Romania holidays

August 2024.

A photo illustration of a plane on the tarmac at an airport, wrapped up like a present in brown paper and string, with a shiny bow on the tail

I’m off on holiday - but who knows where? Will my ‘mystery travel’ experiment end in delight or disappointment?

A brown-coloured glossy ibis on the banks lit up in sunset light.

‘This is the Amazon of Europe’: a wildlife trip on Romania’s Danube delta

December 2023.

The futuristic looking hotel, with a dramatic sunset.

‘So good I went five times’: travel writers’ favourite discoveries of 2023

October 2023.

A cabin in the Făgăraș mountains, part of the Transylvanian Alps (Southern Carpathians).

‘A Yellowstone for Europe’: Romania’s ambition for a vast new wilderness reserve

September 2023.

Keleti station in Budapest, one of eastern Europe’s main railway junctions.

In the tracks of the Orient Express: my train ride from London to Istanbul

Jenna Ortega as Wednesday Addams

The real Nevermore Academy: my gothic pilgrimage to the set of Netflix’s Wednesday in Romania

January 2023.

Indulge your body at Therme Spa, before getting your cultural fill in the city.

A local's guide A local’s guide to Bucharest: a pizza of a city with something to see in every sector

October 2022.

The Roman theater and Alcazaba, Málaga.

Readers' travel tips ‘It’s 23C in the evening’ – readers’ best autumn breaks in Europe

Annecy film festival

Move over Cannes: 10 of Europe’s best summer film festivals

November 2021.

Release of European bison, Bison bonasus, in the Tarcu mountains nature reserve, Natura 2000 area, Southern Carpathians, Romania. The release was actioned by Rewilding Europe and WWF Romania in May 2014.

Where the wild things are: a trip to Romania’s southern mountains

December 2020.

Boys taking part in a traditional stag festival in Botosani, Romania

Travel through a lens ‘It symbolises the end of the year and the new one beginning’: folk dance in Romania

November 2020.

Woman in mud on the Turda mudflats, Romania.

Travel through a lens ‘We are all here to heal’: Transylvania's mud bathers

February 2020.

Therme Spa Bucharest

Steamy scenes at low prices: Bucharest’s affordable luxury spa

January 2020, a local's guide 10 of the best things to do in cluj-napoca, romania: a local's guide, january 2019.

Akasha Wellness Retreat, Romania

A vegan yoga retreat in Dracula’s back yard, Romania

October 2018.

Brown bears in Kainuu, Finland.

Five of Europe’s best wildernesses for spotting big beasts

October 2017.

Hoia Baciu woodland, sunlight filtering through, one small tree in the foreground

Frights and sights in Transylvania: exploring haunted Hoia Baciu

guardian travel romania

Instagram snapshots Instagram snapshots: Adonis Villanueva in Breb, Romania

February 2016.

Bucharest

Insider's guides An insider's guide to Bucharest: manele music and pastry-scented metro stops

January 2016.

Island in the sun: the turquoise waters of Lagoa Azul in northern São Tomé e Principe, Africa

My secret hideaway: foreign correspondents reveal all

  • Europe holidays
  • Bucharest holidays
  • Short breaks
  • Wildlife holidays
  • Germany holidays

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Warnings and insurance

Before you travel.

No travel can be guaranteed safe. Read all the advice in this guide. You may also find it helpful to: 

  • see  general advice for women travellers
  • read our guide on disability and travel abroad
  • see  general advice for LGBT+ travellers
  • read about  safety for solo and independent travel
  • see advice on volunteering and adventure travel abroad

Travel insurance

If you choose to travel, research your destinations and  get appropriate travel insurance . Insurance should cover your itinerary, planned activities and expenses in an emergency.

About FCDO travel advice

The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office ( FCDO ) provides advice about risks of travel to help you make informed decisions. Find out  more about  FCDO  travel advice .

Follow and contact  FCDO  travel on  Twitter ,  Facebook  and  Instagram . You can also sign up to  get email notifications  when this advice is updated.

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COVID-19: travel health notice for all travellers

Romania travel advice

Latest updates: Entry and exit requirements – added information on temporary entry under CETA

Last updated: August 30, 2024 12:54 ET

On this page

Safety and security, entry and exit requirements, laws and culture, natural disasters and climate, romania - take normal security precautions.

Take normal security precautions in Romania.

Back to top

Violent crime is rare.

Pickpocketing, purse snatching and mugging occur, particularly in Bucharest and other urban centres. Be vigilant in crowded areas such as busy streets, public transportation, train stations and airport terminals. Avoid walking alone after dark.

Organized groups of thieves are particularly active in public transport hubs, such as train and bus stations, and subways.

Theft can occur on intercity trains. Don’t leave your compartment unattended. Always lock the door from the inside. Don’t travel on your own, particularly on overnight trains.

Theft from hotel rooms is common. Make sure your valuables are always locked away if leaving them in the room while you’re away.

Ensure that your personal belongings, including your passport and other travel documents, are secure at all times, particularly on public transportation. Avoid showing signs of affluence and carrying large sums of cash.

There is a threat of terrorism in Europe. Terrorists have carried out attacks in several European cities and further attacks are likely.

Targets could include:

  • government buildings, including schools
  • places of worship
  • airports and other transportation hubs and networks
  • public areas such as tourist attractions, restaurants, bars, coffee shops, shopping centres, markets, hotels and other sites frequented by foreigners

Always be aware of your surroundings when in public places. Be particularly vigilant if attending sporting events and during religious holidays and other public celebrations, as terrorists have used such occasions to mount attacks.

Individuals posing as plainclothes police officers may ask you to see your foreign currency and passports. Politely decline to cooperate, but offer to go to the nearest police station to sort out the issue.

Some bars and nightclubs may try to charge exorbitant prices. Discussions about overcharging may lead to threats of violence and security guards may force you to pay.

Credit card and ATM fraud occurs. Be cautious when using debit or credit cards:

  • pay careful attention when your cards are being handled by others
  • use ATMs located in well-lit public areas or inside a bank or business
  • avoid using card readers with an irregular or unusual feature
  • cover the keypad with one hand when entering your PIN
  • check for any unauthorized transactions on your account statements

Cybercrime occurs. Perpetrators may compromise public Wi-Fi networks to steal credit card or personal information.

  • Avoid using public Wi-Fi networks
  • Avoid making purchases on unencrypted websites
  • Be cautious when posting information on social media
  • Be particularly vigilant when contacting or meeting individuals known over the internet

Overseas fraud

Spiked food and drinks

Never leave food or drinks unattended or in the care of strangers. Be wary of accepting snacks, beverages, gum or cigarettes from new acquaintances, as the items may contain drugs that could put you at risk of sexual assault and robbery.

Demonstrations

Demonstrations take place from time to time. Even peaceful demonstrations can turn violent at any time. They can also lead to disruptions to traffic and public transportation.

  • avoid areas where demonstrations and large gatherings are taking place
  • follow the instructions of local authorities
  • monitor local media for information on ongoing demonstrations

Mass gatherings (large-scale events)

Road safety

Road conditions and road safety can vary greatly throughout the country. With the exception of major city streets and intercity highways, many roads are in disrepair, poorly lit, narrow and without marked lanes.

Driving can be hazardous due to aggressive drivers, erratic driving behaviour and excessive speeds.

Don’t drive after dark outside of major cities due to unsafe conditions. These can include horse-drawn carts without lights and wandering livestock on the road.

Public transportation

Use only licensed metered taxis that display their price lists. Verify the tariffs on the taxi’s window before boarding and ensure that the meter displays the correct tariff. Tariffs are more expensive at night and when travelling outside of the city limits.

At the Bucharest Henri Coandă International Airport, arrange for a taxi from the taxis booth within the arrivals terminal to get a fair rate. Don’t hail a taxi on the street; instead, order one from your hotel or use a trusted ride-sharing app.

Avoid travelling alone in a taxi to remote areas.

Rail services safety standards are generally good.

We do not make assessments on the compliance of foreign domestic airlines with international safety standards.

Information about foreign domestic airlines

Every country or territory decides who can enter or exit through its borders. The Government of Canada cannot intervene on your behalf if you do not meet your destination’s entry or exit requirements.

We have obtained the information on this page from the Romanian authorities. It can, however, change at any time.

Verify this information with the  Foreign Representatives in Canada .

schengen_area

  • Schengen area

Romania entered the Schengen area on March 31, 2024. Air and maritime border controls are no longer in effect. Land border controls will remain in effect until further notice.

Entry requirements vary depending on the type of passport you use for travel.

Before you travel, check with your transportation company about passport requirements. Its rules on passport validity may be more stringent than the country’s entry rules.

Regular Canadian passport

Your passport must be valid for at least 3 months beyond the date you expect to leave Romania.

Passport for official travel

Different entry rules may apply.

Official travel

Passport with “X” gender identifier

While the Government of Canada issues passports with an “X” gender identifier, it cannot guarantee your entry or transit through other countries. You might face entry restrictions in countries that do not recognize the “X” gender identifier. Before you leave, check with the closest foreign representative for your destination.

Other travel documents

Different entry rules may apply when travelling with a temporary passport or an emergency travel document. Before you leave, check with the closest foreign representative for your destination.

Useful links

  • Foreign Representatives in Canada
  • Canadian passports

Tourist visa: not required for stays up to 90 days within any 180-day period Business visa: not required for stays up to 90 days within any 180-day period Student visa: required

The 90-day, visa-free period begins upon initial entry into Romania.

If you plan to return to Romania within 180 days of your last visit, authorities will only allow you entry for what’s left of your 90-day, visa-free exemption. If you’ve already spent 90 days within any 180 day-period, authorities may refuse you entry.

Guide to temporary entry into Romania under CETA

Romania is a Schengen area country. Canadian citizens do not need a visa for travel to countries within the Schengen area. However, visa-free travel only applies to stays of up to 90 days in any 180-day period. Stays are cumulative and include visits to any Schengen area country.

If you plan to stay in the Schengen area for a longer period of time, you will need a visa. You must contact the high commission or embassy of the country or countries you are travelling to and obtain the appropriate visa(s) prior to travel.

  • Foreign Representatives in Canada
  • Children and travel

Romanian authorities consider a child born to a Romanian parent as a citizen of Romania, even if the child was born in Canada and has a Canadian passport.

When leaving Romania, a Romanian citizen under the age of 18 must:

  • travel with one of the following
  • both parents
  • one parent with the written consent of the non-accompanying parent
  • their legal guardian(s)
  • an authorized person over the age of 18 who has passed a criminal record check.
  • carry a standard statement of consent to travel from their parent(s) or guardian(s), notarized by Romanian authorities. This does not apply to Romanian children returning to their proven country of legal residence.

Entry and exit requirements for children under the age of 18 may change without notice. Parents of children travelling alone or with one parent should contact the nearest Romanian embassy or consulate before departing for Romania to confirm that each child meets the latest entry and exit requirements.

  • Travelling with children
  • Terms of leaving Romania with Romanian minors (in Romanian)

Yellow fever

Learn about potential entry requirements related to yellow fever (vaccines section).

Relevant Travel Health Notices

  • Global Measles Notice - 13 March, 2024
  • COVID-19 and International Travel - 13 March, 2024

This section contains information on possible health risks and restrictions regularly found or ongoing in the destination. Follow this advice to lower your risk of becoming ill while travelling. Not all risks are listed below.

Consult a health care professional or visit a travel health clinic preferably 6 weeks before you travel to get personalized health advice and recommendations.

Routine vaccines

Be sure that your  routine vaccinations , as per your province or territory , are up-to-date before travelling, regardless of your destination.

Some of these vaccinations include measles-mumps-rubella (MMR), diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio, varicella (chickenpox), influenza and others.

Pre-travel vaccines and medications

You may be at risk for preventable diseases while travelling in this destination. Talk to a travel health professional about which medications or vaccines may be right for you, based on your destination and itinerary. 

Yellow fever is a disease caused by a flavivirus from the bite of an infected mosquito.

Travellers get vaccinated either because it is required to enter a country or because it is recommended for their protection.

  • There is no risk of yellow fever in this country.

Country Entry Requirement*

  • Proof of vaccination is not required to enter this country.

Recommendation

  • Vaccination is not recommended.

* It is important to note that country entry requirements may not reflect your risk of yellow fever at your destination. It is recommended that you contact the nearest diplomatic or consular office of the destination(s) you will be visiting to verify any additional entry requirements.

