Rent a car in Bucharest

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How to rent a car in Bucharest?

In just 4 simple steps, you can experience seamless car rental in Bucharest from reputable companies.

1

Find the car that suits you in Bucharest

Select your location, set the rental period, and compare offers in Bucharest.

2

Book the Car Online

Provide your contact details, select payment method, and connect with the car owner.

3

Pick-up Day

Arrive at the agreed-upon location, or the airport, to collect your car and hit the road!

4

Drop-off Day

Return the car in a clean condition, with the agreed fuel level, at the pickup location.

Frequently Asked Questions

You need to be at least 21 and hold a driving license for a year minimum. The conditions may be different based on the car that you want to rent. The conditions are displayed in the car page.

You must present your original driving license and identification (ID card/passport). To be note, you can rent a car using a foreign driving license without a problem, if you are American or Canadian, you need an international Driving Permit (IDP) to be able to legally drive. If you have not heard of an IDP before, it could be because many other European countries allow you to drive with your American or Canadian licenses. Romania, however, is one of the countries that requires more documentation. Fortunately, it is easy to get an IDP, you can obtain one here: https://internationaldrivingauthority.com/

The minimum age for rent a car in Romania is 21 years old and you need to have a driver's license for at least 1 year.

Absolutely, to be noted, you can rent a car using a foreign driving license without a problem, but if you are American or Canadian, you need an International Driving Permit (IDP) to be able to legally drive. If you have not heard of an IDP before, it could be because many other European countries allow you to drive with your American or Canadian licenses. Romania, however, is one of the countries that requires more documentation. Fortunately, it is easy to get an IDP, you can obtain one here: https://internationaldrivingauthority.com/

Yes, all the cars offered by our partners come with full insurance coverage. This includes both liability and comprehensive coverage, ensuring that you are protected in case of any unforeseen events. You can drive with peace of mind knowing that you are fully insured during your rental period. If you have any specific questions about the insurance coverage or need additional details, feel free to ask.

Indeed, all cars come with valid Romanian vignette. However, any tolls or bridge fees specific to certain areas are on the renter.

Depozitul sau garanția este o sumă de bani rambursabilă care este solicitată la momentul închirierii unei mașini. Acest depozit servește ca o garanție împotriva posibilelor daune aduse vehiculului, întoarcerilor întârziate sau oricăror costuri suplimentare care ar putea apărea în timpul perioadei de închiriere. Depozitul este complet rambursabil la returnarea în siguranță a mașinii în aceeași stare în care a fost închiriată, cu condiția să nu se aplice taxe suplimentare.

The deposit is paid directly to the owner and is stipulated in the rental contract, after the return of the car, the deposit will be returned using the same method of payment used for initial payment.

Depending on the severity of the accident, the deposit/guarantee can be partially or fully withheld.

When you’re deciding on Bucharest car hire, it is probably a good idea to go for something middle of the road, like a compact SUV or MPV. These will give you ease of driving in the city centre and also serve you well on the mountainous roads just outside.

On average a rental car in Bucharest costs €29 per day. But prices differ car rental companies and you can save money through our website by checking all available deals for you desired period. The cheapest price for a car rental in Bucharest found in the last 2 weeks is €17.

Yes, automatic cars are available in most car renting companies in Bucharest. As cars with manual transmission are more common in many countries, you might have to pay an additional charge for renting an automatic car.

On average a rental car in Bucharest costs €191 per week (€27 per day).

MasiniLaCheie has deals for you to compare from 71 car rental agencies in Bucharest.

Take a look at our extensive car rental catalog to find the best rental cars near you.

A Premium car rental in Bucharest costs €62 per day, on average.

Car Rentals in Bucharest – Everything You Need to Know

If you are renting a car in Bucharest, it’s good to know a few details about traffic, parking, and local rules to avoid unpleasant surprises.

Traffic – What You Need to Know

Bucharest is the most congested city in Romania, and traffic can be heavy throughout the day, especially during rush hours (07:30-10:00 and 16:30-19:00). The most crowded areas include Piața Unirii, Piața Victoriei, Șoseaua Kiseleff, Splaiul Independenței, and Pasajul Basarab.

