Are you thinking about visiting Romania? Then you are probably asking yourself if you should have any safety concerns.
Romania is one of those underrated countries, with breathtaking scenery and an incredible culture. Yet, not too many tourists seem to visit this beautiful country.
This actually is one of the advantages of visiting Romania. You can explore it at your own pace, without worrying about being disturbed by hordes of tourists. However, the question still remains – Is Romania safe for tourists?
I am here to answer your questions and share with you some valuable information about this country.
1. Is Romania safe to visit? – Facts
The answer is definitely yes.
Romania is the world’s fastest growing destination for UK travelers. In the past 10 years, there has been an increase of more than 600% in the number of UK tourists coming to Romania.
The most visited cities in Romania are Bucharest, Brasov, Sighishoara, Sibiu, and Cluj-Napoca. With a diverse landscape, an incredible culture, and friendly people, Romania is becoming one of the top tourist destinations in Europe.
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2. Romania travel insurance
Get insurance! Better safe than sorry. Anything can happen while traveling. Even if you’re planning to visit Romania just for a few days, you should always have travel insurance.
You don’t want to end up paying thousands of dollars for something that can be covered by insurance. I totally recommend World Nomads. Check it out here!
->Are you planning to backpack Romania? Find out everything you need to know in this guide.
3. Safety tips for traveling to Romania
Although Romania is a safe country, crime can happen anywhere. This is why the tips below will come in handy when visiting any country, not only Romania.
- Keep an eye on your bag at all times – don’t leave your bag unattended. Don’t trust anyone to look after it.
- Scams can happen – read below about the most common scam in Romania – the taxi scam
- Don’t carry or consume any drugs – you’ve guessed it! They’re illegal in Romania too!
- Keep your money safe – always use a money belt when traveling.
4. Is Romania safe to travel alone?
Solo traveling in Romania is perfectly safe. Traveling alone is a great way to push your boundaries and re-discover yourself. You’ll meet new people, discover a new country and you’ll get out of your comfort zone. That’s great!
Romanian people are really friendly and you can ask them anything. If they can help you, they will. If you like hostels, you can find them in any of Romania’s big cities such as Bucharest, Brasov or Cluj-Napoca. Sleeping in hostels is a great way to make new friends while traveling solo.
If you choose this method of traveling, there are a few things you should keep in mind. I’ll list them below:
- Don’t get totally wasted – nothing will happen to you but getting scammed becomes so much easier.
- Learn a bit of Romanian – locals will love this! Romanian people are proud of their country and hearing a foreigner speaking their language will definitely impress them.
- Join a tour – if you’re feeling alone, you can join a tour in any of the big cities. It’s a fun way to make friends and, at the same time explore the Romanian culture.
5. The people of Romania
Romanians are well known for their kindness and hospitality. Locals are really happy when they see that foreign tourists are visiting their country. They will proudly tell you more about the Romanian culture and show you around.
If you get the chance to visit a Romanian’s home, you won’t leave the house until you’ve eaten 3 dishes, drank a shot of palinca and take some food with you. You know, for later.
The only problem is that most of the elderly people don’t speak English. During the communist regime, Russian was the main language taught in schools. However, young Romanians are fluent in English and they will be happy to help you if you ever need directions.
Read more about the Romanian people here and find out 15 unique characteristics that define them.
6. Terrorism in Romania
Romania is a safe country to travel to from a terrorist standpoint. There haven’t been any attacks yet but this doesn’t mean that it can’t happen. No matter where you’re traveling to, take precautions and stay safe.
I would say that Romania is a bit safer than Germany, France or Spain giving the fact that no terrorist attacks happened until now.
7. Road conditions in Romania
Let’s talk about the roads in Romania. There is one thing that you should know – Romania has only a few highways. Although this is a subject of continuous debate and dissatisfaction, for the moment it looks like Romania’s highway infrastructure will stay the same for the near future.
The roads, in general, are good as long as you plan to drive between big cities. Once you get off the national roads, potholes are abundant and driving gets increasingly difficult, especially during winter.
-> Popular tours in Romania:
Car accidents in Romania are rare but they do happen. Make sure to follow the traffic rules and you will be ok.