About Yellow Fever

Yellow Fever Vaccination Centres in Canada

There is a risk of hepatitis A in this destination. It is a disease of the liver. People can get hepatitis A if they ingest contaminated food or water, eat foods prepared by an infectious person, or if they have close physical contact (such as oral-anal sex) with an infectious person, although casual contact among people does not spread the virus.

Practise  safe food and water precautions and wash your hands often. Vaccination is recommended for all travellers to areas where hepatitis A is present.

Tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) is a risk in some areas of this destination. It is a viral disease that affects the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord). It is spread to humans by the bite of infected ticks or occasionally when unpasteurized milk products are consumed.

Travellers to areas where TBE is found may be at higher risk  during April to November, and the risk is highest for people who hike or camp in forested areas.

Protect yourself from tick bites . The vaccine is not available in Canada. It may be available in the destination you are travelling to.

In this destination, rabies  may be present in some wildlife species, including bats. Rabies is a deadly disease that spreads to humans primarily through bites or scratches from an infected animal. 

If you are bitten or scratched by an animal while travelling, immediately wash the wound with soap and clean water and see a health care professional. 

Before travel, discuss rabies vaccination with a health care professional. It may be recommended for travellers who will be working directly with wildlife. 

Measles is a highly contagious viral disease. It can spread quickly from person to person by direct contact and through droplets in the air.

Anyone who is not protected against measles is at risk of being infected with it when travelling internationally.

Regardless of where you are going, talk to a health care professional before travelling to make sure you are fully protected against measles.

  Hepatitis B is a risk in every destination. It is a viral liver disease that is easily transmitted from one person to another through exposure to blood and body fluids containing the hepatitis B virus.  Travellers who may be exposed to blood or other bodily fluids (e.g., through sexual contact, medical treatment, sharing needles, tattooing, acupuncture or occupational exposure) are at higher risk of getting hepatitis B.

Hepatitis B vaccination is recommended for all travellers. Prevent hepatitis B infection by practicing safe sex, only using new and sterile drug equipment, and only getting tattoos and piercings in settings that follow public health regulations and standards.

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is an infectious viral disease. It can spread from person to person by direct contact and through droplets in the air.

It is recommended that all eligible travellers complete a COVID-19 vaccine series along with any additional recommended doses in Canada before travelling. Evidence shows that vaccines are very effective at preventing severe illness, hospitalization and death from COVID-19. While vaccination provides better protection against serious illness, you may still be at risk of infection from the virus that causes COVID-19. Anyone who has not completed a vaccine series is at increased risk of being infected with the virus that causes COVID-19 and is at greater risk for severe disease when travelling internationally.

Before travelling, verify your destination’s COVID-19 vaccination entry/exit requirements. Regardless of where you are going, talk to a health care professional before travelling to make sure you are adequately protected against COVID-19.

 The best way to protect yourself from seasonal influenza (flu) is to get vaccinated every year. Get the flu shot at least 2 weeks before travelling.  

 The flu occurs worldwide. 

  •  In the Northern Hemisphere, the flu season usually runs from November to   April.
  •  In the Southern Hemisphere, the flu season usually runs between April and   October.
  •  In the tropics, there is flu activity year round. 

The flu vaccine available in one hemisphere may only offer partial protection against the flu in the other hemisphere.

The flu virus spreads from person to person when they cough or sneeze or by touching objects and surfaces that have been contaminated with the virus. Clean your hands often and wear a mask if you have a fever or respiratory symptoms.

Safe food and water precautions

Many illnesses can be caused by eating food or drinking beverages contaminated by bacteria, parasites, toxins, or viruses, or by swimming or bathing in contaminated water.

  • Learn more about food and water precautions to take to avoid getting sick by visiting our eat and drink safely abroad page. Remember: Boil it, cook it, peel it, or leave it!
  • Avoid getting water into your eyes, mouth or nose when swimming or participating in activities in freshwater (streams, canals, lakes), particularly after flooding or heavy rain. Water may look clean but could still be polluted or contaminated.
  • Avoid inhaling or swallowing water while bathing, showering, or swimming in pools or hot tubs. 

Travellers' diarrhea is the most common illness affecting travellers. It is spread from eating or drinking contaminated food or water.

Risk of developing travellers' diarrhea increases when travelling in regions with poor standards of hygiene and sanitation. Practise safe food and water precautions.

The most important treatment for travellers' diarrhea is rehydration (drinking lots of fluids). Carry oral rehydration salts when travelling.

Insect bite prevention

Many diseases are spread by the bites of infected insects such as mosquitoes, ticks, fleas or flies. When travelling to areas where infected insects may be present:

  • Use insect repellent (bug spray) on exposed skin
  • Cover up with light-coloured, loose clothes made of tightly woven materials such as nylon or polyester
  • Minimize exposure to insects
  • Use mosquito netting when sleeping outdoors or in buildings that are not fully enclosed

To learn more about how you can reduce your risk of infection and disease caused by bites, both at home and abroad, visit our insect bite prevention page.

Find out what types of insects are present where you’re travelling, when they’re most active, and the symptoms of the diseases they spread.

Animal precautions

Some infections, such as rabies and influenza, can be shared between humans and animals. Certain types of activities may increase your chance of contact with animals, such as travelling in rural or forested areas, camping, hiking, and visiting wet markets (places where live animals are slaughtered and sold) or caves.

Travellers are cautioned to avoid contact with animals, including dogs, livestock (pigs, cows), monkeys, snakes, rodents, birds, and bats, and to avoid eating undercooked wild game.

Closely supervise children, as they are more likely to come in contact with animals.

Person-to-person infections

Stay home if you’re sick and practise proper cough and sneeze etiquette , which includes coughing or sneezing into a tissue or the bend of your arm, not your hand. Reduce your risk of colds, the flu and other illnesses by:

  •   washing your hands often
  • avoiding or limiting the amount of time spent in closed spaces, crowded places, or at large-scale events (concerts, sporting events, rallies)
  • avoiding close physical contact with people who may be showing symptoms of illness 

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) , HIV , and mpox are spread through blood and bodily fluids; use condoms, practise safe sex, and limit your number of sexual partners. Check with your local public health authority pre-travel to determine your eligibility for mpox vaccine.  

Tuberculosis is an infection caused by bacteria and usually affects the lungs.

For most travellers the risk of tuberculosis is low.

Travellers who may be at high risk while travelling in regions with risk of tuberculosis should discuss pre- and post-travel options with a health care professional.

High-risk travellers include those visiting or working in prisons, refugee camps, homeless shelters, or hospitals, or travellers visiting friends and relatives.

Medical services and facilities

Medical services and facilities vary throughout the country. They may not be up to the standards you might expect in Canada. Private hospitals and clinics located in cities are often better staffed and equipped than public or rural facilities. Most medical facilities expect cash payment at the time of service.

Make sure you get travel insurance that includes coverage for medical evacuation and hospital stays.

Health and safety outside Canada

Keep in Mind...

The decision to travel is the sole responsibility of the traveller. The traveller is also responsible for his or her own personal safety.

Be prepared. Do not expect medical services to be the same as in Canada. Pack a   travel health kit , especially if you will be travelling away from major city centres.

You must abide by local laws.

Learn about what you should do and how we can help if you are arrested or detained abroad .

Transfer to a Canadian prison

Canada and Romania are signatories to the Convention on the Transfer of Sentenced Persons. This enables a Canadian imprisoned in Romania to request a transfer to a Canadian prison to complete a sentence. The transfer requires the agreement of both Canadian and Romania authorities.

This process can take a long time, and there is no guarantee that the transfer will be approved by either or both sides.

Identification

You must carry photo identification at all times as local authorities can ask you to prove your identity. A photocopy of your passport is acceptable, and will help in case of loss or seizure of the original document.

Penalties for possession, use or trafficking of illegal drugs are severe. Convicted offenders can expect prison sentences of up to 15 years and heavy fines.

Drugs, alcohol and travel

Photography

It is illegal to photograph government buildings and military installations, unless prior permission has been obtained from local authorities.

Dual citizenship

Dual citizenship is legally recognized in Romania.

If you are a Canadian citizen, but also a citizen of Romania, our ability to offer you consular services may be limited while you're there. You may also be subject to different entry/exit requirements .

Dual citizens

International Child Abduction

The Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction is an international treaty. It can help parents with the return of children who have been removed to or retained in certain countries in violation of custody rights. The convention applies between Canada and Romania.

If your child was wrongfully taken to, or is being held in Romania, and if the applicable conditions are met, you may apply for the return of your child to the Romanian court.

If you are in this situation:

  • act as quickly as you can
  • contact the Central Authority for your province or territory of residence for information on starting an application under The Hague Convention
  • consult a lawyer in Canada and in Romania to explore all the legal options for the return of your child
  • report the situation to the nearest Canadian government office abroad or to the Vulnerable Children's Consular Unit at Global Affairs Canada by calling the Emergency Watch and Response Centre

If your child was removed from a country other than Canada, consult a lawyer to determine if The Hague Convention applies.

Be aware that Canadian consular officials cannot interfere in private legal matters or in another country's judicial affairs.

  • List of Canadian Central Authorities for the Hague Convention
  • International Child Abductions: A guide for affected parents
  • The Hague Convention – Hague Conference on Private International Law
  • Canadian embassies and consulates by destination
  • Request emergency assistance

You must carry an international driving permit along with a valid Canadian driver’s licence in order to drive or to rent a vehicle in Romania. However, your Canadian driver’s licence is only considered valid for up to 90 days. For stays longer than 90 days, you will need to exchange your driver’s licence for a Romanian one.

Traffic laws are strict and local authorities carry out frequent road checks.

There is zero tolerance for driving under the influence of alcohol and penalties are severe. If a police officer suspects you of drinking and driving, they could confiscate your driver's licence on the spot. If you’re convicted, you can expect heavy fines and jail sentences. It is illegal to refuse a breathalyser test.

You must carry vehicle registration and proof of insurance.

A motorway vignette (locally known as a rovinieta) is required to travel outside major cities. You may purchase these at border points, post offices and large gas stations.

Headlights must be on at all times when driving, regardless of the time of day or weather.

Winter tires are mandatory during winter months.

You must carry a fire extinguisher, a first aid kit and a warning triangle in your car.

The use of a cellular telephone while driving is prohibited, unless it is fitted with a hands-free device.

Children under 12 cannot sit in the front seat of a vehicle.

International Driving Permit

2SLGBTQI+ persons

Although Romanian law does not prohibit sexual acts between individuals of the same sex, homosexuality is not widely accepted.

Travel and your sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression and sex characteristics

The currency of Romania is the leu (RON).

Exchanging money on the street is illegal. You may exchange Euros in recognized establishments, such as exchange shops, banks and hotels. Carry crisp bills, as merchants may not accept well-worn or used banknotes. Traveller’s cheques are not widely accepted. The economy is primarily cash-based, but credit cards are widely accepted in major urban centres.

If you are carrying €10,000 or more, or the equivalent in other currencies, you must make a declaration to customs when you enter or leave the European Union. It includes sums in:

  • banknotes and coins
  • bearer negotiable instruments such as cheques, travellers’ cheques, promissory notes and money orders
  • bonds, shares
  • gold coins with a gold content of at least 90 %
  • gold bars, nuggets or clumps with a gold content of at least 99.5 %
  • any other convertible asset

This does not apply if you are travelling within the European Union or in transit to a non-EU country.

EU cash controls - European Commission

Seismic activity

Romania is located in an active seismic zone.

There is a risk of avalanches in mountainous regions when rapidly warming temperatures follow a particularly harsh winter. Extreme weather can cause landslides.

Exercise caution, monitor local news and weather reports and follow the advice of local authorities.

Emergency information guide – Romania’s General Inspectorate for Emergency Situations (in Romanian)

Flooding is common in the winter and in the fall, but could occur at any time throughout the year.

High temperatures

Extreme temperatures, in both summer and winter, may cause electricity outages.

Local services

Dial 112 for emergency assistance.

Consular assistance

Bulgaria, Moldova

For emergency consular assistance, call the Embassy of Canada in Bucharest and follow the instructions. At any time, you may also contact the Emergency Watch and Response Centre in Ottawa.

