Practical Guide for Tourists in Romania
Everything you need to know before and after landing: currency exchange, SIM with internet, embassies, useful numbers and essential apps.
Currency Exchange at Airports and Train Stations
Golden rule: DO NOT exchange all your money at the airport! The rate is 5-15% worse than in the city. Exchange only 50-100 RON for taxi/transport, the rest in the city or at an ATM.
Henri Coandă Airport (OTP) — Bucharest
Exchange offices at the airport
- •ICE Romania — Arrivals, near baggage claim. Poor rate, 2-5% commission
- •Interchange — Departures area, 1st floor. Average rate
- •ATMs — At arrivals exit: BCR, BRD, ING, Raiffeisen
Better alternatives
- •ATM at exit — Choose "no conversion" (refuse DCC), interbank rate
- •Revolut / Wise — Pay by card at the real rate
- •Bus 783 to city center (3.5 RON), accepts contactless card
Avram Iancu Airport (CLJ) — Cluj-Napoca
- •Exchange office — Arrivals area, only one. Poor rate
- •ATMs — BCR, BT (Banca Transilvania) at exit
- •Bus 5 to city center (~4 RON), 35 min
- •In the city center: exchange office on Str. Napoca — good rate
Traian Vuia Airport (TSR) — Timișoara
- •Exchange office — Arrivals area. Large spread (~8%)
- •ATM — BT, Raiffeisen at exit
- •Bus E4 to city center (2.5 RON), 40 min
- •Victoriei Square: several exchange offices with good rates
Iași Airport (IAS)
- •ATM — BT at exit (no fixed exchange office)
- •Exchange in the city: Palas Mall or Str. Lăpușneanu
- •Bus 50 to city center (2 RON), 25 min
- •Contactless card accepted on the bus
Main Train Stations
Bucharest North
- •ATMs: BCR, BRD at the main entrance
- •No fixed exchange office — use ATM or Revolut
- •Metro M4 directly from the station (ticket: 3 RON)
Cluj-Napoca (CFR Station)
- •ATM: BT in front of the station
- •Exchange offices on Str. Horea (5 min walk)
- •Bus to city center: lines 3, 8
Timișoara North
- •ATM: Raiffeisen in front of the station
- •Tram 1 to Victoriei Square (2.5 RON)
- •Exchange offices in the city center — 15 min
Bucharest International Bus Station
- •Militari Bus Station — FlixBus, Eurolines routes
- •BCR ATM 100m away; Păcii metro (M1) 300m away
- •Rahova Bus Station — Moldova, Bulgaria routes
| Method | Rate | Commission | Availability | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Revolut / Wise | Excellent | 0-0.5% | Anywhere with POS | 1 |
| ATM (without DCC) | Very good | 1-2% | 24/7 | 2 |
| Exchange office — city | Average | 2-4% | Mon-Fri, business hours | 3 |
| Bank | Average | 2-5% | L-V 09-17 | 4 |
| Exchange office — airport | Poor | 5-15% | Non-stop | 5 |
| Hotel | Very poor | 8-20% | Reception | 6 |
DCC (Dynamic Currency Conversion) — When the ATM asks "Convert in your currency?", ALWAYS choose "No conversion" / "Charge in RON". DCC adds 3-7% extra.
SIM Cards with Internet
Romania has one of the fastest and cheapest mobile internet in Europe. A prepaid SIM card costs 5-10 EUR and includes generous data.
Vodafone
- 50 GB 4G/5G data
- 300 min national calls
- 5 GB EU roaming
- Instant activation in store
Orange
- 100 GB 4G/5G data
- 500 min national calls
- 7 GB EU roaming
- Widest rural coverage
Digi (RCS-RDS)
- 50 GB 4G data
- 200 min national calls
- 4 GB EU roaming
- Cheapest operator
What you need for activation
- •Passport or ID card (mandatory from 2024)
- •Unlocked phone (no SIM-lock)
- •5-10 minutes for activation in store
- •Top-up: online, operator app, gas stations, or newsstands
Free WiFi
- •Airports — Free WiFi 2h (OTP, CLJ, TSR)
- •CFR trains — Free WiFi on main routes
- •Malls — Unlimited free WiFi
- •Cafés — 95% have free WiFi (ask for password)
- •Libraries — Free WiFi with access
- •Public parks — "Hotspot Free" network in large cities
Embassies and Consulates in Romania
Main embassies are in Bucharest. Some countries also have consulates in Cluj-Napoca, Timișoara or Constanța.
European Union & Neighbors
Other Important Countries
Tip: Embassy hours: usually Mon-Fri, 09:00-12:00 (consular section). For emergencies outside office hours, call your embassy's emergency number. EU citizens can contact any EU country's embassy.
Emergency and Useful Numbers
Emergencies
Useful
Health
•European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) — valid at public hospitals for EU citizens
•24-hour pharmacies: Catena, Help Net, Sensiblu (in all major cities)
•Emergency hospitals: Floreasca (Bucharest), Fundeni (Bucharest), County Hospital (major cities)
•Travel insurance recommended for non-EU
Transport
•Bolt / Uber — Available in all major cities. Card payment.
•Don't use airport taxis without an app! Use Bolt/Uber or official taxis with a meter.
•STB Bucharest: metro + bus + tram — contactless card directly at validator
•Train: tickets on cfrcalatori.ro or at the counter (card accepted)
Essential Apps
Interbank rate, contactless payments, RON exchange without commission
Most popular ride-sharing. Fixed price, card payment. Also electric scooters.
Real-time public transport schedules, directions, restaurant reviews
Bus, tram, metro schedules. Good coverage in Romania.
Food, supermarket, pharmacy — delivery in 30-60 min. Card payment.
Online train tickets. 5% discount vs counter. E-ticket on phone.
Quick Tips
Do this
- Pay with Revolut/Wise card wherever POS is accepted
- At ATM choose 'Charge in RON' (refuse DCC)
- Buy a SIM at the first store in town (not at the airport)
- Use Bolt/Uber, not street taxis
- Keep receipts (14-day return right)
- Check the BNR rate on curs.online before exchanging
Avoid this
- Don't exchange money at the airport (spread 10-15%)
- Don't accept DCC at ATM or POS
- Don't exchange on the street (illegal, fraud risk)
- Don't take a taxi without a meter or app
- Don't pay in EUR in stores (unfavorable rate)
- Don't forget to activate roaming with your operator
Useful Pages
Quick Reference
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