Renting a car is the best way to get around Romania. While public transport is decent in the cities and trains connect the larger cities, many of the country’s main attractions include fortified villages, medieval towns, countryside castles, and stunning nature that are difficult, if not impossible, to reach without a car.
Road-tripping around Romania was very easy for me. I spent two weeks in this wonderful country and used a combination of a rental car, trains, Ubers, my feet, and city trams to get around. Not to flaunt my planning skills too much, but I’d give myself a 10/10 for how I coordinated transportation on the trip
But I want to make sure that getting around is as seamless as possible for other visitors, too. With that said, here’s what you need to know about renting a car in Romania: how much it costs, which companies to rent from, what to expect when driving in Romania, and other lesser-known tips.
How Much Does a Rental Car in Romania Cost?
Here’s a breakdown of my rental car cost in Romania:
- For 5 days: €318 ($377)
- For 1 day: €63 ($75)
- Return car to different location fee: €162 ($191)
- Complete protection in case of accident: €72 ($85)
- Total: €622 ($735)
This might seem more expensive than expected, but keep in mind that if I returned the vehicle to the same location, it would have been €460 for the five days. You also don’t need complete accident protection, but I didn’t want to take any chances since I was unsure what my Romania road trip experience would be like. Therefore, I could’ve gotten away with paying €390 for five days.
I also used a Romanian company, WLC, with very good reviews. I prefer to use local rental car companies, as they usually include more personalized service and flexible options. There may have been some cheaper options. However, I was comfortable with WLC because of their glowing reviews which I value most.
You can get rental cars as cheap as $30-40 per day in Romania, but I’d budget up to $50-60 for a decent car from a reputable company.
Best Rental Car Companies in Romania
As mentioned, I rented through WLC so can only recommend them, and I do recommend them highly.
The representative who met me at the Timisoara Airport for pick-up did not speak English but was patient with me as we walked through the rental agreement using Google Translate (I tried learning basic Romanian phrases before visiting, but it wasn’t quite good enough to hold the conversation!)
What I liked about WLC is that they didn’t require any sort of security deposit. Some companies charge exorbitant deposit fees (this is a worldwide thing, not just Romania), which can be off-putting.
The representative at my drop-off point was also incredibly friendly and funny. Our car was pretty dirty both inside and out from our hiking boots and the rain making a mess. I’d waived the $10 cleaning fee beforehand so was concerned I’d get charged extra, but he laughed it off. I then asked him about getting to my hotel from the drop-off point in Brasov, and he ended up driving me there himself free of charge!
However, he let me know that it was in both of our best interests to pay for some sort of protection. It felt genuine and I definitely understood it from their point of view. I ended up paying the 72 extra for essentially full protection for five days. Not bad at all, and the peace of mind was worth it in case disaster struck.
You can go through well-known companies like Enterprise or Avis, but they will likely charge hefty security deposits and higher drop-off fees if returning the car in a different location. I also found these options slightly more expensive than WLC.
My Experience Renting a Car in Romania
I’m pretty well-traveled, but don’t drive in foreign countries too often. Needless to say, I was fairly anxious about driving in Romania given things I’d read online. Crazy drivers, confusing signage, and more.
Ultimately, I found it just as stress-free as driving in the U.S.
Drivers will pass you aggressively if you’re going below the speed limit. Aside from that, not much was different. As a pedestrian, I appreciated that all drivers stop at crosswalks, even on the busiest of roads. Make sure to do the same when you’re driving, as they take this seriously in Romania.
There are plenty of roundabouts. If you’re not used to them, remember: just look left. Use your arrows at the roundabouts signaling when you’re getting on and turning off.
I drove from Timisoara to Sibiu, from Sibiu to Brasov, and the mountains and countryside throughout Transylvania. The roads on these routes were all well-paved and easy to navigate. I also drove to the fortified village of Viscri in the countryside and took a day trip to Sighisoara. Some roads around here were a bit more narrow and uneven, but that’s the norm throughout the world in rural parts, not just Romania.