The decision to travel is your choice and you are responsible for your personal safety abroad. We take the safety and security of Canadians abroad very seriously and provide credible and timely information in our Travel Advice to enable you to make well-informed decisions regarding your travel abroad.

The content on this page is provided for information only. While we make every effort to give you correct information, it is provided on an "as is" basis without warranty of any kind, expressed or implied. The Government of Canada does not assume responsibility and will not be liable for any damages in connection to the information provided.

If you need consular assistance while abroad, we will make every effort to help you. However, there may be constraints that will limit the ability of the Government of Canada to provide services.

Learn more about consular services .

Risk Levels

  take normal security precautions.

Take similar precautions to those you would take in Canada.

  Exercise a high degree of caution

There are certain safety and security concerns or the situation could change quickly. Be very cautious at all times, monitor local media and follow the instructions of local authorities.

IMPORTANT: The two levels below are official Government of Canada Travel Advisories and are issued when the safety and security of Canadians travelling or living in the country or region may be at risk.

  Avoid non-essential travel

Your safety and security could be at risk. You should think about your need to travel to this country, territory or region based on family or business requirements, knowledge of or familiarity with the region, and other factors. If you are already there, think about whether you really need to be there. If you do not need to be there, you should think about leaving.

  Avoid all travel

You should not travel to this country, territory or region. Your personal safety and security are at great risk. If you are already there, you should think about leaving if it is safe to do so.

On a train from Campulung Moldovenesc to Vatra Dornei in 2018

Travelling by train in Romania: everything you need to know

If you are travelling to Romania but you don’t have a car or a driving licence, the train is likely to be one of the first transport modes you’re going to look at. You may have noticed that planning your journey isn’t always straightforward! However, travelling by train in Romania is definitely both doable and enjoyable. In this post, I explain how travelling by train in Romania works (and sometimes doesn’t work). Learn where to buy your tickets, which operator to use, train types, pros and cons, and more.

Travelling by train is perhaps the most obvious way to get around Romania. As it happens, it is also my favourite mode of transport. Travelling by train in Romania is arguably the best way to really get to know the country and its inhabitants. Romanians are very sociable and more often than not, someone will strike up a conversation, whether you speak a shared language or not. But let’s skip to the practical part. How to go about it?

Most trains in Romania are operated by CFR, short for Căile Ferate Române. Now you can forget about that, but the first step in your journey should be to go to their website, www.cfrcalatori.ro . I’ll run you through the steps of planning your journey, and buying a ticket online or at the station.

Buying a train ticket online

Buying a train ticket at the station, buying a ticket on the train, other railway operators, comfort levels, sleeper trains, pros and cons of travelling by train in romania, buy my guidebook.

If you want to buy a train ticket for domestic travel online, please bear in mind that you must do so at least one day in advance. On the day itself, you can only buy a ticket at a station. There may also be some trains for which you can somehow never buy a ticket online. But mostly, it works like this:

How to buy a train ticket in Romania (online)

First, enter your departure and arrival station on the CFR website , as well as your departure date. Please note that many placenames have accents and/or different spellings in Romania. Cârța for example can also be spelled as Cîrța – but you can simple enter it as Carta and it will show up in the drop-down menu. There may be various places with the same name, so make sure you get the right one! If a station has the letters ‘hc’ or ‘hm’ after it, it means it is a railway halt ( halta ), rather than a station.

Clicking on ‘Search’ will open a new tab, where all the trains on that route for that particular day are listed. Select ‘EN’ in the top-right corner of the page to see it in English. Click on ‘Details/Price’ if you want to get more details and calculate the price of the ticket. I can already tell you that train tickets come very cheap in Romania. You’ll even get a small discount when buying your ticket online.

If you want to buy a ticket online, click on ‘Buy’, right next to ‘Details/Price’. On the next page, select the class you want to travel in, and the type of carriage if applicable (if you are booking a sleeper train for example). Then select ‘Standard tickets/offers’, unless you want to book a return ticket in which case you select ‘The Round-trip offer’.

Click ‘Next’, then click on the + button next to ‘Adults’ to add adult passengers, or select another type of passenger. You can buy a ticket for a dog as well. Bicycle tickets can only be purchased in the 2nd class on trains marked with a bicycle icon on the overview page. Again, click ‘Next’, after which you will be shown the sum total; click ‘Next’ once more.

If you don’t have an account yet, you can create one here by clicking ‘Register as a new user!’. After having created an account, you can use it to buy your ticket. For this you will need a credit card.

Your ticket will be issued by email; no need to print. Make sure the name on your ticket corresponds to the name on your ID or passport! Please note you will have an allocated seat; the carriage number and seat number are printed under or next to vagon and locuri respectively.

guardian travel romania

Buying a train ticket at a station ( gară ) is fairly straightforward. Either you go to a ticket desk (turn up in time – there might be a queue!), or you buy a ticket from a ticket machine. If lining up at a desk, make sure it says CFR and it’s the one for domestic travel, or you might be waiting in vain. With a bit of luck, the clerk speaks English. If you need to resort to Romanian, you may need to use some of these phrases:

One ticket to Sibiu, please. Un bilet la Sibiu, vă rog.

Two tickets to Sibiu, please. Două bilete la Sibiu, vă rog.

Departures Plecari

Arrivals Sosiri

Station Gară Where is the station? Unde e gara?

Platform (one, two, three, four) Linia (unu, doi, trei, patru)

In the direction of Spre

Delayed Întârziat

Thank you Mulțumesc!

And of course, tren meaning train! The ticket machines are easy to operate and mostly take cards as well as cash. You can choose your day and time of departure as well as your carriage of choice (although not your specific seat), so you can buy a ticket ahead of time if you like.

guardian travel romania

But what if there is no desk nor a machine at your departure station? This happens a lot in Romania, since there are a lot of railway halts that are no more than a platform, a sign and a bus stop-like shelter if you’re lucky. In that case, you can simply buy your ticket on the train. Simply state your destination to the conductor when they make their round, and he or she will issue a hand-written ticket. I love this.

CFR is not the only railway operator in Romania. There are quite a few destinations that are only served by other operators, such as Zărnești, the gateway to the Piatra Craiului mountains. Here is an overview of all the operators: CFR (Căile Ferate Române) Regio Calatori Transferoviar Călători Softrans Astra Trans Carpatic Interregional Călători Personally, I don’t think I’ve ever used any other operator than CFR, Regio Calatori and Interregional Călători. Regio Calatori is the one that serves Zărnești from Brașov. You can consult their timetable by clicking ‘Mersul Trenurilor’ in the top bar, then ‘Rute’ in the drop-down menu. Interregional Călători connects Cluj and Oradea. If you just want to get from one city to another, take a faster CFR train; however, if you want to get off at one of the stops in between to visit the Vlădeasa Mountains or the Padurea Craiului region, you might well want to take the Interregional Călători train, which stops at every halta .

guardian travel romania

Bear in mind that different operators have their own desk at major stations; if they don’t have a desk you can usually buy your ticket on the train. You may well want to compare different operators to find the ticket that suits you best. In short, CFR controls most of the network and is your go-to operator; if they don’t go where you want to go, you use one of the other ones. For a complete overview of all train timetables, go to the Infofer website. Using their journey planner, you will be able to see which operator serves which line, and compare different offers.

Types of trains

It’s important to know that there are different types of trains in Romania. The most important distinction to make is between R (Regional) and IR (Interregional) trains. Basically the IR trains are faster ones that only stop at bigger stations and the R trains are stop at every halta . Consequently, they are a lot slower, but they can also get you really, really close to the mountains sometimes! For instance, if you want to hike in the Retezat Mountains, you may well want to take a train to Ohaba de Sub Piatra halt. From there, you can get to the heart of the Retezat on the same day, if you’re lucky! Check out this post if you want to learn more.

Let’s talk comfort levels for a moment. These vary widely. It looks like CFR is quite busy replacing its old stock with state of the art carriages and trains. For instance, the regional diesels that run between Brașov and Sibiu, and between Cluj and Oradea, are new and pristine-looking. Still slow, however – because as explained, they stop at every cluster of houses and the terrain is also to blame. After all, Romania is a mountainous country and that means trains have a lot of hard uphill work to do. There are a lot of old trains too – and unless you’re already a seasoned traveller in Romania, it’s hard to tell what you will get. So be prepared to sacrifice some luxury – you will get an adventurous ride in return!

Sleeper trains deserve a paragraph of their own. I simply love overnight train travel, and although Romanian night trains are not very luxurious, they offer a unique experience. Romania is a big country, and travelling by train from one end to the other requires an overnight train, called an InterRegio train. This page lists all of Romania’s sleeper train connections, including international ones. Did you know you can travel straight to Bucharest from Vienna or Budapest these days? Here’s a post I wrote about travelling from Belgium to Romania by train. To find the night train you need, simply enter your departure and arrival station as described above. Sleeper trains are marked with a bed icon in the listing. There are two varieties of sleeping cabins. CFR distinguishes between vagon de dormit and vagon cuseta. A vagon de dormit is fitted with two berths and a wash basin, bed linen and a complimentary toiletry kit. On international routes, there are (shared) shower cabins too. A vagon cuseta contains either four or six berths. Read more on the CFR page here . I recommend you book your sleeper train online and well in advance, although it is technically possible to buy your sleeper train ticket at the station these days. Make very sure that you book a direct train so that you don’t have to get off in the middle of the night, and that you have actually selected a berth, not a seat! One last note: count on sleeper trains developing substantial delays. A couple of hours isn’t extraordinary. Of course this tends to happen later in the journey, so if you board a sleeper at or close to its departure station you should be good. Just don’t book your connecting train or flight too tight. I had a narrow escape once…

Sleeper train Sighet-Brasov

Although I’m the first one to sing the praises of travelling by train in Romania, I’ve got to be honest: there are some downsides to it. The main one being that trains are often slow: although Romania has Europe’s 4th largest railway network in terms of track length, many connections are cumbersome. You may have to change trains several times to get from A to B. If your planned journey looks unreasonably long, look into buses below. They often are a good and faster alternative. Also, count on trains being delayed often. As a tourist, I don’t mind too much; I know Romania is like this and I can accept it. For Romanians, this is a frustrating fact of life though. If you decide to travel by train, make sure you allow ample time between connecting trains, and in general, be prepared for contingencies.

Now, for the fun part. You may already have gleaned that I just love trains. I love travelling by them, but I also like the things themselves. Let me just randomly list some of the many things I like about the whole train experience. Many Romanian trains are pulled by locomotives from the eighties or perhaps even from the sixties. At stations, you will often see a man hammering away at the wheels to adjust I don’t know what exactly. Before every announcement at a station, a catchy jingle is played. In fact, there are multiple – and until I wrote this post, I had no idea which one was played when and where. But thanks to a sweet reader I now know that these jingles are based on Romanian music and that different stations play different ones! Find out all about it in this video. The first three are very familiar to me and cause me to feel a knot of Fernweh in my stomach.

You might like to know what to expect in terms of services. Larger stations always have several shops and even smaller ones have kiosks where you can buy ice cream, snacks and drinks. Don’t expect too much from the kiosks though! Romanians habitually get off the train to saunter over to buy some snacks during the interval at the station – but as a tourist you’ll want to be very sure how much time you have exactly! You can find out from your online itinerary at the CFR website.

One thing that used to amaze me but I got used to, is that on older trains on slow routes, the doors are often left open. I love hanging out of the doorway and seeing the landscape pass by. That is perhaps one of the biggest perks of travelling by train: you get to see a lot of Romania through your window, meanwhile enjoying the chatter of your fellow passengers – who may well want to know where you are from and where you are going. Many Romanians travel long distance by train to visit relatives, carrying huge amounts of luggage and food (chances are they will share it with you). All this supported by that wonderfully soothing cadence that only a train can offer.

Boys dangling their legs at Sighisoara station, Romania

Go on that ride!

All this should have convinced you that train travel in Romania is doable as well as affordable and entertaining. It’s different, it’s untidy, it isn’t always what I as a western European person deem safe: people crossing the rails, a marked hiking trail right next to a busy train line, boys sitting on the edge of a platform dangling their legs… And then there are all the funny stories – the one time where I hugged a friend goodbye and my train started pulling up and I had to run for it (the doors were still open), the one-carriage diesel train that took us to the Cozia mountains and where the conductor refused to sell us a ticket… And finally, I cannot resist sharing this highly amusing video of a diesel train in eastern Romania trying to cross a road in a very laborious way . Shot by my friend Nagy Pál . So if you’re looking for some adventure, hop on that Romanian train! Drum bun! PS I will handle international train travel in a separate post, please bear with me.

