Romania Essentials

A few practical pointers for planning your visit to Romania.

Getting there

The main gateway is Henri Coandă International Airport in Bucharest (OTP), the country's largest. There are also important regional airports at Cluj-Napoca (CLJ), Timișoara (TSR), Iași (IAS), Sibiu (SBZ) and Bacău (BCM), served by full-service and low-cost carriers from across Europe. International trains and coaches link Romania to its neighbours, and arriving by car is straightforward from Hungary, Bulgaria or Serbia.

Getting around

• By car: the most flexible way to explore, especially the rural regions. The motorway network is expanding, but many roads are single-carriageway national routes; spectacular mountain roads such as the Transfăgărășan and Transalpina are usually open only in summer. A rovinietă (electronic vignette) is required for national roads.
• By train: the CFR network reaches most towns; it is scenic but often slow. Connections between the larger cities are reasonable.
• Local transport: major cities have inexpensive taxis and ride-hailing apps (Bolt, Uber). Bucharest has a metro.

Money and tipping

The currency is the Romanian leu (RON); the euro is not commonly accepted for payment. Cards are widely accepted in cities, but it is worth carrying cash in rural areas. A tip of around 10% is customary and appreciated in restaurants, if service is not already included.

Safety

Romania is generally a safe country for travellers, with low levels of violent crime. Usual precautions against petty theft in crowded places are enough. On mountain roads and in nature, follow the markings; bears are present in the Carpathians, so do not feed or approach wild animals.

Best time to visit

• Spring (May–June) and autumn (September–October) are ideal: pleasant weather, beautiful landscapes, fewer crowds.
• Summer (July–August) is warm; it is the season for the seaside, festivals and the open alpine roads.
• Winter (December–March) brings snow to the Carpathians, a ski season (Poiana Brașov, Sinaia) and lovely Christmas markets, especially in Sibiu.

Connectivity

Mobile coverage and internet are among the fastest and cheapest in Europe. Local prepaid SIM cards are inexpensive, and EU visitors benefit from European roaming rules.

Language

Romanian is the official language. English is widely spoken by younger people and in tourism; in Transylvania you will also hear Hungarian and German. A few useful words: Bună ziua (hello/good day), Mulțumesc (thank you), Vă rog (please), Da / Nu (yes / no).

Health

For EU/EEA citizens, the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) covers necessary medical care. No special vaccinations are required. Tap water is drinkable in cities, though many prefer bottled water. The single emergency number is 112.