Romania Travel Tips: What to Know Before You Go

Romania rewards the traveler who arrives prepared. It is a safe, hospitable and surprisingly easy country to explore, but a handful of practical details will save you from confusion in your first days. Here is what is worth knowing before you set off.

Money: the leu, cards and tipping

The currency is the Romanian leu (RON) — not the euro, even though some hotels and agencies quote prices in euros. Cards are accepted almost everywhere: hotels, restaurants, supermarkets, petrol stations, and even many taxis and market stalls. Contactless payments and mobile wallets work smoothly in cities.

• Still carry some small cash for markets, monasteries, public toilets, rural guesthouses and mountain areas where card terminals may not reach.
• Exchange money at licensed bureaux or withdraw from ATMs; avoid street money-changers.
• Tipping is customarily around 10% in restaurants if service is not already included. A little rounding-up for taxi drivers, guides or at cafés is appreciated but not obligatory.

Getting around: hire car, trains and the vignette

You will have the most freedom with a hire car — the landscapes that make Romania famous (the Transfăgărășan, the Saxon villages, Maramureș, the Delta) are hard to reach by public transport. See our guide on getting around Romania for the full picture.

• Trains are cheap and scenic but slow; best for hops between major cities, less so for village-hopping.
• If you rent a car you need a vignette (rovinietă), the electronic road toll, to use national roads — it is usually included with rentals, but confirm.
• Mountain roads are seasonal: the Transfăgărășan and Transalpina close in winter. Check opening dates before you build a route around them.
• In cities, ride-hailing apps work well and remove the need to haggle.

Language: Romanian, with English close at hand

The official language is Romanian, a Latin language that feels familiar if you know Italian, Spanish or French. Younger people and anyone working in tourism speak English almost everywhere; in the countryside, a smile and patience cover the rest.

A few words go a long way — „bună ziua” (hello), „mulțumesc” (thank you), „vă rog” (please). Our quick phrasebook has the essentials to get you started.

Safety: relaxed, but mind your pockets

Romania is a safe EU country with low rates of violent crime. The main risk for visitors is petty pickpocketing in crowds — stations, public transport, busy markets. Keep an eye on your belongings and wave off street scams.

• The single emergency number is 112, with English-speaking operators.
• See our dedicated safety guide for more context.

Connectivity: cheap SIMs, good coverage

Prepaid SIM cards are cheap and easy to buy in cities and at airports; you will need photo ID. 4G/5G coverage is very good in cities and along main roads, patchier in remote mountain valleys. Free Wi-Fi is standard in most cafés and hotels.

Etiquette and culture

Romanians are warm and hospitable — an invitation to the table is a sign of friendship, not a formality.

• At Orthodox churches and monasteries, dress modestly: shoulders and knees covered; women may be asked to wear a headscarf.
• In people's homes, it is customary to take your shoes off at the door — you will often be handed house slippers.
• A small gift (flowers, sweets) when invited to visit is always welcome.

When to come and what to pack

Romania has four real seasons. Check our best time to visit guide for planning, but keep the broad rules in mind:

• Warm summers (can edge past 30 °C), cold snowy winters, mild and photogenic spring and autumn.
• Pack in layers: even in summer, mountain evenings turn cool.
• Mountain weather changes fast — a rain shell and decent walking shoes never hurt.

Bears in the Carpathians

The Carpathians hold one of Europe's largest populations of brown bears. It is a rare sight, but respect the golden rule: never feed or approach a bear. Do not stop your car to photograph roadside bears, and never leave food out at a campsite. Distance keeps both of you safe.

Tap water

Tap water is safe to drink in cities and most towns. Mountain springs are often excellent, but in villages or at wells, when in doubt, choose bottled water.

First-timer's checklist

• Some cash in lei, plus a contactless card
• Vignette confirmed if you are renting a car
• A local SIM or a roaming plan
• Layers and a rain shell for the mountains
• Modest attire for monasteries
• 112 saved in your phone
• A few Romanian words ready to go

With these tips in mind, you are set to discover a country that rewards curiosity. For the full pre-trip prep, run through our essentials page as well.