Romania flights and travel guide

Language

Romanian is the official language, but English will be understood in Bucharest and other tourist areas.

Back to top

Communications

The direct dialling country code for Romania is +40, and the outgoing code is 00, followed by the relevant country code (e.g. 0044 for the UK). There are numerous area codes applying to cities, towns and villages, for example (0)21 for Bucharest. The country is well covered with two GSM 900 mobile phone networks. Email andInternet are freely available in the cities and larger towns.

Back to top

Tipping

A service charge is included in restaurant bills but a further 5 to 10 per cent tip is expected. Taxi drivers expect good service to be rewarded. Tipping is not common in Romania, except in large hotels and restaurants frequented by tourists, where anything between 10 and 20 per cent is expected.

Back to top

Safety

Visitors should take normal precautions to keep their valuables safe and should be aware of pickpockets and scam artists in major cities. Corruption is rife and visitors should be cautious of policemen demanding fines for spurious offences, or asking to see documents as a way of stealing cash; if approached in this way visitors should offer to go with them to the nearest police station before handing over any money or documents. Valuables, including passports, should not be left in hotel rooms.

Back to top

Health

Medical facilities in Bucharest are good, but poor in the smaller towns and basic medical supplies are often in short supply. A reciprocal health agreement exists between the UK, USA, Canada and Australia that entitles nationals to free emergency medical care, but health insurance is strongly advised. There have been a number of Hepatitis A cases in Romania and visitors are advised toseek medical advice about inoculations before traveling. Visitors should drink only bottled water. Stray dogs carry rabies and tick-borne African Typhus disease, and should be avoided. Cases of Avian bird flu have been reported in the country, but no human cases have been reported. The risk for travellers is very low, butvisitors should avoid any contact with domestic, caged or wild birds and ensure that eggs and poultry dishes are well cooked.

Back to top

Electricity

Electrical current is 220 volts, 50Hz. Two-pin European-style plugs are standard.

Back to topp