From the UK to Satu Mare: what to do after landing so you have a car

Author: Sergiu S., Rentio · Updated on 18 October 2026

In short: the Wizz Air London Luton – Satu Mare flight runs all year round, so you can come home whenever you like: in summer, for a wedding or a christening, to see your parents or on holiday. Book your car online, pick it up directly at Satu Mare International Airport and drive off home, to Baia Mare, Zalău or Maramureș. You need an International Driving Permit alongside your UK licence, plus a credit card for the deposit.

Many people who work in the UK don't only come home at Christmas. They come in August, for family weddings, for a nephew's or niece's christening, to spend a few days with their parents or for a two-week holiday. For the winter holidays we have a separate guide, Coming home from the UK for Christmas?. Here you'll find the steps that apply in any month: from landing to the road home.

How often is there a flight from London to Satu Mare?

Wizz Air usually flies from London Luton to Satu Mare 3 times a week, all year round.

Days and times can change from one season to the next, so check the timetable on the official website of Satu Mare International Airport before you buy your ticket. Then book the car for exactly the days of your outbound and return flights.

A few periods when lots of people come home and it's a good idea to book early:

• Summer, especially August: holidays and wedding season bring many people home in the same weeks.
• Easter: a short family visit, usually under a week.
• Weddings, christenings, birthdays: you have a fixed date, so you can book the car as soon as you know the date of the event.

Where do you pick up the car after landing?

Directly at Satu Mare International Airport or at the pick-up point at Drumul Odoreului 47, Satu Mare. You choose when you book.

When you fly in, the easiest option is to collect the car right at the airport, with no taxi and no one having to wait for you. You'll find details about this option on the Satu Mare airport car hire page.

Flights can be delayed. If you arrive more than 3 hours later than the agreed time and don't let us know, the booking may be cancelled (art. 2.2 of the Terms and Conditions). A WhatsApp message or a call to +40 746 678 872 sorts it out.

What documents do you need with a UK driving licence?

Your UK licence, plus an International Driving Permit, your ID and a credit card, all originals. The International Driving Permit is mandatory for licences obtained on right-hand-drive cars, such as those from the UK (art. 2.1).

• Do you have a valid Romanian licence? Show that one, no International Driving Permit needed.
• Do you only have a UK licence? Get your International Driving Permit in the UK before you travel. Without it you can't sign the contract.
• ID: the ID card or passport you flew with.

The full list, covering every situation, is in the guide what documents you need to rent a car.

Can you use Revolut or N26?

Only for payment. To block the deposit (the STANDARD deposit) you need a credit card; prepaid cards and Diners Club are not accepted for this.

You can pay for the rental by credit or debit card (Visa, MasterCard, American Express), including a Revolut or N26 card, or in cash. The deposit is €200–400, depending on the car, and is refunded within 30 days of returning the car at the latest.

If you don't want money blocked on your card while you're at home, you can choose SMART Insurance (Asigurare SMART). It is a daily fee (+€10, +€15 or +€20/day, depending on the car) that reduces the deposit to €0. It is not a third-party liability or comprehensive insurance policy, and certain costs remain your responsibility, for example fuel, keys and documents, rims and tyres (see the Terms and Conditions, chapter 5). More on the car rental without deposit page.

How do you get used to a left-hand-drive car?

Take the first few kilometres slowly. In Romania the steering wheel is on the left and you drive on the right, the opposite of England.

• The first few minutes in the car park: adjust the seat and mirrors, find the indicators and the wipers. On many cars they are on the opposite side to your UK car.
• Roundabouts: you turn right to enter and go round anticlockwise.
• Turning left: the temptation is to pull into the left-hand lane. Say "right" to yourself at every junction, especially on the first day.
• Overtaking: is done on the left, so you need more visibility than you're used to.
• After the flight: if you're tired, just do the short drive home and leave the long journeys for the next day.

Is an automatic worth it?

Yes, if you drive an automatic in England or don't want to change gear with your right hand. The most affordable automatic is the Golf Plus, from €33/day for rentals of at least 7 days.

Here are a few options for visits during the year, all "or similar". Rates include VAT, and the Romanian road vignette is included.

Examples: a long 4-day weekend for a wedding with an Opel Astra costs 4 × 32 = €128. A 10-day holiday with an automatic Golf Plus costs 10 × 33 = €330. If the whole family is coming for a christening, the Opel Vivaro 8+1 has 9 seats including the driver. All models, with availability for your dates, are on the available cars page.

How do you get from the airport to Baia Mare, Zalău or Maramureș?

You drive off straight from the airport. Satu Mare – Baia Mare is about 60 km, roughly an hour and a quarter at the wheel.

You get 400 km included per day, enough for the drive home and for visiting relatives in the villages. Above the limit you pay €0.20/km. A few ideas, depending on where you're going:

• Baia Mare and Maramureș: see the car rental Baia Mare page and, if you have a free day, the Maramureș road trip by car.
• Zalău and Sălaj: details on the car hire Zalău page.
• Is someone else in the family driving too? An additional driver costs €10.
• Travelling with children? A child seat costs €2/day.

Can you drive the car back to England or into Hungary?

Not to England. Leaving the country is only allowed with Rentio's written consent and only within the European Union and the European Economic Area, which the UK is not part of.

If you want to cross into Hungary or another EU country for a day, ask for consent beforehand. The documents cost €50, and the deposit for leaving the country is between €200 and €1,000. All the rules are in the guide can you leave the country with a rental car?.

What do you do on the day of your return flight?

Refuel to the same level as at pick-up, clear your personal belongings out of the car and return it to the place agreed in the contract, in good time before your flight.

If you return it with less fuel, you pay €50 plus the missing fuel. Returning the car somewhere other than the agreed place is only possible by agreement, for a fee of between €30 and €350. If you're staying longer, let us know about the extension at least 24 hours in advance. The full list of checks is in the article what to check when picking up and returning the car.

Got your plane ticket? Book online on available cars or call +40 746 678 872. You'll find more about car rental in Satu Mare on the home page, car rental Satu Mare.

See also: automatic car rental in Satu Mare and how much it costs to rent a car in Satu Mare.

Frequently asked questions

Does the London – Satu Mare flight run in summer too?

Yes. Wizz Air flies from London Luton to Satu Mare all year round, usually 3 times a week. Check the exact timetable on the airport's website.

Can I rent a car with just my UK driving licence?

No. For licences obtained on right-hand-drive cars, such as those from the UK, Rentio's Terms and Conditions (art. 2.1) also require an International Driving Permit.

Can I pick up the car directly at Satu Mare Airport?

Yes. The car can be picked up directly at Satu Mare International Airport or at the pick-up point at Drumul Odoreului 47, Satu Mare.

Do you have cars with automatic transmission?

Yes. For example the Golf Plus, Seat Arona or BMW X1, all automatics. The Golf Plus starts at €33/day for rentals of at least 7 days, VAT included.

Can I leave the deposit on my Revolut card?

No. Revolut, N26 and similar cards can only be used for payment. To block the deposit you need a credit card.