hai,bucharest.

Yes, very. The US State Department puts Romania at Level 1, its safest travel advisory, alongside Switzerland and Austria. On Numbeo's 2024 ranking, Bucharest came out safer than Lisbon, Vienna and London. Walking around at night is completely normal.

For getting around, a ridesharing app such as Bolt or Uber is simply easier than a taxi: the price is fixed upfront, you pay in the app and there's no language barrier. Most taxi drivers are honest, but with an app you never have to wonder.

Two or three days are enough to see the city without rushing. Add a day if you want a trip to Sinaia or Brașov. Our 1, 2 and 3-day routes show how to fit it all in.

No, it's one of the cheaper capitals in the EU. Typical prices: a cappuccino around 17 lei, a draught beer around 18 lei, a meal in a simple restaurant around 70 lei and a metro ride 5 lei (1 euro is a little over 5 lei). Source: Numbeo, October 2026.

Not usually. Romania uses the leu (RON). Cards and phones work almost everywhere, and if a card machine offers to charge you in your home currency, choose RON: it's almost always cheaper. More in our practical guide.

Yes, especially younger people and anyone working with visitors, in hotels, restaurants and shops. A few words of Romanian still go a long way: here are 16 useful phrases.

The city's water company says tap water is drinkable. Older buildings can have old pipes, so many locals still buy bottled water.

Just tap your contactless bank card or phone at the metro gate, or on the validator when you board a bus, tram or trolleybus. No ticket to buy, no app to install. A metro ride costs 5 lei. Rechargeable travel cards also exist, but you won't need one if you have a card or phone. To find the right line, use Google Maps directions with "Public transport".

Bran Castle, the one sold as Dracula's, is about 190 km away, roughly 3 hours by car. Without a car, take the train to Brașov, then a bus or a ride to Bran, about an hour more. It makes a long day, so many people combine it with Brașov: see our Sinaia & Brașov guide.

Yes. Romania has been a full Schengen member since 1 January 2025, so there are no routine passport checks when you arrive from another Schengen country. Visa rules depend on your nationality, so check them for your own passport before you travel.

May and September: warm, sunny and not too hot. July and August often go above 30°C, and winters are cold. See the weather month by month.

Around Calea Victoriei or Piața Romană is the easiest all-round base: central, walkable and quieter than the Old Town. Compare the areas in our where to stay guide.

Yes. Malls are open every day, usually 10:00–22:00, and most shops and supermarkets in the city open on Sundays too.

See our events page for what's coming up and the festivals that return every year. For concerts, the Romanian Athenaeum and the National Opera publish their programmes online.