Car Hire in Bucharest

About Bucharest

Bucharest is a city in Romania, more precisely in the southeastern part of the country. This area was inhabited many years ago, there were several settlements here before Bucharest was founded. The name Bucharest was first mentioned in the 15th century. The city was founded on the banks of the Dâmbovița River. Bucharest experienced some ups and downs in the past, but step by step the city became bigger and more important. From 1659 to 1859 it was the capital of Wallachia and from 1859 to 1881 the capital of the United Principalities of Moldavia and Wallachia. Today Bucharest is the capital and the largest city of Romania and one of the most populous cities in the European Union. Bucharest is the cultural, financial, entertainment, and media center of Romania. It is the most developed and modernized city in the country and undoubtedly the city with the most opportunities. It is a city that is growing and developing in every way. It is undoubtedly the richest and most developed city in the region, slowly and steadily rising in the rankings of the European Union. This is also true for tourism. Romania is becoming more and more popular among tourists and travelers from all over the world. This is because it really has a lot to offer. Bucharest has many amazing historical, cultural, and religious sites to offer that are worth visiting, but beyond that, there are many other things to see and do in the capital of Romania. According to many studies, this is a destination with the greatest potential for tourism development in the European Union. Every year the number of tourists here is growing, in 2017 Bucharest was the European city with the highest growth of tourists staying here.

So, Bucharest gives you many reasons to come here and explore this interesting and culturally rich city. There is something happening in every corner of this city. Bucharest really has a unique charm, the locals are very talkative and friendly, so you will really have a great time in Bucharest. If you are taking a road trip through Romania, you should definitely put Bucharest on the list of cities where you will spend a few days, you will definitely not regret it. Bucharest might also be the perfect starting point for your road trip through Romania. Explore the capital and then rent a car and explore this beautiful country. Buckle up and drive safely!

Basic info and car hire in Bucharest

• Location: Southeastern Romania
• Population: 1,716,983
• Official language: Romanian
• Currency: Romanian leu
• Weather: Bucharest has a humid continental climate
• Internet coverage: Hotels, bars, restaurants, and cafes offer Wi-Fi.
• Road conditions:  Road conditions in Bucharest are generally good. There will be some potholes, but it has been improving in recent years. 
• Car hire in Bucharest:  Car hire in Bucharest is a great idea to explore all of what Romania has to offer. The most common pick-up location is at Bucharest Otopeni Airport. There are many different car rental companies available and they all offer competitive prices. So it's best to book a car three or eight weeks ahead of time - this will ensure you get an affordable rate! Alternatively, if your travel plans change last minute there are plenty around who can help out as well; just look no further than us here at Orbit Car Hire.

 Driving in Bucharest

If you want to explore Bucharest and especially Romania properly, a rental car here in Bucharest is the best solution for you. When you rent a car here, you can explore the country at your own pace and according to your own preferences. The city is well connected with the other parts of the country. When driving a car in Bucharest, it is very important that you fully concentrate on the road and your surroundings. This city is known for its difficult driving conditions. Besides cars, there are also many pedestrians here who are very brave and cross the streets whenever they want, so you should be extra careful. Some locals drive very fast here, so be sure to follow the rules and speed limits. Parking in Bucharest is quite a problem. It's best to find a parking garage or a parking lot where you pay for your parking time. This way your car will be better secured and you can explore the city center on foot.

Navigating Bucharest can also be quite difficult. It is best to use a navigation device because there are many similar streets and many one-way streets, so you can quickly get lost and drive in circles for half an hour.

