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Hire A Car In Craiova And Explore Oltenia On Your Terms

Compare competitive prices and use this practical UK-focused guide to pick the right pickup point, understand insurance and fees, and drive away with confidence in and around Craiova.

UK Traveller Guide
Craiova Car Hire Guide For UK Travellers
Hiring a car in Craiova is a straightforward way to unlock the wider Dolj and Oltenia region—useful if you are visiting nearby towns, countryside attractions, or travelling on a tight schedule where public transport may be infrequent. For UK travellers, the main advantages are flexibility and often good value outside peak periods; the main trade-offs are deposits, fuel-policy rules, and occasional limited availability of automatic cars. Craiova generally has lighter traffic than Bucharest, but allow extra time at busy junctions and watch for speed limits and pedestrians. Pick-up is typically either at Craiova International Airport (quick arrival-to-road transfer) or in the city centre (often easier if you do not want to drive immediately after landing).
Alamo
Avis
National
Budget
Europcar
Enterprise
+ more
Craiova International Airport (CRA) – Arrivals Hall / Car Hire Desks
Best for the fastest start after landing. You can usually find rental counters or meet-and-greet collection arranged near the arrivals area or car park. Advantages: convenient for late arrivals, easy to load luggage, and good for direct onward trips outside the city. Disadvantages: airport surcharges may apply, queues can form around flight arrival times, and choice may be limited if you arrive very late without a confirmed reservation.
Craiova City Centre – Calea București (Central Arterial Road)
A practical option if you prefer to settle in first and collect later. Advantages: often simpler pickup if you are already staying centrally, and it can be easier to inspect the vehicle in daylight. Disadvantages: parking and one-way streets can make collection and return slower, and traffic can be heavier at commuting times.
Craiova Railway Station Area (Gara Craiova)
Useful if you arrive by train from elsewhere in Romania. Advantages: good connectivity for travellers combining rail and road, and taxis/public transport are readily available. Disadvantages: limited on-street parking for handover, and local congestion may increase at peak times.
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Hire a Car in Craiova and Cruise Through Oltenia

From Brâncuși sculptures in Târgu Jiu to the Iron Gates on the Danube, choose the right car for your Romanian road trip and explore more popular picks nearby.

City & Vineyards

Small

Nimble, Cheap to Run
5
2
Auto

Craiova's compact centre around the Art Museum, Madona Dudu Church and Romanescu Park has narrow streets and tight bays that punish anything oversized. A small hatchback slips in easily, sips fuel across the flat Oltenia plains, and keeps daily rates friendly for British holidaymakers watching the budget. It is also ideal for short hops south to the Segarcea wine estate, where country lanes reward a light, easy-to-park motor. Couples and solo travellers will find it the smartest urban choice.

Carpathian Foothills

SUV

Ready for Winding Hill Roads
5
3
Auto

The drive north to Horezu Monastery and the Subcarpathian valleys winds through occasional gravel sections, potholed patches and steep single-carriageway descents that catch out low-clearance cars. A compact SUV gives British drivers the extra ground clearance, higher seating position and confidence to tackle rural driveways in any season. Four-wheel drive is reassuring when snow arrives between November and March, and the boot easily swallows hiking boots and day bags. It is the safest bet for families heading into the hills.

Danube & Motorway Touring

Medium

Comfortable Long-Distance Cruiser
5
2
Auto

Reaching the Iron Gates via Drobeta-Turnu Severin, crossing to Bulgaria at Calafat-Vidin, or running the 230 km down the A1 to Bucharest all involve long, fast stints where a medium saloon or estate truly comes into its own. Cruise control, supportive seats and a quieter cabin take the strain out of hours behind the wheel. An automatic gearbox suits British drivers unaccustomed to constant gearchanges on sweeping Trans-European routes, and the boot easily takes two large suitcases for a fortnight on the road.

Choose Your Ride

Find the perfect vehicle for your trip. Compare options below.

Airport Pickup
City Centre Pickup

Fastest Start: Pick Up At Craiova International Airport (CRA)

Airport pickup suits UK travellers who want to get on the road immediately after arrival, especially with luggage or an onward itinerary outside Craiova. Availability is usually best around flight schedules, and you can often access a wider range of cars than smaller city locations. Do confirm opening hours, the exact meeting point (desk vs meet-and-greet), and whether any airport location surcharge applies.

logo
City RunaboutSmall
Renault Clio

Renault Clio

AlamoIn terminal, Walk to counter
5
1
4
Auto
Cancellationcancellation fees apply
Deposit$332.80
MileageUnlimited
PaymentCredit Card
Check Rates
logo
City RunaboutSmall
Renault Clio

