Romanian Expeditions – What to Expect
Introduction
Please remember that you will be staying in a remote village, which may not have shops selling replacement items such as camera films and batteries. Please come here fully equipped with all that you need for your stay. The following list is intended as a guide to what you should bring, not as a comprehensive list of everything you could possibly want.
Remember to:
1)Pack all your documents, medications and most important items in your hand luggage in case of the unlikely event that the remainder of your baggage is delayed in transit.
Visa requirements
European Union and United States nationals no longer need visas to enter Romania. There is a time limit on your stay in Romania as a tourist without a visa, which is currently 90 days. Non EU and US nationals should check requirements.
Remember that:
1)Your passport must be valid for at least another six months from date when you enter Romania.
2)Where a visa is required, it must be obtained in advance – Romanian visas are not issued on the border.
YOU MUST BRING A COPY OF THE FIRST SEVERAL PAGES OF YOUR PASSPORT.
CHECK VISA REQUIREMENTS WELL BEFORE YOU INTEND TO TRAVEL AS THE INFORMATION GIVEN HERE MAY HAVE BEEN SUPERCEDED.
Insurance
You need to have appropriate medical insurance to cover you in the event of an emergency during your holiday. You are also strongly advised to take out appropriate insurance to cover your baggage and other personal effects, and to cover you in the event of delays to your travel arrangements.
YOU MUST BRING A COPY OF YOUR MEDICAL AND TRAVEL INSURANCE POLICIES WITH YOU.
Clothing
Walking clothes (including spares in case you get wet in the rain), casual clothes, waterproofs in case of rain, boots suitable for walking, sun hat, sun glasses, and (if desired) swimming costume and towel. There is no need for formal clothes in any of the places where you will be staying.
Remember that:
1)It is possible to wash your clothes (items will usually dry quickly in warm summer weather), however it is best to bring enough for the full trip.
2)If you wish to visit the monasteries or churches then you must wear garments that cover the shoulders, arms and legs. Ladies must cover skin-tight garments on monastery premises (e.g. cover leggings with loose-fitting trousers or a skirt, t-shirts with a loose-fitting top), and should wear a hat or headscarf.
3) Temperatures can be chilly outside at night, especially early and late in the season.
Photographic
Camera, films, batteries, etc. to meet your requirements.
Remember that:
There are a few generally obvious restrictions on photography in Romania (i.e. don't photograph military or police personnel or premises, items such as major bridges that are guarded by uniformed personnel, places where a “no photography” sign – a crossed-out camera symbol – is displayed, etc.)
Health and hygiene
Personal washing kit, toothbrush, toothpaste, and other personal hygiene items (not soap and towels, which will be provided at guesthouses and hotels). Battery or hand razor – UK/USA appliances function. However they will need an adaptor and/or stepdown converter (USA items) that fit the European two-pin 220v system. Sun tan lotion will be needed in summer. Medication for diarrhea is an advisable precaution if you aren’t a seasoned traveler (though problems are unlikely since drinking water is of good quality). You are advised to bring a small quantity of toilet paper in case the WCs on the train remain without, and for use when out on day trips.
Remember that:
1)YOU MUST BRING SUFFICIENT QUANTITIES OF ANY PRESCRIPTION MEDICATIONS THAT YOU REQUIRE.
2)Feminine hygiene items are not always available locally, so female visitors should bring sufficient for their stay here.
3)If you require contraceptives, bring sufficient for your stay here.
4)If you are prone to hay fever or other allergy, bring effective medication
5)Recommended inoculations are Tetanus and Hepatitis. Romania has no epidemic diseases and a negligible risk of rabies (the disease is nearly eradicated). Tick-borne encephalitis is not a significant problem. There are no other major health risks for the ordinary traveler.
6)You do NOT need to bring means of purifying water (unless you consider that you have an unusually sensitive stomach) or sterile needles. Safe drinking water on railway stations is marked “apa potabila”, however you will have no difficulty buying bottled mineral water (which is recommended) whilst travelling to and from the riding center.
7) As in all hot countries, it is sensible to wash and peel fruit before eating it.
Other items
Insect repellant (as a precaution since insects are not usually a problem), flashlight with spare bulb and batteries, plug adaptor if required (the two-pin 220v system is used in Romania – UK/USA appliances work with a suitable plug converter/adaptor), and a water bottle.
Remember that:
1) A money belt is recommended for traveling.
2) You should bring anything that you are likely to crave for – specific brands of coffee, chocolate, whisky, cigarettes, etc. (Ordinary brands are available in local shops and bars.)
3) Items such as decaffeinated tea and coffee may not be available, therefore please bring supplies of these items if you need them.
4) A water bottle is important, especially on hot days. Cyclists’ water bottles are ideal for non-fizzy drinks, as are the aluminum drinking bottles sold at outdoor shops.