If you want to get around faster, try using wider boulevards such as Șoseaua Mihai Bravu or Șoseaua Colentina and avoid the city center during peak hours.

Parking – Where and How Much Does It Cost?

Finding a parking spot in Bucharest, especially in the city center, can be challenging. The city hall has introduced different tariff zones:

Zone 0 (ultra-central) – 10 RON/hour (e.g., Piața Unirii, Universitate, Romană) Zone 1 (extended central area) – 5 RON/hour Zone 2 (peripheral area) – 2.5 RON/hour For secure parking, you can use underground parking lots at Piața Universității, Intercontinental, Centrul Vechi, or Mega Mall. Another option is the Park & Ride facility at Străulești, where you can park cheaply and take the metro to the city center.

Are Cars Towed in Bucharest?

Yes, in central areas and on major boulevards, illegally parked cars are frequently towed. The recovery fee is around 500-700 RON, so always check parking signs and avoid parking on sidewalks or in bus stops.

Roads and Driving Conditions

Main roads are in good condition, but construction work and potholes are common, especially after winter. One-way streets in the city center can be confusing if you’re unfamiliar with the area. Waze and Google Maps are very useful for navigation, but consider potential delays due to traffic.

Gas Stations and Electric Cars

Bucharest has plenty of gas stations (OMV, MOL, Petrom, Lukoil), and fuel prices are competitive. If you rent an electric car, you will find charging stations at malls (AFI, Băneasa, Promenada), gas stations, and even on some main boulevards.

Whether you're in town for business or a short visit, renting a car gives you the flexibility you need. Choose the right model and book it quickly!

What to Do in Case of an Accident?

If you are involved in an accident while driving a rental car, follow these essential steps:

Ensure all passengers are safe and move the car to a secure location if possible. Call 112 if there are injuries or significant damages. Fill out an amicable accident report if the accident is minor and there are no victims. Go to the Police if you cannot complete an amicable report or if multiple vehicles are involved. Notify the car rental company and follow their instructions.

Where to Go to the Police in Case of an Accident?

If the accident occurred in Bucharest and you need to report it to the police, go to the Traffic Police Headquarters: 📍 Address: Str. Logofăt Udriște nr. 9-15 ☎ Phone: 021 9544

If the accident happened on the A1 or A2 highways, you might need to go to the Highway Police: 📍 Address: Șos. București-Ploiești nr. 145, Otopeni ☎ Phone: 021 301 95 37

If you have rented a car and have been involved in an accident, inform the rental company as soon as possible. They will provide support and guide you through the necessary steps.

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What our customers say

T

Tamer Obeidat

8 days ago

Professional people. Cars for all tastes, clean and well maintained. I recommend!

A

Andrei Trandafir

7 days ago

An intuitive, easy-to-use platform with a wide range of affordable cars. I rented a Toyota C-HR for a few days and was pleasantly surprised by the help of the team at MasiniLaCheie.

A

Ana Ahmet

4 months ago

Recommend! Rental process was very easy, so was the pick up/drop off the car. Very good prices! Excellent communication!

posted on

Google

Rented a VW Taigo 2024
M

Mihaita Lazar

5 months ago

Everything went very smoothly, we found the car we wanted, made the reservation and received the car location details. The fact that there is the option to pay online by card makes me give 5 stars.

C

Costinel Draculet

3 months ago

Professional people and decent prices! I was called almost instantly after I made the reservation for confirmation. Then I got a full refund for the guarantee as I had to cancel the booking.

R

Roxana Grr

7 days ago

Great experience and very professional! I recommend them with confidence!

C

Cristian Ionescu

3 months ago

Their app if very user friendly. I used their service for a vacation rental and the whole process was stress free. I got exactly the car I wanted with only a few clicks. I recommend them with all my heart!

C

Cristian Voicu

2 months ago

Professional people and very good prices! Very friendly staff, I will gladly come back!

posted on

Google

Rented a BMW X3 2019

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