You can rent a car in Romania from age 21, driving on the right. The alcohol limit is 0.00% BAC and winter tires are mandatory.
| Vehicle Class | Low Season | High Season | Peak Season | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | €12/day | €22/day | €35/day | Check prices → |
| Compact | €18/day | €30/day | €48/day | Check prices → |
| SUV/Minivan | €28/day | €50/day | €78/day | Check prices → |
Average daily rates in EUR. Low season: Nov-Mar, High: Apr-Jun & Sep-Oct, Peak: Jul-Aug.
Renting a car in Romania gives you the freedom to explore beyond the main tourist routes at your own pace. Romania drives on the right side of the road, with motorway speed limits of 130 km/h and 50 km/h in urban areas. The country uses a vignette (motorway sticker) averaging €1 per 100km.
The minimum rental age is 21, with young drivers under 25 typically paying a surcharge of €8-15/day under 25. You must carry warning triangle, reflective vest, first aid kit, fire extinguisher in your vehicle at all times. Winter tires are mandatory during the cold months (Nov 1 - Mar 31 (winter tires mandatory in winter conditions)).
Fuel prices average €7.20/L for petrol and €7.00/L for diesel. Be aware of emission zones in Bucharest — restrictions apply to older vehicles. Cross-border driving is permitted to EU countries, Moldova, Bulgaria, though fees of €25-50 cross-border fee may apply.
This comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know about renting and driving a car in Romania — from insurance requirements and toll systems to speed limits, fines, and practical tips that will save you money and hassle.
Romania is the most geographically diverse country in southeastern Europe. The Carpathian Mountains arc through the center of the country, separating Transylvania's fortified Saxon villages from the Wallachian plains and the Danube Delta's wetlands. Medieval citadels sit on hilltops above forests where bears and wolves still roam. The country is vast by European standards — 800 km from the northwestern border with Hungary to the Black Sea coast — and outside of a few intercity train routes, a rental car is the only practical way to experience its full range. Romania rewards driving: the roads are often empty, fuel is cheap by European standards, and the Transfagarasan and Transalpina are two of Europe's most celebrated mountain roads.
Romania's public transport system connects major cities but leaves the countryside — where the real treasures are — essentially unreachable. The painted monasteries of Bucovina, the fortified churches of Transylvania, the wooden churches of Maramures, the Turda Salt Mine, and the remote villages of the Apuseni Mountains all require a car. Trains run between Bucharest, Brasov, Sibiu, and Cluj-Napoca, but journeys are slow (Bucharest to Cluj takes 8-10 hours by train), and bus services to rural destinations are infrequent.
The country's road network has improved dramatically over the past decade. The A1 and A3 motorways now link Bucharest to Pitesti and toward Sibiu, while the A10 connects Alba Iulia to Sebes. National roads (DN routes) are generally two-lane and in acceptable condition, though they pass through every village on the route, slowing progress considerably. The contrast between Romania's world-class mountain roads and its potholed village streets is one of the country's defining driving characteristics.
Route: Sibiu → Curtea de Arges → Transfagarasan Highway (DN7C) → Balea Lake → Cartisoara → Sibiu
Distance: Approximately 250 km loop
Jeremy Clarkson called the Transfagarasan "the best road in the world" on Top Gear, and while that is subjective, the road is genuinely extraordinary. Built by Ceausescu in the 1970s as a military route, it climbs from 500 meters to 2,042 meters at Balea Lake through a series of switchbacks carved into the Fagaras Mountains. The northern approach from Cartisoara has the famous hairpin sequence visible in aerial photographs. The southern side descends through a tunnel and along a reservoir.
Tips: Open late June to late October only — check the Romanian road authority (CNAIR) for exact dates each year, as they depend on snowfall. Drive the northern approach for the most dramatic hairpins. Start early (before 8 AM) to avoid tour groups and traffic jams on the single-lane sections near the summit. The road is free — no toll. Carry warm clothing; temperatures at Balea Lake can be 10-15 degrees Celsius even when it is 30 degrees in the valleys. A compact car handles this road fine; you do not need an SUV.