Like what I’m doing? Buy me a coffee tea on Ko-Fi! Much appreciated.

The Mountains of Romania, Janneke Klop, Cicerone Press

Are you planning to go hiking in Romania? You might want to buy my guidebook, ‘ The Mountains of Romania ‘! It offers 27 multi-stage treks and 10 day hikes all over Romania. It contains an extensive description of each hike, lots of practical info, overview maps, an accommodation appendix, a language guide, and comes with free gpx files. There is an e-book version as well! This is a project that I put my heart and soul in; I’d be so chuffed if you bought it! If you buy it directly from the publisher I get 10% royalties. You can also buy it directly from me; drop me a line here .

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Exercise normal safety precautions in Romania.

Romania Map Feb 2023

Romania (PDF 324.49 KB)

Europe (PDF 2.62 MB)

Local emergency contacts

Fire and rescue services, medical emergencies.

Call 112 or go to the hospital.

Call 112 or go to the local police station.

Advice levels

  • The Russian invasion of Ukraine is ongoing. The security situation continues to be volatile. Do not travel from Romania to Ukraine. 
  • Pickpocketing and bag-snatching occur. Thefts from hotel rooms are common. Assault and theft happen on intercity trains. Keep your personal belongings close. Lock hotel and train compartment doors from the inside.
  • Drink spiking is an issue, especially in Bucharest's Old Town. Don't accept food, drinks, gum or cigarettes from people you've just met.
  • Thieves posing as police officers may ask to see your ID and wallet. Romanian police won't stop you at random to do this. If you suspect someone is posing as a police officer, ask to see their identification.
  • Financial, dating and marriage scams occur. Only use ATMs in banks, shops and shopping centres, especially at night. Always keep your credit card in sight. Be wary of people you've met online.

Full travel advice:  Safety

  • Rabies occurs in wild and domestic animals. If an animal scratches or bites you, get medical treatment immediately.
  • West Nile virus can occur. Make sure your accommodation is insect-proof. Use insect repellent.
  • Measles has occurred in recent years. Ensure your vaccinations are up to date before you travel.
  • Waterborne, foodborne and other infectious diseases are common. Drink boiled or bottled water. Avoid ice cubes and raw or undercooked food. 
  • Medical facilities and supplies are limited. You'll need to be evacuated if you become seriously ill or injured. Make sure your insurance covers this.

Full travel advice:  Health

  • Penalties for drug offences are severe. They can include jail sentences of up to 20 years.
  • By law, you must always carry a photo ID. Keep your passport in a safe place. Carry a photocopy.
  • Taking photos of airports, military sites, or other secure locations is illegal.
  • It's illegal to engage in sex work or have sexual relations with a person under 18. 
  • Same-sex relationships are legal in Romania but not widely accepted. 

Full travel advice:  Local laws

  • You don't need a visa if you're a tourist staying for less than 90 days or transiting through Romania. For other types of travel, you'll need a visa.
  • Romania partially joined the Schengen area on 31 March. Border checks will cease between Romania and other Schengen countries for air or sea travel. Checks continue to be undertaken at land borders between Romania and other Schengen countries. 

Entry and exit conditions can change at short notice. Contact an  Embassy or Consulate of Romania  for details about visas, customs and quarantine rules.

Full travel advice:  Travel

Local contacts

  • The  Consular Services Charter  tells you what the Australian Government can and can't do to help when you're overseas.
  • The Australian Consulate in Bucharest provides limited consular and passport assistance.
  • You can get full consular help from the  Australian Embassy in Athens .
  • Follow the embassy's social media accounts to stay up to date with local information.

Full travel advice:  Local contacts

Full advice

Border with ukraine.

The Russian invasion of Ukraine is ongoing. Heavy fighting is occurring in parts of eastern and southern Ukraine. Missile strikes and attacks are ongoing in some locations across the country, including in major cities. There have also been attacks on Ukraine's Danube ports along the border with Romania. The security situation continues to be volatile. Do not travel from Romania to Ukraine. There's a risk to life.

If you have arrived in Romania from Ukraine and are in need of assistance, contact the Consular Emergency Centre on 1300 555 135 in Australia or +61 2 6261 3305 outside Australia.

Pickpocketing and bag-snatching can happen, usually:

  • near hotels
  • on public transport, especially to and from the airport
  • in train stations
  • in airport terminals

Organised groups of thieves target travellers. These groups may include children.

Thefts from hotel rooms are common.

Thefts and  assaults  take place on intercity trains.

Drink spiking is an issue, especially in Centrul Vechi (the old town in Bucharest).

To protect yourself from crime:

  • keep your personal belongings close, particularly near hotels and on public transport
  • avoid walking in quiet and poorly lit streets, especially at night
  • lock hotel and train compartment doors from the inside
  • don't leave luggage unattended in your train compartment
  • don't accept food, drinks, gum or cigarettes from people you've just met
  • don't leave food or drinks unattended

More information:

  • Avoiding danger
  • Partying safely

Sometimes thieves pretend to be police officers and ask for ID and wallets.

Romanian police won't stop you at random to ask for your ID or wallet. However, they may conduct checks if you don't comply with local laws.

If you suspect someone is posing as a police officer:

  • ask to see their identification
  • don't hand over your personal belongings
  • offer to go to the nearest police station with them to check their identity

Financial  scams , including credit card and ATM fraud, are common.

Internet fraud, including dating and marriage scams, also occur in Romania.

To reduce your risk of card theft and scams:

  • only use ATMs in banks, shops and shopping centres, especially at night
  • always keep your credit card in sight
  • be alert to internet scams and other fraud
  • be cautious if someone asks for your bank account details
  • be wary of connections you make through internet dating schemes or chat rooms

Cyber security 

You may be at risk of cyber-based threats during overseas travel to any country. Digital identity theft is a growing concern. Your devices and personal data can be compromised, especially if you're connecting to Wi-Fi, using or connecting to shared or public computers, or to Bluetooth. 

Social media can also be risky in destinations where there are social or political tensions or laws that may seem unreasonable by Australian standards. Travellers have been arrested for things they have said on social media. Don't comment on local or political events on your social media. 

More information:   

  • Cyber security when travelling overseas  

Civil unrest and political tension

Protests occur in Bucharest and other major cities.

Public protests and events that draw large groups of people can turn violent.

They may also disrupt services, traffic and public transport.

To stay safe:

  • avoid demonstrations
  • follow the advice of local authorities
  • monitor local media
  • Demonstrations and civil unrest

While there have been no recent terrorist attacks in Romania, they can still happen.

In recent years, terrorists have attacked several European cities.

European security services have also disrupted several planned attacks.

To protect yourself:

  • be alert to possible threats
  • report anything suspicious to the police
  • monitor the media for possible threats
  • take official warnings seriously

If there's an attack, leave the area as soon as it's safe. Avoid the affected area in case of secondary attacks.

Terrorism is a threat worldwide.

Tours and adventure travel

Transport and tour operators don't always follow safety and maintenance standards. This includes operators of adventure activities.

If you plan to do an  adventure activity :

  • check if your travel insurance policy covers it
  • ask about and insist on minimum safety requirements
  • always use available safety gear, such as life jackets or seatbelts

If proper safety equipment isn't available, use another provider.

Climate and natural disasters

Serious  earthquakes  are rare, but Romania is in a seismically active region and earth tremors are common.

Wildfires are becoming more frequent in the summer months. Torrential rain and flash flooding can happen throughout the year.

If there's a  natural disaster  or  severe weather :

  • secure your passport in a safe, waterproof place
  • keep in contact with your friends and family
  • closely monitor the media and other local sources of information

Register with the  Global Disaster Alert and Coordination System  to receive alerts on major disasters.

Travel insurance

Get comprehensive  travel insurance  before you leave. 

Your policy needs to cover all overseas medical costs, including medical evacuation. The Australian Government won't pay for these costs.

If you can't afford travel insurance, you can't afford to travel. This applies to everyone, no matter how healthy and fit you are.

If you're not insured, you may have to pay many thousands of dollars up-front for medical care.

  • what activities and care your policy covers
  • that your insurance covers you for the whole time you'll be away

Physical and mental health

Consider your physical and mental health before you travel, especially if you have an existing medical condition.

See your doctor or travel clinic to:

  • have a basic health check-up
  • ask if your travel plans may affect your health
  • plan any vaccinations you need.

Do this at least 8 weeks before you leave.

If you have immediate concerns for your welfare, or the welfare of another Australian, call the 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre on +61 2 6261 3305 or contact your  nearest Australian Embassy, High Commission or Consulate  to discuss counselling hotlines and services available in your location.

  • General health advice
  • Healthy holiday tips  (Healthdirect Australia)

Medications

Not all medication available over the counter or by prescription in Australia is available in other countries. Some may even be considered illegal or a controlled substance, even if prescribed by an Australian doctor.

If you plan to bring medication, check if it's legal in Romania. Take enough legal medication for your trip.

Carry a copy of your prescription or a letter from your doctor stating:

  • what the medication is
  • your required dosage
  • that it's for personal use

Health risks

Rabies  occurs in wild and domestic animals.

Ask your travel doctor about getting the rabies vaccine before you travel.

Get medical treatment immediately if an animal scratches or bites you.

  • Infectious diseases

Tick-borne encephalitis

Tick-borne encephalitis  is a risk, especially if you travel through forests and rural areas.

Ticks are active in spring from March to June and autumn from September to December.

West Nile virus

West Nile virus (WNV)  is a disease spread by mosquitoes. There's no vaccine to prevent it.

The Romanian Health Ministry has confirmed cases of West Nile virus in:

To protect yourself from disease:

  • make sure your accommodation is insect-proof
  • use insect repellent
  • wear long, loose, light-coloured clothing

An outbreak of  measles  has spread across Romania in recent years.

Make sure your vaccinations are up to date before you travel.

Other health risks

Waterborne, foodborne and other infectious diseases are common. These include:

  • tuberculosis

Serious outbreaks sometimes occur.

To reduce your risk of illness:

  • drink boiled or bottled water with intact seals
  • avoid ice cubes
  • avoid raw and undercooked food

Get medical advice if you have a fever or diarrhoea.

Medical care

Medical facilities.

Medical facilities in Romania are below Australian standards.

Some medical supplies are limited, particularly outside major cities.

Treatment can be expensive, and doctors often require payment up-front.

Ambulance services are unreliable in some areas outside larger cities. Psychological and psychiatric services are limited outside major cities.

Romania has 3 decompression chambers. All are in the port city of Constanta on the Black Sea coast.

If you become seriously ill or injured, you'll need to be evacuated to a place with better facilities. Medical evacuation can be very expensive.

You're subject to all local laws and penalties, including those that may appear harsh by Australian standards. Research local laws before travelling.

If you're arrested or jailed, the Australian Government will do what it can to help you under our  Consular Services Charter . But we can't get you out of trouble or out of jail.

Penalties for drug offences are severe. They can include prison sentences of up to 20 years.

  • Carrying or using drugs

Always carry a photo ID.

Keep your passport in a safe place and carry a photocopy.

In Romania, it's illegal to:

  • take photos of airports, military sites or other secure locations
  • engage in sex work or pay for sexual services
  • have sexual relations with a person under 18

Australian laws

Some Australian criminal laws still apply when you're overseas. If you break these laws, you may face prosecution in Australia.

  • Staying within the law and respecting customs

Local customs

Same-sex relationships are legal. However, they're not widely accepted in Romanian society.

Avoid public displays of affection.

  • Advice for LGBTI travellers

Dual citizenship

Dual nationals are legally recognised in Romania.

  • Dual nationals

Visas and border measures

Every country or territory decides who can enter or leave through its borders. For specific information about the evidence you'll need to enter a foreign destination, check with the nearest embassy, consulate or immigration department of the destination you're entering. 

You don't need a visa to enter as a tourist for up to 90 days. You'll need a visa for other types of travel.

Romania partially joined the  Schengen area  on 31 March. Border checks will cease between Romania and other Schengen countries for air or sea travel. 

Checks continue at land borders between Romania and other Schengen countries. 

If you're travelling without a visa, ensure your entire visit to the Schengen area, including your stay in Romania, is within the 90-day limit. This applies to all arrivals (air, land and sea).

