favourite destination for others, Romania is arguably one of Europe’s most interesting lands. More than just Transylvania, the country is home to culturally distinct regions, majestic mountains, a Black Sea coastline, and a notorious hospitality.

Top ways to enter Romania

• Bucharest Airport. By far the largest in the country, the capital city’s airport handles close to 15 million travellers annually. The airport has flights to virtually all the largest cities in Europe and even some destinations beyond.
• Cluj Airport. Serving the famous cultural city of Cluj-Napoca, this airport offers access to northwestern and central Romania. The airport is especially busy during the summer months when it hosts flights by more than ten different airlines.
• Timișoara Airport. Serving the city of the same name, Timișoara Airport is located near the border with Hungary and Serbia and offers access to the country’s west.
• Iasi Airport. Serving the largest city in the historical region of Moldavia and located near the Republic of Moldova, Iasi Airport serves as a gateway to Romania’s northeast. The airport is a large hub for the local low-cost company Blue Air.
• Constanta Airport. Although quite small, Constanta Airport offers the most direct access to the country’s coast. As of 2022, there are direct flights to and from Rome, London, and Istanbul, as well as some domestic destinations in the country’s north.

Top cities and places to visit

• Bucharest. By far the largest in the country (and among the ten largest in the European Union), Bucharest sometimes leaves the first impression of being hectic - but can actually be wonderful to explore if you catch beneath the surface. The city’s Parliament Palace is quite literally the first thing that catches the eye - it is one of the largest buildings on the planet - but there’s plenty of architectural heritage, thriving culture, and public greenery beyond it.
• Brasov. It might not be home to “Dracula’s Castle” (that’s in Bran, some 25 km (16 miles) to the south) nor the birthplace of his prototype, Vlad the Impaler (that’s Sighișoara), but Brasov might just be the place that best embodies the murky, enigmatic mood of Transylvania. Notable landmarks include the Gothic Black Church, Museum of Ethnography, and the panoramic view from Tâmpa Mountain, but for many visitors, the favourite thing to do is to simply stroll around the city’s historical centre and soak up the atmosphere.
• Sibiu. Another Transylvanian city some 140 km (100 miles) to the west of Brasov, Sibiu is one of the most sophisticated in the country and has even represented Romania as the European Capital of Culture. Without a doubt, the most photographed landmarks in the city are the Houses With Eyes, though, in fairness, much of Sibiu’s historical centre, divided into the Upper Town and Lower Town, is going to grab your attention.

Most popular hire car

The most hired car in Romania is the Toyota Corolla, followed by the Toyota Aygo and the Dacia Logan. The most hired car types are mini, intermediate, and economy.

Driving licence requirements

• Romania recognizes foreign driver’s licenses from around the world if they are valid and if you’re visiting on a trip that’s shorter than three months. If you have been in Romania for longer than that period or reside there permanently, you need to acquire a local driver’s license instead.
• If your driver’s license is printed in a non-Latin alphabet (Cyrillic, Arabic, etc.), you’ll need an International Driving Permit (IDP).
• Similarly, if your driver’s license doesn’t show your photograph, you might be required to have an IDP.
• Even if you have an IDP, you need to also carry your original driver’s license as you might be asked to show both.
• You must carry your driver’s license, not a copy, with you at all times. 
• You need to have had your driver’s license for at least two years.
• Some rental car providers charge a young driver fee for drivers between the ages of 22 and 25 and a senior driver fee for drivers over the age of 65.
• There may be additional requirements depending on the car provider and car category, so make sure to check the rental conditions before booking.

Crossing borders

Romania shares a border with Hungary, Ukraine, Moldova, Bulgaria, and Serbia. While a member of the European Union (EU), Romania is not a Schengen Area member state. Of Romania’s neighbours, only Hungary is a member of the Schengen Area.

Bulgaria, Serbia, and Moldova each have their own visa policy and you may or may not need a visa to visit them, depending on your citizenship. If you plan to enter one of these countries from Romania during your rental period, we strongly advise you to get in touch with your Ministry of Foreign Affairs in advance to find out about any potential visa requirements.

Some car suppliers allow you to cross national borders and even drop off your car in a different country, while others don’t. If you’d like to cross a national border during your car hire period, make sure to check the terms and conditions before booking a car. Learn more about cross-border trips in our Help Center.

Top driving routes

• Moldavia and Bukovina. Two regions with strong historical ties to the neighbouring Republic of Moldova and Ukraine, this off-the-beaten-path region takes some planning to get to but can be one of the most rewarding parts of Romania to explore. Authentic and culturally distinct, it is as known for its stunning nature and bucolic countryside as it is for the poetic streak of its artists and the hospitality of its inhabitants. Make time to visit the Painted Monasteries, several of which have been nominated for world heritage status.
• Banat. Located in the opposite corner of the country, Banat is another underrated part of Romania. With its strong German heritage and thick woodlands, it might be mistaken for the Black Forest where the fairy tales of Brothers Grimm take place, but Banat is very much its own thing. Make sure to check out the region’s Baroque architecture, spa towns, and the Iron Gates gorge on the border between Romania and Serbia.

Car hire prices in Romania

• Large cars - starting at US$0 per day
• SUVs - starting at US$1 per day
• Station wagons - starting at US$1 per day
• People Carriers - starting at US$4 per day
• Premium cars - starting at US$2 per day
• Small cars - starting at US$1 per day
• Medium cars - starting at US$1 per day
• Convertibles - starting at US$108 per day

How can I save money on my hire car?

There are several good methods to find a cheaper car for hire:

• Compare rates of different car hire suppliers
• Book your vehicle well in advance
• Plan your route before you go
• Know your fuel and mileage requirements
• Visit in the month when the car hire prices are the cheapest. According to our data, visiting Romania is the cheapest in March when hiring a car is about 40% cheaper than the yearly average and a whole 60% cheaper than hiring a car in July.