Getting around

Getting Around Romania by Plane

Romania has a well integrated plane network, serving most of the larger cities. TAROM’s domestic services depart most days from Bucharest’s Otopeni airport to Arad, Baia Mare, Cluj, Constanta, Iasi, Oradea, Satu Mare, Sibiu, Suceava , Timisoara and Targu Mures. In addition there are a couple of excellent private airlines: Carpatair operates flights from Timisoara to Bacau, Bucharest, Cluj, Craiova, Constansta, Iasi, Oradea, Sibiu and Suceava. Bookings should be made at least 36 hours in advance.

Air travel is still not very common in Romania even though the national carrier Tarom has dramatically lowered its tariffs on internal flights in late 2006 fearing competition from the newly arrived low-cost airlines. Note that airports tend to be fairly distant from the cities, so getting from the airports to the cities might be costly if there's no public transport available. Transfer to airports is usually very limited. For example Bucharest Henri Coanda is served by a single express bus line operating from 5:30 AM to 23:30 and taxicabs. Check-in usually ends 40-45 minutes before departure.

Getting Around Romania by Train

The easiest, most comfortable and most rewarding way of traveling between cities is by train. Romania's railway network is one of the largest (the 4th in Europe) and most dense in Europe. Usually a train station is no more than 10km from a village, in the vast majority of cases.

Most trains are run by the state carrier, Romanian Railway National Society (SNCFR), generally known as CFR. Tickets are available at the railway station or at CFR agencies, which can usually be found in the city center. For trains which require reservations you can get the ticket at the railway station, which is made available 24 hours before the train departs. You can also purchase your ticket in the train, but usually the fare will be more expensive than you would have paid in the train station.

There are several types of train: Intercity ("IC") and Rapid (“R”) services, halting only in major towns, are the most comfortable and expensive types of train, while Accelerats (“A”) are only slightly slower, with more frequent stops, and are the standard means of inter-urban travel. The painfully slow Personal ("P") trains should be avoided as a rule, unless you are heading for some tiny destination. EuroCity ("EC") and EuroNight ("EN") trains have final destinations abroad.

Trains generally conform to the timetables displayed in stations and CFR offices; arrivals are often on a white board, departures on a yellow one. Watch out for services that run only during certain months, or only on particular days. If you are planning to travel a lot by train, try to get a hold of the CFR timetable, the Mersul Trenurilor, or check their website at www.infofer.ro.

Getting Around Romania by Car

Driving in Romania is an attractive proposition and is being used by a vast majority of foreign tourists. Outside the major cities and towns, you will find the roads relatively traffic-free, and many routes are wonderfully scenic. The main roads are generally speaking in good condition. Country roads are poor, many of the local roads are disintegrating, potholes being a particularly nasty hazard. Long distances are best covered at a steady pace, especially if driving in the more mountainous regions where greater concentration is required.

Romania has two main types of roads:
Motorways. A1 - is the 110 km long stretch between Bucharest and Pitesti. A2 – is the 150 km stretch between Bucharest and Cernavoda. The speed limit on the Motorways is 120kmph. National roads

In the absence of motorways the national roads remain the most important element of the Romanian transport system, as they connect the main cities in the country. They sometimes have 4 non-separate lanes, but many have only two lanes. Thanks to recent investments most of them are in reasonable condition, but they are frequently overcrowded and rather slow. The speed limit on national roads is 100 kmph.

County and rural roads are generally in a poor condition compared with national roads. Some rural roads are covered with gravel. The speed limit on these roads is 90 km/h.

Rules and Regulations for driving on Romanian roads

Driving regulations in Romania are fairly standard. The most important rules are to drive on the right and overtake on the left side, and for a traffic roundabout to give way to traffic entering from left. Seat belts are required. Speed limits for cars are 50 kmph in built-up areas, 100kmph on the open road, and 120kmph on the motorways.

Since December 2006, cars need to have the low beam on at all time on national roads and even small offenses are downed by heavy fines by the traffic police, they may even take one's driver's license for an irregular passing. Drinking and driving is absolutely prohibited and severely punished.

If you are involved in a car accident while driving, and the accident has human victims you must stop and wait for the traffic police. Driving away from the scene is considered hit-and-run. Simpler accidents with no victims can be solved with yourself and all parties involved having to go to a police station and make a statement, but, if in doubt, better phone 112 and ask for directions. In most of the cases, after an accident it is mandatory to take a blood test to establish if the drivers had consumed alcohol. Refusal to undergo this test is almost certainly to land you in jail - the punishment is usually harsher then the one for drunk driving. If you decide to drive your own car, you must purchase a road tax sticker either from the border or from the nearest gas station. Driving without one will incur a severe fine.

Car Rental in Romania

Renting a Car in Romania is simple enough, provided you are 21 or older, and hold a valid national driving license for at least 1 year. You can order a car through rental agencies in your own country, or book through local companies. Most of the major car rental companies have branches in Bucharest as well as other major cities. Car rental costs are not especially cheap, but you may find that local companies offer better deals. Credit cards are usually required for a deposit. Before signing, check on any mileage limits or other restrictions and extras, as well as what you’re covered for in the event of an accident. You may be able to take the car into neighboring countries, although most rental agencies do not allow this.