  • Visas and entry requirements in Europe and the Schengen Area

Other formalities

Travel with children.

Special entry rules apply to children aged under 18 years, including Australian-Romanian dual nationals.

The child must be accompanied by an adult and have their own passport.

If you're a parent or guardian  travelling alone with a child , you must carry a legal permission document signed by the non-travelling parent.

If this isn't possible, you'll need:

  • a death certificate of a parent registered on the child's birth certificate
  • a court order granting sole custody to the travelling (or authorising) parent

The documents must be translated into Romanian.

  • Advice for people travelling with children
  • Embassy or consulate of Romania

Some countries won't let you enter unless your passport is valid for 6 months after you plan to leave that country. This can apply even if you're just transiting or stopping over.

Some foreign governments and airlines apply the rule inconsistently. Travellers can receive conflicting advice from different sources.

You can end up stranded if your passport is not valid for more than 6 months.

The Australian Government does not set these rules. Check your passport's expiry date before you travel. If you're not sure it'll be valid for long enough, consider getting  a new passport .

Lost or stolen passport

Your passport is a valuable document. It's attractive to people who may try to use your identity to commit crimes.

Some people may try to trick you into giving them your passport. Always keep it in a safe place.

If your passport is lost or stolen, tell the Australian Government as soon as possible:

  • In Australia, contact the  Australian Passport Information Service
  • If you're overseas, contact the nearest  Australian embassy or consulate

Passport with 'X' gender identifier

Although Australian passports comply with international standards for sex and gender, we can't guarantee that a passport showing 'X' in the sex field will be accepted for entry or transit by another country. Contact the nearest  embassy, high commission or consulate of your destination  before you arrive at the border to confirm if authorities will accept passports with 'X' gender markers. 

  • LGBTI travellers  

The local currency is the Romanian Leu (RON).

Romania is a member of the European Union (EU).

Declare cash over 10,000 euros or equivalent if you're travelling between Romania and non-EU countries. This covers all forms of currency, not only cash.

If you don't declare or give incorrect information, you'll need to pay a fine.

You don't need to declare cash if you're travelling to or from another EU country.

Romania is largely a cash economy. However, credit card and debit card use is increasing.

It's illegal to change money on the streets. Exchange money at banks, large hotels or exchange bureaus.

Local travel

Accessibility.

If you have a  disability , you may encounter limited accessibility in some parts of Romania.

Public transport and building accessibility is better:

  • in Bucharest and other large cities
  • at international airports and large hotels

Driving permit

To drive in Romania, you'll need both:

  • your current Australian driver's licence
  • an International Driving Permit (IDP)

Driving without an IDP could void your travel and vehicle insurance.

If you stay longer than 185 days, you can apply for a Romanian driver's licence. Do this through the General Directorate for Driving Licences and Car Registration.

  • DRPCIV (Romanian)
  • Driving or riding

Road travel

Romania has the highest rate of road fatalities of all EU countries. Take care on the road.

Major city streets and inter-city highways are generally in good condition.

Most other roads are poorly maintained, badly lit and narrow.

Additional driving hazards include:

  • poor driving standards
  • wet and icy roads during winter
  • stray dogs, wandering livestock and horse-drawn carts on the roads

If you need emergency roadside help, call 9271.

Learn Romanian traffic laws before you drive. Be aware that:

  • the minimum age for driving is 18 years
  • children aged under 12 years can't sit in the front seat of a vehicle
  • driving with a blood alcohol reading above 0% is illegal
  • use of mobile phones while driving is banned. Only hands-free is permitted
  • wearing a seatbelt is mandatory

If you drink and drive, you may:

  • lose your licence
  • receive a prison sentence of up to 5 years

If you're involved in an accident, you must take a breathalyser test. Refusing to take this test is a crime.

Police strictly enforce traffic laws. They conduct frequent checks, including radar speed checks. You may lose your licence and have to pay a fine if caught.

You need a road toll sticker (Rovinieta) to use national roads. Buy one online or from petrol stations or border points. Driving without a sticker may lead to a fine.

Weather conditions

Road travel can be dangerous when roads are wet or covered with ice and snow.

Winter tyres are mandatory on snow-covered roads. Roads become snow-covered most often from November to March.

In extreme weather conditions:

  • use tyre chains when driving
  • check weather alerts on  meteoalarm

Vehicle insurance

Ask your travel insurer whether your policy covers you if you plan to hire a car or other vehicle.

Also, ask if any restrictions apply. Your cover may only be valid if you're licensed for that vehicle type in Australia.

Motorcycles

Ask your travel insurer whether your policy covers you when using a motorbike, quad bike or similar vehicle.

Always wear a helmet.

Authorised taxis are generally safe and reliable.

At airports, you can find them in ranks outside the arrivals terminal.

These vehicles:

  • display taxi registration, licensing and tariff information
  • have an airport sign on both sides of the vehicle

To avoid overcharging and other problems:

  • only use authorised taxis
  • avoid taxi service offers from touts at airports, train stations and other public places

DFAT doesn't provide information on the safety of individual commercial airlines or flight paths.

Check  Romania's air safety profile  with the Aviation Safety Network.

Emergencies

Depending on what you need, contact your:

  • family and friends
  • travel agent
  • insurance provider

English-speaking operators are available.

Always get a police report when you report a crime.

Your insurer should have a 24-hour emergency number.

Consular contacts

Read the  Consular Services Charter  for what the Australian Government can and can't do to help you overseas.

Australia has a consulate in Bucharest, headed by an Honorary Consul.

The consulate provides limited consular services and doesn't issue passports.

Australian Consulate, Bucharest

Honorary Consul The Group 3 Praga St, District 1 Bucharest 011801 Romania Phone: (+4 037) 406 0845 or (+4 021) 206 2200  Fax: (+4 031) 107 1378 Email:  [email protected]

You can get full consular help from the Australian Embassy in Athens.

Australian Embassy, Athens

5 Hatziyianni Mexi Street, Level 2 Athens 115 28, Greece Phone: +30 210 870 4000 Fax: +30 210 870 4111 Website:  greece.embassy.gov.au Facebook:  Australia in Greece

Check the Embassy website for details about opening hours and any temporary closures.

24-hour Consular Emergency Centre

In a consular emergency, if you can't contact an embassy, call the 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre on:

  • +61 2 6261 3305 from overseas
  • 1300 555 135 in Australia

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Nomadic Matt: Travel Cheaper, Longer, Better

Romania Travel Tips

Last Updated: November 2, 2023

a monastery on a lake in Romania

I had no idea what to expect when I first visited Romania. Beyond the stereotypical vampire myths and legends of Transylvania, I knew shockingly little about the country.

What I found on arrival was a budget-friendly destination brimming with hearty food, amazing natural landscapes, and a fraction of the tourists found elsewhere in Europe .

The country has a long (and turbulent) history stretching back thousands of years. It was annexed by numerous powers over the centuries, including the Romans, the Byzantines, the Holy Roman Empire, Hungary, and the Soviets (who left a particularly dark stain on the country’s history).

While Romania used to be far off the beaten path, in recent years, the country’s tourism numbers have been increasing. That said, it’s still relatively undiscovered compared to countries in Western and Central Europe and its charming historic cities with cobblestone streets and medieval architecture is both affordable and rarely crowded.

I love Romania to bits and I strongly, strongly encourage you to take the country slowly and spend extra time here. It’s a massive country perfect for road-tripping, hiking, and history buffs.

This travel guide to Romania can help you plan your trip, save money, and make the most of your visit.

Table of Contents

  • Things to See and Do
  • Typical Costs
  • Suggested Budget
  • Money-Saving Tips
  • Where to Stay
  • How to Get Around
  • How to Stay Safe
  • Best Places to Book Your Trip
  • Related Blogs on Romania

Click Here for City Guides

Top 5 things to see and do in romania.

The dramatic green peaks of the Faragas Mountains in Romania.

1. Explore Brasov

Located in the historical region of Transylvania and surrounded by the Carpathian Mountains, Brasov is one of the best-preserved cities in Romania. Due to its location in the center of the country, the city has long been a hub for commercial and cultural activities (it was even the birthplace of Romania’s national anthem). Today, the city is best known to travelers as the launching pad for trips to “Dracula’s castle” (which isn’t actually his castle but is still a fun one to visit). There’s a bit of everything here, including great hiking nearby, a beautiful historic center, and charming medieval streets. The city also offers a wide variety of food, from local Romanian fare to tasty international dishes. Stay awhile and really soak in this cultural capital.

2. Wander Bucharest

Bucharest boasts a healthy mix of Neoclassical and Beaux-Arts buildings and communist-style concrete blocks. By European standards, it’s a relatively young city, and in recent years has become a tech hub for local and European startups as well as digital nomads. There are plenty of museums, cemeteries, historical sites, shopping centers, and architectural sights to check out here. Some of the main sights include the gigantic Palace of Parliament, the Romanian Patriarchal Cathedral, the ethnographic Village Museum, Revolution Square, and the Ceausescu Mansion.

3. Trek the Fagaras Mountains

The Fagaras Mountains are the highest mountains in the Southern Carpathians and one of the most popular places in the country to go hiking. You can go on an awesome multi-day trekking experience that takes you along the main ridge of the Fagaras. The route is one of the longest and most continuous high-mountain traverses in Europe. Hikers can trek over Moldoveanu, Negoiu, and Vista Mare — three of Romania’s highest peaks that all tower over 2,500 meters (approximately 8,300 feet).

4. Visit Sibiu

Visiting Sibiu is like stepping back into the Middle Ages. Located in the historical region of Transylvania, the city was the capital of the region at various points throughout history. Cobblestone streets, ancient town squares, castle walls, and historic buildings — this city has everything you want in an old European city but without the crowds found elsewhere. It has a wonderful medieval charm, beautiful views of the surrounding landscapes, excellent food, and lots of green space. Don’t miss the Brukenthal Museum, the Citadel, and the unique Baroque eyebrow dormers that earned the city the nickname “The City with Eyes.”

5. See the painted monasteries in Bucovina

These Romanian Orthodox monasteries in the northeastern edge of the country are striking in that they have their exterior walls painted with elaborate 15th- and 16th-century frescoes featuring saints, prophets, Jesus, and other religious scenes. The walls are a masterpiece of Byzantine art and a pilgrimage destination for Romanian Orthodox believers. Eight of the monasteries have been designated a collective UNESCO World Heritage Site too.

Other Things to See and Do in Romania

1. see the alexandru borza botanic gardens.

Located in Cluj-Napoca , this massive botanical garden features rolling green hills, an observation tower, a rose garden, and even a Japanese garden. Founded in 1872, the garden is home to over 10,000 plants and spans 35 acres. There are greenhouses, ponds, and a wide variety of regional gardens with plants from all around the world. Admission is 15 RON per person (RON when the greenhouses are closed).

2. Get a cultural immersion in Maramures

This medieval region of Romania is one of my favorites. The traditional culture here is thriving and there is an interesting blend of local music, hand-made wooden structures, and colorful textiles to experience. Each village has a large wooden church and intricate wooden gates that are hand-carved (woodworking is a tradition here that goes back centuries). There are unique cemeteries as well, stemming from their belief that the afterlife is a beginning, not an end. For example, instead of solemn words on stone tombstones, there are blue wooden crosses with funny verses about the deceased. Don’t miss the Memorial Museum to the Victims of Communism & to the Resistance and the Elie Wiesel Memorial House (Wiesel was a famous Romanian-American who wrote the book Night about his experiences during the Holocaust.).

3. Hike at Mount Tampa

Towering above Brasov, this mountain is great for a quick hike if you’re looking to get a view overlooking the city. The mountain also has a large sign similar to the white “Hollywood” sign in Los Angeles . While the hike is pretty easy and takes less than an hour (the mountain is just 1,000 meters/3,280 feet high), there is also a cable car you can ride to the summit for 18 RON (round trip).

4. Visit the Romanian Patriarchal Cathedral

This cathedral in Bucharest was completed in 1659 and still has all of its original interior paintings and icons, in addition to some beautiful frescoes (most of the frescoes are reconstructions). The exterior façade was designed in the Brancovenesc style and the interior is lavishly ornate, spacious, and colorful. The acapella choir is particularly impressive to listen to. Admission is free but dress conservatively as this is a place of ongoing worship.

