The CoronaVirus outbreak is affecting, mildly, several areas in Romania.
There are no other events or situations – such as diseases, distress or unrest –
threatening the personal safety or well-being of travelers to Romania.
The following information may be of interest to travelers:
Coronavirus (Covid-19) #
Like many countries in the world, Romania is being affected by the Covid-19 situation.
As of October 25, 2021 Romania has declared a state of public health emergency
to reduce the impacts of COVID-19 on the health care system, stop the spread, and increase vaccination rates.
The National Centre for monitoring and control of transmissible diseases
and the local health authorities are monitoring the situation closely.
The following rules / public health restrictions are in effect:
* Locals and visitors must wear a mask when in indoor and outdoor public spaces.
* An EU covid digital certificate in required to access all non-essential public institutions and stores.
Access to pharmacies and food stores (except those located in shopping malls) does not require proof of vaccinations.
*Indoor entertainment, event and recreation facilities
will operate at limited capacity, between the hours of 5 a.m. and 9 p.m.:
~ Restaurants – 50% capacity, for indoor dining.
~ Movie theatres, fitness facilities and playgrounds – 30% capacity.
Beginning October 25 until November 30, 2021:
~~ Bars and clubs will be closed
~~ Private events will be prohibited.
Non-essential travel is prohibited betweenthe hours of 10 p.m. and 5 a.m. (next day).
Traveling to Romania from abroad:
Effective October 24, 2021,
visitors and Romanian citizens,
arriving from the following countries (“red” / high-risk zones):
Anguilla, Antigua & Barbuda, Armenia, Austria,
Barbados, Belize, Belarus, Belgium, Bonaire, Saint Eustatius & Saba,
Brazil, , Brunei Darussalam, Bulgaria,
Costa Rica, Croatia, Cuba, Dominica, Estonia, Georgia,
Gibraltar, Great Britain, Greece, Grenada, Guam, India, Ireland, Jersey Island,
Latvia, Lithuania, Malaysia, Man Island, Republic of Moldova, Mongolia, Montenegro,
Nepal, New Caledonia, Saint Kitts & Nevis, Saint Vincent & Grenadine, Serbia,
Seychelles, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, Suriname,
Turkey, United States of America, Ukraine
must self-quarantine for 14 days if not vaccinated,
even if proof of a negative Covid-test is presented.
The duration of self-quarantine can be reduced to ten days
if on day ten, of self-quarantine, a negative Covid test is confirmed.
Visitors, and Romanian citizens,
arriving from the following countries (“yellow” / medium-risk zones):
Albania, Aruba, Azerbaidjan, Bahamas, Bermuda, Bosnia & Herzegovina,
British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Curaçao, Cyprus, French Polinesia,
Feroe Islands, Guernsay, Guyana, Iceland, Iran, Israel,
Luxemburg, Maldives, Monserrat, the Netherlands, Northern Macedonia, Palestina, Russia,
Saint Lucia, Sint Maarten, Thailand, Trinidad & Tobago, Turks si Caicos, U S Virgin Islands.
must self-quarantine for 14 days
only if not vaccinated or
cannot present proof of a negative Covid-test
performed 72 hours or less before departure to Romania.
The duration of self-quarantine can be reduced from 14 to 10 days
if on day ten, of self-quarantine, a negative Covid test is confirmed.
Before entering Romania, visitors and residents
need to complete a Passenger Locator Form / Declaration
(two simple steps, on-line);
printed form is available for download here.
Entry requirements for children and teenagers:
(National Inspectorate for Emergency Situations – Decision # 43 / July 1, 2021)
Children 0 to 3 years-old:
there is no need for a negative RT-PCT test
Children and teenagers 3 to 16 years old:
a negative PCR test is required.
Test must have been performed no more that 72 hours
before the date of entry into Romania.
There are no restriction for visitors residing in – or arriving from –
countries not mentioned above (red and yellow zones).
To qualify for the fully vaccinated traveler exemption, you must: • have no signs or symptoms of COVID-19
• have received the full series of an accepted COVID-19 vaccine or a combination of accepted vaccines
• have received your last dose at least 14 days prior to the day you enter Romania
(i.e. . if your last dose was on August 1, then August 16 would be the first day that you meet the 14 day condition.
• meet all other Romania entry requirements (passport or EU ID, visa if needed …)
Accepted COVID-19 vaccines in Romania:
• Pfizer-BioNTech (Comirnaty, tozinameran, BNT162b2)
• Moderna (mRNA-1273)
• AstraZeneca/COVISHIELD (ChAdOx1-S, Vaxzevria, AZD1222)
• Janssen/Johnson & Johnson (Ad26.COV2.S)
The list of accepted vaccines may expand in the future.
All other Covid vaccines are not currently accepted for fully vaccinated status in Romania.
