Bucharest is a sprawling, chaotic, fascinating city of contrasts — Communist-era concrete blocks stand beside Belle Époque mansions, hip cafés occupy crumbling courtyards, and the second-largest administrative building on Earth (the Palace of Parliament) dominates the skyline. While Bucharest itself is best navigated by metro and taxi, a rental car is your ticket to one of Europe's last great undiscovered driving destinations: Transylvania.
Henri Coandă International Airport (OTP), commonly called Otopeni, is 17 km north of the city center. Car rental desks are in the arrivals hall, including Hertz, Avis, Europcar, Sixt, Budget, Autonom, and Klass Wagen. Romania offers exceptional rental value — economy cars from €12-€22/day. However, insurance excesses can be high (€800-€1,500), and we recommend full CDW coverage given Romanian road conditions.
Transylvania is one of Europe's most extraordinary regions — medieval Saxon towns, dramatic Carpathian passes, and vast untouched forests where wolves and bears still roam. The classic circuit from Bucharest:
Allow 5-7 days for the full circuit.
The Transfăgărășan (DN7C) is Romania's most famous road — a serpentine highway crossing the Făgăraș Mountains at 2,042m through tunnels, over viaducts, and around countless hairpin bends. Built by Ceaușescu as a military strategic road, it is now one of Europe's greatest driving experiences. The road is open only from late June to October (weather dependent) and is at its best in July-September. The glacial Lake Bâlea at the summit is surrounded by Alpine scenery. Drive slowly — the hairpins are tight and the road is shared with cyclists and occasionally sheep.
Romanian roads range from excellent new motorways to deeply potholed rural routes. Key driving notes:
Romanian fuel costs RON 7.00-7.50/liter (~€1.45) — among the cheapest in the EU. The Romanian leu (RON) is the currency; euros are not accepted at most establishments. Rental cars are often manual transmission. Cross-border travel to Bulgaria, Hungary, and Serbia is usually permitted with major rental companies. The best driving months are May-October, as mountain passes close in winter and lowland roads can flood in spring.
You can pick up a rental car at these airports near Bucharest:
Download our free PDF guide to driving in Romania — parking tips, toll info, and more.
| Zone | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Sector 1 (Old Town / Calea Victoriei) | RON 10/hr (~€2.00) | Central Bucharest metered parking. The Old Town (Centrul Vechi) is pedestrianized in the evening. |
| Sector 3 (Palace of Parliament area) | RON 5/hr (~€1.00) | Street parking near the massive Palace of Parliament. Availability varies. |
| Mall Parking (AFI Cotroceni / Băneasa) | RON 5/hr (~€1.00) | Free for first 2-3 hours at major shopping malls. Option for cheap extended parking. |
Traffic note: Bucharest has some of the worst traffic congestion in Europe. The city was designed for Ceaușescu-era boulevards that now carry overwhelming volumes. Rush hour (7:30-9:30, 17:00-19:30) can turn a 10 km drive into a 90-minute ordeal. Potholes are common even on main roads. Romanian drivers can be aggressive, with overtaking on blind corners being a particular rural hazard. However, the new motorway network is expanding rapidly. The city has no ring road completion, which funnels all traffic through the center.
Compare car rental prices in Bucharest → →Book your Bucharest rental online at least 2 weeks ahead — airport desk walk-up prices are typically 30-50% higher.
Compare prices from top rental companies at OTP pickup locations.
The 'Pearl of the Carpathians' — a mountain resort town with the fairy-tale Peleș Castle, one of Europe's most beautiful royal residences, with 160 elaborately decorated rooms.
A stunning Saxon town nestled in a Carpathian valley, with medieval walls, the Gothic Black Church, a charming old square, and the dramatic Tampa Mountain looming above.
A peaceful island monastery on Lake Snagov where Vlad the Impaler (the real Dracula) is legendarily buried. The drive through the Vlăsia Forest is pleasant.
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 now and get free cancellation on most rentals.
Data and regulations verified against official sources. Last checked 2026-04-27.
Download our free PDF guide to driving in Romania — parking tips, toll info, and more.
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