5. See the wildlife in Northern Dobruja

Tucked away in the southeastern corner of the county, this region is home to over 400 species of birds as well as lots of wildlife. It’s a hilly expanse with over a dozen lakes, and more to be found just over the border in Bulgaria . It’s one of the best regions to explore by car as you can hop from town to town. Be sure to spend some time in the coastal city of Constanta, the oldest continuously inhabited city in Romania (it was founded in 600 BCE).

6. Visit the Danube Delta

Flowing over 3,000 kilometers (1,864 miles) from its source in Germany , this is Europe’s second-largest and best-preserved delta (the Volga is the largest). The Danube stretches through 10 countries — more than any other river in the world — before draining into the Black Sea via Romania (and Ukraine ). The entire region is a UNESCO World Heritage site, making it a great nature preserve to explore if you’re looking to get away from the crowds. You can hike around the coastline or take a boat tour along the water for a better view. While the hiking is free, expect to pay around 210-300 RON for a full-day boat tour that includes lunch. A half-day tour without lunch is about 110-150 RON.

7. Celebrate Hora de la Prislop

Held every August, this festival is a celebration that brings together Transylvania, Moldova , and Maramures. Known more commonly as the Dance at Prislop, there is lots of traditional dancing and singing, beautiful costumes, parading, and awesome feasting. Dating back to the 1730s, the festival is a celebration of local and traditional culture and one not to be missed if you’re in the area. The festival is held in the remote Prislop Pass in the north of the country, where up to 50,000 people gather each year.

8. Hunt for Dracula in Sighisoara

Founded during the 12th century, this town is one of the most beautiful and best-preserved medieval towns in Europe. One of the eight UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the country, there are many towers, ornate churches, and burgher houses (traditional houses from the Middle Ages and Renaissance) to see throughout the colorful cobbled streets. This is also the birthplace of Vlad Tepes, more commonly known as Vlad the Impaler (aka Dracula). Be sure to climb the clock tower for sweeping views of the city. Other highlights include the History Museum, the guild towers (part of the city’s historic defenses), and the Scholar’s Stairway (a 17th-century staircase that was used by schoolchildren).

9. Visit Peles Castle

Constructed for King Carol I in the 1870s as a getaway spot, this castle (which looks more like an elaborate palace or manor house) is lavishly decorated and serves as a great reminder of the luxurious lives these rulers enjoyed. It was also the first castle in Europe to have electricity. After touring the elaborate grounds and gardens you can head inside to look at the art and antique collection, which includes over 4,000 arms and armor. A visit to the ground floor of the castle costs 50 RON, a tour including the first floor costs 100 RON, and a tour of the ground, first, and the second floor costs 150 RON. The temporary exhibitions are free. Guided day trips from Bucharest cost around 100 RON and include Bran Castle.

10. Tour a salt mine

Salina Turda is a salt mine in Turda that has been converted into a subterranean museum. The mine dates back to antiquity and was used throughout the Middle Ages. Learn how the workers got the salt to the surface and how laborious the process was. There’s a small underground lake at the bottom where you can rent a boat and paddle around and there are also games like bowling and mini-golf and even a Ferris wheel! It’s a good place to visit with kids. There is also a spa if you want to treat yourself to some natural remedies. Admission is 50 RON on weekdays and 60 RON on weekends. Skip-the-line tickets (including a guide and ride from Bucharest) cost 500 RON.

11. Explore Cluj-Napoca

Cluj-Napoca is pleasant university town located in Romania’s northwest and a big stopping point for people coming east from Hungary (it’s a hub for cheap flights too). The city dates back centuries, and there are a lot of historical churches, museums, and ruins (especially on Cetatuia hill) to visit. Because of the university here, there are a lot of affordable restaurants and a very happening nightlife in the city. I really liked the days I spent here. While not as historic and medieval as many of Romania’s other cities, if you’re looking for a city with a cool atmosphere in Romania, this place is it.

12. Explore Hoia Forest

This infamous forest has been the site of numerous ghost and UFO sightings over the centuries (as well as other paranormal activities). In fact, it’s often considered the creepiest forest in the world. Here, trees are warped and bent in unsettling ways that science hasn’t been able to explain. Take a stroll through the woods during the day for free (lots of locals walk and jog here) or do a guided night tour to learn about the unsettling paranormal events that have occurred here! Night tours cost 250-475 RON per person.

13. Unwind at Balea Lake

Located 90 minutes from Sibiu, Balea Lake makes for a worthwhile day trip from the city. Part of the Fagaras Mountains (often called the “Transylvanian Alps”), many people come here to hike or to ski during the winter (there is even an ice hotel built here in the winter). There are marked trails if you want to hike, offering both five-hour and nine-hour routes to some of the nearby summits. Located about an hour from the city, you can take a bus here for around 90 RON.

  For more information on specific cities in Romania, check out these guides:

  • Brasov Travel Guide
  • Cluj-Napoca Travel Guide
  • Sibiu Travel Guide

Romania Travel Costs

The fairytale-esque Peles Castle, surrounded by trees, in Romania.

Accommodation – A bed in a 4-8-bed hostel dorm costs about 50-70 RON per night. A private room in a hostel costs at least 130 RON per night. Free Wi-Fi is standard and many hostels also have self-catering facilities if you want to cook your own food. Most hostels in the country don’t include free breakfast.

A budget hotel costs around 150-175 RON per night. You can find rooms cheaper, however, you’ll have to share a bathroom with other guests. Free Wi-Fi is common and many hotels also include a simple free breakfast as well.

Airbnb is available throughout the country with private rooms starting around 90 RON per night, while entire homes/apartments cost around 130-175 RON.

For those traveling with a tent, camping is possible around the country, though stick to dedicated campgrounds. Wild camping is legal, but theft is a bit common so it’s much safer to camp in designated areas. It costs 25-40 RON per night for a basic tent plot.

Food – Romanian cuisine is hearty, influenced by nearby Hungary and other Eastern European neighbors. Stews and sausages are common staples, with garlic sausage being especially popular. Sour soup, lamb, meatballs, and meat pies are other popular traditional meals. Wine is the drink of choice here as Romania is one of the largest wine producers in the world.

Most cheap (yet filling) restaurant meals (such as schnitzel with mashed potatoes and salad) cost around 25-45 RON for dinner, and 10-20 RON for breakfast. Soup is a good option for saving money as it costs around 17-25 RON and is pretty hearty (it also typically comes with a side of bread).

At a mid-range restaurant, a three-course meal costs around 80 RON. A burger or pasta dish is 35-40 RON while seafood or steak dishes typically cost 75-130 RON. A six-course tasting menu starts at 110 RON.

Fast food is around 6-9 RON for a burger or hot dog, while a combo meal (think McDonald’s) is around 30-40 RON. Takeaway sandwiches are around 20 RON.

A domestic beer out at a restaurant or bar costs around 8-10 RON, a glass of local wine is 7-18 RON while a bottle is 60-100 RON, and cocktails start at 20-35 RON. A cappuccino/latte is around 10-12 RON, a tea is 10 RON, and a bottle of water is 5-8 RON.

In tourist destinations like Brasov or Sighisoara, expect prices to be a little higher (but not too much).

If you buy your own groceries and cook your meals, expect to pay about 140-190 RON per week for groceries that include pasta, vegetables, chicken, and other basic staples. Save money by shopping at local markets or small roadside stands, which usually have the cheapest and freshest products. There are also several discount supermarkets in Romania, like Profi, Lidl, and Penny Market.

Backpacking Romania Suggested Budgets

On a backpacker budget of 140 RON per day, you can stay in a hostel, cook all of your meals, use local transportation to get around, take slow trains between cities, and do mostly free activities like hiking and free walking tours.

On a mid-range budget of about 265 RON per day, you can stay in an Airbnb, eat out for most meals, enjoy a few drinks out at the bar, take the occasional taxi, take buses or rideshares between cities, and do more paid activities such as museum and castle visits.

On a “luxury” budget of 440 RON or more per day, you can stay in a hotel, eat out for all your meals, drink more, rent a car to get around, and do whatever tours and activities you want. This is just the ground floor for luxury though. The sky is the limit!

You can use the chart below to get some idea of how much you need to budget daily, depending on your travel style. Keep in mind these are daily averages — some days you’ll spend more, some days you’ll spend less (you might spend less every day). We just want to give you a general idea of how to make your budget. Prices are in RON.

Romania Travel Guide: Money-Saving Tips

Romania is already a very affordable country to visit. You’ll be hard pressed to spend a lot of money here. You really have to go out of your way to do so. But, if you want some ways to lower your costs, here are ways to save money in the country:

  • Stay with a local – Nothing’s cheaper than sleeping for free. Couchsurfing connects you with locals who give you not only a free place to stay but who can introduce you to all the great places to see and share their insider tips and advice. It’s a great community to be a part of.
  • Eat lunch out – Although the food in Romania is inexpensive in general, you can save more money by cooking your own dinners and eating your lunches out. A lunch menu in Romania typically consists of three courses (soup, main, dessert), and can cost as little as 30 RON.
  • Rideshare – If you’re flexible in your schedule, use the ridesharing service BlaBlaCar to catch rides with locals between cities (or countries). Drivers are verified and it’s perfectly safe (though sometimes rides don’t show up, which is why you need to be flexible). While buses might be cheaper, this is more fun and usually faster.
  • Shop at discount grocers – If you’re going to cook or are just grabbing a snack, save money by shopping at discount supermarkets like Profi, Lidl, and Penny Market.
  • Stay at Balkan Backpacker Hostels – There are hostels all around Romania that are a part of the Balkan Backpacker network. Book directly with these hostels and tell them you’re aware of the network to get 10% off your stay.
  • Hitchhike – Hitchhiking in Romania is safe and quite common. It’s not the fastest way to get around but it works if you’re on a budget. Just make sure you have a sign and that you trust your gut when accepting rides. It’s a great way to connect with locals while also saving money.
  • Take the train – The trains in Romania are slow, but they are the cheapest way to get around. If you’re not in a hurry, take the train. There are some night trains around the country as well if you’re going long distances.
  • Bring a water bottle – The tap water here is generally safe so bring a reusable water bottle to save money and reduce your reliance on single-use plastic. I suggest a LifeStraw since their bottles have a built-in filter to ensure your water is always clean and safe.

Where to Stay in Romania

Romania has tons of budget-friendly hostels. Here are of my favorite places to stay in Romania:

  • JugendStube (Brasov)
  • Sleep Inn Hostel (Bucharest)
  • PanGeea (Sibiu)
  • Burg Hostel (Sighisoara)

How to Get Around Romania

People walking around a cobblestone street in the Old Town of Bucharest, Romania.

Public Transportation – Buses and trams in most towns cost as little as 2 RON for a single journey, though the vehicles are often crowded and in varying states of disrepair. In Bucharest, the metro is 3 RON, though a day-pass is only 8 RON making it a much better deal. Weekly metro passes are 30 RON, which is worthwhile if you’re going to be using public transportation often (week passes are also available for the buses and trams but prices vary depending on your route).

In Brasov and Cluj, for comparison, a single-ticket ride on the public bus is 2-2.50 RON while a day pass is 12-14 RON.

Flights – Flying around Romania is an option if you’re in a hurry. You can often find great deals if you plan ahead. From Bucharest, you can reach pretty much any airport in the country for under 400 RON.

Bucharest to Cluj or Timisoara, for example, can be done for under 170 RON one-way. Ryanair, Wizz, and Blue Air (the Romanian low-cost carrier) are the three airlines to check for the lowest prices.

Bus – Buses connect all the major cities in the country, though since Romania is a large country, the journeys can be quite long. For example, the journey from Bucharest to Cluj costs around 100 RON and takes 9 hours. The journey from Bucharest to Brasov takes around 4 hours and costs 50-65 RON.

Contrary to most countries, the trains here are a cheaper option in many cases. If you’re on a budget, be sure to compare bus and train prices.

Train – Trains in Romania are a slow (but reliable) way of getting around. There are 3 different kinds of trains: InterCity (IC), InterRegional (IR), and Regional (R). The InterRegional trains are the fastest and nicest and likely the ones you’ll be using to travel from city to city.

Standard seats (second class) are usually quite comfortable and adequate for even long journeys. Wi-Fi and catering are not available so bring your own entertainment and food if you have a long journey.

