Information for backpacking in Romania. Whether you need information about the Romanian entry visa, backpacker jobs in Romania, hostels, or things to do, it's all here.

Backpacking Romania

Looking for important travel information while backpacking in Romania? Here you will find information on working in Romania, entry visas, Romania hostels, and much more.

Table of Contents

Facts About Romania

There is no doubt Romania has been through some troubled times, but since the end of Ceauşescu’s communist regime in 1989 it has gradually been on the up. With many of the conveniences of a western destination, combined with a unique eastern European charm, it offers a great mix of adventure and comfort.

Romania’s terrain is spectacularly varied and rich in wildlife; from forested mountains to white sandy beaches. There are also pretty medieval towns, legendary castles and ancient settlements to visit.

  • Currency: Romanian Leu, plural Lei (L) – €1 = approx 5 Lei
  • Time Zone: GMT + 2 hours
  • Language: Romanian
  • Telephone Services: +40 to dial in (00 40 from UK)
  • Emergency numbers: 112 (English speaking operators available)

Climate in Romania

When deciding the best time to visit Romania, weather plays a big role. Romania has a continental climate. The weather can be changeable and varies from one year to the next. Hot, dry winds from the east can cause droughts in the plains in the north and east. The same region suffers very cold winds in winter.

Summers are normally hot and sunny, with nine or ten hours of sunshine a day. The coast of the Black Sea and the area east of the Carpathians are the warmest. Winters can be very cold and foggy, with heavy snow from December to April. Much of Romania’s rainfall is in spring.

Temperatures range from -7 to 5°C in winter and 14 to 30°C in summer. You can check weather conditions before you go by looking up cities in Romania on the BBC’s 5 day forecast.

Things to do in Romania

If you know your schedule ahead of time, a great insider tip is to buy tickets for major tourist attractions ahead of time. Tiqets has entrance tickets and skip the line passes for major attractions in Bran, Brașov, Bucharest, Săpânţa, and Sighișoara so that you can avoid the lines and save that precious time for more exploring.

Bucharest

Romania’s capital is situated in the south-east of the country on the banks of the Damboviţa River. While not at the top of most tourist to-do lists, it can be an interesting place to stop off.

The Palace of the Parliament, built in the 1980s under Communist dictator Nicolae Ceauşescu, is vast. One wing now houses the National Museum of Contemporary Art. The Arcul de Triumf, built in 1935, was modelled on the Arc de Triomphe in Paris. The Romanian Athenaeum concert hall is impressive inside and out.

Bucharest’s crime rate has gone down recently, but visitors should watch out for petty crime, particularly pick-pocketing on trains and buses. The UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office has up-to-the-minute travel advice.

Brasov

The medieval city of Brasov is in the middle of Romania between the Eastern and Southern Carpathians. It’s a well-loved base for exploring the mountains.

Council Square (Piata Sfatului) is the heart of old Brasov, surrounded by red-roofed merchant houses. The Art Museum has both Romanian and international art. The citadel, overlooking Brasov from the North, was originally part of the outer fortifications and is now a restaurant.

Sibiu

Sibiu, to the east of Brasov, is another popular spot. It’s over 800 years old and parts of the old city walls and towers can still be seen on the east side of the city. The large multi-location Brukenthal Museum has art and natural history exhibits.

Other Romanian towns and cities worth a visit include Sighişoara, Sinaia, Timisoara and Cluj-Napoca.

Black Sea Coast

Romania’s 245km stretch of coast is dotted with sandy beaches and seaside resorts. As it is inland, the Black Sea is calm and water temperatures are an agreeable 16-20°C in summer.

Constanta

Constanta is the main port and one of the largest cities in Romania. Its history goes back to 657BC when it was the Greek town of Tomis. When Romania became part of the Roman Empire in 106AD, the city was renamed after Emperor Constantine. The National History and Archeology Museum in Ovidiu Square present artefacts from past ages.

Mamaia

Just north-east of Constanta, Mamaia is the biggest and busiest summer resort on Romania’s coast. Popular with families, the 300m strip of land between the Black Sea and Lake Suitghiol is one long fun-filled sandy beach. There’s an aqua-park swimming complex, cable car, boat trips and opportunities for scuba-diving and water sports.

The year-round spa resort of Eforie Nord is situated between Lake Techirghiol and the Black Sea. Mud from the lake is used in the treatment of rheumatic, dermatological, metabolic and nutritional disorders.

Costinesti

Costinesti has evolved from a tranquil fishing village to a lively student hot-spot. The resort has a small inland lake surrounded by lodges. The Evangelia shipwreck is popular with tourists by day, while nightclubs draw in crowds of youngsters by night.

The resorts of Neptun and Olimp, originally frequented by Romania’s ‘upper classes’, are also known for their nightlife. South of Neptun, The resorts of Jupiter, Cap Aurora, Venus and Saturn cater for budget holidaymakers.

Mangalia

Mangalia, in the far south of Romania, is an ancient spa resort. As well as the curative mineral waters, attractions include the Scythian Tomb, ruins of the Callatis citadel and a Turkish mosque. The annual Callatis Music Festival takes place on a large barge docked in Mangalia’s harbour.

