What No One Tells You About Traveling in Romania

Romania is full of surprises. It’s more than castles, mountains, and painted monasteries. It’s an eclectic mix of old and new, of wild nature and quiet hospitality, of winding roads that seem to lead both into history and straight into the future. It’s truly something else.

Most visitors expect Dracula and folklore. What they find instead is a country that feels raw, real, and full of heart. And the best way to experience it? Behind the wheel – with your own addCar Rental. Because in Romania, freedom of movement isn’t just a convenience. It’s the difference between seeing the country and feeling it.

The first surprise: How big it is

Yes. Romania looks rather small on a map, but distances here are deceiving. The Carpathian Mountains cut through the middle, and every road seems to curve, climb, or twist its way through time.

That’s why picking up a car hire in Romania – Bucharest makes all the difference. Once you leave the big city, trains and buses become less frequent. But with a car, you gain access to almost every inch of the country. The Transfăgărășan Highway winding across the peaks, the Saxon villages of Transylvania, the salt mines of Turda, the painted churches of Bucovina.

You drive, stop, and explore. And make your own Romania happen.

The roads tell stories

Driving in Romania isn’t just a means to an end — it’s an experience. One minute you’re overtaking a horse-drawn cart, the next you’re gliding down a mountain pass that looks like a James Bond backdrop.

With addCar Rental Romania, you don’t have to worry about logistics. Every vehicle is set up for both city traffic and mountain roads. So, whether you’re starting from Bucharest, Cluj, or Timișoara, you’ll find cars in super form, reliable GPS, and local support if you need it.

Romanians drive a little… enthusiastically. But if you keep calm and stay a little alert, you’ll be fine. Besides, every turn seems to come with a view worth slowing down for. It’s all good.

Expect contrasts – and embrace them

Romania has contrasts. You can go from sipping espresso in a hip café in Bucharest to being in a village where time stands still to the sound of church bells marking what time is.

It’s these contrasts that stay with you – and no one tells you that before you come.

A shepherd waving as you pass. A local is inviting you in for homemade plum brandy. A monastery glowing gold at sunset.

Having your own addCar Rental lets you lean into those moments — to pull over, to wander, to take the road less taken without worrying about how to get back.

Food, folk, and hidden roads

Romanians really love food, and they are good at making it. You should try sarmale (cabbage rolls), mici (grilled sausages), and fresh bread from roadside bakeries. And please stop wherever you see a wooden sign and a smoky grill – those are the real local spots.

And if you’re driving, you’ll soon discover something else no one tells you: some of the best views in the country come from roads you’ve never heard of.

Take the DN7C — the Transfăgărășan — which Top Gear once called “the best driving road in the world.” Or the lesser-known Transalpina, where you’ll feel like you’re driving on the roof of Europe.

The warmth behind the stone walls

At first, Romanians might seem a bit reserved. But don’t mistake quietness for coldness. Once you start talking, doors open – literally. You’ll be offered coffee, food, maybe even a bed for the night. Hospitality here is DNA.

You will experience the hospitality for sure – it just happens, naturally, along the way. It’s the kind of warmth that doesn’t advertise itself

Conclusion

Romania is a country that doesn’t shout and brag. It doesn’t try to impress you. It simply is. It’s the small things combined. Like the laughter from a shepherd’s hut, the echo of footsteps in a medieval town square, or the way mist hangs in the valleys at dawn.

And to truly experience and take in all that, you need time, curiosity, and – of course – your own set of wheels. With addCar Rental, you can pick up your car hire in Romania — Bucharest and start your journey into a land where every road tells a story and every detour leads to a discovery.

So forget the clichés. Romania is more than vampires and mountains. It’s freedom, warmth, and the genuine joy of finding beauty where you least expect it.