Flying into Romania for a few days of meetings and a weekend away from the office, I decided to skip taxis and rent a car instead. Bucharest traffic has a reputation, but having your own car makes a huge difference once you want to leave the city: Brașov, Bran Castle and the Prahova Valley are all within a two- to three-hour drive.
Picking up at the airport
Most international flights land at Henri Coandă Airport in Otopeni, about 25–30 minutes from central Bucharest. Booking a rent a car Otopeni service meant the agent was waiting for me in the airport parking lot. My flight was delayed by over an hour and that wasn't a problem.
What to check before you sign
- Deposit: many local companies ask for a large card deposit. I looked for an option with no deposit and with full insurance (RCA + CASCO) included.
- Mileage: unlimited kilometres matter if you plan day trips outside the city.
- Vignette: Romanian roads require a rovinietă, so make sure it's included.
- Fuel policy: same level back as at pickup is the fairest arrangement.
- Cross-border travel: if you're heading to Bulgaria or Hungary, ask in advance.
Driving in the city
If you're staying in Bucharest itself, a rent a car Bucuresti provider that delivers to your address saves the trip back to the airport. Parking in the old town is tight, so a compact car is the smarter choice there.
All in all, renting locally turned a short business trip into a proper few days of exploring. If you travel to Romania for work, it's worth considering.
