Romania

Travel tips for Romania: safety advisories, currency and cash vs. card, tap water, plugs, local phrases, food, and advice from travelers.

Cash and cards

Cards work almost everywhere. Recent legislation requires all merchants to accept cards, making Romania near-universally cashless. Locals report rarely using cash, though keeping 100-200 RON is handy for tipping tour guides, artisan markets, or deep rural areas.

Try the food

Sarmale: Pickled cabbage leaves stuffed with a savory mixture of minced pork, rice, and caramelized onions, slow-cooked in tomato sauce.
Mici (Mititei): Skinless, heavily spiced grilled sausages made from a blend of beef, lamb, and pork, typically served with mustard and fresh bread.
Papanași: A warm, donut-like fried pastry made with sweet cheese, generously topped with sour cream and tart fruit jam.

Say it in Romanian

Hello: Bună ziua
Thank you: Mulțumesc
Please: Vă rog
Excuse me: Scuzați-mă
How much is this?: Cât costă?
The bill please: Nota de plată, vă rog
Yes / No: Da / Nu
Goodbye: La revedere

Essentials

Voltage: 230V, 50Hz
Driving: Right side
SIM tip: Pick up a prepaid Orange or Vodafone SIM card at the airport or any local kiosk for cheap, reliable data, or download an eSIM like Airalo before arrival.

Etiquette

Tipping around 10-15% is expected in restaurants and cafes; it is usually best to leave this in cash directly to the server rather than adding it to a card payment.