Keys & Clues

Be aware of the airport taxi! If possible, avoid taxis of the airports.

All foreigners are advised to use‚ as much as possible, the common transport services which have fixed fares. Avoid to get into taxis in front of the airports, stations and bus terminals, because these usually have bigger fees than the average. Besides all these, when you take a taxi you have to assure that the driver started the taxi meter and that the fee for kilometre is the one that was communicated to you or displayed on the vehicle.’
However, if you have to take a taxi, which we DO NOT recommend, IT is useful to be sure that the driver knows the indicated address and you are not taken on rounding routes. Also, in the moment you pay get sure that you receive a receipt

 

Weather in Romania

Romania has a four-season climate. In the spring, the weather can quickly alternate between rain and sunshine. June, July and August are the hottest months. As the leaves begin to change color, you can still enjoy warm and sunny days while taking a stroll in the city's many parks or down on Calea Victoriei. Winters can be quite cold with moderate snowfall, that's why we recommend you to visit Romania between April and mid November

Precipitation is generally modest, averaging over 750 mm (29.5 in) only on the highest western mountains - much of it falling as snow which allows for an extensive skiing industry. In the Delta of the Danube, rainfall is very low, averaging only around 370 mm (14.6 in) per year, whilst in the more westerly lowland like Bucharest it is around 530 mm (20.9 in).

 

Electricity

A.C. 220 volts. Plugs are of the round 2-pin type. Romania's electrical current is 230 V and sockets take the standard continental European dual round-pronged plugs. A plug adaptor is required for non-European appliances. A power converter is necessary for appliances requiring 110 V. Please remember that simple adapters do not convert voltage or frequency.

 

Public Holidays

January 1st and 2nd - New Year; Monday following Orthodox Easter (April 4th and 5th 2010); May 1st - Labor Day; Rusaliile - Christian Orthodox Religious Holiday (celebrated 50 days after Easter - May 23th and 24th 2010); August 15th - Saint Mary's Day; December 1st - National Day; December 25-26 - Christmas. All these days are non-working days.

 

How to get here: by air, by rail, by road or by sea.

By air you can use regular or charter flights of Romanian airlines (Tarom) and the foreign airlines (Lufthansa, Air France, Delta, Swiss-air, Alitalia) that connect Bucharest with the most important airports in the world. Regular and charter flights of Romanian airlines (namely Tarom) and of the foreign airlines with offices in Bucharest (Delta, Air France, Lufthansa, Alitalia, Swissair...) connect Bucharest with the world's major airports.

There is 1 big airport in Bucharest -Henri Coanda Airport and others airports in most major cities: Timisoara - Traian Vuia, Craiova, Cluj-Napoca, Iasi, Arad, Oradea, Satu Mare, Constanta-Mihail Kogalniceanu, Targu Mures, Bacau, Suceava - Stefan Cel Mare, Sibiu, Tulcea, Baia Mare.

By rail: international express trains connect the main central European capitals with Bucharest, the Black Sea coast and the main cities in the country. So if you choose to travel by train you can get anywhere in the country in an easy and very safe way.

By road: you can come to Romania by road from all over the Europe, but it is important to know that the state of the roads here is not the best.  All roads are marked in accordance with international regulations. Cars are driven on the right side of the road and can overtake on the left. If you come to Romania by car, bring your driving license, car papers and green card.

By sea: cruise ships call at the Port of Constanta (on the Black Sea coast), the country's biggest port. Passenger boats also operate on the Danube and the new European river-way Rotterdam-Constanta, includes the Romanian Danube-Black Sea Canal.

 

Currency Exchange

Our national currency is the RON. When coming to Romania you should avoid the black exchange market as this is an illegal operation and subject to punishment according to the law. Foreign currency can only be exchanged at banks  (BCR, BRD, Banca Transilvania, BancPost, Reiffeisen Bank, Piraeus Bank, OTP Bank, Libra Bank) and authorized exchange offices. As rates can vary from one place to another it is wise to shop around. Go to the currency converter here.

 

Vaccinations

In Romania there are not required any kind of vaccinations.

 

Local time

In the summertime (from last Sunday in March to last Sunday in September) we have 3 hours ahead of GMT; during the other months of the year we have 2 hours ahead of GMT.

 

Tipping

Normally a small tip for good services is appreciated, but is not a mandatory requirement, it is as the customer’s wish.

 

Credit Cards

All types of international cards (debit or credit like American Express, Master Card, and VISA) are accepted in most hotels, rent-a-car companies, big stores, hipermarkets and in some restaurants.

 

Customs & Etiquette

Romanians are friendly and open and foreigners are usually made very welcome. Chatting with visitors is very common for Romanians and they will find a way to communicate with you even if they cannot speak your language.

  • Older people particularly appreciate old-fashioned politeness. It is respectful to use Mrs. or Mr. when using the name of a person that you just meet.
  • Handshaking is the most common form of greeting. When a Romanian man is introduced to a woman, he will probably kiss her hand, strictly avoiding her eyes.
  • If one refuses what a host offers to eat or drink, this will often be taken as a polite refusal by guest who really means to say "yes." If you want to refuse the offer find a polite excuse and say it firmly or ask for a replacement.
  • It is common to linger once the meal (luch or dinner) is over.
  • When visiting someone at home bring a small gift. Most common gifts include flowers or chocolate (for women only), a bottle of wine or liquor. The number of flowers that one offers must always be odd. Other well-appreciate gifts include Western cosmetics (i.e. eau de toilette or after-shave) and clothing.
  • All gifts should be wrapped, but many Romanians might not unwrap their gifts in your presence.
  • It is not considered impolite to ask a person's age, politics, income or religion, so don't take such questions amiss.