Horse-drawn carriages rolling from the backstreets trying to get on to the main road whilst new, fast cars are racing along with their drivers talking business on cellphones. In the countryside peasants watch satellite TV, but still harness a horse to their ploughs when cultivating the fields along the medieval entrenched towns and Dracula-castles. Romania is trying to liberate itself from Ceausescu's shadow and the transition is not easy. A present/past/future where the extreme yet fascinating contrasts meet is already waiting ahead.
Find your travel arrangement to Romania here
Region and City Guides
Region:
Facts
Local name
Romania
Capital
Bucharest (2,500,000)
Size
237,500 sq km
Principal Languages
Romanian
Principal Religion
Romanian Orthodox
Inhabitants
23,000,000
Government
Republic
Geography
Northeastern Romania borders with Moldova and Ukraine, and southeastern Romania borders the Black Sea and Bulgaria. In central-Romania is Transylvania, consisting of alpine mountains and large forests. The great mountain range, the Carpathians, stretches from north to south, and Romania is bounded by the Danube River next to Bulgaria.
Travel preparation
Best time to visit
Romania can be visited all year around. The winter can be very cold with plenty of snow, which is rather good for the ski resorts. The best months to visit the country are in the summer between May and June, and also between September and October, when the beach areas are not as crowded. The rural areas can naturally be visited all year around.
Literature
Lonely Planet Romania & Moldova
Romania; The Rough Guide
Romania; The Rough Guide
Local conditions
Weight and Measures
In Romania, the following units of measurement are used:
Weight: kilogram.
Length: metre.
Volume: litre.
Weight: kilogram.
Length: metre.
Volume: litre.
Photography
There are no particular rules concerning photographing, but you should of course ask first, when photographing the locals, as well as be aware of special rules in places of worship.
Drinking water
The tap water can be drunk in certain places, but it contains a lot of bacteria. It is recommended to buy bottled water to be on the safe side.
Electricity
The following current is used in Romania:
220 volt,50 Hz.
220 volt,50 Hz.
Behaviour
The Romanians are a religious people, and when you visit places of worship, it is recommended to show a certain respect and formality towards the population. There is no particular dress code in churches, however.
Business Hours
Banks are open 9.00 to 12.00 and 13.00 to 15.00 (Monday to Friday).
Shops are open 9.00 to 12.00 and 14.00 to 20.00 (Monday to Friday).
Offices are open 7.00 to 15.30 (Monday to Friday).
Public offices are open 9.00 to 14.30 (Monday to Friday).
Shops are open 9.00 to 12.00 and 14.00 to 20.00 (Monday to Friday).
Offices are open 7.00 to 15.30 (Monday to Friday).
Public offices are open 9.00 to 14.30 (Monday to Friday).
Food and drink
It is inexpensive to eat out in Romania, but it can be a bit difficult to find a restaurant or other place to eat. Most Romanians cannot afford to go out to eat, so there is no natural market for such places. You can go into the more expensive hotels where the dining-possibilities are better. The Romanians are well known for their local beer, and they have a long tradition of wine-making as well - of which some of the best are Cotnari and Murfatlar. Watch out for the coffee that the locals call Ness - it is nothing like any coffee you know from home.
Disabled travellers
Romania isn't a well-equipped or hospitable country for disabled people. The services and facilities are close to zero, and it is recommended that disabled persons go on organised tours - or travel in groups.
Holidays
Public holidays:
New Year's Day, 1 January
The day after New Year's Day, 2 January
Ephiphany, 6 January
Labour Day, 1 May
National Day, 1 December
Christams Day, 25 December
Boxing Day, 26 December
Shifting holidays
Easter, March, April or May.
New Year's Day, 1 January
The day after New Year's Day, 2 January
Ephiphany, 6 January
Labour Day, 1 May
National Day, 1 December
Christams Day, 25 December
Boxing Day, 26 December
Shifting holidays
Easter, March, April or May.
Accommodation / Hotel
As mass-tourism isn't developed yet, you won't find a broad selection of hotels, but you can often meet people who want to rent out a private room. This is a practice which has lately given Romanians an opportunity to supplement their modest salaries. This can be recommended, but it will not necessarily be cheaper than a basic Hotel.
Book your Hotel in Romania here
Book your Hotel in Romania here
Camping
Camping is a common way of spending the night, also by the Romanians themselves. The camping sites often have small "bungalows", which are one-room cabins without many facilities. These are often used by the Romanian youth and can be a quite decent place to spend the night.
You won't find the same Hotel standards as in Europe, but the staff is often polite and will help you find a place to stay if everything is booked. hotels are categorised from one to four stars.
Hostels
The mountains often have excellent opportunities for spending the night at a hostel or in a cabin, which are often cheaper than the city's hotels and private rooms.
Local transport
Romania has a good train and bus system, and the prices are quite different from those in the rest of Western Europe. There are also taxis in and around the cities, and they're quite cheap.
Planes
There are domestic Flights, but as foreigners often pay more than the locals it becomes too expensive to use.
Bus
The buses aren't as reliable and more crowded than the trains, and the timetables are often either invalid or incorrect. Private companies are beginning to appear and improving the conditions.
Trains
The train system is reliable and well developed in Romania, and you can even find some charming, old trains, which aren't as comfortable, but gain by their historical charm. As it is very cheap to travel in Romania, you might as well go first class. The national railroad company (CFR) covers more than 11,000 km of railroad.
Taxi
Most taxis drive with a taxi-meter and can be hailed in the street or phoned for in the Hotel. There are also private taxis with the sign "P" or "PO", but you have to bargain the price beforehand with them.
car rental
It is easy to rent a car in Romania, but the prices are rather high.
Boat or Ferry
There is regular boat-service on the Danube River and in the Danube Delta area.