Route: Sibiu → Biertan → Sighisoara → Viscri → Rupea Fortress → Brasov → Rasnov → Bran → Sinaia → Bucharest
Distance: Approximately 400 km
Transylvania's Saxon settlers built over 150 fortified churches between the 13th and 16th centuries, seven of which are UNESCO World Heritage sites. Biertan has a triple-walled church on a hilltop. Sighisoara is a complete medieval citadel town — the birthplace of Vlad the Impaler. Viscri, famously championed by King Charles III, is a village where horse carts still outnumber cars and the fortified church sits amid a pastoral landscape unchanged for centuries.
Tips: The road to Viscri from the DN13 is 7 km of unpaved track — passable in a regular car but bumpy. Go slowly. Sighisoara deserves an overnight stay; the citadel at dusk, when day-trippers leave, is magical. From Brasov, the DN1 south through the Prahova Valley to Sinaia and Bucharest is heavily trafficked — consider the DN73 via Rasnov and Bran as an alternative. Bran Castle (marketed as "Dracula's Castle") is a tourist trap but worth 30 minutes for the setting.
Route: Cluj-Napoca → Baia Mare → Sighetu Marmatiei → Merry Cemetery (Sapanta) → Wooden Churches of Maramures → Borsa → Vatra Dornei → Painted Monasteries of Bucovina (Voronet, Sucevita, Moldovita, Humor) → Suceava
Distance: Approximately 550 km
This route covers Romania's most traditional regions. Maramures is a living museum of rural life — wooden churches with tall spires, hand-carved gates, hay meadows cut by scythe, and horse-drawn carts on village roads. The Merry Cemetery in Sapanta has brightly painted wooden crosses with humorous epitaphs about the deceased. Bucovina's painted monasteries have exterior frescoes from the 15th and 16th centuries that remain vivid — Voronet's "Voronet blue" is a pigment that has never been fully replicated.
Tips: Roads in Maramures are narrow two-lane with frequent villages. Average speed is 40-50 km per hour. The Prislop Pass (1,416 meters) between Borsa and Vatra Dornei is paved but winding — allow 2 hours for the 80 km stretch. Stay overnight in Gura Humorului as a base for the Bucovina monasteries. Visit Voronet Monastery first thing in the morning; the exterior frescoes photograph best in eastern morning light.
Route: Sebes → Transalpina (DN67C) → Obarsia Lotrului → Ranca → Novaci → Targu Jiu (Brancusi sculptures)
Distance: Approximately 150 km
Romania's other great mountain road. The Transalpina reaches 2,145 meters — the highest paved road in Romania — and is less touristed than the Transfagarasan. The road passes through alpine meadows, sheepfolds, and landscapes that feel more like Iceland than southeastern Europe. It is open approximately the same period as the Transfagarasan (late June to October). End in Targu Jiu to see Brancusi's monumental outdoor sculptures — Endless Column, Table of Silence, and Gate of the Kiss — which alone justify the detour.
Romania has four international airports with significant rental car operations: Bucharest Henri Coanda (OTP), Cluj-Napoca (CLJ), Sibiu (SBZ), and Iasi (IAS).
Bucharest Henri Coanda (OTP) has the widest selection of rental companies and the most competitive prices. All major international operators — Hertz, Europcar, Avis, Budget, Sixt — have counters, plus strong local companies like Autonom and EuroCars. The airport is 17 km north of the city center, connected to the A3 motorway toward Transylvania. Picking up here avoids Bucharest's notoriously congested and aggressive traffic.
Cluj-Napoca (CLJ) is the best starting point for northwestern Romania — Maramures, the Apuseni Mountains, and western Transylvania. Fewer rental options than Bucharest but competitive pricing. The airport is 8 km east of the city center.
Sibiu (SBZ) is ideal for Transfagarasan and central Transylvania trips. Limited flights (mostly to Germany and Austria) but excellent positioning for road trips. Rental selection is smaller, so book early in peak season.
City pickup in Bucharest is 5-10% cheaper than the airport but requires navigating Bucharest traffic, which is among the worst in Europe. The city has no ring road functioning at capacity, and rush hour extends from 7 to 10 AM and 4 to 8 PM. Avoid driving in Bucharest entirely if possible — take a taxi or rideshare to your hotel, then pick up the rental car the next morning at the airport when heading out of the city.
