Banks: 09:00 to 13:00, Monday to Friday
Post Offices: 09:00 to 15:00, Monday to Friday
Department Stores and Shops: 09:00 to 18:00, Monday to Saturday
Museums: opening/closing times vary, check with specific venues.
Business Offices: 09:00 to 18:00, Monday to Friday

Bucharest has some fairly high levels of crime and while a good deal of it is organised and unlikely to affect visitors, the significant petty crime needs to be watched out for as a run in with a thief or scammer could easily spoil your holiday. On public transport, it’s advisable to watch out for pickpockets and bag snatchers and similarly in busy parts of the city.

Romanian police have the right to demand to see your passport at all times however fake police have been known to frequent some tourist areas of the city so be careful who you give your documents to and if you have any doubts about a person’s authenticity, you have the right to ask to see their ID or insist that you will produce your documents at a police station only.

The city suffers with a fairly significant stray dog problem and chances are you will see plenty of them while out and about on your travels. Don’t be tempted to pet them and be exceedingly wary of feeding them lest you run the risk of getting bitten (rabies is prevalent).

Taxi drivers in the city have something of a reputation for dishonesty so keep your wits about you when taking a cab and shun independent operators parked street side in favour of reputable taxi companies such as Apolodor, Dixie, Cobalcescu, CrisTaxi, Leone, Meridian or Rodell.

All visitors are recommended to be vaccinated against Hepatitis A before arriving in Romania. Additionally typhoid, Hepatitis B and rabies may be applicable depending on your intended activity whilst in the country. Your GP should be able to advise you accordingly on this issue.

Tap water should be avoided unless boiled or filtered and even then, bottled water is preferable both from a taste and a health perspective. Exercise a little discernment when deciding where to eat as standards of hygiene may fall short of those you are used to in your own country and you may find yourself with a bout of travellers' diarrhoea if you opt for food from street vendors or especially down-market establishments.

Should you be unfortunate enough to be taken ill during your trip, then do beware that the standard of medical treatment is low compared to that of most developed western countries. Be sure to have travel insurance with adequate provision for medical care else you may be faced with some hefty hospital/doctor bills irrespective of the quality of the treatment.

Bucharest General
Tel: +40 21 317 01 21

Romanian is the chief language spoken in Bucharest as it is the official language of the country. There may be some regional variations spoken in the city however the vast majority of people recognise what might be considered central Romanian; the language used by the media and public literature sources. English language speakers are relatively common.

The official currency of Bucharest is the Romanian Leu (plural Lei) which is comprised of 100 bani. Notes are issued in denominations of Lei1,000,000, 500,000, 100,000, 50,000, 10,000, 5000 and 1000. Coins are issued in denominations of Lei5000, 1000, 500 and 100.

Currency exchange is available from bureau de change booths throughout the city, although visitors are advised to check the commission rate as it can be extortionately high at some places. Banks often change currency free from commission and provide the most favourable rates. Do not under any circumstances, be tempted to change currency on the street, it’s illegal and chances are you will be ripped off.

Visitors are permitted to import 200 cigarettes, 40 cigars or 200g of loose tobacco plus 2 litres of spirits and 2 litres of beer or wine. Gifts up to a value of Lei2000 are also permitted.

When meeting a local for the first time, a handshake accompanied by direct eye contact is the appropriate form of greeting. If you are on more intimate terms with the person you are greeting then a kiss on each cheek (left cheek first) is considered appropriate. Unless you are extremely close to someone, it’s polite always to address a person using ‘Domnul’ (Mr) and ‘Doamna’ (Mrs). Vaguely acquainted persons should use the title plus surname while for friends, the title plus Christian name is more appropriate.

Dining Etiquette
Dinner guests are expected to arrive on time and it’s usual to bring a small gift for your host or hostess which might constitute flowers, chocolates, wine or something from your home country. Table etiquette is fairly complex although on the whole just follows popular protocols. Specific considerations to be aware of include waiting to be told where to sit in the dining room; waiting for the host to say “pofta buna” (equivalent to ‘bon appetite’) before commencing the meal; leaving the napkin on the table (as opposed to on the lap) and being politely insistent with regards to not wishing for more food (casual refusals are rarely taken seriously).

Visitors from the UK and EU, Canada, the US and Japan, may enter the country on nothing more than a valid passport (at least six months validity is necessary) although it’s essential to have a ticket out of the country or else entry will be denied. All other visitors require a visa which can be applied for from a Romanian embassy in their home country.

Bucharest Tourist Information Office can be contacted by calling: +40 21 314 99 57 or by emailing: promovare@mturism.ro