Renting a car at GHV is the path of least friction for any trip that involves Bran Castle, the Transfăgărășan, Sighișoara, or simply driving back to Bucharest. The on-airport rental presence is currently lighter than at Bucharest Otopeni, which means three practical implications: pre-book online rather than walking up, choose a recognisable international brand if you want familiar terms, and read the cross-border line of the rental agreement before you sign.

On-airport vs city desks

The terminal hosts a small set of rental desks inside arrivals — picking up there saves a taxi to a city desk. If you don’t see your preferred brand on the airport’s list when you book, the alternative is to grab a transfer into Brașov and pick up at a city desk; the city inventory is broader (more vehicle classes, more brands) but it costs you a transfer and a return-leg taxi.

The decision matrix is straightforward: short rental + airport-to-airport trip → on-airport desk; long rental + flexible itinerary → city desk is fine; one-way rental (drop-off in Bucharest, for instance) → call the rental company directly before booking, because the one-way fee can be a meaningful slice of the daily rate.

Age, licence, and what to bring to the desk

Minimum age: most brands rent from 21, with a “young driver surcharge” up to 25 on certain classes. Premium classes (SUV, executive) sometimes require 25 or 30 — confirm before booking.

Licence: an EU licence is accepted in full. Non-EU drivers can rent with their home licence + an International Driving Permit (IDP); some desks accept the home licence alone if it’s in Roman script. UK, US, Canadian, Australian, and New Zealand licences are all routinely accepted with an IDP. The desk will photocopy your licence; have it physically with you (a phone photo doesn’t count).

Deposit: every rental requires a credit-card hold. Most desks refuse debit cards; pre-paid cards are nearly always refused. The hold typically sits in the €200-600 band depending on vehicle class and insurance package. Check the hold has been released within 30 days of the return.

Passport / ID: bring it. The desk records it against the agreement; some brands require it digitally photographed for the contract.

Insurance and the deductible

The line that determines whether your trip ends with a happy invoice or an argument: what does the standard package cover, and what’s the deductible? A typical Romanian rental has Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) and Theft Protection (TP) built in, with a deductible in the €500-1500 band on a compact and higher on premium classes. The desk will offer to “buy down” the deductible to zero for an additional daily fee.

Decision factors:

  • One-day Bran-and-back trips on paved roads: standard package usually fine.
  • Multi-day trips with mountain passes and Transfăgărășan-style alpine roads: a deductible buy-down is worth considering — gravel kicks paint, and tyre / windshield events are surprisingly common on the mountain roads.
  • Drivers on a company credit card that already includes CDW: confirm the card’s policy covers Romania before you decline the desk insurance; some cards have geographic exclusions.

Always decline the unhelpfully-named “extras” you don’t need — premium roadside, in-car wifi, second-driver fees — they add up fast.

Cross-border and one-way

EU cross-border is generally allowed without paperwork (Hungary, Bulgaria, etc.). Moldova, Ukraine, Serbia, and other non-EU neighbours usually require explicit written permission from the rental company, and some brands flatly prohibit it. If you’re planning a cross-border leg, mention it at booking — the agent will either add the country to your agreement or steer you to a class that’s allowed.

One-way drops within Romania (e.g. GHV → Otopeni) usually carry a flat fee; one-way across borders can be more expensive or unavailable. Confirm before you commit.

What to expect on the road

Romanian roads in central Romania are mostly in good shape; the A3 motorway (Brașov ↔ Bucharest is still being completed in segments) and the DN1 are the major corridors. Don’t speed — automated cameras are widely deployed in urban areas and the on-the-spot fine model is enforced. Always carry the rental agreement and the green-card insurance certificate; police can check both.

Headlights on at all times, low-beam, by law. Winter tyres mandatory November 1 to April 1 — every rental in season will have them fitted, but check the sidewall codes if you’re a defensive type.

For the broader transit picture and onward connections, our travel guide on getting from the airport to Brașov covers the non-driving alternatives. If you’d rather have someone else drive, see airport transfers and hotels near Brașov-Ghimbav.

Quick FAQ

Can I rent at GHV but drop off at Bucharest Otopeni? Yes, with a one-way fee that varies by brand and vehicle class. Always confirm at booking.

Are automatic transmissions available? Yes, but the inventory skews manual — pre-book the automatic if you need it, especially in summer.

Is there an electric / hybrid option? Some brands offer EV and hybrid classes, mostly in the city desk inventory. Charging infrastructure on the major corridors is improving; plan around fast-charger stops on multi-day mountain itineraries.

Do I need a vignette (rovinieta) for the motorway? Rental cars come with the vignette pre-paid; the sticker is on the windshield. Confirm at handover.