Romania is an incredible country in Eastern Europe known for its history and unique culture, picturesque landscapes, and old world charm (not to mention a few hidden gems it’s also famous for like Dracula and salt mines). The country is a must-visit destination! But before you go, there are a few important things you’ll want to keep in mind in order to get the most out of your trip. The best way to ensure your visit to Romania goes smoothly is to prepare in advance so you can hit the ground rolling once you arrive.
Keep reading and we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about Romania before traveling to this stunning country!
Romania Is a Large, Spread Out Country
Romania is Europe’s 12th largest country, so you will want to thoroughly plan out getting to your main destinations before you arrive. Unlike smaller European countries where you can fairly quickly cross the full length, Romania is spread out. If you’re planning to spend time in the capital city, Bucharest, which is located in southern Romania, as well as visit the famous Painted Monasteries of Bucovina, which are in the northeastern town, and also explore the towns of western Romania, near the border of Hungary, you will definitely need to prepare to take the country’s transportation.
Romania Has Public Transportation You Can Utilize
When it comes to seeing all the locations on your list, you have a few options for how to get around the country. Renting a car probably shouldn’t be your first choice, as Romania has a well-developed mass transportation system in place. In fact, the majority of locals use public transportation rather than personal vehicles, so you know the system is a well-running machine.
For small distances, you can rely on the bus, metro (in Bucharest), or trams; each of these travel types is extremely affordable, ranging between $0.30 and $2.00 USD for one ride. For traveling longer distances around the country, you can choose between trains and maxi-taxis (similar to small buses). The benefit of taking the trains is your ability to book sleeper cars for long trips, but sometimes maxi-taxis are the only option when traveling to small towns without a train station.
You Should Change Your Currency Beforehand
If you expected to be able to travel to Romania and use your euros like you would in most places in Eastern Europe, it will come as a surprise that euros will not be widely accepted by Romanian vendors. Although Romania is a part of the European Union, its official currency is the New Leu (RON). Although you can make money exchanges at banks and exchange offices, your best bet is to come prepared with Romanian Lei in mostly small, easily-breakable notes; Romania is quite affordable, so you might encounter difficulty breaking larger bills.
You Can Safely Store Your Luggage
Everyone knows the hardest part about living out of a suitcase is having to bring your suitcase everywhere with you. Romania’s lovely cobblestone streets are a picture-perfect element to the historic country, but not so ideal for those wheeling suitcases behind them—not to mention the fact that the city of Brazov has Strada Sforii (Rope Street), Europe’s third-narrowest street. Traveling with your luggage is never ideal, and fortunately, you don’t need to drag your bags around with you in Romania.
We recommend that you pre-book luggage storage by searching for close-by destinations. Then, simply drop off your bags at your chosen time and they’ll be safely locked up for as long as you need. The best part is that you can reserve Bucharest luggage storage for as little as 5 euros a day.
You Can (and Should) Visit Nine World Heritage Sites
Romania is the location of nine UNESCO World Heritage Sites, a lofty number for one country to possess! While you’re in the country, make sure you visit each impressive destination. These sites are:
The Eight Painted Churches of Moldavia
The Monastery of Horezu
The Dacian Fortresses of the Orastie Mountains
The Rosia Montana Mining Landscape
The Historic Centre of Sighisoara
The Wooden Churches of Maramures
The Seven Fortified Churches in Transylvania
Romania’s Ancient and Primeval Beech Forests
The Danube Delta
When arranging your trip to Romania, whether it is your first time visiting this Eastern European country or your tenth, you can ensure you get the most out of your trip by planning ahead. When it comes to having the right currency, anticipating transportation around the country, knowing where to store your luggage, and knowing the destinations you can’t miss, this guide will prepare you to experience your dream Romanian vacation!
