Craiova is the main air gateway for Oltenia and a practical starting point for southwest Romania. International visitors often search for rent a car Craiova or car rental Craiova Airport because many of the region's most interesting places are easier to connect by road than by a fixed tour schedule.
Starting at Craiova International Airport
Craiova International Airport uses the code CRA and sits close to the city. Confirm the exact pickup process before flying: your booking details should explain the meeting point, shuttle arrangement if applicable and local contact number.
Send an accurate flight number and arrival time. If the flight changes, contact the rental team rather than assuming the original handover remains possible without notice.
A car for Craiova and the wider region
Economy and compact cars suit city use and lighter luggage. A larger vehicle is more comfortable for families or long journeys towards the Danube and the foothills. Automatic availability may be more limited than manual, so reserve early if transmission is important.
Check six practical points: seats, luggage, transmission, fuel type, drivetrain and air conditioning. Then compare protection, excess, deposit and mileage. Those conditions often matter more than a small difference in the advertised daily price.
Explore Craiova before driving on
Craiova has a lively centre, major parks and a cultural identity distinct from Transylvania or Bucharest. Leave space for the city rather than treating the airport only as a transit point. Accommodation with parking makes an overnight stay easier.
From Craiova, a road trip can continue through Oltenia towards Targu Jiu and the Brancusi heritage, west towards Drobeta-Turnu Severin and the Danube, or east into the wider Wallachian route. Choose fewer stops and allow time for local roads instead of estimating every day by motorway speed.
Seasonal planning
Summer heat makes air conditioning essential, while winter and shoulder-season journeys require current weather and road checks. Daylight, mountain conditions and attraction schedules can all affect a regional itinerary. Keep an alternative route when a day depends on remote roads.
Before collecting the vehicle
- Keep licence and identity documents ready
- Confirm the exact airport meeting instructions
- Select extras before arrival
- Understand the fuel-return rule
- Check the excess and deposit for the chosen protection
- Confirm any different return city in the reservation
One-way travel from Oltenia
Returning in Bucharest, Sibiu, Timisoara or Cluj may create a better trip than driving back to Craiova. One-way availability is date-dependent and must be confirmed, but it can save a full day on a multi-region itinerary.
See the Craiova car rental location page or compare cars through the Romania Rentacar booking form. The local team reviews availability before final confirmation.