Gratuities and gifts
You may wish to leave a gratuity of around $19.50-39.00 per client to be divided amongst the Romanian staff. If you wish to leave gifts for example in the village, we recommend small, light items such as printed tea towels illustrating the area where you live or other such inexpensive gifts of local interest. You will not need to tip the staff making the transfers. You may at your discretion leave a gift or a small sum (5Romanian Lei [$1.95] or less).. It is normal practice to offer a tip not exceeding 10% for good service in restaurants, also in bars where you are served at your seat. There is no need to tip railway staff, except for the sleeping car conductor if he helps carry your baggage, in which case 2Romanian Lei (.76) would be appropriate.
Phrasebooks and literature
Although not necessary, you may wish to bring a Romanian phrasebook - Berlitz publishes a good one. The best guidebook - not necessary for your holiday, however you may find it interesting – is the Rough Guide to Romania. Lonely Planet also publishes a guidebook to Romania. The Blue Guide to Romania, is better on background (history, culture, the arts) than logistics. For books about Romania, consult the bibliography in the Rough Guide. A good selection of “atmospheric books” includes:
- "Between the Woods and the Water" (Patrick Leigh Fermor, 1930's, very atmospheric);
- "Romanian Journey" (Sacheverell Sitwell, 1930's, interesting descriptions, especially of food and culture); and of course
- “Dracula” (Bram Stoker’s classic); and captures the background atmosphere of Transylvania surprisingly well.
Currency
USA residents should bring their currency in USD. Exchange sufficient to meet needs during the trip at official bureaux in Bucuresti - you can ask the representative who meets you to take you to a suitable bank or exchange bureau. You can also use your Visa card to obtain cash from ATMs inmany Romanian towns just as in the West. In Romania, it may not be possible to make a credit card purchase or withdraw cash, even at bank counter, without a PIN number. Make certain you have a PIN number before you leave for and remember it. A PIN with 5 letters/numbers or more may not work in Romania. Check with your bank and credit card agencies. Also inform them that you will betravelling outside the US. This can prevent antifraud mechanisms from blocking access to your accounts while you are abroad.
You cannot obtain Romanian currency outside Romania. The Romanian currency, the Lei/Leu (plural/singular), is currently available in coins of 1 (rarely used) 5, 10, and 50 bani (1 leu = 100 bani) and banknotes of 1, 5, 10, 50, 100, 200 lei. Exchange rates (which fluctuate) are currently around 2.83 Lei to the Dollar. (You can look up current exchange rates on the Romanian website - look on the front page under “curs valutar”.) The amount you need to change will depend on what souvenirs you wish to purchase, however 300 USD ought to be enough. (You can change back unused larger denomination paper currency in Bucuresti before departure home). Euros can be exchanged at all banks and money changing bureaux – around 300 EUR should suffice.
Remember that:
1) DO NOT BRING TRAVELLERS CHEQUES. THEY CANNOT BE CASHED AT THE AIRPORT AND YOU WILL NOT PASS NEAR TO ANY OTHER BANK THAT CAN CASH THEM.
2) ALWAYS change money at official kiosks and bureaux or in banks. NEVER change money with black market touts or with anyone else who approaches you on the street.
3) ALWAYS bring foreign currency in good condition, unmarked notes of fairly low denomination (maximum 50 US Dollars), with some small notes (e.g. 1$US, 5$US) for making minor purchases. Notes marked in ink, torn or otherwise damaged even slightly will not be accepted. Coins will not be exchanged.
4) If a new design of note has recently appeared, bring notes of the older type if still legal tender as Romanian banks and kiosks cannot be guaranteed to recognize the new type immediately.
5) Do not bring the older US dollar bills (i.e. without the security strip – pre-1996?) since these may not be accepted.
6) There is likely no facilities for changing money in the village.
Souvenirs
Some interesting and attractive souvenirs are available in Romania, including textiles (rugs, embroidered clothing, etc.), ceramics (plates, jugs, etc.), hand-painted eggs, and carved wooden objects. The best souvenir shop is located at the Museum of the Romanian Peasant in Bucuresti.
Laws
None of the laws that apply in Romania should cause any problems for normal tourists.
Remember that:
1)Possession and use of all types of soft and hard drugs is illegal. Severe penalties apply, including heavy fines and imprisonment. Checks are made at entry points into Romania, and travelers with illegal drugs are likely to be apprehended. Prescribed medical cannabis was legalized in 2013, but if you bring any be sure you have a legible prescription in hand.
2)If you require any medication not recognizable as proprietary, you should bring a copy of the prescription document or a note from your doctor stating that the item is required to treat a medical condition.
3)In Romania you are obliged to carry your passport with you at all times. (In practice you will not need to carry your passport in the village, when it can remain with your baggage.)
4)You may be asked to declare certain valuable items and currency on entry into the country - if
so, take care to retain the receipt issued, as you will need it when leaving.