As for prices, the 9-hour journey from Bucharest to Timisoara is around 100 RON while the trip from Bucharest to Cluj-Napoca takes about the same amount of time and costs a little less at 90 RON.

Rideshare – Uber is available in Bucharest, Cluj-Napoca, Brasov, Timisoara, and Iasi. It’s the cheapest option if you need to get somewhere and don’t want to take public transit as the taxis in Romania charge an arm and a leg.

For longer distances, use BlaBlaCar. It’s a great (and safe) ridesharing service for intercity travels. Just download the app, make a profile, and search for rides.

Car – Car rentals are about 70 RON per day for a multi-day rental. Always be sure to lock your rental car when leaving, as rentals are targeted for theft more often than local vehicles. Drivers need to be at least 21.

For the best rental car prices, use Discover Cars .

Hitchhiking – Hitchhiking in Romania is very easy. Just make sure you make it clear to the driver that you are hitchhiking, as some drivers will demand payment if it’s not made clear. For more information about hitchhiking in Romania, use Hitchwiki .

When to Go to Romania

The best (and most popular) time to visit Romania is during the summer, from June to August. Temperatures are hot and rain is infrequent. Expect daily highs around 30°C (86°F) during this time. These are the busiest months of the year for tourism, though it’s only noticeable in destinations like Brasov or Sibiu where tourism is the main draw. But even then, the crowds are much smaller than in Western Europe.

The shoulder seasons (late April-May and September-October) are great times to visit as well. You’ll beat the crowds and have much milder temperatures, which are perfect for anyone looking to head into the hills for some hiking. There’s more rain in the spring, but there are also stunning autumn colors in the fall which makes for a beautiful backdrop to your trip (especially if you’re traveling through Transylvania).

Winter in Romania can be quite cold, with temperatures dropping below freezing. Snow is common though not abundant, which can affect conditions if you’re traveling by car. While cities like Sighisoara and Brasov look quite charming in the winter, Bucharest has a much grimmer atmosphere due to the influence of Soviet architecture and their reliance on gray, bland concrete. In short, I wouldn’t recommend a winter visit unless you have a specific desire to enjoy the cold and quiet cities.

How to Stay Safe in Romania

Romania is a very safe country and crime against tourists here is rare. It’s a safe destination for solo travelers.

That said, petty theft can still occur so always keep your valuables secure and out of sight. Theft is most common when riding crowded city buses and trams (mostly in Bucharest) so take extra precautions when riding.

Additionally, take some extra precautions when renting a car. While the roads are safe, rental cars are targeted for theft more than local cars, so take precautions and lock your vehicle when you’re not using it. When booking, make sure your insurance covers theft.

While scams are rare, if you’re worried about getting ripped off you can read about common travel scams to avoid here .

Solo female travelers should feel comfortable exploring on their own, though the standard precautions apply (don’t accept drinks from strangers, don’t walk alone late at night, etc.). As in any city, never leave your drink unattended when out at the bar and never walk home alone if intoxicated.

If you experience an emergency, dial 112 for assistance.

Always trust your gut instinct. Avoid isolated areas at night and be aware of your surroundings at all times. Make copies of your personal documents, including your passport and ID.

The most important piece of advice I can offer is to purchase good travel insurance. Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. You can use the widget below to find the policy right for you:

Romania Travel Guide: The Best Booking Resources

These are my favorite companies to use when I travel. They consistently have the best deals, offer world-class customer service and great value, and overall, are better than their competitors. They are the companies I use the most and are always the starting point in my search for travel deals.

  • Skyscanner – Skyscanner is my favorite flight search engine. They search small websites and budget airlines that larger search sites tend to miss. They are hands down the number one place to start.
  • Hostelworld – This is the best hostel accommodation site out there with the largest inventory, best search interface, and widest availability.
  • Booking.com – The best all around booking site that constantly provides the cheapest and lowest rates. They have the widest selection of budget accommodation. In all my tests, they’ve always had the cheapest rates out of all the booking websites.
  • Get Your Guide – Get Your Guide is a huge online marketplace for tours and excursions. They have tons of tour options available in cities all around the world, including everything from cooking classes, walking tours, street art lessons, and more!
  • SafetyWing – Safety Wing offers convenient and affordable plans tailored to digital nomads and long-term travelers. They have cheap monthly plans, great customer service, and an easy-to-use claims process that makes it perfect for those on the road.
  • LifeStraw – My go-to company for reusable water bottles with built-in filters so you can ensure your drinking water is always clean and safe.
  • Unbound Merino – They make lightweight, durable, easy-to-clean travel clothing.
  • Top Travel Credit Cards – Points are the best way to cut down travel expenses. Here’s my favorite point earning credit cards so you can get free travel!
  • BlaBlaCar – BlaBlaCar is a ridesharing website that lets you share rides with vetted local drivers by pitching in for gas. You simply request a seat, they approve, and off you go! It’s a cheaper and more interesting way to travel than by bus or train!

Romania Travel Guide: Related Articles

Want more info? Check out all the articles I’ve written on backpacking/traveling Romania and continue planning your trip:

The Cost of Traveling Far Eastern Europe

The Cost of Traveling Far Eastern Europe

Finding More Than Dracula in Romania

Finding More Than Dracula in Romania

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COVID-19 travel: Entry regulations & national restrictions in Romania

guardian travel romania

Irina Marica

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Are you planning to start the year with a trip to Romania? We’ve compiled a short guide to help you stay updated with the country’s entry & quarantine rules and national restrictions.

Rules for entering Romania - required documents and quarantine regulations

Starting December 20, 2021, all persons entering Romania must complete the Passenger Locator Form (PLF). You have to fill it in online (at plf.gov.ro) in the 24 hours before entering Romania or within 24 hours of crossing the border. Further details here . 

Further entry requirements vary depending on the country you’re coming from. There’s a list of risk areas published weekly (usually on Fridays), which classifies countries as red, yellow or green, depending on their COVID-19 situation. The updated lists can be found here .

Rules for travellers coming from EU Member States + Norway, Iceland, Lichtenstein, and Switzerland: 

Those arriving from green or yellow countries don’t have to quarantine if they have a Digital COVID Certificate showing that they were vaccinated or have recovered from COVID-19 (in the past six months). However, a 14-day quarantine applies to travellers who don’t show proof of vaccination, recovery from COVID-19 (within the past six months) or a negative RT-PCR test (made 72 hours before). Those finding themselves in this situation can quarantine at home, at a declared address, or in a specially arranged space.

Travellers arriving from red areas are exempted from the quarantine requirement if they show proof of vaccination or recovery from COVID-19 infection. A 10-day quarantine is imposed for those who can’t provide any of these documents but have a negative RT-PCR test (made 72 hours before). The quarantine period increases to 14 days for those who can’t show any of the required documents and don’t have a negative test either.

Rules for travellers coming from outside the EU, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Switzerland:

Travellers will not be quarantined if they were vaccinated or have recovered from COVID-19 and have a negative RT-PCR test (made 48 hours before travelling). Those who can’t show a negative test will be quarantined for 10 days.

A 10-day quarantine is also imposed on travellers who can’t show proof of vaccination or recovery from infection but have a negative RT-PCR test (made 48 hours before). A 14-day quarantine is imposed on those who don’t show any of the required documents and don’t have a negative test either.

Other exemptions from the quarantine requirement include children younger than 12; children between 12 and 16 years of age who present a negative RT-PCR test, regardless of the state they come from; travellers who can’t show proof of vaccination or recovery from COVID-19 but stay for less than 3 days in Romania and have a negative RT-PCR test; or travellers in transit (less than 24 hours).

Individuals from countries whose authorities do not issue the EU Digital COVID Certificate or documents compatible with such certificates shall provide other documents issued by the respective state showing proof of vaccination, testing or recovery from COVID-19.

Special Omicron rules:   Amid growing concerns over the Omicron variant, the Romanian authorities decided that all Romanian citizens, EU citizens, citizens of the European Economic Area or the Swiss Confederation arriving in Romania from Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa and Zimbabwe have to quarantine for 14 days. At the same time, other foreign travellers arriving from these counties are banned from entering Romania. Read more about it here . 

Important:   The rules listed above are valid until January 8, 2022, and can be changed or reviewed after this date. Travellers can check the most recent decisions of the Romanian authorities on the Government’s website - here , the national platform for emergency preparedness - here , or the official platform on COVID-19 information - here . To plan your travel, you can also check the Re-open EU platform - data for Romania is available here .

Restrictions in Romania

The Romanian authorities decided to ease some of the general restrictions just before the winter holidays. As such, there are no more movement restrictions in place and wearing a mask is no longer mandatory in open public spaces that are not crowded. 

However, people are still required to wear masks in all closed public spaces, crowded open public spaces, public transport, workplaces, markets, or fairs. Exemptions include children younger than 5, those who are alone in the office, or those who play sports or do intense physical activities.

The green pass is required to access several locations such as shopping malls, restaurants, coffee shops, or public institutions. However, the green pass requirement doesn’t apply to grocery stores, pharmacies, gas stations or small non-food shops (up to 200 sqm).

The clubs and bars are closed, and private events such as weddings or baptisms are not allowed.

The complete list of restrictions is available here (in Romanian).

Important:   The rules could change in the coming period as the Romanian authorities are considering tightening the restrictions ahead of the fifth wave of the pandemic. 

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Traveling with Minor Children: Exit Requirements in Romania

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If you’re planning on  traveling with minor children outside of Romania , it’s essential to familiarize yourself with the  legal requirements .

Romanian authorities enforce stringent rules to ensure the safety and welfare of their youngest citizens while traveling.

Understanding these regulations will allow for a smooth and hassle-free travel experience while adhering to all necessary  immigration regulations  and  border control  protocols.

In order to facilitate  international travel with Romanian minors , parents or legal guardians should be aware of the necessary  travel documents  required both for exit and entry purposes.

Not only do these measures ensure the child’s safety, but they also conform to international regulations governing the travel of children.

Key Takeaways

  • Romanian authorities enforce strict regulations for traveling with minor children.
  • Understanding Romanian law is crucial for smooth navigation of immigration and border controls.
  • An awareness of required  travel documents  is necessary for  international travel with Romanian minors.
  • Adherence to safety measures ensures a hassle-free travel experience.
  • Preparation and proper documentation can prevent potential travel disruptions.

Understanding Romania’s Legal Framework for Minor Travel

Traveling with a minor is no small feat, especially when you’re up against legal nuances and formal requirements.

A crucial piece of the jigsaw is understanding Romanian laws that regulate minors traveling abroad. Let’s explore Law No. 248/2005 and the significance of  parental consent  in minor travel.

Overview of Law no 248/2005

At the core of  legal requirements for traveling with Romanian minors  lies Law No. 248/2005.

This law mandates that Romanian minors under the age of 18 must possess individual  travel documents .

Additionally, it calls for clear  parental consent  for international travel.

Depending on the traveling dynamics, a declaration from the non-accompanying parent(s) or proof of sole custody may also be necessary.

If a minor is traveling with an adult who isn’t their parent, a  notarized letter  from both parents is obligatory, highlighting the companion’s details along with the plan of the journey.

The Role of Parental Consent in Minor Travel

Parental consent  is an integral part of  Romanian minor travel regulations .

The consent must be all-encompassing, specifying the destination, duration, and purpose of the trip.

It should also include the details of the custodian abroad if the minor isn’t returning to Romania with the person they left with.

It’s not about ticking off a checklist, but about ensuring the welfare and safety of the minor throughout their journey.

These rules are not to tie you down, but to provide a  travel authorization  with the best interest of the child in mind.

The Essential Travel Documents for Romanian Minors

Traveling abroad with Romanian children involves understanding Romania’s stringent travel laws.

While this may be tiresome, it is essential to note that it serves as a protection measure for the children.

Let’s delve in and unpack the primary documents needed for a smooth, stress-free journey.

Passports and ID Cards for International Travel

One of the significant  travel documents  required by Romanian minors for international journeys is a valid  passport  or ID card.

From a legal standpoint, these two pieces of documentation are indispensable as they authenticate the identity of the minor at checks.

For Romanian children traveling abroad, issuing a  passport  becomes a crucial starting point, ensuring the minor’s identification isn’t compromised at any international checkpoint.

Notarized Consent Letters: When and Why?

A common scenario during travel involves minors accompanied by a single parent or an adult who isn’t their legal guardian.