Vama Veche, near Romania’s southerly border with Bulgaria, has a bohemian reputation and is famous for its nude beach. Although not strictly allowed, many visitors and semi-permanent residents stay in tents on the beach. There are concerns that development and mass tourism are threatening the area’s rich biodiversity.

Unique Activities in Romania

A good way to get an idea of things to do in Romania is to scan the activities offered by Get Your Guide or Viator. They work directly with local tour operators, so you won’t have to scour the internet or roam around town trying to find the best deal.

The Carpathian Mountains

The Carpathian Mountains form the eastern part of the great Central Mountain System of Europe, curving from Slovakia to Romania. The forested terrain is rich in flora and fauna. Nearly 50% of Romanian territory is part of the Carpathian Mountain range.

The Carpathians are thought to contain the highest concentration of large carnivores in Europe, with brown bears, wolves and lynx all roaming free. Birdwatchers can look out for golden eagles, Egyptian vultures and black grouse.

The Southern Carpathians offer the highest peaks. Moldoveanu Peak is the highest at 2,544 metres. Piatra Craiului, ‘The Rock of the King’, also in the south, is one of Romania’s best-loved mountains. The beauty of the landscape and fragility of the rare species inhabiting it, earn its status as a protected national park.

The Eastern Carpathians contain some spectacular limestone formations, gorges and caves. Popular spots include Durău and Borsa. The Vatra Dornei ski resort normally has snow from December to March. The Western Carpathians are the lowest lying and home to traditional rural civilisations.

Numerous opportunities for walking, hiking and rock-climbing make the Carpathian Mountains popular with active holidaymakers. The Carpathian Convention aims to ensure the sustainable development and conservation of the region.

The Danube Delta

The Danube Delta, stretching across parts of Romania and Ukraine, is the second largest delta in Europe (the largest being the Volga). A delta is a geographical feature formed when a river flows into the sea; in this case, the River Danube flowing into the Black Sea.

Deposits of silt and mud have resulted in a unique natural environment of channels, ponds and islets. Millions of birds from around the world come to nest in the reeds and trees and over 45 species of freshwater fish swim in the lakes and marshes.

Since 1991, the Romanian part of the Danube Delta has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. There are 16 protected areas where economic activity is not allowed at all and tourist activities are only permitted where they do not damage the environment.

The delta has around 15,000 inhabitants: most living off fishing and using traditional wooden kayaks. Histria, on the shores of Lake Sinoe, is one of the oldest urban settlements in Romania. Enisala, a Byzantine settlement perched on the top of a cliff near Lake Razelm, has the remains of a fortress dating back to the 9th Century BC.

Transylvania

The area of Transylvania, covering parts of central and western Romania, is widely associated with vampire mythology. Bran Castle, just outside Brasov, is thought to have inspired the setting for Bram Stoker’s Dracula. The image of high mountain peaks, wooded valleys and looming castles is not inaccurate but Romanians are keen to emphasise that there is more to the region than ghost stories.

The Churches of Moldavia

Moldavia is a historical geographical region spanning the northern part of the Romania-Ukraine border. Its religious buildings are considered masterpieces of Byzantine art. Seven churches are protected as UNESCO World Heritage Sites, having become famous for high-quality frescoes depicting religious scenes. Bucovina, tucked in the north-eastern corner of Romania, is particularly well known for its churches and monasteries.

How to Travel Around Romania

Bucharest has two airports. Henri Coanda Airport, situated just north of the city in Otopeni, is served by British Airways, Air France and KLM amongst others. Aurel Vlaicu Airport, widely known as Băneasa Airport, is served by a number budget European airlines. There are also international airports at Bacău, Cluj-Napoca, Sibiu, Timişoara and Constanţa.

If you’re flying to Romania or plan to take short flights within the country, we recommend using a few different flight comparison search engines. Kiwi is a new favourite among travellers. On average, we have found the cheapest flights to Romania with them compared to the other websites out there.

Of course, it is always worth checking Skyscanner to guarantee you’re getting the best deal. Both websites offer great flexible search options, allowing you to search the whole country of Romania to find the cheapest airport to fly into, and also see prices for a full month if you’re flexible on travel dates.

Train travel in Romania

Travelling to Romania by train is possible but may take some time, depending on your starting point. You can go from London to Brussels on Eurostar and then to Bucharest via Cologne and Vienna. Alternatively, take the Eurostar to Paris, on to Strasbourg and take the Orient Express to Vienna before connecting to Bucharest. See the excellent seat61 website for details.

Romania has an extensive internal rail network. Go to CFR for maps and timetables. The country is a part of the Eurail network, which is a good choice if you plan to take multiple train journeys in a short period of time. Eurail offers both multi-country passes and One Country Passes. To decide whether you should buy individual tickets from A to B, or whether you should purchase a Eurail pass, read our Travelling Europe by Train guide.

Bus travel in Romania

There are some good bus services in Romania but most are privately run so prices are unpredictable and coverage is patchy.