5)If you drive to Romania, check what documents and insurance you are required to have..
Remember that a zero blood alcohol limit applies, and that severe penalties exist for driving under the influence of alcohol
6) You should bear in mind the current restrictions on what items can be carried in your luggage
for air travel.
Communications
It is generally possible to communicate with people at home from the village. While there, you should be able tosend and receive email messages. This is not guaranteed however, as it possible that the telephone lines may be interrupted. For general information on Romanian telephones and service, see the travel guides. GSM mobile service is available throughout the country. Centennial/Cingular/T-Mobile handsets may operate in Romania: Check with your provider. Mailed letters usually takes14 days to reach the US.
Security
Romania is a relatively safe country for travelers. The incidence of violent crime is very low. The country is safe for single female travelers. However, as anywhere, particularly in urban areas and when travelling, you should take sensible precautions. At all times take care of your belongings. Do not leave any items unattended (including in train corridors), and in crowds do not keep anything where pickpockets can reach.
Beware of confidence tricksters, who seek ways to “examine” documents and money, from which they steal by sleight of hand. Travelling to and from the village, although not likely, there is a small possibility that a confidence trickster may approach you. Typically they claim to be a “railway employee” or occasionally even a “plainclothes police officer”. (One trick is for a “money changer” to approach you, immediately followed by a “plainclothes policeman” who asks to search your money and belongings – see 3 below). Another ploy is to pretend to be a “tourist” who needs to change a high-denomination Euro note (which is of course a forgery!) However the impostor is easily detected, and will leave when it is clear that you are not fooled.
Meet these sorts of people with a firm but polite refusal, and look as if you mean it. On Bucuresti railway station wait on the concourse (where uniformed security guards are present), or the waiting room (where access is restricted to ticket holders). On other stations, wait on the platform or in the waiting room.
The likelihood of encountering criminal elements whilst travelling is very low. However a comprehensive set of warnings is given below.
Remember that:
1) Keep your passport secure, but also accessible without revealing where you keep money and other valuables. Keep a small amount of money accessible for immediate purchases without revealing where you have put the bulk of your money.
2) All railway staff wear recognizable uniforms. Anyone approaching you on railway premises offering to “help”, who is not wearing a recognizable uniform, is an impostor notwithstanding any “identity documents” that they may produce. Do not show them tickets or documents, or otherwise encourage them. Any stories that they may tell you about needing extra “platform tickets”, “reservations”, etc. are false. Bona fide station staff and/or security personnel are very unlikely to approach you on the station to see your tickets and have no right to see passports and other documents. (You will have to display a valid ticket before entering Bucuresti station concourse, when entering the waiting room, and of course during on-train ticket inspections.)
3) Romania is not a “police state”, and no Romanian police officer has the right (or inclination) to examine your money or possessions in public. Romanian police officers do not have the power to levy on-the-spot fines. A bone fide police officer may conceivably ask you for identity documents –a quick look at your passport and, where appropriate, visa will satisfy him. Drivers are sometimes stopped during routine police checks for examination of documents. A “plainclothes police officer” who asks you to hand over money or valuables for “examination”, or pay a “fine”, is without doubt a confidence trickster. All Romanian police officers are able to produce an identity card bearing their name and photograph. Insist on seeing this documentation before showing your passport to anyone not in uniform. If there is no name or photo, the person is an impostor, even if they have an impressive “police” badge. Never let anyone take your passport or other items away (with the exception, when required, of leaving your passport at a hotel reception).
4)When travelling, do not associate with, or give money to, gypsies or beggars. They belong to organized begging rings and do not themselves benefit from the money. If they persist, walk away.
5) In towns and cities at night, stay in well-lit main thoroughfares.
6) Never change money on the street. Only use official kiosks or banks. Money-changers in public places have many tricks to defraud you, which you will probably not recognize until it is too late.
7) When travelling by sleeping car train, lock your compartment door before going to sleep using the latch or chain provided. Do not leave the window open.
8) If travelling alone, be cautious about accepting drinks or cigarettes from other travelers. Although rare, it is not unknown for drugged drinks and cigarettes to be used as a means of robbing solitary travelers.
9) You are cautioned against becoming intoxicated when travelling since, in this state, it is far easier for a pickpocket or con-man to steal from you.
Travelling by train and taxi
Remember that:
1) Take care to keep all your rail tickets safe. For journeys starting and finishing in Bucuresti you may have 3 or even 4 small card tickets per journey, covering travel, reservation and express train supplement. In the sleeping car, the conductor will take your tickets away and keep them in his compartment. You may take them back before leaving the train on arrival. For other journeys, you may have small card tickets or a single larger paper ticket filled in by hand (plus carbon-copied receipt, which the conductor will retain). It is safest to retain every ticket until the whole journey is completed. If you are confused then the conductor will be able to select and clip the correct tickets.