Romania
Last checked:
- Capital
- Bucharest
- Currency
- RON · Romanian leu
- Languages
- Romanian
- Plugs
- Type C, F · 230 V
Emergency numbers
Top 5 places
- Palace of the Parliament · Bucharest
One of the largest buildings in the world, visited on guided tours (book ahead, bring ID).
- Bran Castle · Bran
Hilltop castle linked to the Dracula legend, near Brașov.
- Brașov and Sighișoara · Brașov / Sighișoara
Saxon towns in Transylvania; Sighișoara's citadel is a UNESCO site.
- Painted Monasteries of Bukovina · Suceava County
UNESCO-listed churches covered in 15th-16th century exterior frescoes.
- Danube Delta · Tulcea
Europe's largest river delta, for birdwatching and boat trips.
Getting around
Public transport
STB and Metrorex (Bucharest)
Buses, trams, trolleybuses and 5 metro lines. Tap a contactless card or use the Activ/Multiplu cards. Express bus 100 and a train from Gara de Nord serve the airport.
Ride-hailing app
Bolt / Uber
Both work in Bucharest and major cities (Cluj, Brașov, Iași, Timișoara) and are recommended over hailing taxis.
Taxi
Licensed taxis (Star Taxi, Meridian, Cristaxi)
Rates per km must be displayed on the door. Order by app or phone or from the official airport terminals; avoid drivers who approach you.
Trains
CFR Călători
State railway: Regio (slow, cheap), InterRegio and InterCity. Trains are slow but scenic; buy in the CFR app or at stations.
Buses
Intercity buses and minibuses
Buses and maxi-taxis link most towns; quality varies. Check schedules on autogari.ro (varies).
Car rental
Car rental
Useful for Transylvania, Bukovina and the Transfăgărășan road. Watch for horse carts, livestock and stray dogs on rural roads; a road vignette (rovinieta) is required.
Money and cash
Currency: RON · Romanian leu
Cards are increasingly accepted in cities, hotels and chain restaurants, and Bucharest buses and metro take contactless cards. Cash in lei is still needed in villages, markets, small guesthouses and for tips. Use bank ATMs, compare rates at exchange offices (avoid airport booths) and always pay in RON.
Tipping
Tipping is customary in Romania. Around 10% at restaurants for good service is normal, and people often round up taxi fares. Saying 'mulțumesc' (thank you) while handing over money is often understood as 'keep the change'.
| Restaurants | About 10% for good service, more for excellent service. Tip in cash if possible. |
|---|---|
| Cafés and bars | Round up or leave small change. |
| Taxis and ride apps | Round up the fare. |
| Hotels | A few lei for porters and housekeeping is appreciated. |
| Tours and guides | Around 10% or a set amount per person for guides and drivers. |
| Food delivery | Small tip or rounding up is common. |
Service charge: what’s true
A separate service charge is not common on restaurant bills (varies). Card terminals may not have a tip option, so carry some cash.
Pressure tactics to watch for
No widely reported pressure tactics. Be careful when saying 'mulțumesc' while paying: staff may take it to mean keep all the change. If you need change, wait for it before thanking.
Useful phrases
- Nota, vă rog. The bill, please.
- Pot plăti cu cardul? Can I pay by card?
- Păstrați restul. Keep the change.
Etiquette
- Dress modestly in Orthodox churches and monasteries: shoulders and knees covered, and women may be asked to cover their heads.
- Take your shoes off when entering a home.
- Shake hands when meeting; older people may be addressed formally (Domnul / Doamna).
- Bring flowers (an odd number) or sweets when invited to a home.
- Be aware that saying 'mulțumesc' when paying can mean 'keep the change'.
- Bargaining is normal only at markets.
Scams and how to handle them
Taxi overcharging
Where: Bucharest airport, Gara de Nord, Old Town
How it works: Unlicensed or rogue drivers charge many times the normal rate or have no meter.
How to avoid it: Use Bolt or Uber, order from the airport taxi terminals, and check the per-km rate on the door.
Card skimming in bars and restaurants
Where: Bars and restaurants, mainly Bucharest
How it works: Cards are duplicated when staff take them out of sight.
How to avoid it: Never let your card leave your sight; use contactless or phone pay.
Distraction theft by groups
Where: Exchange offices, hotels, airport buses, railway stations, airport terminals
How it works: Organised groups distract you and steal wallets, phones or bags.
How to avoid it: Keep bags closed and in front and be alert when someone bumps into you or asks for help.
Bad exchange rates and fake changers
Where: Airport booths, street changers, tourist areas
How it works: Booths show attractive buy rates but apply poor rates or high commissions; street changers give fake or old notes.
How to avoid it: Use bank ATMs, check the final amount before handing over money, and never change money on the street.
Drink spiking
Where: Bars and clubs
How it works: Drinks are spiked to rob victims.
How to avoid it: Do not accept drinks from strangers or leave drinks unattended.
Fake police officers
Where: Bucharest city centre (reported in the past, varies)
How it works: Men posing as plainclothes police ask to check your wallet or passport for counterfeit money and take cash.
How to avoid it: Do not hand over your wallet; offer to go to a police station and call 112.
Safety
- Petty theft is the main risk, especially in Bucharest at stations, airports, exchange offices and on airport buses.
- Stray dogs can be found in rural areas and some city outskirts; keep your distance.
- Brown bears live in the Carpathians and have attacked people; follow local warnings, do not feed bears and keep food sealed when hiking.
- Drive carefully: road accident rates are high, and rural roads have carts and animals.
- Carry your passport or ID; police can ask for it.
How widely English is spoken
Good among younger people and in tourism; limited among older people and in rural areas. French and Italian are also understood by some.
Sources
We check these guides against official and well-known sources, but rules and prices change. Spot something out of date? Email support@tourits.app.