| Romania Practical Information |
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By sea and river
Cruise ships call at the Port of Constanta (on the Black Sea coast), the country's biggest port. Passenger boats also operate on the Danube and the new European riverway Rotterdam-Constanta, including the Romanian Danube Canal-Black Sea. The former call at the ports of Sulina, Tulcea and Braila and the latter Turnu Severin and Giurgiu.
Tourist visas Entry or transit visas may be obtained from the diplomatic and consular offices of Romania abroad by all those having valid passports, recognized by the Romanian state.
Applicants must prove they have the means to support themselves financially for the period of their stay in Romania. Entry or extension visa fees must be paid in hard currency. Visas can also be obtained at Bucharest International Airport on arrival and at frontier points. The cost of a visa for individual travellers is US $ 25 if procured in advance and US $ 33, including handling charge, if issued on arrival.
Customs
Romania applies the international regulations of the Convention for the Customs Facilities for Tourist Traffic. Highly valuable goods -jewelery and foreign currency (over the value of $1,000 per person) must be declared when entering the country. Endorsed customs declarations must be kept as they are required when leaving the country.
It is forbidden to import, unless with a special license, lei (the Romanian currency), ammunition, explosives, narcotics, pornographic material. It is forbidden to export articles of cultural, historic or artistic value, as well as lei in excess of 5,000 per person.
Car drivers must be in possession of relevant car documents including green card, and personal driving license.
Anti rabies vaccination certificates are required for cats and dogs.
Currency exchange
The national currency is the leu (plural lei). Coins come in denominations of 10,20,50, and 100 lei. Notes in denominations of 500, 1,000, 5,000, 10,000, 50,000 lei.
Foreign currency can only be exchanged at banks and authorised exchange offices. As rates can vary from one place to another it is wise to shop around. Keep the exchange vouchers as they may be requested when you pay for things in lei.
Dollar bills are the most readily negotiated currency in Romania and it is a good idea to take some with you, preferably in small de nominations.
Avoid black market money changers as this is an illegal operation and subject to punishment by law.
Vaccinations Not required
Clothing
Apart from normal seasonal clothes, it is always advisable to pack a warm pullover, a raincoat and good walking shoes. Very warm clothing is recommended in winter. In any event clothing is good value in Romania so you can always purchase additional items once there if necessary. Transport within Romania
Local city transport
Underground trains, buses, trams and trolleybuses in Bucharest have a standard price of 800 lei per journey, irrespective of distance.
Taxis
State and private taxis are equipped with metres. As with many things in Romania, prices are more than reasonable.
Museums
Bucharest, among others- the National Art Museum housed in the former Royal Palace (paintings, sculptures, tapestries,icons etc.), the National History Museum, the,Museum of Bucharest City housed in the former Sutu Palace, the Art Collections Museum (the most valuable private art collections), the Romanian Peasant Museum (including original popular costumes, icons, houseware), the Village Museum (a true-to-life Romanian village with genuine dwellings from all regions of the country), the Firemens Museum, the Military Museum...
Open Air Museums
Bucharest, the Village Museum, the Old Princely Court; Cluj-Napoca, the Ethnographic Museum; Sighetu Marmatiei (Maramures County), the local museum; Curtisoara (Gorj District), the local museum; Timisoara, Museum of the Green Woods; Constanta, Archaeology Museum. |
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