Bucharest

Entry requirements vary by passport. Check the requirements for your specific passport on the Romania page at Yoogo.

Romania's official currency is the Romanian leu (RON). Card payments are widely accepted in Bucharest and larger cities, though smaller towns and rural areas often rely on cash, so it is advisable to carry lei when travelling beyond the main urban centres.

Romania is generally considered a safe destination for tourists, with low rates of violent crime in most areas. As with any European country, travellers should take standard precautions against pickpocketing in busy tourist districts and city transport, particularly in Bucharest's Old Town and on crowded public transit.

Inter-city travel is most commonly done by train (operated by CFR Calatori) or by long-distance coach, with bus services often faster and more comfortable for certain routes. Within Bucharest and other cities, public transport includes metros, trams and buses, and ride-hailing apps such as Bolt are widely available.

Late spring (May to June) and early autumn (September to October) offer the most pleasant conditions, with warm temperatures, lower rainfall and smaller crowds than the peak summer months. Summer is ideal for the Danube Delta and the Black Sea coast, while winter suits ski resorts such as Poiana Brasov and Sinaia.

Romanian is the official language, though Hungarian and German are spoken by sizeable communities in Transylvania. English is widely understood by younger Romanians and those working in tourism and hospitality, particularly in Bucharest, Brasov and Cluj-Napoca, though knowledge is more limited in rural areas.

No vaccinations are required for entry, but travellers are advised to be up to date on routine immunisations including measles-mumps-rubella and tetanus. Hepatitis A vaccination is recommended, and tick-borne encephalitis vaccination is worth discussing with a healthcare provider for those planning hiking or extended time outdoors in forested areas.

Tipping is customary and appreciated in Romania, with around 10 per cent being standard for good restaurant service. It is best to leave a cash tip directly with your server rather than adding it to a card payment, as gratuities paid by card may not reach the staff. Check the bill first, as some establishments add a service charge automatically.

Romania has excellent mobile infrastructure, with fast 4G LTE coverage across cities and reasonable rural coverage. Travellers with compatible unlocked devices can purchase a data eSIM before departure through providers such as Airalo, which routes on major Romanian networks including Orange and Vodafone. Local physical SIM cards are also available at airports and mobile network shops in most towns.