Driving to Romania — the route via Slovakia and Hungary, legs and vignettes

e-rovinieta.org8 June 20269 min read

A drive to Romania from central Europe usually runs via Slovakia and Hungary. Each of those countries has its own vignette, and the Romanian rovinieta is needed from the first national road after you cross the border. Here we break the route into legs: which vignettes to buy, which crossings to use, and where the charge begins.

Vignettes along the way — the full set

Before you set off, it is worth completing the vignettes for all transit countries:

Slovakia — the Slovak e-vignette (známka). Buy it online at e-znamka.org.
Hungary — the Hungarian e-vignette (matrica). Buy it online at e-matrica.org.
Romania — the rovinieta, which you set to the day of entry. Buy it on the Romania vignette page.

The prices and periods of the Romanian rovinieta are in the complete guide.

Border crossings Hungary → Romania

From Hungary into Romania you usually enter via one of two crossings:

Borș (near Oradea) — convenient for routes towards Cluj-Napoca and Transylvania.
Nădlac (on the A1 motorway) — the fastest entry onto Romania's motorway network towards Arad – Sibiu – Bucharest.

Schengen and rovinieta enforcement

Since 2025 Hungary and Romania have been in the Schengen zone with no border checks, so you cross smoothly. Note, though: no border check does not mean no rovinieta check. ANPR cameras operate from the first Romanian national road — the rovinieta must be active before you drive onto a DN or motorway.

Driving on across Romania

Once inside, remember that the rovinieta applies not only on the A1 motorway, but on all national roads too — and those are what you drive most in Romania. If you are heading for the Black Sea, you take the A2 motorway from Bucharest to Constanța; on the Fetești–Cernavodă bridge you pay a separate toll.

Summary

The drive to Romania via Slovakia and Hungary needs three vignettes: Slovak, Hungarian and the Romanian rovinieta. Entry via Borș or Nădlac, the Schengen zone with no border checks, but the rovinieta active from the first DN. Complete the rovinieta before departure — choose the period and enter the plate on the Romania vignette page. For an overview of the road network, see the where the rovinieta is required article.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best way to drive to Romania from central Europe?

Usually via Slovakia and Hungary, entering Romania through Borș (near Oradea) or Nădlac (on the A1 motorway) towards Arad – Sibiu – Bucharest.

Which vignettes must I buy on the route?

The Slovak e-vignette (e-znamka.org), the Hungarian e-vignette (e-matrica.org) and the Romanian rovinieta. Each country has its own system.

Is there a check at the Hungary–Romania border?

Since 2025 Hungary and Romania are in the Schengen zone, so you cross with no border check. The rovinieta check (ANPR cameras) does however operate from the first Romanian road.

When does the rovinieta start applying after the border?

From the first national road (DN) or motorway in Romania. The rovinieta should be active before you drive onto it.

Does the rovinieta cover the bridge to the Black Sea?

No. The Fetești–Cernavodă bridge on the A2 has a separate toll (peaj) not covered by the rovinieta.

When should I buy the Romanian rovinieta for this route?

In advance, online. You choose the start date, so you can buy days earlier and set it to the day you enter Romania.