Renault Clio

Budget0.1 mi
5
1
4
Auto
Cancellationcancellation fees apply
Deposit$706.25
MileageUnlimited
PaymentCredit Card
Check Rates
logo
City RunaboutSmall
Renault Clio

Renault Clio

AvisIn terminal, Walk to counter
5
1
4
Auto
Cancellationcancellation fees apply
Deposit$747.17
MileageUnlimited
PaymentCredit Card
Check Rates
logo
People CarrierVan
Dacia Jogger

Dacia Jogger

AlamoIn terminal, Walk to counter
5
2
4
Manual
Cancellationcancellation fees apply
Deposit$594.29
MileageUnlimited
PaymentCredit Card
Check Rates
logo
People CarrierVan
Dacia Jogger

Dacia Jogger

EnterpriseIn terminal, Walk to counter
5
2
4
Manual
Cancellationcancellation fees apply
Deposit$594.29
MileageUnlimited
PaymentCredit Card
Check Rates
logo
People CarrierVan
Dacia Jogger

Dacia Jogger

NationalIn terminal, Walk to counter
5
2
4
Manual
Cancellationcancellation fees apply
Deposit$594.29
MileageUnlimited
PaymentCredit Card
Check Rates
logo
Motorway CruiserLarge
Ford Focus Estate

Ford Focus Estate

AlamoIn terminal, Walk to counter
5
3
4
Auto
Cancellationcancellation fees apply
Deposit$594.29
MileageUnlimited
PaymentCredit Card
Check Rates
logo
Motorway CruiserLarge
Ford Focus Estate

Ford Focus Estate

EnterpriseIn terminal, Walk to counter
5
3
4
Auto
Cancellationcancellation fees apply
Deposit$594.29
MileageUnlimited
PaymentCredit Card
Check Rates
logo
Motorway CruiserLarge
Ford Focus Estate

Ford Focus Estate

NationalIn terminal, Walk to counter
5
3
4
Auto
Cancellationcancellation fees apply
Deposit$594.29
MileageUnlimited
PaymentCredit Card
Check Rates

Craiova Car Hire Ratings from Real Drivers

Browse honest reviews and star ratings from travellers who collected their rental cars in Craiova, helping you choose a trusted local hire company.

Rental companyRatingAvg. Daily RatePickup Method/DistanceSecurity depositAccepts Debit CardsKey Advantages
AutonomBest Overall
4.5
59 reviews
$63In terminal, Walk to counter-
  • Friendly and professional staff
  • Brand new cars in excellent condition
  • Transparent pricing no hidden fees
  • Flexible pick-up and drop-off options
  • Quick and efficient service
Klass wagenBest Overall
4.2
17,400+ reviews
$67Shuttle busLow deposit
  • Professional friendly staff
  • Brand new cars
  • Quick easy booking process
Routes
3.7
1 review
$464.7 mi from Craiova Downtown
$2,222
  • Helpful trip planning resources
  • Easy to navigate website interface
  • Valuable travel information
Enterprise
3.2
1 review
$46In terminal, Walk to counter
$330 - $1,178
  • Lovely Ford Kuga car
  • Initially impressive service
  • Standard pickup process
Alamo
2.5
7 reviews
$43In terminal, Walk to counter
$585 - $1,178
  • Professional and Polite Staff
  • Vehicle Upgrade Available
  • Standard Rental Process
National
2.5
25 reviews
$58In terminal, Walk to counter
$330 - $1,178
  • Helpful staff members
  • Easy pick-up process
  • Quality vehicle fleet

*Rating and review data are sourced from Trustpilot. Policy details may vary by location and vehicle type. Please confirm at the time of booking.

Data source: QEEQ Car Rental
Last updated: Jun. 13 2026
Essential Rental Hub
Everything you need to know before you drive off. Select a topic to get the full brakdown.
Your Guide to Fuelling in Romania
This guide provides essential information for fuelling your rental car in Romania, including how to identify petrol and diesel, payment procedures, and tips for choosing the right petrol station.
View details

Platform Insights

Car Rental Expert Advice

By QEEQ Platform Expert Team

Expertise Metrics

Platform Recognition

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Booking Volume

Review Quality

10,000+ verified 5-star reviews

Market Experience

Data Authority

Expertise Verification

QEEQ data verified against local official data sources

Key Expert Insights

Platform Analysis

"Craiova Airport (CRA) accounts for 45% of rentals, with city centre locations growing at 12% annually. Online booking represents 75% of all reservations."

Booking Patterns

"Economy vehicles dominate with 33% share, while SUV bookings rose 18% year-on-year. Summer rentals peak at 40% above annual average, with 5-7 day average rental duration."

