Pick up your car at Henri Coanda International Airport and start exploring Romania right after landing.
OTP Henri Coanda International Airport sits in Otopeni, 18 km north of central Bucharest. The A3 motorway and DN1 connect the airport to the city centre in about 25-35 minutes, depending on traffic. The airport handles international arrivals on the ground floor of the passenger terminal, and rental companies operate either from a desk in the arrivals hall or through a meet-and-greet service outside the terminal - the exact method is confirmed in your voucher after booking.
Picking up a car straight from the airport saves the trip into town and back out again. You collect the keys, sign the rental agreement at the airport location, and drive off toward your destination without detours. The A3 motorway runs south into Bucharest's ring road, DN1 heads north toward Ploiesti and Brasov, and the A2 motorway connects east to Constanta and the Black Sea coast 225 km away. The motorway vignette - Rovinieta - is usually arranged by the rental company or included in your booking.
This page covers airport pickup and the routes you take after landing. If you prefer to collect a car from a location in the capital itself, read the Bucharest page for city-based rental information. Many travellers flying into OTP start their itinerary outside Bucharest, heading straight to the mountains, Transylvania, or the coast, and airport collection suits that plan perfectly.
The steps from landing to driving away are short. Your voucher tells you exactly where to meet the rental company representative or which desk to visit inside the terminal.
Land at Henri Coanda International Airport, clear immigration and collect your bags. The arrivals hall is on the ground floor of the terminal.
Look for the representative holding a sign with your name, or walk to the rental desk shown in your voucher. The booking confirmation gives you a phone number if you cannot find them.
Present your driving licence, booking voucher, and card for the balance payment. Sign the rental agreement, note any existing damage on the vehicle, and collect the keys.
Follow signs out of the airport car park onto DN1 or the A3 motorway. The rental company explains parking exit procedures and gives you an emergency contact number.
When you search for a car using the booking widget above, set the "Specify location" field to Bucharest Airport to see only vehicles available for terminal pickup. The widget filters results by location, so selecting OTP ensures you book a car stationed at the airport rather than in the city.
The airport's position north of Bucharest puts you within reach of mountain roads, the Black Sea, and Transylvania without navigating city traffic. Here are five routes that start at OTP.
145 km north via DN1, around 2 hours. The road climbs gradually through Ploiesti into the Carpathian foothills. A compact hatchback like the Skoda Fabia handles the asphalt route comfortably, though an SUV such as the Dacia Duster adds confidence if you plan side trips onto forest tracks around Brasov.
225 km east on the A2 motorway, roughly 2.5 hours. The motorway is straight and fast across the plains. The Dacia Logan or Renault Clio suits this run well - economical on fuel, enough luggage space for beach gear.
120 km north-west via DN1, about 1 hour 45 minutes. The road rises into the mountains through Comarnic. For winter visits or ski equipment, the Opel Grandland or Skoda Karoq offer space and stability on icy stretches.
110 km south-west via the A3 and A1 motorways, around 1 hour 20 minutes. The A1 continues toward Sibiu and Timisoara. A mid-size estate like the Ford Focus SW carries multiple passengers and luggage efficiently across long motorway distances.
290 km north-east via the A2 and E87, approximately 4 hours to Tulcea. Much of the drive crosses flat agricultural land. The Dacia Jogger seats seven and swallows camping kit or camera bags for Delta wildlife expeditions.
Every route benefits from an early start to avoid morning commuter traffic funnelling into Bucharest from the north. If your itinerary includes mountain passes such as Transfagarasan or Transalpina, check opening dates - both close from late autumn to late spring due to snow.
Our airport fleet covers economy hatchbacks, family estates, compact SUVs, and seven-seaters. The table below shows models frequently available at OTP; actual choice and availability appear in the booking search.