• Age limits: The minimum age to drive a car in Romania is 18 years old. The minimum age to rent a car in Romania is 21 years old and with some suppliers for people over 75 years of age, you must also have held a driving license for a minimum of 12 months. Young driver surcharges may apply to many car rental companies for people under 25 years of age. This information is visible in the search engine with Orbit Car Hire.
• International Driving Permit: An International Driving Permit is required in addition to a National Driving License if the National Driving License you or any of the Additional Drivers hold is not clearly identifiable as a Driving License, eg, it is in a non-Latin alphabet (eg Arabic, Chinese, Cyrillic, Japanese). It can also depend on the country or car rental company you are renting with. If you have found a car on our website, you can press the rental terms link from the supplier for more information about driving license requirements. You will need to have identification with you such as a passport and ID cards. When you pick up your rental car you need to have your voucher with you.
• Additional papers: A credit card in the name of the main driver needs to be presented. A security deposit may be required while renting a car so the credit card must have sufficient funds. You can find details about the security deposit listed while booking the vehicle as well as on your voucher. It is important to have a valid driving license with the name of the main driver as well as additional drivers when it applies. You will need to have identification with you such as a passport and ID cards. When you pick up your rental car you need to have your voucher with you.
• Additional requirements: Reflective jackets (mandatory to carry in your vehicle and wear if walking on the road or hard shoulder in the event of emergency or breakdown), Warning triangle (compulsory in every vehicle with more than two wheels) , Headlamp beam deflectors (depending on your car, you will either need deflector stickers or have to adjust the beam manually), Fire extinguisher (compulsory in all vehicles), First aid kit (compulsory in all vehicles), Crash helmets are compulsory for riders of mopeds and motorcycles, as well as trikes and quads without closed bodywork. Mopeds and motorcycles on the road must have their lights on at all times. 
• Children in the car: Children under the age of 12 years are not allowed to travel in the front passenger seat. A child up to 3 years old must use an appropriate child restraint for their size. A child under 12 years of age and shorter than 150 cm must use either an appropriate child restraint or a booster seat.
• Driving side of the road: Right Hand
• Lights:  All vehicles must drive with their headlights on, between 22:00 and 6:00
• General speed limits: Romania uses the metric system for all road signs, meaning speed limits and other road signs including distance are indicated using kilometers and meters. These are the general speed limits for private cars:. In built-up areas 50km/h (unless otherwise stated on local signs), Outside built-up areas 90km/h – 100km/h (unless otherwise stated on local signs), Motorways 130km/h. 

Popular day trips from Bucharest

Bran Castle, Brasov, Peles Castle, Sibiu, Piatra Craiului National Park, Transfagarasan Highway, Rasnov Citadel, Slanic Prahova Salt Mine...

What to see in Bucharest

Bucharest is a very modern and developed city, but there are also many remains from the rich and long past, full of different events that have shaped the image of this city today. There are many interesting cultural, historical, and religious sites here, which are worth visiting and which make this city a popular destination for tourists and travelers from all over the world. Here in Bucharest, you will always find something for yourself. This is a culturally very rich city that has a lot to offer in the field of art and culture, but also a city with a very lively nightlife and many sporting events, etc. So if you are taking a road trip through Romania, you should put Bucharest on your list of cities to stop in and spend a few days, you will not regret it.

The National Village Museum Dimitrie Gusti is located on the entire west side of Herăstrău Park. It is a huge and impressive open-air museum with 270 buildings. These buildings are made of wood, stone, or cobblestones. The museum was founded in 1936. The houses were brought here from all over the country and rebuilt on the site of the museum. You can discover here different styles of buildings in Romania and learn a lot about life in the past.

The Palace of Parliament is a megalomaniac building that houses the Romanian Parliament. It is known as the largest administrative building in the world and when you come here you will be shocked by the size of this building, parts of which are still empty. The palace suffered a serious setback during the earthquake but was renovated in 1977.

Other places to visit and things to do in Bucharest: Romanian Athenaeum, Lipscani (Old Town), Romanian Peasant Museum, Herăstrău Park, Stavropoleos Church, National Museum of Art of, Romania, Dealul Mitropoliei, Romanian Patriarchal Cathedral, Revolution Square, Palatul Primăverii (Spring Palace), Grigore Antipa Museum of Natural History, Cismigiu Gardens, Cotroceni Palace, Museum of Art Collections, Calea Victoriei, Botanical Gardens, Bucharest Russian Church, Arcul de Triumf, ARCUB, George Enescu National Museum, Doamnei Church, National Museum of Romanian History, Manuc's Inn...