Customer Pain Points

"38% of renters report confusion over insurance coverage options, with 28% citing hidden fees as primary complaint during vehicle collection."

Data Sources

  • QEEQ internal booking databse
  • Romania Car Rental Market Analysis
  • Avis Budget Group Annual Report
  • European Car Rental Market Report
  • ACEA Tourism Statistics
  • Euro Consumer Pain Points Survey
  • Rentalcars.com Customer Feedback Report

Drive Craiova: Your Ultimate Romanian Road Trip Guide

Discover essential driving and travel information for exploring Craiova and Romania's scenic roads, from speed limits to fuel prices and car hire deals.

LANGUAGES

Romanian

CURRENCY

RON

DRIVE ON

Right-hand side

COUNTRY CODE

+40

AVERAGE CAR RENTAL PRICE

$35 per day

AVERAGE CAR RENTAL LENGTH

7 days

SPEED LIMIT WITHIN TOWN

50 km/h

SPEED LIMIT OUT OF TOWN

130 km/h

ACCEPTABLE LIMIT OF BAC

0.00% (Zero Tolerance)

AVERAGE GAS PRICE

$1.88/L

LOWEST / HIGHEST GAS PRICE

$0.97/L - $2.16/L

Hiring a Car in Craiova: Essential FAQs for UK Drivers

Everything British road-trippers need to know about driving in and around Craiova, from licences and tolls to winter chains and parking

Do I need an International Driving Permit to drive in Romania from the UK?
Yes. Since Brexit, your UK photocard licence alone is not enough — you also need a 1949 Geneva Convention IDP (Romania does not accept the 1968 Vienna one). It costs around £5.50 from the RAC or AA, is valid for 12 months, and must be carried with your photocard at all times. Police spot checks are common on the DN6 and DN65 near Craiova, and driving without the IDP risks a fine of up to RON 1,000 (about £170) plus a possible 24-hour roadside ban.
Are the roads around Craiova really full of potholes, or is that just scaremongering?
Main routes out of Craiova (DN6 towards Bucharest, DN65 to the Danube) are generally decent, but secondary roads in Dolj county are often rough, with deep potholes, sunken drain covers and unmarked patchwork. Drive slower than feels sensible — 50–60 km/h on rural A-roads after dark is wise. Unlit country lanes also see horse-drawn carts, cyclists and stray dogs, so keep your headlights on full beam where possible. Take the full damage waiver: alloy and under-body claims are the single most common hire-car complaint in southern Romania.
How does the motorway toll work, and do I need a vignette for a day trip to Bucharest?
Romania uses an electronic vignette (rovinietă) — you pay for time, not distance, and there are no toll booths. A 7-day vignette for a car costs about €7 (RON 32); a 30-day one around €16. Buy it online at roviniete.ro, at any Petrom, OMV or Rompetrol pump, or at the border. ANPR cameras catch untolled vehicles, and on-the-spot fines are RON 250–500. The DN6 Craiova–Bucharest corridor is partially motorway, so a vignette is essential even for a short trip.
Can I take the hire car into the Carpathian mountains, and will I need winter chains?
Yes, but check the contract — most firms allow travel to Transfăgărășan, Transalpina and the Prahova Valley, though some ban non-EU border crossings. Winter tyres or chains are compulsory on any road marked with the blue snowflake sign between 1 November and 31 March, and police actively enforce this around Sibiu, Brașov and the Rânca pass. Chains can be pre-booked with the car for roughly RON 30–50 per day. Transfăgărășan and Transalpina are completely closed to traffic from November until late June — don't plan a winter crossing.
I'm 23 — how much extra will I be charged as a young driver in Craiova?
Expect a young-driver surcharge of €10–€20 per day on top of the base rate at all the major international firms (Sixt, Hertz, Avis, Europcar, Goldcar). The minimum rental age in Romania is 21, with at least one year of licence held; a few local firms in Craiova will rent from 19 at a much steeper fee. There is no statutory upper age limit, but drivers over 70 may be asked for a recent medical letter. Always book the under-25 fee in advance — paying at the counter triples the charge.
Is it easy to park in central Craiova, and how do I pay without getting fined?
Central Craiova — Strada Unirii, the Old Town, and the area around the Prefect's office — is a paid blue zone, roughly RON 1–2 per hour, Monday–Saturday 08:00–17:00, free on Sundays and evenings. Pay with coins at the on-street meter, by SMS to 7420 (text your plate), or via the TPARK app. Avoid pavements, yellow lines and the residential side streets off Strada Arieș — local wardens are diligent and fines start at RON 130, rising to RON 500 if unpaid within 15 days.

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