Practical information Romania

No visa is required for French, Belgian, Luxembourg and Swiss nationals, nor for European Union citizens. A valid national identity card is sufficient for stays of less than 90 days, but we recommend a passport, which is more practical in case of car rental or border control. For Canadians, entry is also visa-free for 90 days within any 180-day period. Romania entered the Schengen area for air and maritime travel in March 2024, which simplifies connections. Beyond 90 days, a residence permit must be requested from the General Immigration Inspectorate.

No vaccinations are mandatory to enter Romania. However, our team in Bucharest recommends staying up to date with DTP (diphtheria, tetanus, poliomyelitis) and pertussis, as well as hepatitis A if you plan stays in rural areas. Hepatitis B and rabies can be discussed for long stays or extended hiking trips. The main concern is ticks, present in the Carpathian forests between April and October, which can transmit Lyme disease and meningoencephalitis. A TBE vaccine exists for hikers in at-risk areas. Plan for insect repellent, long clothing, and daily inspections. No malaria in Romania.

Count between 60 and 90 euros per day and per person excluding international flights, for a trip staying in a guesthouse or 3-star hotel with local restaurants and shared car rental. A meal in a traditional tavern costs 12-18 euros per person, a night in a guesthouse 40-70 euros for a double room, a coffee 2 euros. Moving upmarket with boutique hotels in Transylvania and gastronomic restaurants in Bucharest, budget 130 to 180 euros per day. A compact car rental runs around 35 euros per day, fuel at approximately 1.40 euros per litre. Entrance fees to monasteries and castles range from 5 to 12 euros.

We recommend May, June and September for most itineraries. Temperatures are pleasant (18-25 °C), meadows bloom in May-June, magnificent autumn colours in September, and mountain roads are open. July and August remain very hot in Bucharest (30-35 °C) but perfect at altitude in the Carpates, with higher crowds at Bran and Sinaia. The Danube Delta is best visited from May to June for bird nesting season. Winter (December to March) is ideal for skiing at Poiana Brașov or Sinaia, and Christmas markets in Sibiu and Brașov. April and November tend to have unpredictable weather.

A rental car is the most flexible solution for exploring Transylvania, Maramureș and Bucovina, where public transport becomes scarce. Main roads are acceptable, but expect slow stretches, carts and potholes in rural areas. The mountain roads Transfăgărășan and Transalpina, among Europe's most spectacular, are only open between June and October depending on snow conditions. The train efficiently connects Bucharest to Brașov (2h30), Sibiu and Cluj, at reasonable prices. For travelers preferring not to drive, our agency offers an English-speaking driver-guide, particularly suited for mountain roads and remote villages.

Romania ranks among Europe's safest destinations for travelers. Assaults are rare, including in Bucharest, and tourist areas (Brașov, Sibiu, Sighișoara) are perfectly safe. Standard precautions apply: stay alert on the capital's public transport against pickpockets, watch out for unlicensed taxis at Otopeni airport (use official stands or Bolt), exercise caution on roads at night due to wildlife and unlit carts. In the mountains, bears may approach inhabited areas—never leave food unattended. Our English-speaking team in Bucharest is available 24/7 throughout your trip in case of any issues.