Car rental in Bucharest

Car rental in Bucharest offers an excellent opportunity to make your journey comfortable and fulfilling. While the city has a well-developed public transport infrastructure, traveling between locations by metro or bus—especially with connections—takes considerable time. Car rental solves this problem effectively.

Romania's capital combines several eras: from the reign of Vlad the Impaler to modern Europe. Ancient Orthodox churches stand alongside pompous socialist-era architecture and elegant Art Nouveau buildings. Monuments, palaces, museums, theaters, and galleries reflect the richness of Romanian culture and folk traditions.

Benefits of Renting Through Localrent

Localrent is a car booking service that aggregates the best offers from local rental companies. The well-designed filter system helps eliminate unsuitable options. You'll select and book a car matching your requirements in just a few minutes.

Clients come to us and stay for the long term thanks to our advantages:

1. Transparent pricing. The service immediately shows the cost of car rental, additional services, and extras. The price doesn't change after booking confirmation.
2. Large vehicle inventory. On the website, you'll find compact city cars, minivans, mid-range vehicles, and luxury options. Selection by brand is available.
3. Small deposit. When booking, you pay 15–20% of the rental cost and options. The remaining amount is due only when collecting the vehicle.
4. Remote service. The booking process is automated and takes minimal time.
5. Quality support. Customer service continues even after the rental begins. For example, if you can't reach the rental company or a dispute arises during vehicle pickup/return.

Requirements for Car Rental

The list of documents required for rental is standard across all companies:

• Passport
• Valid driver's license permitting vehicle operation in Romania
• Booking voucher (sent to your email immediately after deposit payment)

Different rental companies set different requirements for renter age and driving experience. We indicate these in each specific vehicle listing. You can filter unsuitable offers using search settings.

Traffic Regulations in Romania

Romania is part of the European Union, and traffic regulations follow European standards. Traffic flows on the right side. The only challenge foreign travelers in Bucharest might encounter: not all road signs include English translations. However, thanks to standardized design, understanding sign meanings isn't difficult.

In Bucharest, headlights must be on day and night. Drivers and passengers must wear seatbelts while the vehicle is in motion. Children over 3 years old and under 150 cm tall are prohibited from sitting in the front passenger seat. Children under 3 years old and shorter than 135 cm may only be transported in a child seat.

Maximum speed limits depend on the type of area:

• Residential yards and courtyard zones — 20 km/h
• Roads within populated areas — 50 km/h
• Highways outside populated areas — 90 km/h
• Expressways — 100 km/h
• Motorways — 130 km/h

Traffic Flow Insights

Local drivers in Bucharest maintain relatively calm driving habits. The explanation is straightforward: the entire capital is equipped with traffic cameras that detect violations. Beyond the capital, away from camera surveillance, drivers can be less restrained. They may change lanes abruptly and use their horns frequently. Don't take it personally—this is more of a local tradition.

Fuel Stations

Bucharest has numerous fuel stations. Any fuel type is available: petrol, diesel, and LPG. Many stations are equipped with charging points for electric vehicles. Additionally, charging is available at public stations in parking areas, shopping centers, and hotels.

The farther you travel from the city and major motorways, the fewer fuel stations you'll encounter. If you're planning trips outside Bucharest—especially to rural areas—avoid renting an electric vehicle. Charging will definitely present challenges.

Parking in Bucharest

Parking signs are easy to recognize—a Latin letter P on a blue background. If the markings near the sign are white, parking is free; blue markings indicate paid parking with posted regulations. In the latter case, cost and payment methods are displayed on adjacent signs. During evening hours, parking is free even in commercial lots. Free parking hours are also indicated on signs.

Parking Availability

Finding parking spaces, even paid ones, is straightforward except in the tourist center. In outlying areas and away from major attractions, parking presents no problems.

How to Book a Car in Bucharest

The Localrent interface is maximally simple and intuitive. We've prepared instructions to ensure you won't get confused:

1. Fill in the "Pick-up" and "Return" fields, mark rental dates in the calendar
2. Click the "Filters" button and check off your important search criteria, specify car brand, driver age and experience, necessary options (child seat, booster, etc.)
3. Review and compare options by opening vehicle listings
4. Click on the image of your preferred car. Add necessary additional services and click "Continue"
5. Specify exact time and location for vehicle pickup/return, complete the driver information section and contact details. Pay for the order using your preferred method

The booking process is now complete. Check your email for the voucher containing reservation information and rental company contacts.

Attractions to Visit

Bucharest is a city of contrasting architecture. Ottoman Empire-era buildings that survived World War II are complemented by French Renaissance-style palaces with Baroque elements and unremarkable panel buildings from later periods. We recommend taking a walking tour with a guide who can explain how the capital's architectural style developed.

Here are 5 attractions worth visiting in Bucharest:

1. Royal Palace of Bucharest. A monumental building that served as the monarchs' residence until 1947. Today it houses the National Museum of Art of Romania with over 60,000 exhibits. Near the palace stand equally significant landmarks: the Memorial of Rebirth and the Romanian Athenaeum—an architectural calling card of the capital styled after the Athens Acropolis.
2. Victory Avenue (Calea Victoriei). One of Bucharest's most famous and oldest streets. In the early 17th century, boyars from the Moldavian and Wallachian principalities (later united into Romania) built houses here. Victory Avenue is considered the birthplace of Neo-Romanian architectural style—a unique combination of Byzantine and Ottoman motifs, Renaissance, and Baroque.
3. University Square. Four iconic Bucharest buildings stand here: the University of Bucharest, the "Ion Luca Caragiale" National Theatre, Colțea Hospital in neoclassical style with an attached 1702 church, and Suțu Palace with exhibitions dedicated to Romanian history. Parking in the center is quite tight: if choosing between a crossover and a compact sedan—take the latter.
4. Palace of the Parliament. Built in Socialist Realist style by order of Nicolae Ceaușescu. The largest administrative building in Europe and second in the world after the Pentagon. The structure embodies the Romanian dictator's ambitions. Its construction consumed enormous quantities of marble, crystal, and precious wood, while surrounding historic buildings were ruthlessly destroyed.
5. Dimitrie Gusti National Village Museum. The museum's exhibits are authentic village houses and farm buildings transported to the capital from various regions of the country. The exposition allows immersion into traditional Romanian village life, acquaintance with unique architecture and historical lifestyle, and learning about Romania's history and culture.

Where to Rent a Car in Bucharest

You can choose your vehicle pickup location during the booking stage. Most tourists arrive by plane at the airport, so they opt to collect the car immediately upon arrival. This saves time and money on transfers.

Those arriving by train at Bucharest Nord Central Railway Station (Gara de Nord) find it more convenient to order vehicle delivery directly to the station or their hotel.

All popular locations can be viewed on the main page in the "Specify location" filter.

Tips for Road Trippers

When planning a trip to another country, prepare for your journey in advance. Advice from experienced travelers helps ensure nothing is overlooked.

Prepare Your Documents

Basic rule: check document expiration dates. Without a valid driver's license, you won't be able to rent a car, even if you've already paid for the rental. An expired passport jeopardizes the entire trip. Obtaining new documents in several days is either impossible or very expensive.

Inspect the Vehicle

Inspection, contract signing, and photographic documentation of all vehicle defects help avoid disputes with the rental company upon return. You'll easily prove that damage already existed on the vehicle at pickup. You won't have to pay for it.

Arrange for a Vignette

A vignette—a sticker with a chip attached to the windshield—is required for toll road travel. Typically, rental companies provide vehicles already equipped with this permit. However, nuances may exist. If it turns out there's no vignette, ask the rental company where to purchase one.

Frequently Asked Questions