Business Hours
 Banks: 09:00 to 17:00, Monday to Friday; 09:00 to 12:00, Saturdays Post Offices: 07:30 to 20:00, Monday to Friday; 08:00 to 14:00, Saturdays Government Offices: 09:00 to 17:00 Monday to Friday Business Centres: 09:00 to 18:00, Monday to Friday Shops: 09:00 to 18:00, Monday to Saturday
Cautions
 Overall, Romania is a very safe travel destination, and there is very little to concern visitors. Violent crime is extremely rare, and the most serious concerns facing tourists are petty theft and scams.
To avoid scams, be cautious giving your trust to strangers, especially when you have not expressly solicited help or advice. Refuse to get into an inappropriately-marked taxi, and deal only with accredited travel agents operating reputable establishments.
As with any tourist destination, pick-pockets can be a problem in crowded areas. Take care to guard your belongings, especially when in transit or when waiting in bus or train terminals. It is wise to keep cash safely under a layer of clothing in a money belt and whenever possible, use the hotel safe to store valuables.
 Romania boasts an impressive array of wildlife, and there are a few large carnivores that should be given a wide berth if encountered. Brown bears sometimes wander into mountain towns scavenging for leftover food. Of course, bears, wolves and lynx should never be fed or otherwise engaged as they may become disoriented or provoked.
Electricity
Electricity: 220 volts, 50 hertz
Health
As Romania continues to rise to EU-level standards for healthcare, visitors may find conditions in hospitals and the availability of regional healthcare variable. When travelling outside of major cities, hotel staff can help direct you to the best healthcare provider in the area.
As it may sometimes be necessary to visit a private clinic, medical insurance is an important consideration. As of Romania’s ascension into the EU in 2007, all EU citizens are covered under Romania’s healthcare provisions.
 Romania continues to attract dental patients from Western Europe and abroad. Standards in private clinics are generally high, practitioners qualified and prices markedly lower than in many tourists’ home countries. However, the cost of medical care has risen sharply since Romania joined the EU.
 Tap water is considered safe to drink though many tourists prefer bottled water for its assured quality and wide availability. Serious infectious diseases pose very little risk to travellers. If you do become ill, you may consider consulting with a pharmacist before seeking medical attention. Pharmacies (which display a green cross in front) can dispense many medications without a prescription, and the knowledgeable staff often speak enough English to be of assistance.
Language
 The official language of Romania is Romanian, the closest living match to ancient Latin. Over the centuries Byzantine influence has made a lasting impression on Romanian, and certain words sound more Slavic than Romanesque. Compared to neighbouring countries in Europe, Romania has clung to its language with surprising tenacity, and while dialects do exist, there’s an overarching homogeneity to Romanian. English is spoken and understood by younger citizens and those involved in tourism.
Currency
 Romania’s primary unit of currency is the leu (the plural form, lei, is more common); however, the euro has been on the rise since the nation’s ascension to the European Union. Banknotes are issued in denominations of 500, 100, 50, 20, 10, 5 and 1 lei. Currency reformation in 2007 made 10,000 old lei equal to 1 new leu, and prices are still sometimes quoted according to the old standard although old lei are no longer acceptable. Each new leu is worth 100 bani, issued in 5, 10 and 50 cent coins.
Currency Exchange
 As Romania joins the ranks of the European Union, the nation’s currency landscape will continue to shift toward the euro. Today, the Romanian leu remains the national currency, though prices are quoted in euros in venues like upmarket hotels. ATMs are widely located throughout the nation’s cities and towns, making local currency easy to come by.
 Major credit cards are accepted at large hotels and upscale department stores in Romania’s major cities. Some larger banks may issue cash advances on internationally-branded credit cards. However, it becomes difficult to find places that accept credit cards in rural areas. Moneychangers are widely available throughout the country, though the exchange rate should be carefully examined before committing to the transaction.