One tip: try to avoid driving in Bucharest at all costs.
I’d heard people in smaller cities talk about how much traffic the city has and the aggressive drivers. I believed it after spending a few days in Bucharest.
This made me glad that I chose to return my car in Brasov and take the train from Brasov to Bucharest, which is the most efficient option anyway. The road between the two cities gets quite congested in the summer and on weekends. You also can get around Bucharest quite easily by public transport.
Additional Tips for Renting a Car in Romania
Here are some more quick-hitter tips to consider before renting a car:
- Make sure to get an automatic vehicle if you can’t drive stick: This is obvious, but make sure when you’re browsing cars online that you filter your search by “automatic” if you can’t drive manual. Many cars in Romania are still manual, so choose carefully.
- Consider weather conditions if visiting in winter: Most of Romania receives a good amount of snow in the winter months. Some roads may become impassable and close for winter, like the famous Transfagarasan. Others may be downright treacherous. You might want to prioritize getting an SUV or snow tires if you plan to visit in the winter, especially if you plan to venture into the mountains or rural areas.
- Don’t go over the speed limit: The speed limit in Romania is stricter than the U.S. Fines for speeding are also very high. It’s best to be safe and avoid going over.
- Don’t be afraid to pass drivers or truckers if needed: You’ll quickly realize that it’s normal to accelerate around slow-moving vehicles, especially trucks. All of Romania’s highways are two-lanes, so there is often a logjam of cars behind big trucks. Obviously, make sure you’re doing it where it’s legal and you have clear sight of oncoming traffic first.
- Have photos of the car prior to use: My rental car agency did this for me and emailed me the pictures. But it’s wise to take photos and videos of your car before using it, just in case they try to ding you for something that didn’t happen under your watch.
- Get a quote online and denote your budget: I filled out a quote form with my rental car company (WLC) and noted that my budget was lower than what they had listed on their site for the car I wanted. They ended up giving me a $30 USD discount on the car because of that. Don’t be afraid to negotiate a bit!
- Fuel up before returning the car: This is standard practice for renting a car. Still, remember to do so to avoid any extra fees.
- Keep an eye out for animals alongside the road: If in the countryside, you’ll see livestock wandering around the road. If you’re in the mountains, especially the Transfagarasan, there’s a good chance you’ll see some bears. And you’ll see stray packs of dogs everywhere. All of these animals are almost always harmless (including bears) but use precaution. Slow down to pass them and don’t get out of your car.
FAQs for Renting a Car in Romania
Here are some commonly asked questions regarding renting a car in Romania.
Do you need an International Driver’s Permit (IDP) to rent a car in Romania?
Yes, you need to apply for an international driver’s license being renting a car in Romania. If you live in the U.S., this can be done through the AAA website. It takes 1 to 2 weeks for your permit to be mailed to you after your application is approved. If your application is denied for whatever reason (likely because of incorrect information or a faulty photo of your license or passport), you will be notified within the day and can re-apply. If you’re in a time crunch, you can visit your local AAA branch to get a permit in-person.
How old do you need to be to rent a car in Romania?
The minimum age requirement for a rental car in Romania is generally 21 years old. Some companies may enforce a fee for drivers younger than 25 years old of $10-15 USD per day. Many companies also require having a driver’s license for 1-2 years.
What are fuel prices like in Romania?
Currently, gas in Romania is 1.36 USD per liter (1.28 GBP or 1.49 EUR). This equates to:
- USD: $5.14/gallon
- GBP: £4.84/gallon
- EUR: €5.64/gallon
So, gas in Romania is not cheap!
Can you pay by debit and credit card for a rental car in Romania?
Yes, all rental car agencies will allow payment by card.
Can you pick-up and drop-off rental cars in different locations in Romania?
It depends on the agency, but most will allow you to return cars in different locations. Both local and international agencies tend to have offices in all of the largest cities in Romania, including Cluj, Brasov, Bucharest, and Timisoara, so you can pick-up in one city and drop-off in the other for an extra charge.
