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Peles Palace, Romania

© www.123rf.com / Ksenia Kozlovskaya

Getting around in Romania

Air: 

Carpatair (www.carpatair.com) operates domestic flights from Timisoara. Tarom (www.tarom.ro) operates internal routes from Bucharest.

Side of road: 
Right
Road quality: 

Road conditions vary widely throughout Romania.

While major streets in larger cities and major inter-city roads are in fair to good condition (DM (Drum National) are better maintained), other roads (DJ (Drum Judetean)) are in poor repair, badly lit, narrow and often do not have marked lanes.

Drivers need to be alert for horse-drawn carts and livestock especially at night.

Car hire: 

Car hire: Available at hotels and at Bucharest Airport from local and international firms. The minimum age for car hire is 21 years. Driving is very erratic, so it might be advisable to hire a car with a driver.

Coach: 

Regulations: 

Tolls are charges on motorways and main roads, payable in Euros. Drivers must buy a toll badge or RoVinieta; these are available for one week or one month at border points, post offices and at most petrol stations.

Regulations: Children under 12 are not allowed to travel in the front seat and front seat passengers must wear a seat belt. Speed limits are 50kph (30mph) in built-up areas, 90kph (56mph) on main roads, and 110 kph (70mph) on highways.

Breakdown service: 

Emergency breakdown service: Contact the Romanian Automobile Club (ACR) (tel: (21) 222 2222; www.acr.ro).

Documentation: 

Documentation: National driving licence or International Driving Permit are required, as is Green Card insurance. Police carry out frequent checks so observe the speed limit, and carry relevant documents.

Getting around towns and cities: 

Most cities offer efficient and inexpensive bus, trolleybus or tram transport.

Bucharest has a good bus and tram system and a metro. Tickets are pre-purchased from agents, and there are stamping machines on board buses and trains. There are also daily, weekly and fortnightly passes. A separate minibus network is operated.

Taxi: Inexpensive metered taxis can be hailed in the street or called from hotels. Although most drivers are honest, prices should be agreed beforehand, especially at the airport.

Rail: 

Bucharest's main station is the Gara de Nord on Calea Grivitei. CFR (tel: (21) 319 9539 ext 134 563; www.cfr.ro/calatori) runs five different types of train, varying in speed from the slow personal to the faster accelerat, rapid and express trains, and the more expensive, modern and comfortable Inter-City. Rural services have a way to go - currently poor onward connections make these an undesirable choice for travellers to the countryside. Seats must be reserved in advance on express routes. Rail Inclusive Tour tickets include transport and hotel accommodation. There are no platforms of any great height in Romania, making entering and alighting a little difficult for the elderly or infirm.

Rail passes: 

InterRail One-Country Pass: offers travel for three, four, six or eight days in one month within Romania. Travel is not allowed in the passenger's country of residence. Travellers under 26 years receive a reduction. Children's tickets are reduced by about 50%. Supplements are required for some high-speed services, seat reservations and couchettes. Discounts are offered on Eurostar and some ferry routes. Available from Rail Europe (tel: 0844 484 4064, in the UK; www.raileurope.co.uk/inter-rail).

Romania Pass: available to those who reside outside Europe, the CIS, Turkey, Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia. Allows five or 10 days' travel within a two-month period. Available from Rail Europe in the USA (www.raileurope.com).

By water: 

The Danube Delta is easily explored by boat. Most trips and cruises depart from the ancient city of Tulcea and sail to Sulina.

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