Campervan Hire in Romania

In a motorhome holiday, you travel in your own vehicle and sleep inside it, without having to set up and take down a tent every day. The key difference from a traditional camping holiday is mobility: the vehicle serves as accommodation, kitchen, and means of transport all at once. For Romania, this means you can spontaneously head for mountain passes, visit villages off the tourist trails, and adjust your daily plans flexibly.

Camping tourists with tents or bungalows are tied to fixed pitches. Motorhome travelers, on the other hand, can drive the Transfăgărășan High Road in a single day and be at the Black Sea the next morning.

For EU citizens—including Germans, Austrians, and Swiss—a valid ID card is sufficient for entry. A passport is not mandatory but is recommended. Romania is an EU member but not yet part of the Schengen Area, so identification documents are checked at the borders.

The following documents should be carried:

• ID card or passport (for all passengers)
• National driver’s license (an international driver’s license is not required)
• Vehicle registration and approval documents
• Green Insurance Card (not legally required, but strongly recommended)
• European Accident Statement Form

Mandatory equipment in the vehicle: two warning triangles, a fire extinguisher, a first-aid kit, and high-visibility vests are required or expressly recommended. On highways and outside urban areas, lights must be switched on during the day. A child seat is required for children up to 12 years old.

Romania offers a wide range: highways and national roads are well-suited for motorhomes, while rural secondary roads sometimes have poor surfaces and tight bends. Anyone driving a motorhome to Romania should prepare their vehicle for tougher conditions.

The most famous route is the Transfăgărășan High Road, which climbs to around 2,000 meters, with hairpin turns, waterfalls, and a glacial lake. It is one of Europe’s most spectacular motorhome routes, but also demanding. Important notes:

• Mountain passes in the Carpathians are typically open only from June to October.
• Check the current closure status before heading up via the Romanian road authority CNAIR.
• Older terms such as CNADNR in travel reports are outdated; up-to-date information is available from CNAIR.
• Speed limits for motorhomes up to 3.5 tons: 120 km/h on highways, 90 km/h on expressways, 80 km/h outside urban areas, 50 km/h in towns; for vehicles over 3.5 tons, 110 km/h is permitted on highways.
• Blood alcohol limit: 0.0 per mille for all drivers.

Tolls in Romania are collected as an electronic vignette (Rovinieta) and must be purchased before or upon entry. Motorhomes up to 3.5 tons fall into Category A and are classified like cars.

Heavier motorhomes over 3.5 tons fall into Category B or are subject to special TollRo fees, which can be higher. The vignette can be purchased online, at gas stations, and at the border. Driving on toll roads without a valid vignette risks hefty fines.

Romania has a growing but still manageable camping infrastructure. Currently, the ACSI system lists 44 registered campsites, PiNCAMP lists 51 sites, and a specialized pitch directory names 69 motorhome pitches across the country. That’s low compared to other European nations, but it also means fewer crowds.

Well-equipped sites are increasingly appearing in quiet landscapes, often with traditional buildings and restaurants that cater specifically to international campers. Some premium pitches, such as Lake Cincis Garden near Deva, are particularly recommended by travelers for motorhomes.

What to look for when choosing a site:

• Check access roads: Narrow mountain roads aren’t suitable for all vehicle sizes.
• Confirm availability in advance: Platforms like Pitchup show nine bookable pitches and ten campsites for 2026, some with newly opened options.
• Amenities (electricity, water, waste disposal) vary greatly between basic and modern sites.
• Camperguru lists curated recommendations with ratings for Romania.

The legal situation regarding wild camping is unclear and should be checked before traveling. On the one hand, several sources describe Romania as one of the few European countries where wild camping is largely permitted, except in national parks and designated no-camping zones such as the Danube Delta. On the other hand, other camping guides point out that wild camping outside designated campsites is officially prohibited, though the ban is often ignored in practice [13—no source listed, so no number].

In practice: Wild camping is common, but should be done with respect for local rules, protected areas, and signage. Obtain local permission whenever possible.

Officially permitted overnight stays without paying a campsite fee:

• Public parking lots (motorhomes treated like cars, within marked spaces)
• Agrotourism farms
• Private pitches with the owner’s permission

The best time to travel is from May to September. During this period, most mountain passes are open, temperatures are pleasant, and campsites are operational. For the Carpathian passes: reliably passable only from June, with possible closures extending into October.