Romania's insurance needs fall between Western Europe and the less-regulated Balkans. Roads range from excellent motorways to rural routes with significant potholes.
Credit card rental insurance works in Romania, but not all rental companies accept it smoothly. Autonom (Romania's largest domestic rental company) is generally straightforward about credit card coverage. International brands vary — Europcar tends to accept it; Hertz sometimes pushes back. Bring a printed letter from your card issuer confirming coverage details.
Romania has a zero-tolerance alcohol policy for drivers — 0.00% BAC. This is not 0.05% or 0.02%. It is absolute zero. Any detectable alcohol in your blood results in criminal charges, license suspension, and potential imprisonment. This is the strictest limit in Europe. Do not have a single drink if you plan to drive at any point that day. Police checkpoints are frequent, especially on weekend evenings and during holidays.
Fuel in Romania costs approximately 7.20 RON per liter for gasoline and 7.00 RON per liter for diesel (roughly 1.45 and 1.40 euros). This is significantly cheaper than Western Europe and makes Romania one of the more affordable driving destinations on the continent.
Romania requires a Rovinieta (e-vignette) for all national roads and motorways. A 7-day vignette costs approximately 3.50 euros (13 RON) and a 30-day vignette approximately 7 euros (28 RON). You can purchase it online at roviniete.ro, at any fuel station, or at border crossings. Most rental companies include the Rovinieta in the rental price — confirm this when picking up the car. Driving without one results in a fine of approximately 250-1,000 RON (50-200 euros), enforced by roadside cameras.
Romania's EV charging network is growing but still inadequate for long-distance travel outside the Bucharest-Brasov-Sibiu triangle. Bucharest, Cluj-Napoca, Brasov, and Sibiu have public fast chargers (mostly Enel X and Renovatio). Along the A1 and A3 motorways, charging stations are appearing at rest stops. However, rural Transylvania, Maramures, Bucovina, and the Danube Delta region have virtually no public charging. Do not attempt a comprehensive Romania road trip in a pure EV. Plug-in hybrids work well for mixed itineraries.
Country-specific driving rules, toll info, and insurance tips for Romania — delivered to your inbox.
Winter tires mandatory (Nov 1 - Mar 31 (winter tires mandatory in winter conditions)) (Nov 1 - Mar 31 (winter tires mandatory in winter conditions))
| License From | IDP Required? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| US | Yes | IDP required alongside US license |
| UK | No | UK license accepted for up to 90 days |
| AU | Yes | IDP required alongside Australian license |
| CA | Yes | IDP required alongside Canadian license |
These items are legally required when driving in Romania. Most rental cars include basic equipment, but always verify at pickup.
Reflective emergency triangle — place 50-100m behind your vehicle in case of breakdown.
EN ISO 20471 certified. Must be kept in the cabin (not the trunk) in many countries.
DIN 13164 standard automotive first aid kit. Check expiry dates before traveling.
1kg ABC dry powder extinguisher. Required in some Eastern European countries.
Always book full insurance (SCDW) through your rental company or a third-party like DiscoverCars — credit card coverage often has exclusions for Romania.
Rovinieta e-vignette required for all national roads and motorways; 7-day pass ~€3.50, 30-day ~€7
| Zone | Limit (km/h) |
|---|---|
| Urban areas | 50 |
| Rural roads | 90 |
| Motorway | 130 |
100 on expressways; 120 on dual carriageways outside towns
| Offense | Fine Range |
|---|---|
| Speeding 20over | RON 580-1,160 (~€115-230) |
| No Seatbelt | RON 580-870 (~€115-175) |
| Phone Use | RON 580-870 (~€115-175) |
| Drink Driving | Criminal offense — license suspension + possible imprisonment |
Allowed: EU countries, Moldova, Bulgaria, Hungary, Serbia
Restricted: Ukraine, Some companies restrict Moldova and non-EU destinations
Typical fee: €25-50 cross-border fee
Rental companies in Romania charge $15-30/day for excess reduction at the desk. Standalone policies cover the same thing for a fraction of the cost — and you can buy before you go.