Customs
Romania’s import and export restrictions relate mainly to firearms and illegal drugs. While it is unlikely that customs officials will search individual bags, this is at least a legal possibility. Prescription medicines must be kept in their original container to ease their passage through customs. Visitors must apply for permission to bring more than 6,500 euros cash into the country.
Everyone entering Romania must fill out a declarations form and surrender it to customs officials at the border. Per person duty-free allowances are: 2 litres of spirits, 4 litres of wine and 200 cigarettes or 40 cigars.
Etiquette
 Many Romanians are devoted Orthodox Christians, and traditional measures of respect are in order when visiting a church or religious site. Religious rituals and holy days both receive a great deal of reverence from the public. When visiting religious sites, men and women are both expected to cover their shoulders. Men should wear trousers and women should wear floor-length skirts. As an additional line of respect, women may also wish to cover their hair.
Greetings in Romania can be brief, though they remain formal. First-time encounters warrant a handshake and direct eye-contact. Older Romanian men are sometimes known to kiss a woman on the hand when meeting her; however, foreign men are not encouraged to take part in this tradition.
Sometimes, friends kiss and embrace when they meet. The kiss is quickly given first on the left cheek, then on the right. This level of intimacy is not likely to be an issue for short-term visitors; regardless of how you view your new friendship, it is best to follow the lead of your Romanian friend when it comes to friendly kisses.
Formal titles are employed between most Romanians. Men are addressed as ‘Domnul’ and women as ‘Doamma’, and these titles precede the person’s surname. Friends may address each other by first names, though these are still preceded by the honorific title. Simple first names without titles are only employed between the closest of friends and family members.
 Dining Etiquette If you are fortunate enough to be invited to a Romanian family’s home for dinner, it is polite to bring a gift of chocolates, imported spirits or flowers. Carnations or roses are both well-received floral varieties though these should always be given in odd numbered increments. Even numbered increments are reserved for funerals and sombre occasions.
Punctuality is important in Romania, and when attending a dinner party it is important to come no later than 15 minutes after the appointment. Dress may be lightly formal — something on par with office attire. Finally, wait to take your seat until directed by the host.
 Table manners are continental style, with the fork held in the left hand and the knife in the right. The napkin remains on the table (instead of going in your lap) and the hands should be kept in sight at all times. If you’d like to rest your arms, it is polite to place your wrists on the edge of the table.
When the host says ‘good appetite’ (‘pofta buna’) then the guests can begin eating. If you cross your fork and knife across your plate, the host will understand that you have not yet finished. Your host will likely push seconds and even thirds, and polite refusals don’t necessarily mean the guest has finished eating. You’ll probably have to refuse two or three times before you’re taken seriously. Finally, you can indicate that you have finished by placing your utensils parallel across the plate with the handles pointing to the right.
Visa and Passports
As visa requirements are perpetually subject to change, visitors are advised to consult their nearest Romanian embassy before travelling for current visa regulations.
Single- or double-entry transit visas are available to tourists who are only making a brief layover in Romania. Both of these visas allow a maximum stay of three days per entry. Visas of this nature must be arranged in advance.
Otherwise, citizens of EU member nations along with those from Canada, the United States and Japan are eligible for 90-day tourist visas granted upon arrival. These are issued at border-crossings and international airports within Romania. Citizens of New Zealand and Australia must apply in advance for 90-day tourist visas and will not be given visa-on-arrival.
 All tourists must have a minimum of six months’ validity remaining on their passport from time of entry. Otherwise entry may be denied. EU citizens can enter Romania with their ID card. In some cases, extensions beyond 90 days can be obtained from local passport offices within Romania.
Tourist Information Offices
There are no government-run information offices in Romania, meaning visitors have to rely on travel agents or enquire through information counters within their hotel. Sibiu is widely regarded as the best Romanian town in which to seek travel information.
While the Romanian National Tourist Office does not operate any domestic offices, they do have an at 22 New Cavendish street. Phone: +44 20 7224 3692; website: www.romaniatourism.com/.
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