Car Hire in Iasi

About Iasi

Iasi is a city in Romania, more precisely in the eastern part of the country. Historically, this city is also known as Jassy. Today it is the third largest city in Romania and the seat of Iași County. Historically, Iasi was the capital of the historical region of Moldova. Iasi has a long and rich past full of turbulence and many events that have shaped the character and spirit of this city. It was the capital of the Principality of Moldavia from 1564 to 1859, of the United Principalities from 1859 to 1862, and of Romania from 1916 to 1918.

Traditionally known as the cultural capital of Romania, Iasi has always been one of the leading centers of Romanian social, cultural, academic, and artistic life.

There is evidence of human life here from prehistoric times. There were settlements in this area long ago, but the first time Iasi was mentioned was in the 13th century. The city is located in the valley of the Bahlui River, a tributary of the Jijia River (a tributary of the Prut River). Around the city, there is wonderful nature with many forests, valleys, etc., so there are perfect conditions for agriculture as well.

Iasi is one of the most important educational centers in the country. There are many students living in Iasi, which makes it a very lively city with very lively nightlife. The oldest Romanian university is located here in Iasi. There are also many other important institutions in the city, which make Iasi a very important destination for people from Romania. Of course, there are also many different cultural, historical, and religious sites here that are worth visiting and that make Iasi a popular destination for tourists and travelers from all over the world. So, if you are planning a road trip through Romania, be sure to put Iasi on the list of cities where you will stop and spend a few days, you will not regret it. Fasten your seatbelts and drive safely!

Basic info and car hire in Iasi

• Location: Eastern Romania
• Population: 290,422
• Official language: Romanian
• Currency: Romanian leu
• Weather: Iasi has a humid continental climate
• Internet coverage: Hotels, bars, restaurants, and cafes offer Wi-Fi.
• Road conditions:  Road conditions in Iasi are generally good. 
• Car hire in Iasi:  Car hire in Iasi is a great idea to explore all of what Romania has to offer. The most common pick-up location is at Iasi 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 Iasi

If you want to properly explore the city of Iasi and its surroundings, then a rental car is the best option here. Romania and the entire Balkans are great destinations for people who enjoy road trips. The landscapes are truly breathtaking, there is always something to see and do and the locals are really nice and friendly. The main roads are generally in good condition. However, you should be a bit more careful when driving on the local roads as there are often holes in the road and you should reduce your speed according to the road conditions. If you want to explore the Iasi city center, it is best to park your car and explore the city center on foot. It is best to park your car in a parking garage or a guarded parking lot to be sure that your car is safe. When you are done exploring the city center, you can get back in your car and drive around Iasi, you will enjoy the ride. Fasten your seat belt and drive safely!

• 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 Iasi

Churches of Bucovina, Miclauseni, Carp Mansion from Tibanesti, Cantacuzino-Pascanu Mansion from Popesti, Polizu Mansion from Maxut, Sturdza Palace from Miroslava, Bicaz Gorges-Hasmas National Park and Ceahlau National Park...

What to see in Iasi

Iasi is a city with a very strong tradition, which is mainly due to a very rich, long, and turbulent past. Today it is a very attractive destination for tourists and travelers from all over the world, but also for people from Romania. The city is also the cultural capital of the country. So, before coming to Iasi, you should make a good plan, because there is really a lot to see and do here, and you should be well prepared if you want to be as efficient as possible.

In Iasi, there are many great places that you should visit. You should definitely take your time and visit some of the museums in the city.

The Palace of Culture is the main landmark of the city. With its majestic tower, you will have a breathtaking view of the city and its surroundings. This building houses four museums: the Historical Museum of Moldova, the Art Museum of Iași, the Ethnographic Museum of Moldova, and the Stefan Procopiu Museum of Science and Technology...

Romania is also known for its great theatre productions and if you come to Iasi, you should take the time to see a play at the Vasile Alecsandri National Theatre.

Other places to visit and things to do in Iasi: are Gheorghe Asachi Library, Moldavian Metropolitan Cathedral, Three Holy Hierarchs Monastery, and Iași Botanical Gardens. Botanical Garden, Copou Park,...

Drive your rental car beyond Iasi

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 Iasi

Romania is a perfect destination to discover the flavors of Eastern European cuisine. The cuisine here is very rich and tasty. In Iasi, you can find many different restaurants. You can sit down in a restaurant where you can order traditional Romanian or local dishes, there are also restaurants with more modern Romanian cuisine and of course, there are restaurants where you can order menus from all over the world. So, the offer is really huge and it is up to you what kind of dishes you prefer, but one thing is for sure, you will not go hungry in Iasi.

WHERE TO PARTY:

Oddity

Sotarie

La Baza

Meru

Cafeneaua Piata Unirii

College Bar & Grill

Fratelli

Oxford - Things Happen

Best restaurant in Iasi

Toujours

Vivo Fusion and Food Bar

Cuib

Romeo e Giulietta Pizzeria Restaurant

Blue Acqua Restaurant – Iasi

Mamma Mia Restaurant & Catering