Reduce your excess to zero from $49/trip
Save up to 70% vs rental desk insurance
These policies reimburse you if the rental company charges your card for damage. They do not replace the rental company's basic insurance (CDW/TP) which is always included.
Book your Romania rental at least 3 weeks in advance — last-minute prices can be 40-60% higher during peak season.
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Data and regulations verified against official sources. Last checked 2026-04-27.
Buy the Rovinieta e-vignette online at rovinieta.ro before picking up your rental — it costs just €3.50 for 7 days and avoids fines of RON 580+ (~€115) from automatic cameras.
Romania's Rovinieta is required on all national roads and motorways. Enforcement cameras are widespread, especially on the A1 (Bucharest-Pitesti), A3, and major DN routes. The vignette is linked to your license plate and takes 2 minutes to purchase online. Some rental companies include it, but many do not — always confirm at pickup. A 30-day pass is ~€7, making it the cheapest vignette in Europe.
Romania has zero alcohol tolerance (0.00% BAC) and treats drink driving as a criminal offense — even trace amounts from medication or mouthwash can trigger prosecution.
Romanian police conduct frequent breathalyzer checkpoints, particularly on weekends and near cities like Bucharest, Cluj-Napoca, and Brasov. Any BAC reading above 0.00% results in license confiscation, a criminal record, and potential imprisonment of 1-5 years for readings above 0.08%. Tourists are not exempt. Avoid alcohol entirely if you plan to drive the next morning.
The Transfagarasan (DN7C) and Transalpina (DN67C) mountain roads are only open June through October — check road status before planning a scenic detour through the Carpathians.
These two spectacular mountain passes are among Europe's best driving roads but close entirely in winter due to snow. Even in summer, sections above 2,000m can have fog, rockfalls, and single-lane stretches with no guardrails. The Transfagarasan is best driven south-to-north (from Curtea de Arges toward Sibiu) for the most dramatic reveal at Balea Lake. Allow 3-4 hours for the 90 km stretch.
It depends on your home country. US license holders: Yes, IDP required. IDP required alongside US license UK license holders: No IDP needed. UK license accepted for up to 90 days AU license holders: Yes, IDP required. IDP required alongside Australian license CA license holders: Yes, IDP required. IDP required alongside Canadian license
The minimum rental age is 21. Drivers under 25 typically pay a young driver surcharge of €8-15/day under 25.
Romania uses a vignette toll system. Rovinieta e-vignette required for all national roads and motorways; 7-day pass ~€3.50, 30-day ~€7 Payment methods: online, petrol stations, border crossings. Average cost is about €1.20 per 100km.
Urban: 50 km/h, Rural: 90 km/h, Motorway: 130 km/h. 100 on expressways; 120 on dual carriageways outside towns
Allowed to: EU countries, Moldova, Bulgaria, Hungary, Serbia. Restrictions: Ukraine, Some companies restrict Moldova and non-EU destinations. Cross-border fee: €25-50 cross-border fee.
Yes, winter tires are mandatory. Snow chains: when-signposted. Period: Nov 1 - Mar 31 (winter tires mandatory in winter conditions).
Requirements vary by rental company in Romania. Most major agencies accept a valid driving license from your home country for short stays, but an International Driving Permit (IDP) is recommended as a backup, especially outside major cities. Check with your specific rental company before traveling.
At minimum, you need Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) and Third Party Liability insurance. Consider adding theft protection if parking in urban areas. Many credit cards offer rental car coverage — check your card benefits before purchasing duplicate coverage from the rental company.
Many European countries use toll systems for highways and motorways. In Romania, toll costs can add significantly to your trip budget. Most rental companies offer electronic toll transponders — ask at the counter. Budget an additional 10-20% of your fuel costs for tolls on longer trips.
The minimum rental age in Romania is typically 21 years, though some companies require drivers to be 23 or 25. Young drivers (under 25) usually pay a surcharge of 10-25 per day. Maximum age limits also apply at some agencies, typically around 70-75 years.
Cross-border travel policies vary by rental company. Most major agencies allow travel within the EU/Schengen area with prior notification, but may charge a cross-border fee. Some restrict travel to certain countries. Always declare cross-border plans when booking to avoid insurance invalidation.