Drive your rental car beyond Bucharest

Romania is a country in Europe, more precisely at the crossroads of Central, Eastern, and Southeastern Europe. Romania has 5 neighboring countries, it borders Bulgaria to the south, Ukraine to the north, Hungary to the west, Serbia to the southwest, Moldova to the east and the Black Sea to the southeast. Romania is the twelfth most populous country in Europe and the sixth most populous member state of the European Union. The capital of Romania is Bucharest and there are several major cities in the country: Iași, Cluj-Napoca, Timișoara, Constanța, Craiova, Brașov, and Galați.

Romania is one of the hidden gems of Europe. Tourism here has developed strongly and quickly in the last decade and this country really has a lot to offer for every kind of tourist and traveler. There is really something for everyone who comes here. The offer is really huge. You can visit some great cities that are developing and modernized, but still full of remnants from the past and strong traditions and spirit. The cities here are very rich culturally and there are many cultural events throughout the year. There are many great museums, galleries, concerts, plays, operas, etc. that you should definitely visit while exploring Romania. But besides the bigger cities, Romania also has an excellent nature with all kinds of outdoor opportunities. You can do all kinds of sports activities here: climbing, hiking, cycling, mountain biking, swimming, kayaking, rafting, running, sailing, skiing, snowboarding, skating, etc. So, for those who are looking for an active holiday, this is undoubtedly the perfect destination, as you can find all kinds of activities here. Besides nature, you can also explore small towns and villages. You will meet very friendly locals here, who is very positive and always ready to help and guide you. When you come to some traditional small Romanian villages, you will get a glimpse of the traditional life of the people in Romania. The traditions are really interesting and unique and the best part is that they are very different from one part of the country to another. Romania is known as a country of many faces and as you drive through Romania, you will notice that life is very different in the north than in the south. There are differences from village to village and all this makes Romania an even richer country. The different parts of the country are well connected. The roads are generally in good condition, but there are some roads, especially in the rural areas, that are not so well maintained and can have some holes. This means that you should reduce your speed if necessary.

Places to see and things to do in Romania: Dracula's Castle in Transylvania, Romania's most beautiful castle: Peleș Castle, A Gothic masterpiece in Brasov: The Black Church, Brukenthal and Astra Museums in Sibiu, Bohemia, Hiking in the wild Carpathian Mountains, Romania's most famous natural landscape: the Danube Delta, discover how good Romanian wines are, observe brown bears in their natural habitat, admire the 500-year-old painted monasteries of Bukovina, take a slow and scenic steam train ride, travel back to the Middle Ages in the UNESCO citadel of Sighișoara, taste traditional Romanian food and tasty vegetables, ride an underground Ferris wheel in the Turda salt mine, visit the largest building in Europe: Palace of Parliament in Bucharest, drive on the famous Transfăgărășan highway, enjoy the nightlife in Bucharest Old Town, see the Romanian Sphinx in Bucegi Mountains, experience the authentic Romanian village life, visit Romania's, Haunted Forest...

Where to eat, drink, and party in Bucharest

Romania is a great destination to explore the flavors of Eastern European cuisine. Bucharest is full of different restaurants where you can either eat traditional, authentic Romanian food, but there are also some restaurants where you can experience more modern Romanian cuisine, and of course, there are also places where you can order menus from all over the world. So the offer is really huge and it's up to you what kind of dishes you prefer, but one thing is for sure, you will not stay hungry in Bucharest.

Here are some traditional meals from Bucharest: Scovergi (Romanian fried dough), Mici (Romanian sausages), Sarmale (stuffed cabbage rolls), Mămăligă (polenta), Papanasi (Romanian dessert), Romanian wine,...

BEST PLACES FOR A PARTY IN BUCHAREST:

Face Club

BOA-Beat of Angels

Nuba Summervibes

Oxya by Bamboo

Best restaurant in Bucharest

18 Lounge

Stadio Restaurants Herastrau

Stadio-Unirii

Trattoria Mezzaluna

Haute Pepper

Amethyst Sky Bar