Eastern and Central Europe (Eyewitness Travel Guides)

592 SOUTH EASTERN EUROPE

Practical & Travel Information

Romanians are generally polite and hospitable and

will often go out of their way to help, especially in
rural areas where foreign visitors are rare. The country’s
substantial size makes it a formidable area to explore.
Public transport is adequate, but slower than using a
car and although car hire is reasonably priced and cuts
down journey time, it exposes travellers to the perils
of Romania’s reckless drivers. There are numerous
airports around the country and those wishing to see
as much as possible in a short space of time should
consider taking domestic flights, which connect the
most important places of interest.

VISITOR INFORMATION

Bucharest does not have a

tourist inform ation centre yet

so visitors must rely on guide

books, tourist websites or

local English-lang uage pub li-

cations such as In Your Pocket,

which provides up-to-date

listings and is distributed at

bars, restau rants and hotels.

The guide also has a free

website. City maps can be

found at book shops, kiosks

and petrol sta tions. Most tourist

destina tions have tourist offices

that pro vide brochures; they

can also arrange car rental

and hotel reservations.

DOCUMENTATION

Since Romania’s accession to
the European Union (EU) in
January 2007, EU citizens no
longer require a visa and can
enter the country with a valid
pass port or identity card.
Citizens of the US, Canada,
Australia and New Zealand can
stay in Romania for up to 90
days without a visa, provided
they show a valid passport.
Citizens of other countries
such as Russia, Albania, Bosnia
and Herzegovina, Serbia,
Montenegro and Macedonia
require a visa.

HEALTH AND SECURITY

Although no vaccinations are

officially required for travel

to Romania, it is recommended

that visitors are immunized

against tetanus, hepatitis A,

diphtheria and typhoid as

well as polio. Medical services

are are free of charge to

EU citi zens carrying their

European Health Insurance

Card (EHIC). However,

BANKING AND CURRENCY

The Romanian currency is the

leu. Although most foreign cur-

ren cies can be exchanged at

banks, exchange bureaus and

larger hotels, euros and dol-

lars are preferred. Travel ler's

cheques are accep ted only at

major banks and hotels in the

bigger cities and towns. Banks

are open from 9am to 5pm

Monday to Friday.

ATMs can be found in most

places, but are less common

in the more remote areas;

visi tors to these places are

advised to carry sufficient

cash. Similarly, credit cards

can be relied upon only in

larger hotels, restau rants,

petrol stations and shops.

WHEN TO VISIT

Spring and autumn are the
best seasons to visit Romania,
with warm, sunny days and
cool nights. The capital,
Bucharest, becomes unbear-
able in sum mer, when most
residents escape to the coast
or the hills, where tempera-
tures are 10–15 degrees lower.
The months of September and
October are the best time to
go hiking in Transylvania.

THE CLIMATE OF

ROMANIA

The country has hot,

dry summers with tempera-

tures soaring up to 35° C

(95° F) in June and July.

Autumn is cool but dry,

and beauti ful when the

fields and trees are colourful.

Winters can be bitterly cold,

with tempera tures dipping

as low as -8° C (18° F) in

January. Snow falls usually

start in mid-December and

continue until March.

BUCHAREST

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standards are not always high,

so visitors are advised to take

out medi cal insur ance to cover

private treatment. There have

been no instances of malaria

in Romania, but mosquitoes

can be a problem around

the Danube Delta in summer;

repellent is recommended.

However, there have been

cases of rabies in recent

years, and street dogs should

be given a wide berth. For

medi cal emergencies, it is

best to go to the Emergency

Clinic Hospital in Bucharest

or in Braşov.

Violent crime against visitors

is non-existent in Romania, but

pickpockets can be a problem

on crowded public transport

in Bucharest and other cities.

Travellers are advised to

be vigilant and keep their

valuables in a money belt or

bag. When travelling on over-

night trains, doors to sleep ing

compart ments should always

be locked and bags guarded.

COMMUNICATIONS

Public telephones can be

found across the country,

and are operated with a

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FACILITIES FOR

THE DISABLED

Public awareness of the needs

of the disabled is low, but has

improved in recent years.

Hotels in bigger cities are more

likely to have facilities than

smaller hotels.

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