In these situations, a notarized  consent letter  from legally authorized individuals proves pivotal in satisfying the travel framework.

This  consent letter  serves as an endorsement for the minor’s travel specifics, bearing the duration and purpose of the trip, as well as the assigned adult companion’s details.

At the heart of these travel document requirements lie both the welfare and safety of the children.

Thus, anyone planning a trip with a Romanian minor must familiarize themselves with these provisions, to make their experience hassle-free and compliant with all Romanian travel regulations.

Scenarios for Travelling with a Romanian Minor Child Outside of Romania

When  traveling with a Romanian minor without a parent , multiple circumstances must be considered.

These different scenarios require distinct documentation reflecting the traveling conditions per Romanian laws.

Each situation that involves  traveling abroad with Romanian minors  can drastically differ, and as a result, is guided by respective requirements:

  • Traveling with both parents
  • Traveling with one parent
  • Traveling with an adult, who is not a parent.

Consider the following scenarios:

Knowing the  entry and exit requirements for Romanian minors  is imperative.

It ensures the minor’s safety, compliance with the legal system, and most importantly, a smooth and hassle-free journey.

Preparation is key in these situations, and understanding these requirements becomes a guardian’s responsibility when traveling with Romanian minor children.

Procedures for Obtaining Consent and Notarization

Traveling with a Romanian minor abroad entails a certain process to ensure legal compliance.

A critical component of these procedures, as stated in Romanian travel regulations, involves obtaining proper consent and  notarization .

This aims at protecting the minor’s well-being and rights during their international travel.

Visiting a Civil-Law Notary Office

One of the initial steps of the journey commences at a civil-law notary office.

When you visit this office, you must have detailed information prepared about your planned trip with a Romanian minor.

A declaration of consent prepared before the notary must comprehensively encompass the minor’s full name, date of birth,  passport  number, travel dates, purpose, destination(s), and your relationship to the minor.

In addition, the document should provide comprehensive particulars of the adult traveling with the minor.

The Apostille and Legalization Process

Post- notarization  of the consent, the procedure may demand further  legalization.

This primarily depends on the regulations of the destination country.

Several countries recognize the Hague  Apostille , which validates the notarized consent declaration for international use without further  legalization.

Conversely, some nations seek full legalization by their embassy after the  Apostille .

Thus, it becomes crucial to inquire and comprehend the specific requirements of your destination country to streamline your travel preparations for a Romanian minor.

Consider these procedures as a necessary step ensuring a smoother journey, and factoring in these  legal regulations for traveling with Romanian minors  can contribute to a hassle-free experience.

International Transit: Ensuring Compliance Beyond Romania

Navigating the international travel landscape with  Romanian minors .

While Romania has outlined certain requirements for minors leaving its borders, it’s important to remember that transit and destination countries may hold their own set of rules.

This often includes airline-specific documentation or transit forms specifically for minors.

Your diligence towards these nuances could be the deciding factor between a smooth journey and unexpected hurdles at various checkpoints.

Knowing the processes involved can also save you from unwanted surprises and last-minute panic.

Here are two essential considerations regarding international transit with Romanian minors:

  • Transit Countries Regulations:  Any country that your journey involves could potentially require additional paperwork or have specific entry/exit rules for minors. Whether it’s a country you’re briefly stopping over at or your final destination, it’s vital to get informed about these rules well in advance.
  • Airline Policies:  Similarly, different airlines may have distinct policies when it comes to traveling with minors. Some may need additional proof or consent forms, while others might have age restrictions or require a designated escort. Be sure to contact your airlines and get a thorough understanding of their guidelines.

Adhering to the  travel requirements  for Romanian minors beyond Romanian borders may seem daunting, but adequate preparation can ease the process significantly.

Being well-informed about the documentation for travelling with Romanian minors can lead to a stress-free travel experience.

Always remember, a smart traveler is one who is well-prepared, well-informed and compliant with international travel norms.

Special Considerations for Solo and One-Parent Travel

parental consent for travel in Romania

When  traveling abroad with Romanian minors , whether the child is alone or accompanied by just one parent or a guardian, there are additional considerations to make to ensure a smooth journey.

Worth noting is the importance of securing parental consent for international travel with Romanian minors, especially if they are traveling alone or with someone who isn’t their legal guardian.

Departing Alone or with One Parent

When a Romanian minor is traveling alone or with only one parent, a notarized declaration of consent from the other parent is often required.

The declaration affirms that the absent party has given their permission for the minor to travel.

It’s essential to understand the specific requirements for this declaration, as a lack of compliance could lead to complications at immigration checkpoints.

Accompanying Adults Who Are Not Legal Guardians

It’s not uncommon for a minor to travel with an adult who isn’t their parent. In this scenario, even stricter protocols exist.

The accompanying adult must have a notarized declaration of consent from both parents or the minor’s legal guardian.

This document validates the caregiver’s authority to accompany the child during travel.

Remember, requirements may vary in distinct countries and airlines.

Thus, it’s advisable to thoroughly understand the required forms and requirements necessary for such travel situations.

Consult with Romanian legal experts to ensure successful compliance with these stipulations when  traveling with minors from Romania .

Air Travel Specifics: Airline Policies and Practices

When it comes to international travel, being informed about each airline’s specific regulations and practices regarding minor passengers is essential.

Knowing your chosen airline’s policies in advance can avoid last-minute hiccups and ensure a smooth transition from ground to air.

Checking with Airlines Before Departure

Each airline may have unique requirements and specific forms needed for minor passengers, especially when not accompanied by both parents.

Apart from the generically required  travel documentation for Romanian children , these requirements could involve informing the airline of the minor’s travel or filling out specialized consent forms.

Making such proactivity a part of your  travel tips for Romanian parents with minor children  can significantly ease the journey forward.

Dealing with Last-minute Policy Changes

It’s important to stay updated about any policy revisions in your chosen airline.

These changes can be unexpected and last-minute, but they can cause significant disruptions to travel plans if not swiftly addressed.

Having a channel for timely updates on  airline policies  is hence crucial.

By ensuring your child’s travel documentation fully adheres to  airline policies , parents minimize the risk of travel disruptions and consequently make the journey more relaxed for all involved.

Entry and Exit Requirements for Romanian Minors

International travel with Romanian children  involves more than just planning your itinerary. In compliance with the rigorous legal structure of Romania and foreign nations, it’s essential to understand the passport,  visa , and entry-exit requirements for Romanian minors.

This will help ensure a smooth, hassle-free travel experience.

Let’s delve into the specifics.

Passport Validity and Schengen Area Transit

Irrespective of their age, Romanian children are required to have individual travel documents.

Their passports must have a validity that extends beyond their travel dates.

This is especially crucial if you’re journeying through or to countries in the Schengen Area.

The Schengen regulations require passports to be valid for at least three months beyond the planned departure date from the Schengen area.

Remember, each country might have additional demands regarding passport validity.

U.S. Citizens and Dual Nationals: Special Rules

In the case of U.S. citizens or dual nationals traveling with Romanian children, specific guidelines need to be addressed.

As per Romanian and U.S regulations for international travel, consent from both parents or guardians is essential for Romanian minors. In situations where one or both parents are U.S. citizens, US law may also apply, especially if the child holds dual nationality.

Therefore, ensuring comprehension of the specific entry and exit rules for such cases can facilitate a smoother journey.

Lastly, ensure that all of these requirements are met ahead of time to allow for any unexpected situations.

Bear in mind, vigilance and preparedness are key to ensuring unhindered  international travel with Romanian minors.  Safe travels!

Overstays and Legal Consequences in Romania

Understanding the implications of overstaying and the penalties that come with it is crucial when planning travel.

It’s imperative to be aware that overstaying can result in severe  legal consequences , such as fines, exit permits and  re-entry bans , and it can impact your travel experiences to Romania in the future.

This section provides some essential tips for parents of Romanian minors abroad, highlighting the  immigration regulations  related to overstaying.

Here is an overview to help you navigate potential situations and learn how to respond accordingly.

Exit Permits and Fines for Overstaying

The first step in understanding the implications of overstaying involves recognizing that exiting the country after your  visa  has expired is not as simple as just booking a flight and leaving.

Overstays  are met with potential penalties such as fines that must be settled before you can exit Romania.

While planning your stay and even during your time in the country, it’s wise to stay vigilant and keep track of the duration of your visa.

Once you’ve overstayed, an exit permit from the Romanian Immigration Office will be demanded. This permit can be a proof of penalty paid as well as a formality to maintain record-keeping.

Re-entry Bans and Appeals

Violating the terms of your visa might result not only in fines but also in  re-entry bans .

The latter is even more daunting, as it can limit your travels to Romania for a certain period of time.

The imposing of  re-entry bans  is a legally-mandated consequence, meant to serve as a deterrent for future visa violations.

However, waivers can be appealed in particular circumstances by providing reliable reasons for the inability to comply with stay duration requirements, such as unforeseen medical emergencies or delayed documentation.

Stay aware, stay informed, and most importantly, respect the  immigration regulations  of the country you are visiting.

Traveling should be an exciting and enjoyable experience, not marred by avoidable legal hassles. Understand the laws, follow them carefully, and ensure a smooth, unforgettable journey.

Your travel stories should be full of adventures and discoveries, not  overstays  or legal troubles.

Ensuring Smooth International Travel with Romanian Minors

Traveling with minor children requires meticulous planning, especially when it comes to adhering to strict  legal requirements .

This is particularly pertinent when it comes to Romanian parents traveling with their minor children.

On top of packing essentials and planning out the travel itinerary, understanding specific  travel protocols for Romanian minors  is equally crucial.

The Romanian law stipulates specific requirements for minors leaving the country, including having the necessary travel documentation and obtaining proper parental consent.

Failures to adhere to these regulations not only risk inconveniences at the  border control  but can also result in  legal consequences .

Hence, you must understand these requirements in detail and take necessary action before departure.

Here are a few  travel tips for Romanian parents with minor children  that can guide you:

  • Secure Travel Documents:  Ensure children have valid passports or ID cards for international travel.
  • Obtain Parental Consent:  If the child is traveling with one parent or an adult who is not the legal guardian, a notarized consent letter from the non-accompanying parent(s) or legal guardian(s) is necessary.
  • Consult Romanian Lawyers:  For more complex situations or if you have any doubts, consult professional  Romanian lawyers  or a trusted  Romanian law office  for guidance. They can help ensure you’re adhering strictly to Romanian travel regulations for minors.

In conclusion, every detail matters when preparing for international travel with Romanian minor children.

By following these essential travel tips, you’ll be setting the stage for a smooth, stress-free journey.

Consultation with Romanian Law Offices

In consultation with a  Romanian lawyer , you’ll review all necessary procedures, ensuring you’re not only aware of them but also understand how to execute them effectively.

Discrepancies or misunderstandings of the legal framework for minor travel can lead to unpleasant circumstances like interjected journeys or legal implications.

But with a competent  Romanian law office  guiding you, these potential roadblocks can be effectively mitigated, if not altogether avoided.

Travel With Romanian Minors – FAQ

1. what are the entry and exit requirements for minors traveling from romania.

When traveling from Romania , Romanian minors are required to possess a valid travel document , typically a passport .

Additionally, they may need to adhere to specific regulations set forth by the Romanian border police as well as the authorities of the destination country.

It’s important to research the entry and exit requirements for  Romanian citizens traveling abroad to ensure a smooth journey.

2. Can a minor child leave Romania without being accompanied by a parent or legal representative?

In general, unaccompanied minors may face restrictions when attempting to leave Romania and may be required to obtain special permissions, such as a notarized declaration from the other parent or legal guardian.

It’s essential to be aware of the specific regulations pertaining to children traveling alone from Romania and ensure compliance with all necessary requirements.

3. What is the process for one parent to travel abroad with a Romanian minor ?

When one of the parents intends to travel abroad with a Romanian minor , they may need to provide consent of the other parent or legal guardian.

This consent could involve notarization or other formal procedures, and it’s essential to understand and fulfill all relevant requirements before departure.

4. What are the regulations for minors traveling within the Schengen Area ?

Minors traveling within the Schengen Area may need to comply with specific regulations, which can include providing consent of parents , a notarized document, or other forms of approval.

Additionally, there may be restrictions on  unaccompanied minors entering or leaving the Schengen Area , so it’s crucial to be well-informed about the applicable laws.

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