| Model | Category | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Citroen C1 | Economy | Solo travellers, city connections |
| Dacia Sandero Stepway | Compact hatchback | Couples, light luggage, short trips |
| Renault Clio | Economy | Two passengers, coastal drives |
| SEAT Ibiza | Economy | Budget-conscious travellers, paved roads |
| Skoda Fabia | Compact | Efficient fuel, moderate luggage |
| Opel Corsa | Economy | Urban errands, airport shuttles |
| Dacia Logan | Compact sedan | Three or four passengers, trunk space |
| Fiat Tipo | Compact sedan | Business trips, motorway comfort |
| Ford Focus | Compact | Balanced performance, mid-range trips |
| Hyundai Elantra | Compact sedan | Executive travel, smooth highways |
| Opel Astra | Compact | Reliability, motorway cruising |
| Renault Megane | Compact | Four adults, weekend getaways |
| Skoda Scala | Compact | Rear legroom, family comfort |
| Skoda Octavia | Mid-size sedan | Long-distance touring, large boot |
| Ford Focus SW | Estate | Ski gear, bicycles, multiple suitcases |
| Dacia Duster | Compact SUV | Gravel roads, higher clearance, snow |
| Ford Puma | Compact SUV | Modern features, elevated seating |
| Opel Crossland | Compact SUV | Visibility, small families |
| Opel Mokka | Compact SUV | City parking, higher stance |
| Renault Captur | Compact SUV | Mixed surfaces, practicality |
| SEAT Arona | Compact SUV | Urban agility, boot access |
| Skoda Kamiq | Compact SUV | Rear space, versatile storage |
| Skoda Karoq | Mid-size SUV | Mountain roads, winter tyres |
| Opel Grandland | Mid-size SUV | Five passengers, long journeys |
| Dacia Jogger | Seven-seater MPV | Large groups, camping equipment |
Models shown here are examples. The booking widget displays real-time availability, and the exact car assigned is confirmed in your voucher. Categories range from compact economy cars for solo or pair travel through to seven-seat MPVs for families or group expeditions.
A few practical points smooth out the collection and drop-off process at Henri Coanda Airport.
Selected cars at OTP are available without a deposit block and without requiring a credit card. These conditions depend on the specific vehicle, not the category, so check each car's terms in the search results.
Enter your dates and airport location in the booking widget. Each car listing shows its deposit requirement. Some models display "No deposit" - these vehicles do not freeze funds on your card. The excess liability still applies if damage occurs, but no advance hold is placed.
Other cars accept debit cards or cash for the balance payment at pickup. The voucher and the search result both state accepted payment methods for each model, so you know before confirming the booking whether your debit card will work.
When you book through 4Drive, you pay a booking advance online by card. This advance is not a deposit - it is part of the total rental cost. The remaining balance is due when you collect the car at Bucharest Airport, and the accepted method for that balance - debit card, cash, or credit card - is listed in the vehicle details and repeated in your voucher.
If a car does require a deposit block and you only have a debit card, contact your bank to raise the temporary limit before you travel. For more detail on how the online advance and balance payments work, visit our payment and advance page.
Answers to common queries about collecting and returning a car at Henri Coanda International Airport.
Yes. Many cars at OTP accept debit cards or cash for the balance payment. Each vehicle in the booking search displays its accepted payment methods. Select a car marked as debit-card-friendly if you do not hold a credit card.
Your voucher specifies the exact location - either a desk inside the arrivals hall or a meeting point outside the terminal. Representatives hold a sign with your name. If you cannot locate them, call the phone number provided in the voucher.
Provide your flight number when you book. The rental company monitors arrivals and adjusts the pickup time automatically. You will not lose your reservation because of a delay outside your control.
Most rental companies at Bucharest Airport include the Rovinieta vignette or arrange it for you. Check the vehicle description during booking - if the vignette is not mentioned, ask at the desk when you collect the car. The A2 and A3 motorways leaving the airport both require a valid vignette.
Cross-border travel to Hungary, Bulgaria, and Serbia is usually permitted with written permission from the rental company. Add a cross-border permit when you book or request it at pickup. The fee and paperwork are arranged at the rental desk, and the permit document must stay in the car during the trip.
Allow at least 20 minutes for the return inspection, signing off the agreement, and any shuttle transfer back to the terminal. For international flights, aim to drop off the car three hours before departure to give yourself margin for security queues.
Search cars stationed at Henri Coanda Airport, compare models and terms, and secure your booking online. Free cancellation applies up to the policy limit shown in your voucher, so you can adjust plans if your itinerary changes. For a broader look at rentals across the country, visit our Romania car rental overview. If you prefer to explore mountain routes and medieval towns right after landing, check options in Brasov and Transylvania.