Need to knows when driving in Romania

Some Romanian drivers are very temperamental and they will break many rules of driving in order to get to their destination faster. Essentially, many drivers find it necessary to behave aggressively because it can be the only way to pass semi-trucks on the 2-lane highways. On major roads, motorists in the opposite direction will sometimes flash their headlights to warn they recently passed a radar trap which may be just ahead of you. Outside the major cities, many important roads go straight through the center of many villages. Passing while driving is the norm rather than the exception as slow moving trucks, slower moving horse drawn carts, and non-moving herds of cows often frequent the major roads. Road closures and traffic delays occur frequently due to construction, rock slides, car accidents and the return of the cows from pasture to the villages.

City traffic is also typically chaotic due to increased traffic and in some cases the faded paint makes it nearly impossible to determine street lanes and local residents tend to drive aggressively. First time visitors who drive cautiously may initially find it difficult to adjust to either highway or city driving - the driving style is quite similar to that of Italy. Speeding is very common.

The traffic in Bucharest can be infernal due to the narrow, twisting roads built mainly in the 19th century with little traffic in mind. Honking is usual in Bucharest and other cities. Direction signs are rare and confusing, and a map (or GPS) is needed for navigating. While in Bucharest, we recommend walking, taxis, or the subway which has recently started a process of upgrading. The subway fare is still very cheap.

Getting Around Romania by Buses and MaxiTaxis

Getting around Romania by bus can be the least expensive method to travel between towns, though the network consists of a confusing coordinated array of private companies. In the Romanian towns and cities, you can usually find one or several bus terminals. From there, buses and minibuses depart for the towns and villages in the nearby area as well as to other cities in the country. You can find timetables on autogari.ro.

All towns have local bus services, and in the main cities you will also find trams and trolley buses. Tickets are normally sold in pairs from street kiosks. Validate them yourself aboard the vehicle, but be prepared to make your way to the machine through the crush.

Need to knows when using buses and maxitaxis

Minibuses are usually very uncomfortable where some of the buses are old and slow. Most minibuses employed are small, crowded, 14-seat vans, with some longer routes employing 20-seat mini-buses. For commuter and suburban routes, expect an overcrowded van, with no air-conditioning, which stops several times in every village.

Inter-city bus travel is only slightly better - most vehicles used are also converted vans, or, at best purpose-build minibuses, with only some being air-conditioned. Seating is generally crowded, and in most cases, there is no separate compartment for luggage. Most do not have toilets on-board, calling for 30 minutes stops every 2-3h. The comfort of vehicles is steadily improving, at least in Transylvania along the longer routes serving larger cities. You will find buses from respected companies which offer punctual and reasonable, though not always sparkling, conditions, and on which a luggage compartment will be available. Toilet stops still need to be made, but they happen usually in places where you can also buy food or drinks. Be aware though that on Fridays and Sundays, and close to national holidays such buses tend to be overcrowded, so a reservation by phone might be necessary.

Getting Around Romania by Taxicab

Taxis are relatively inexpensive in Romania. It costs about 40 Euro-Cent (1.4 - 1.6 leu/RON ) per km or slightly more, with the same price for starting. The very low prices make taxis a popular way to travel with both locals and foreign travelers. Be careful to look at the cost posted on the outside of the taxi, and then to look at the meter to see that you are being charged the same fare. Be especially careful in Bucharest. Ask if you're not certain - they are obliged to post and clearly state the tariff out front. All taxis MUST have a license - a large, oval metal sign bolted on the sides of the car, featuring the city markings, and a serial number inscribed, and usually using large numbers. Do not use any taxi without those markings.

Insist that the driver uses the meter, or have a Romanian guide with you. Don't negotiate the ride fee in advance, as it may be 2-4 times higher than the real fee. It is advised that you do not take cabs from the cab stand in railway stations, unless they are from a reputable company. DO NOT take any of the services of those offering you a cab ride in the train station. They may end up being amazingly expensive.

Getting Around Romania by Bicycle

Given the mountainous terrain and the poor state of many of the country roads, you’ll need to be fit and self-reliant to cycle around Romania. Cycle shops are few and far between, although most village mechanics can manage basic repairs. Carry a spare tire and a few spokes, and check carrier nuts regularly, as the potholes and corrugations will rapidly shake them loose. A touring bike is better than a mountain bike unless you want to go off-road; with the immense network of forestry roads and free access to the hills, genuine mountain biking is wonderful here. If you do bring your own bike, avoid cycling in Bucharest, where the roads are hazardous and drivers will have little idea how to avoid you. Carrying your bike by train is easiest on personal services, where you can put it In the carriage,, though you should stay with it at all times and will probably have to tip the conductor; on Accelerats, it’ll have to be carried in the baggage van and a good tip is necessary to ensure that it’s properly guarded.

Hitchhiking in Romania

Hitchhiking is an integral part of the Romanian transport system to supplement patchy or nonexistent services on back roads – it’s even common on the motorway. It is accepted practice to pay for lifts. Although this is often waived for foreigners, make sure you’ve got some small change to hand if you think it would be good to give the driver some money. Hitchhiking, however, is a risky business in any country, and if you decide to travel this way, take all sensible precautions. It goes without saying that women should never hitch alone, nor is hitchhiking at night advisable.