• May/June: Green landscapes, light tourist traffic, passes gradually opening.
• July/August: Peak season, warmest temperatures, more activity on popular routes.
• September/October: Quieter, autumn colors in the Carpathians, early pass closures possible.
• Winter: Not recommended for mountain regions; the Black Sea coast is poorly developed out of season.

Bringing your own vehicle is the most common choice. Those who wish to rent a motorhome locally will find limited availability, mainly in Bucharest and Cluj-Napoca. Rental prices vary widely depending on vehicle size and season; reliable, up-to-date pricing should be obtained directly from local providers or through European booking platforms, as the market in Romania continues to evolve.

Those who travel with their own vehicle save on rental costs but bear the risk of damage on rougher roads themselves.

The Green Insurance Card is not legally required for entry into Romania, but it is strongly recommended because it simplifies proving insurance coverage in case of an accident. In addition, experienced motorhome travelers recommend for trips to Eastern Europe:

• Temporary comprehensive insurance, especially for older vehicles.
• Carry a European Accident Statement Form in the vehicle.
• Check for an international breakdown assistance and repatriation policy.
• Travel health insurance for all passengers.

Before departure, inform your insurance company that the vehicle is traveling to Romania, as some policies contain restrictions for certain countries.

Gasoline and diesel are widely available throughout Romania. There are no supply gaps in larger cities or along national roads. However, in remote mountain regions and on pass roads, the next gas station may be far away.

Recommendation: Always fill up before heading onto mountain passes. Prices are generally lower than in Western Europe, but can vary depending on the region and supplier. LPG (autogas) is available at selected stations but not everywhere.

Romania is generally considered a safe destination for motorhome travelers. Nevertheless, there are specific risks that require preparation:

• Road conditions: Rural secondary roads can have deep potholes and narrow lanes. Don’t rely solely on navigation systems; check routes on maps beforehand.
• Loose animals: Horses, cattle, and dogs may cross the road on country roads, especially at night.
• Theft: Do not leave valuables visible in tourist hotspots or urban parking lots.
• Passes without guardrails: Some mountain roads have no or only rudimentary safety barriers. Avoid driving in fog or rain.
• Blood alcohol limit: 0.0 per mille is strictly enforced. No alcohol behind the wheel.

Romania is not a beginner-friendly destination for those new to motorhomes or inexperienced on challenging routes. Drivers of very large vehicles over 8 meters in length will face significant limitations on mountain passes and in historic towns. Travelers expecting dense camping infrastructure with full amenities may also be disappointed: the network of official sites is still under development.

Not suitable for:

• Motorhomes over 8 meters on pass routes like the Transfăgărășan.
• Travelers who rely exclusively on comfortable, fully equipped campsites.
• Winter trips in the Carpathians without appropriate vehicle equipment.

At least two weeks is advisable to explore more than just one region. For a complete tour of the Carpathians, Moldavia, the Danube Delta region, and the Black Sea coast, three to four weeks is realistic.

If you only want to explore the Transfăgărășan route and the area around Sibiu or Brasov, ten days may suffice if arrival and departure are planned by ferry or direct flight.

A well-prepared motorhome holiday in Romania doesn’t begin at the border, but weeks beforehand. The following checklist summarizes the key steps:

• Check documents: Have your ID card, vehicle registration, national driver’s license, Green Insurance Card, and accident statement form ready.
• Buy the Rovinieta: Purchase the e-vignette for your planned trip duration online or at the border; confirm your vehicle category (under or over 3.5 tons) in advance.
• Check mandatory equipment: Pack two warning triangles, a fire extinguisher, a first-aid kit, and high-visibility vests.
• Plan your route: Check pass opening times with CNAIR and test routes for suitability based on your vehicle size.
• Book pitches in advance: Secure spots early for peak season (July/August) via Pitchup, Camperguru, or PiNCAMP.
• Adjust your insurance: Review comprehensive coverage and international breakdown assistance, and inform your insurer about your trip to Romania.
• Refuel before passes: Always hit the road with a full tank on mountain routes.
• Plan wild camping carefully: Respect protected areas and local prohibition signs, and avoid national parks.

Romania’s camping sector offers more official pitches in 2026 than ever before, but infrastructure is expanding more slowly than in Western Europe. Those who see this as an advantage will find one of the continent’s most rewarding destinations for motorhomes.