Renting a car in Romania

If you want the flexibility to stop in smaller towns between the major cities, check AutoEurope or Europcar to compare offers from the major car rental agencies in the region. Before deciding, read more about what to expect of driving in Europe.

Backpacking Tours in Romania

Though part of the fun of backpacking Romania is exploring on your own, there are situations, especially when venturing off the tourist trail, when it does make sense to go with a guide or a small group. For these times, a popular option among backpackers is G Adventures. They hand-select local guides to ensure authenticity and quality. This is especially a good option for those travelling Romania alone who would like to meet up with like-minded travellers. Their most popular trips in Romania are their Halloween in Transylvania tour and their classic 10-day tour covering Hungary, Romania, and Bulgaria.

Health and Safety in Romania

The European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) entitles you to medical treatment on the same terms as Romanian nationals. Hospital treatment and dental treatment is normally free but you have to pay for prescribed medicines. The EHIC does not cover non-urgent treatment, medical repatriation or ongoing treatment in Romania.

Rabies is endemic in Romania but largely confined to rural areas. Avoid contact with stray dogs. If you get bitten, seek medical assistance immediately. If you are planning to stay in a rural area consider having a rabies inoculation.

There have been cases of Hepatitis A in Romania. Seek advice about inoculations before travelling.

It’s wise to stick to bottled water.

Foreign and Commonwealth Office travel advice recommends obtaining comprehensive travel and medical insurance for any overseas trip.

Entry visa requirements for Romania

As of 1st January 2007, British passport holders and other EU citizens do not require a visa to enter Romania for a stay of up to three months. If you are planning to stay for longer than three months you need to apply for a registration certificate from the Romanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

If you are accompanying children into Romania, they need their own passport.

Foreigner work permits and backpacker jobs in Romania

There are lots of volunteer work opportunities in Romania, organised through charities and non-governmental organisations (NGOs). The Charity Commission search facility lets you search for registered charities by operational area.

Teaching English is another employment option in Romania. The British Council employs English teachers in Bucharest and Teaching and Projects Abroad offer voluntary teaching placements.

Romania’s economy is growing steadily, with industrial activity including oil refining, mining, clothing production and pharmaceutical industry.

Romania Hostels and Budget Accomodation

Budget travel and hostels in Romania including: Aiud hostels, Bistrita hostels, Brasov hostels, Bucharest hostels, Cluj Napoca hostels, Costinesti hostels, Oradea hostels, Sighisoara hostels, Suceava hostels, and Timisoara hostels.

 

Since Romania’s regime change in 1989, many former state-run hotels have been taken over and refurbished by private owners and chains. However, there are still plenty of old-style hotels complete with crumbling plaster and erratic hot water supplies.

We have had good experiences finding hostels in Romania on HostelWorld. They have the largest inventory of hostels worldwide, and with over 10 million reviews and ratings from other travellers, you know exactly what to expect.

Another good way to find accommodation in Romania is by checking hotels.com and  booking.com. With both sites, you’ll not only find hotels, but also homestays, hostels, and other unique accommodation. We have discovered some great finds and have appreciated the ability to book ahead. You can use their advanced filtering to narrow your results by budget, location score, overall review score, and amenities. Many of the places on booking.com also offer free cancellation, which takes the pressure off the planning phase of your trip.

It is also possible to sample Romanian family life by opting for homestay accommodation. While this can be an unpredictable and potentially risky business, many language courses and work placements have existing links to trusted host families.

Camping is another budget option and allows you to get close to Romania’s beautiful countryside. Watch out for chilly temperatures in autumn and winter though. Romania Tourism has an accommodation search facility listing some campsites and Eurocampings has a useful list of ACSI approved campsites.

Useful Links for Backpacking in Romania

  • Romanian National Tourist Office
  • Eurail – Rail Passes for travellers who plan on doing lots of train travel in a short period of time. Single-Country and Multi-Country passes available
  • Omio – Train, bus, and flight search for all of Europe. Offers online booking and mobile tickets
  • Auto Europe – Europe’s leading rental car search engine to find a rental car in Romania
  • Kiwi and Skyscanner – Flight comparison search engines to find the cheapest flights to Romania and within the country
  • GetYourGuide and Viator – a collection of local tours and things to do in Romania. Also offers Skip the Line tickets for crowded attractions
  • Tiqets – Website selling entrance tickets and skip the line tickets for major tourist attractions in Romania
  • G Adventures – guided backpacking trips in Romania, great for solo travellers or for those interested in a more adventurous trip which would require a guide
  • HostelWorld – #1 hostel search website to find budget accommodation in Romania. Thousands of hostels and millions of reviews from fellow travellers
  • Booking.com – commonly used accommodation booking site in Romania. Hostels, hotels, and other unique accommodation with advanced filtering and millions of reviews
  • Travel Insurance – read our comprehensive overview of Travel Insurance and some recommended providers for your backpacking trip to Romania

There you have it, the ultimate Romania backpacking guide. We hope you have found all the information you need for backpacking around Romania.

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A guide for backpacking around Romania. Get important travelers information when it comes to Romania including visa requirements, employment opportunities, common Romanian phrases and translation, as well as Romania hostels.

 

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