From Bran Castle to Peles Castle: The Best Castles and Palaces in Romania.
Romania has a great natural beauty and a strong cultural heritage. It’s growing in popularity for travellers. It is the 7th most populated country in the EU,…
Car Hire in Romania.
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- Fair Fuel Policy
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Payless representative met me at the airport on arrival. Processing was efficient with easy check in on return.
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Compare the best car hire deals in Romania.
Search, compare and book you next car hire with Zest Car Rental for inclusive deals you won’t find anywhere else. At Zest, we understand the last thing you need after a long flight is to deal with problems collecting your car hire. Therefore, we only partner with trusted and monitored providers to ensure a hassle-free and smooth car rental experience. Renting a car on your holiday is the best way to explore hidden gems, and traverse at your own pace. You’re in safe hands when you book your next car hire with Zest Car Rental!
- Excess Insurance included
- Free Cancellation & Amendments
- Fair Fuel Policy
- Breakdown Assistance
- 24/7 Customer Support
- Which? Recommended Provider
Search the best car hire providers in Romania
At Zest, we partner with both local and multinational providers in Romania to give you the best choice and service every time. Whether you book with Autounion, Alamo or one of our other trusted providers, you can be sure of having a great car rental experience with no hidden complications. Start your holiday the right way with Zest!
Book with Zest Car Rental in Romania
We take a fresh, honest approach to car hire. Our booking process is simple: clear pricing, no hidden costs, and no small print to worry about.
We want you to relax and look forward to your holiday, not worry about the logistics.
Unlock the real Romania
Romania is famous for its dramatic Carpathian mountain peaks, beautifully preserved medieval castles, and the stunning, untouched wilderness of the Danube Delta, making it a spectacular country to discover by car.
A scenic drive through the historic region of Transylvania connects vibrant hubs like Brașov, Sibiu, and Sighișoara, tracing routes through dense evergreen forests and rolling valleys.
Navigating these winding roads opens up access to iconic clifftop strongholds, remote fortified churches, and panoramic mountain paths that regular public transport networks cannot easily match.
Further west or down toward the Black Sea coast, a rental vehicle gives you the complete freedom to explore the country's diverse landscapes at your own comfortable pace.
You can journey from the bustling cultural energy of Bucharest up into the sweeping alpine heights, or follow rural country lanes to discover the traditional wooden architecture of Maramureș.
Having complete control over your travel itinerary allows you to stop at rural roadside fruit stalls, explore remote national park trails, and discover family-run countryside taverns completely free from rigid group tour schedules.
Can I take my rental car across national borders?
Given Romania's position in Eastern Europe, many travelers want to extend their road trip across borders into neighboring destinations like Bulgaria or Hungary.
Please be aware that each provider enforces completely individual regulations regarding border crossings.
To check what options are available for your journey, we recommend generating a live quote on our website where eligible cars will be explicitly labeled with exact permissions or local fees.
Our Fleet in Romania
At Zest Car Rental, we offer a wide range of vehicles in Romania to suit every type of traveller. Fuel-efficient economy cars and nimble compact models are highly practical for navigating narrow historic town lanes and finding parking in busy urban centres like Bucharest or Cluj-Napoca.
If you plan to tour the steep mountain routes of the interior, carry substantial holiday luggage, or cruise regional highways with family, choosing a spacious intermediate vehicle or a compact SUV can provide additional power, ground clearance, and reliable interior comfort for the terrain.
One Way Rentals in Romania
In Romania, you can pick up your car and drop it off at a different location, giving you the freedom to explore at your own pace.
One-way rentals are perfect for linear road trips, cross-country travel, or flexible itineraries, such as collecting your vehicle at Bucharest Henri Coandă Airport and returning it at Cluj Airport.
Please note that each provider sets their own rules for one-way rentals, and some may apply a mandatory local fee. This is clearly shown during the booking process.
Driver Age Requirements in Romania
Can I rent a car in Romania if I am under 25?
Yes. However, many providers apply a Young Driver Surcharge and may restrict access to luxury vehicle categories. Young driver fees vary by provider and may still apply depending on age and vehicle category.
Can I rent a car in Romania if I am over 70?
Yes. While some providers may have additional requirements or conditions for older drivers depending on policy, others welcome senior drivers with zero restrictions or extra costs.
What is the best time of year to explore Romania by car?
The ideal time to explore Romania on a driving holiday is during the months of April to June or September to October, which bring beautifully mild, comfortable temperatures and clear driving conditions while avoiding peak mid-summer traffic.
If your itinerary includes driving famous high-altitude mountain passes like the Transfăgărășan or Transalpina, the months of July to October are best, as these high alpine routes are typically closed due to snow during the spring and winter.
Essential Tips for Driving in Romania
Driving in Romania is conducted on the right-hand side of the road, with overtaking executed on the left. Romania uses an electronic vignette system called the Rovinietă for most national roads, expressways, and motorways. Drivers must purchase a valid digital vignette before using these roads, with validity periods ranging from one day to one year depending on vehicle type. In addition to the vignette, separate tolls apply on certain bridges, including the Danube crossings at Fetești–Cernavodă. Compliance is monitored electronically using registration plate recognition cameras.
Drink-driving is prohibited under Romanian law and punishments are strict. If you plan to drink, you should not drive.
When navigating major urban areas like Bucharest, remain alert for exceptionally busy traffic, complex multi-lane roundabouts, and rapid lane shifts. In major municipal centres, parking payment methods vary by location and commonly include automated street meters, regional mobile apps, or designated parking lots.
Outside the main cities, maintain a defensive driving style to look out for sudden speed limit drops near rural villages, slow-moving agricultural vehicles or horse-drawn carts, and steep mountainous terrain with tight turns in the Carpathian ranges.
Book nowPlaces to hire in Romania
- Bacau International Airport (BCM)
- Baia Mare
- Baia Mare Airport (BAY)
- Baia Mare Rail Station
- Brasov
- Brasov Railway Station
- Brasov-Ghimbav International Airport (GHV)
- Bucharest
- Bucharest Baneasa Airport (BBU)
- Bucharest Otopeni Airport (OTP)
- Bucharest Otopeni Railway Station
- Bucharest Railway Station
- Cluj-Napoca Airport (CLJ)
- Cluj-Napoca Railway Station
- Craiova Airport (CRA)
- Iasi Airport (IAS)
- Oradea Airport (OMR)
- Oradea Railway Station
- Otopeni
- Satu Mare Airport (SUJ)
- Satu Mare Railway Station
- Sibiu Airport (SBZ)
- Sibiu Railway Station
- Suceava International Airport (SCV)
- Targu Mures Airport (TGM)
- Timisoara Airport (TSR)
- Timisoara Railway Station
Average customer rating for car hire in Romania
(4.53 out of 5.00) based on 30 responses to our customer survey.
Zest's Top 3 Tourist Attractions in Romania!
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Bran Castle
Known as "Dracula's Castle," Bran Castle is a relatively easy drive from major cities like Bucharest and Brasov.
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Peles Castle
Situated in Sinaia, Peles Castle is a stunning Neo-Renaissance palace surrounded by beautiful gardens and the Carpathian Mountains. The drive to the castle offers scenic views.
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Transfagarasan Highway
This iconic mountain road offers stunning views as it winds through the Carpathian Mountains. It's a popular driving route, especially during the summer months when the road is open, providing a memorable scenic experience.
