Author: Sergiu S., Rentio · Updated on 18 October 2026
In short: Need to get 9 people around together? At Rentio you can rent an 8+1 minibus without a driver, an Opel Vivaro or similar, in Satu Mare and Baia Mare. It costs €95/day for 1–6 days and €80/day for rentals of 7 days or more, VAT included. The STANDARD deposit is €300, and with SMART Insurance (Asigurare SMART) (+€15/day) the deposit is €0.
Coming home for the holidays with the whole family, heading to a wedding or a christening in the Oaș Country, or setting off with friends on a trip through Maramureș? When there are lots of you, two cars mean two drivers, two tanks of fuel and the worry of losing each other on the road. A 9-seater minibus keeps everyone together. Below you will find what it costs, the conditions and how to book it.
Which 9-seater minibus can you rent from Rentio?
You can rent an Opel Vivaro 8+1 or a similar model: 8 passenger seats plus the driver's seat. You will find it in our range as the Opel Vivaro 8+1.
“8+1” means exactly that: a vehicle with 9 seats in total. So whether you search for a “9-seater car rental” or an “8+1 van rental”, it is the same type of vehicle. The exact model may be a Vivaro or a similar minibus, depending on availability.
How much does it cost to rent an 8+1 minibus?
€95/day for 1–6 days and €80/day for rentals of 7 days or more. Rates include VAT, and one rental day means 24 hours.
| Opel Vivaro 8+1 (or similar) | Rate |
|---|---|
| 1–6 days | €95/day |
| 7 days or more | €80/day |
| Deposit with the STANDARD option | €300 |
| SMART Insurance (€0 deposit) | +€15/day |
| Additional driver | €10 |
| Child seat | €2/day |
| Mileage limit | 400 km/day, then €0.20/km |
A few sample calculations, VAT included:
- Wedding weekend, 3 days: 3 × 95 = €285. With SMART Insurance: 3 × 110 = €330, with no deposit blocked.
- A holiday week, 7 days: 7 × 80 = €560.
- Two weeks at home, 14 days: 14 × 80 = €1,120.
Split between 9 people, the daily cost comes to roughly €9 per person at the 7+ day rate. The Romanian road vignette is included. To compare with the other cars in the fleet, see the article How much does it cost to rent a car in Satu Mare.
Who is an 8+1 minibus right for?
For any trip where you would otherwise need two cars. These are the most common situations:
Families coming home for the holidays
Parents, children, grandparents and luggage from the airport, then trips to relatives, to church and to the shops. If you are flying in from the UK, also read the guide Coming home for Christmas from the UK?, which covers the documents you need if you hold a British driving licence.
Weddings and christenings in the Oaș Country
At a wedding or christening around Negrești-Oaș or Certeze, guests often come from several different villages. With a minibus you can bring everyone to the church and the restaurant and take them home at the end.
Groups and trips through Maramureș
The Mocănița steam train on the Vaser Valley, the Merry Cemetery in Săpânța, the wooden churches: a route through Maramureș is easier to do together, in a single vehicle. Keep the 400 km/day limit in mind when planning long routes. You will find more about the area on the Car rental Baia Mare page.
What licence do you need for an 8+1 minibus?
In general, a category B licence is enough: in Romania, as throughout the European Union, category B covers vehicles of up to 3,500 kg with a maximum of 8 seats in addition to the driver's.
For the contract you need the same documents as for any Rentio car, in original:
- a valid driving licence (for licences issued in right-hand-drive countries, for example the UK, the Terms and Conditions also require an international driving permit);
- an identity document (ID card or passport);
- a credit card to block the deposit, with the STANDARD option (prepaid and Diners Club cards are not accepted; Revolut, N26 and similar cards can only be used for payment).
If someone else will drive on long journeys, add them as an additional driver for €10. That way one person is not stuck behind the wheel all day.
STANDARD deposit or SMART Insurance for the minibus?
With the STANDARD deposit you leave €300 blocked on your card. With SMART Insurance you pay €15/day extra and the deposit is €0.
SMART Insurance is a daily fee that reduces the deposit to €0. It is not a third-party liability or comprehensive insurance policy (RCA/CASCO), and certain costs remain the customer's responsibility, for example missing fuel, lost keys or documents, cleaning, the underside of the vehicle, wheels and tyres, wrong fuel and smoking (see the Terms and Conditions, chapter 5).
On a trip with lots of passengers, the SMART option has a practical advantage: you don't have €300 blocked on your card while you are covering other event expenses. Details are on the Car rental without deposit page. The STANDARD deposit is refunded within a maximum of 30 days of returning the vehicle.
Which rules are good to know when travelling with 9 people?
The most important are fuel, mileage and cleaning. With lots of passengers and luggage, it pays to keep them in mind from the start:
- Fuel: return the minibus with the same fuel level as at pickup; otherwise you pay €50 plus the missing fuel.
- Mileage: 400 km/day included; above this limit you pay €0.20/km.
- Cleaning: after a wedding or a long trip, check the interior. If the vehicle needs more than a standard wash, a charge of €100 plus the car wash applies.
- Smoking: not allowed in the vehicle.
- Children: child seats cost €2/day; tell us how many you need when you book.
- Extension: if the party or the visit runs longer, let us know at least 24 hours in advance.
Where do you pick up the minibus?
In Satu Mare you can pick it up directly at Satu Mare International Airport (Șos. Satu Mare – Zalău km 9,5) or at the pickup point on Drumul Odoreului 47.
If you are flying in for the holidays on the Wizz Air flight from London Luton, airport pickup is the simplest option: the whole family gets into the minibus with the luggage, straight from the airport. Details on the Car rental Satu Mare Airport page.
For Baia Mare, which is a served area, we agree the pickup place and time together when you book or by phone on +40 746 678 872. You can also message us on WhatsApp on the same number.
Don't want to drive? Choose a transfer with a driver
If nobody in the group wants to drive, for example at a wedding, you can request a private transfer with a driver, on demand.
Tell us the date, the route and the number of people and you will receive a quote. Service details are on the private transfer page.
How do you book the 8+1 minibus?
Book as early as possible, especially for Christmas, New Year, Easter and the summer wedding season. The steps are simple:
- Go to the Available cars page and choose your dates.
- Select the Opel Vivaro 8+1 and the deposit option (STANDARD or SMART Insurance).
- Add the additional driver and child seats if you need them, and check the final price before paying.
Book online on Available cars or call +40 746 678 872. You will find other rental questions answered on the FAQ page.
See also: automatic car rental in Satu Mare.
Frequently asked questions
Can I rent an 8+1 minibus without a driver in Satu Mare?
Yes. You rent an Opel Vivaro 8+1 or similar and drive it yourself, for €95/day for 1–6 days and €80/day for rentals of 7 days or more, VAT included.
Can I also rent the 8+1 minibus for Baia Mare?
Yes, Baia Mare is an area served by Rentio. We agree the pickup place and time when you book or by phone on +40 746 678 872.
Which licence do I need to drive a 9-seater?
In general, a category B licence, which covers vehicles of up to 3,500 kg with no more than 8 seats in addition to the driver's. An 8+1 minibus falls within this limit.
How much is the deposit for the minibus?
With the STANDARD option, the deposit is €300, blocked on a credit card. With SMART Insurance, at +€15/day, the deposit is €0.
How many kilometres can I drive per day with the minibus?
The limit is 400 km/day. Above this limit you pay €0.20/km.