Let’s talk about traffic. While the traffic in Romania, in general, is decent, expect the worst if you plan to drive in Bucharest. The city’s infrastructure is terrible and you can easily get stuck in traffic for hours during the rush hour.
All in all, driving in Romania can be a bit challenging but it’s not something to worry too much about. Follow the traffic rules and enjoy the scenic villages and mountains around the country.
8. Public transport in Romania
If you’re only visiting Bucharest, I strongly advise you to use the subway system. It’s the fastest way to get from point A to point B. Sometimes the traffic in Bucharest can be a mess and the subway will save your life.
If you want to travel around Romania but don’t want to rent a car, you can definitely travel by train. The trains in Romania are in pretty good condition, they are comfortable and they are affordable. Sometimes they’re late but hey, Romania is not Japan!
In Romania, public transport is completely safe and affordable. Use it as much as you can!
9. Taxi scams in Romania
Unfortunately, taxi scams in Romania are common, even for locals. The first step you need to take to avoid taxi scams in Romania is to ask your driver to turn on the meter. If the driver refuses, try another taxi.
Also, use Google Maps and make sure that your driver is choosing the shortest route to your destination. Apart from paying a few RON more, taking a taxi in Romania is safe.
An alternative to taking the taxi is using Uber. I absolutely love that I can see the price in advance and I can pay by card.
10. Theft in Romania
The risk of getting pick-pocketed in Romania is pretty low. However, I would definitely take precautions as in any other country. Always keep your bag somewhere you can see it and take extra care when walking around busy areas.
11. Bucharest’s old buildings
If you are planning to stay in Bucharest for a long period of time or if you’re just looking for a hotel for a few nights, make sure that the actual building where you’re going to stay at is relatively new.
There are many dated buildings in Bucharest which are marked as “not safe” in case of a big earthquake. Most of these buildings are located in the Old City of Bucharest so I would avoid getting accommodation in that area.
-> To read more interesting facts about Romania, click here.
12. Drinking water in Romania
Can you drink tap water in Romania? The answer is yes. Tap water is safe to drink in Romania. However, few locals drink it. Most people prefer to buy bottled water.
-> Popular tours in Romania:
13. Helpful Romanian travel phrases
- Hello – Buna
- Thank you – Multumesc
- You’re welcome – Cu placere
- Please – Te rog
- Sorry – Scuze
- How are you – Ce faci?
- Very good – Foarte Bine
- My name is Ana – Numele meu este Ana
- Nice to meet you – Imi pare bine
- Where is the toilet – Unde este toaleta?
14. Final thoughts
Romania is a safe country to visit and I am sure that you will love it. This underrated East-European country is a true hidden gem. Its traditions, welcoming people, and stunning landscapes are one of a kind. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to let me know in the comments section below.
May the travel bug bite you!
Aurelia Teslaru is a professional travel blogger and the writer behind Daily Travel Pill. With a 4-year experience as a travel writer and photographer, Aurelia only shares travel guides about destinations that she visited.
She has been to more than 40 countries during the past 10 years and aims to explore 50 countries before turning 30 years old. Aurelia is a digital nomad who transformed her passion for travel into a lifestyle. Read more about her here.
To follow her adventures, check out her Instagram and Facebook pages!
Thank you so much for your information on visiting Romania. We, two friends and I are looking forward to visiting for a three day stay to see the Christmas markets. I have been looking for advice on culture and customs to be respectful and I must say that you have been exceptionally helpful. I have emailed to myself the list of phrases translated from English to Romanian and I am sure that it will make our stay much more enjoyable. So thank you very much😊
This makes me really happy! I am really glad I could help!
Thanks so much for this post! Or should I say, multumesc.
I am so keen on going to Romania but I’m just a bit worried about travelling around on my own. Especially as I do want to hire a car because some of the places I want to visit are quite rural. This has helped calm my anxieties somewhat!
Out of interest, did you ever visit Cheile Nerei National Park?
I’m sure you’ll have a great time in Romania. It’s such a beautiful country. Unfortunately, I haven’t been to Cheile Nerei. Enjoy and don’t forget to try some of the local dishes – mici, papanasi, galusti cu prune, and sarmale.