There are no exemptions from testing or quarantine for partialy-vaccinated travelers
(travelers who haven’t received the full series of a vaccine or a combination of vaccines
accepted by the Government of Romania).
Note:
All vaccinated visitors will still need to comply with any testing requirements imposed by airlines and/or
government of the contry of departure (and transit).
Passengers arriving at Bucharest International Airport, from ‘yellow’ zones,
can enter Romania using the ‘Green Lane’, dedicated to vaccinated visitors,
if are vaccinated and can present an European EU Digital COVID Certificate
or
can present proof of a negative PCR test
(performed less than 72 hours before arrival to Bucharest)
Passengers arriving at Bucharest International Airport, from ‘red’ zones,
can enter Romania using the ‘Green Lane’ dedicated to vaccinated visitors
if are vaccinated and can present an European EU Digital COVID Certificate.
Digital Covid Certificates issued by the UK authorities cannot grant (are not accepted for)
entry into Romania via the “Green (Low-risk) Lane”.
It is expected that most restrictions will be lifted by the end ofNovember 2021.
The most up-to-date information concerning border-crossing / entry-requirements and conditions.
are available from your airline and/ or
the nearest Consulate of Romania
To get additional info, ‘customized’ based on your nationality
you might also want to check the
SkyTeam International Traveler Entry-Requirements Tool
More about Romania Covid regulations from TravelBans.org
Romania adopts its own national classification of risk areas,
hence travel restrictions for Romania are not based on the common “EU Traffic Lights” map.
“Green” areas: countries where the cumulative incidence rate of new COVID-19 cases in the last 14 days
is less than or equal to 1,5 per 1000 inhabitants;
“Yellow” areas: countries where the cumulative incidence rate of new COVID-19 cases in the last 14 days
is between 1,5 and 3 per 1000 inhabitants;
“Red” areas: countries where the cumulative incidence rate of new COVID-19 cases in the last 14 days
is greater than or equal to 3 per 1000 inhabitants.
The distinction is defined as follows:
Travellers who have received their final vaccination for COVID-19 more than 10 days ago,
are exempt from quarantine. It is required to show proof of vaccination, including the dates.
Travellers arriving from countries classified as “green”
can enter Romania without being subject to any isolation or test requirement.
Travellers arriving from countries classified as “yellow“,
who do not provide a pre-departure negative PCR test taken within 72 hours prior to arrival,
are subject to a 14-day quarantine.
Children under 6 years old are exempted from the PCR test requirement.
The quarantine period may be shortened by taking a PCR test no less than 8 days after arrival.
If the result of this test is negative, the period of quarantine can end on day 10.
Travellers coming from a “red” area (RO classification),
need to do 14 days of quarantine, even if they present a negative test
(even if it is an EU Digital Covid test certificate).
Children between 6 – 16 years old can be exempt from quarantine
if they present a test certificate (PCR, taken the latest 72h in advance).
Children under 3 are except from quarantine and testing requirements.
Some exceptions apply for short stays
(less than 72h, with a negative PCR test taken the latest 72h in advance),
imperative reasons, transit, cross-border workers.
Romania Traffic Delays or Restrictions // Roads Closed #
Route: TransFagarasan #
National Road DN 7 C (Drumul National 7 C) crossing the Fagaras Mountains
Road Status: OPEN, with restrictions
Section affected:
Piscu Negru — Balea Cascada (km 104 to km 131)
Restrictions:
~ traffic is allowed from 7 am to 9 pm, no night-time traffic is allowed
~ speed limit: 30 km/h (20 miles/hour)
Scheduled Dates: June 28, 2021 – October 31, 2021 (tentative date of closing for winter time)
Scheduled days: Monday – Sunday.
Route: TransAlpina #
National Road DN 67 C (Drumul National 67 C) crossing the Parang Mountains
Road Status: OPEN, with restrictions
Section affected:
Ranca – Obarsia Lotrului (km 34 to km 60)
Restrictions:
~ traffic is allowed from 8 am to 8 pm, no night-time traffic is allowed
~ speed limit: 30 km/h (20 miles/hour)
~ maximum vehicle weight: 7.5 tons (16,500 lbs)
Scheduled Dates: May 23, 2021 — October 31, 2021 (tentative date of closing for winter time).
Scheduled days: Monday – Sunday.
Information on Road Conditions can also be obtained directly from
Romania’s Road Authority (Compania Nationala de Administrare a Infrastructurii Rutiere)
Telephone: + 4 021.264.33.33 ext. 4 or 0800 800.301 (local toll free)
E-mail: dispecerat@andnet.ro
Money Exchange #
Romania’s currency (Lei) is not readily available abroad.
If you do not wish to keep your leftover Romanian Lei, please make sure that,
before leaving Romania, you have converted them into the currency of your choice.
Bucharest Taxi #
In the past years, the RomaniaTourism has received quite a few complaints regarding Bucharest taxi drivers who overcharged customers by not using the meter or employing malfunctioning meters.
