Car Hire in Cluj-Napoca

About Cluj-Napoca

Cluj-Napoca is a city in Romania, more precisely in the northwestern part of the country. It is the capital of Cluj County and the city with the second-highest population in the country. The city of Cluj was first mentioned in the 13th century, although the settlements here existed many years before. The city was founded in the valley of the Someșul Mic River. People consider Cluj as the capital of the historical province of Transylvania.

This is a city with a very long, rich, and turbulent past. Like the whole country and the whole region, Cluj has experienced some ups and downs in the past. Today, the city is very important in many ways. Cluj is an academic, cultural, industrial, and business center of Romania and there are many students living here, which also makes it a very lively and young city with vibrant nightlife and many great faculties. Cluj-Napoca held the title of European Youth Capital in 2015 and European City of Sports in 2018. Moreover, many tourists and travelers from all over the world come to this interesting and charming city. There is a lot to see and do here and if you come to Cluj-Napoca, you will have the opportunity to visit many great cultural, historical, and religious sites. Thanks to its excellent geographical location, Cluj is very well connected with other parts of the country and also with other cities in the region (Budapest, Belgrade, etc.).

So, if you are taking a road trip through Romania or through the Balkans, you should put Cluj-Napoca on your list of places where you will stop and spend a few days. Cluj-Napoca is also a perfect starting point for your road trip through Romania. It's up to you what plans you have, but one thing is for sure: you will definitely not be bored in Cluj-Napoca.

Basic info and car hire in Cluj-Napoca

• Location: Northwestern Romania
• Population: 324,576
• Official language: Romanian
• Currency: Romanian leu
• Weather: Cluj-Napoca has a humid continental climate
• Internet coverage: Hotels, bars, restaurants, and cafes offer Wi-Fi.
• Road conditions:  Road conditions in Cluj-Napoca are generally good. 
• Car hire in Cluj-Napoca:  Car hire in Cluj-Napoca is a great idea to explore all of what Romania has to offer. The most common pick-up location is at Cluj-Napoca 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 Cluj-Napoca

If you want to explore Cluj-Napoca and the country of Romania properly, a rental car is the best option. The city is well connected with other parts of the country and also with other countries. The main roads are generally in good condition, and the signaling is clear, so all you have to do is follow the traffic rules, follow the signs, buckle up, and drive safely. If you want to explore the city center, it is best to leave your car in a parking lot (check prices and payment methods) and explore the city center on foot or combine walking with using public transport. When driving in Cluj-Napoca, 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.

• 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 Cluj-Napoca

The Calata Region, The Ardeal Delta, Rimetea, Turda Salt Mine and Turda Gorge, Marisel, The Bride’s Veil Waterfall, Rosia Montana...

What to see in Cluj-Napoca

Cluj-Napoca is a city with a long, rich, and turbulent past. Romania is a country with strong character and tradition and you feel that immediately when you come to Romania. It is no different here in Cluj. It is a very lively city, with many students living there, so there is lively nightlife all year round. Also, there is really a lot to see and do here. Cluj offers a large number of exceptional cultural, historical, and religious sights, which make this city a popular destination for tourists and travelers from all over the world.

One of the attractions that you should not miss is St. Michael's Church. This majestic architectural masterpiece was built in the 15th century and is located in Unirii Square. This church is unique in many ways. It is breathtaking both from the inside and the outside. It was renovated in the 20th century and is now one of the most iconic buildings in the city.

Another sight you should visit here is the Cluj-Napoca Art Museum. This museum is located near St. Michael's Church in a baroque residential building from the 18th century. In addition to many great architectural details and interior design, you can also see a great collection of artwork from Romania and beyond. This is a truly culturally rich country and you can feel that when you visit this museum.

Other things to do and places to visit in Cluj-Napoca: Botanical Garden, National Museum of Transylvanian History, Pharmacy History Collection, Parcul Central, Orthodox Metropolitan Cathedral, Piarists' Church, Romulus Vuia Ethnographic Park, Reformed Church, Casa Matia (Matthias Corvinus House), Matthias Corvinus Monument, Lake Tarnița, Turda Gorge, Kürtőskalács...

Drive your rental car beyond Cluj-Napoca

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 are 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 Cluj-Napoca

Romania is a perfect destination to discover the flavors of Eastern European cuisine. Here in Cluj, you can also try traditional Transylvanian dishes, known to be rich and full of flavor. Of course, in the city of Cluj, there are many different restaurants where you can enjoy all kinds of cuisine. You can order traditional Romanian or local dishes or enjoy modern Romanian cuisine. There are also restaurants where you can enjoy menus from all over the world.

WHERE TO PARTY IN CLUJ-NAPOCA:

Flying Circus PUB

Old Shepherd Pub & Bar

Londoner Pub

Shto College Bar

Tube - Social Chemistry

Insomnia Café & Bistro

My Way Club

After Eight Cocktail Club

Best restaurant in Cluj-Napoca

Tokyo Japanese Restaurant

Ciao New York

Tortelli Pasta Bar

Makeba

Roata

DOT District of Toast