Getting There

By Plane
Romania is easily accessible from various German airports. Direct flights to Bucharest, Cluj-Napoca, Sibiu, or Timișoara are offered by airlines such as Lufthansa, Tarom, Wizz Air, and Ryanair. Bucharest Airport is the largest in the country and offers the most international connections.

Entry and Visa Requirements

For EU Citizens, EEA Nationals, and Swiss Citizens

Entry into Romania is straightforward and hassle-free for citizens of the European Union, the European Economic Area, and Switzerland.

Required documents: A valid ID card or passport is sufficient for entry. Provisional passports and provisional ID cards are also accepted. The document should be valid for at least the duration of the planned stay. As is the case throughout the EU, children also require their own travel document (ID card or electronic passport) to enter Romania. If a minor is traveling with only one parent or with third parties (e.g., grandparents), it is strongly recommended to carry an officially certified letter of consent from the non-traveling legal guardian in English or Romanian.

Visa: A visa is not required for tourist travel.

Length of stay: As a tourist, you may stay in the country for up to 90 days (within a 180-day period) without a visa.

For non-EU citizens (third-country nationals)

Citizens of non-EU countries must have a machine-readable passport that remains valid for at least three months beyond the planned date of return.

Depending on the country of origin, a visa may be required.

Since Romania is part of the Schengen Area, a valid Schengen visa (for two or more entries) generally also allows entry into Romania. Those who do not yet have a visa must apply for a Schengen visa in advance at a Romanian diplomatic mission abroad.

Schengen Area and Border Controls

Romania has gradually joined the Schengen Area. When entering by air or sea (i.e., at airports and seaports) from other Schengen countries, regular identity checks no longer take place. However, if you are entering by land (e.g., by car or train from Hungary or Bulgaria), identity and border checks may still occur depending on the current political situation.

Traveling in Romania

By Train
Train travel is a great way to relax and explore the country’s major cities. The rail network operated by the state-owned CFR is extensive. However, you should allow a little extra time, as trains often travel at a more leisurely pace than in Western Europe.

By Car
A car is ideal for exploring rural regions, remote villages in the Carpathians, and spectacular mountain passes with flexibility. The road network has been significantly expanded in recent years.

By Bus
For routes not connected to the rail network, there is a dense network of intercity buses and private minibuses (so-called “maxitaxis”) that reliably serve even smaller towns.

Best Time to Visit

Spring (March to May):
Average temperatures rise from around 10°C in early May to a pleasant 20°C.

Summer (June to August):
Temperatures are high, often ranging from 25°C to over 30°C in the lowlands.

Fall (September to November):
Fall offers mild temperatures, which in September are often still between 20°C and 25°C, before it gets significantly cooler in November.

Winter (December to February):
Winters in Romania can be very cold and snowy, especially in the mountains, where temperatures often drop below freezing.

Language

The official language is Romanian. It is a Romance language and therefore shares a surprising number of similarities with Italian, Spanish, and French. You can get by very well in Romania with English, especially in cities, in hotels, and among the younger generation. In the region of Transylvania, you will also frequently encounter native Hungarian speakers and, in some places, German speakers as well.

Money and Currency

Although Romania is a member of the EU, it has not yet adopted the euro. The local currency is the Romanian leu (abbreviation: RON; plural: lei).

In cities, restaurants, supermarkets, and gas stations, card payments (credit and debit cards) are accepted almost everywhere without any problems. When traveling to rural areas, shopping at small markets, tipping, or buying tickets for regional minibuses, you should always carry some cash. ATMs (Bancomat) are widely available.

Tipping

Tipping (bacșiș) is customary in Romania and an important part of income in the service industry.

In restaurants/cafés: If you were satisfied with the service, 10% to 15% of the bill is appropriate.

In taxis: The fare is usually rounded up to the nearest round number.

In hotels: About 5 to 10 lei is a nice gesture for housekeeping staff or bellhops.

Electricity and Travel Adapters

The mains voltage in Romania is 230 volts at a frequency of 50 hertz. The same outlets (types C and F, i.e., standard Euro and Schuko plugs) are used as in Germany and Austria.

Drinking Water

In most major cities, tap water meets official drinking water standards, but it is often heavily chlorinated and has a somewhat unusual taste. To avoid stomach upset, it is advisable to drink bottled water:

Apă plată = still water

Apă minerală = sparkling water You can generally use tap water for brushing your teeth without any concerns.

Internet and Phone

Good news for all travelers from the EU: The EU Roaming Regulation applies in Romania.

Romania has one of the fastest and best-developed broadband internet networks in the world! Free and reliable Wi-Fi is standard and is available in nearly all hotels, cafes, restaurants, shopping centers, and often even on trains and in public places.

For travelers from non-EU countries, a local SIM card is worth getting. Prepaid cards from providers like Orange, Vodafone, or DigiMobil are extremely affordable in Romania (often as low as 5 to 7 euros for plenty of gigabytes) and can be easily purchased at supermarkets, kiosks, or the providers’ stores. Alternatively, you can conveniently download an eSIM for Romania onto your smartphone before your trip.