Drivers approaching you at the airport or at the train station (Gara de Nord) in Bucharest are likely to inflate their rates; please be aware and try to avoid them.
Taxis can be summoned by telephone or hailed on the street. Confirming the cost of the ride with the driver, before starting the trip, is always a good idea.
Taxi tariffs can vary from company to company.
Typical Bucharest Taxi tariffs:
| Lei (RON) | U.S. Dollars* | |
|---|---|---|
| Initial fee | 1.99 Lei – 4.50 Lei | $0.50 – $1.00 |
| Trips within city limits | 1.79 Lei – 4.50 Lei / km | $0.50 – $1.00 / mile |
| Trips outside city limits | 1.99 Lei – 7 Lei / km | $0.50 – $1.75 / mile |
| Slow traffic or waiting time | 0.50 Lei – 0.95 Lei / minute | $0.15 – $0.25 / minute |
| Waiting time | 19 Lei – 29 Lei / hour | $4.75 – $6.50 / hour |
* Tariffs in U.S. Dollars estimated at an exchange rate of 4.50 Lei / Dollar.
The average cost of the taxi trip from Henri Coanda (Otopeni) Airport to downtown Bucharest
is about 80.00 Lei ($20.00).
More information on transportation from/ to Bucharest international Airport
are available in our Bucharest Info section.
If you run into a problem with any taxi in Bucharest
– or if you are suspecting that you have met a dishonest driver –
ask for a receipt and if possible try to write down the vehicle’s license plate #.
To file a Taxi complaint please call
021 201 32 42 (Transportation Bureau of the Police Department) and/or
021 97 52 (Bucharest City Hall – Complaints)
021 95 51 (Consumer Protection Authority).
Feedback about Bucharest taxi service can also be sent to:
Bucharest City Hall
(Primaria Municipiului Bucuresti)
Directia Transporturi, Drumuri, Sistematizarea Circulatiei
Serviciul Control Transporturi, Utilitati Publice)
Bd. Regina Elisabeta nr. 47
etajul 2, camera 237
050013 Bucharest 5 Romania
E-mail
Telephone: 021 305.55.00 x 1252
Bucharest International Airport
(Aeroportul International Bucuresti)
Contact Form
Bucharest Consumer Protection Agency
(Oficiul Municipal pentru Protectia Consumatorilor)
Str. Transilvaniei 2
010798 Bucharest 1 Romania
E-mail
Telephone: 021 310.63.75 or
021 95 51 (this is a valid ‘short’ phone #).
Ministry of Economy – Tourism Department
Calea Victoriei nr. 152,
Bucharest 1 – Romania
E-mail
Driving in Romania #
Most major tourist attractions in Romania are easily accessible by public transportation but travel by car is perhaps the best way to discover Romania’s charming villages and to reach attractions located in areas with limitted bus
or train service.
In some areas of Romania, conditions of roads, the number of slow moving vehicles and even the level of adherence to traffic regulations and common road courtesies may be different from what you are familiar with in the USA or Canada.
We are not aware of any major incidents regarding driving in Romania but feedback from a few U.S. and Canadian travelers have indicated that some Romanian drivers have a competitive driving style (improper passing / cutting into another car’s path and tailgating flash of the headlamps are not uncommon).
While in North America flashing the headlamps is considered rude in Europe a quick flash of the headlamps is sufficient to get the car lead to move on the first lane of the (multi-lane) road.
In rural areas be ready to share the road with slow-moving vehicles, including horse-drawn wagons.
A number of roads are under construction.
Signage and safety studs may be inferior to those used in North America.
The numerous photo opportunities offered by Romania’s scenic countryside may make you to stop more often than planned and driving to your destination may take longer than expected.
However, as long as you will drive cautiously we believe that you will enjoy your driving vacation in Romania.
A map of Romania’s roads condition is available at the link below:
romaniatourism.com/romania-maps/romania-roads-condition.html
A map of road traffic intensity forecast (not real time traffic info) is available at:
romaniatourism.com/romania-maps/romania-road-traffic-intensity-forecast.html
Feedback about tour operators / travel agencies #
We love positive feedback about travel to Romania and we are getting lots of it
from travelers who have visited recently.
However, we would like to know if your Romania experience was flawed by a company and/or its staff;
please do not hesitate to let us know if not everything went well during your trip.
If you wish to book a trip with a travel agency based in Romania, feel free to check with us their credentials.
Romanian Tour Operators, Travel Agencies and Freelance Guides must be licensed
by the Romanian Ministry of Tourism
Be particularly cautious if:
– the Website of a travel company or a freelance guide does not indicate a physical address,
– hotel rates and prices for similar services are significantly lower then those offered by other companies,
– full payment – in cash / wire transfer – is being asked when making the reservation or long before the beginning of trip, especially for services that must not be paid in advance by the travel company (meals, guide services, ground transportation).
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