Travel Consideration: Romania

Romania has undergone profound political and economic changes since the 1989 revolution and is in a period of economic transition. Most tourist facilities, while being upgraded, have not yet reached western European standards.

Passport required. Tourist visas for stays of up to thirty days are not required. For stays of longer than thirty days, visas may be obtained from a Romanian Embassy or Consulate abroad. These may be extended at passport offices in Romania in the area of residence. Travelers can obtain visas and other information regarding entry requirements from the Romanian Embassy at 1607 - 23rd St. N.W., Washington, D.C. 20008, telephone number (202) 232-4747, or the Romanian consulates in Los Angeles or New York City.


While most crimes in Romania are non-violent and non-confrontational, there has been an increase in the number of crimes in which the victim suffers personal harm. In late 1997 and early 1998, there have been several reports of victims hailing a taxi off the street only to be transported to a secluded spot and physically assaulted and robbed. Crimes against tourists (robbery, mugging, pickpocketing, and confidence scams perpetrated by black-market money changers) are a growing problem in Romania. Organized groups of thieves and pickpockets operate in the train stations and on trains and buses in major cities. A number of thefts and assaults have occurred on overnight trains, including thefts from passengers in closed compartments.Money exchange schemes targeting travelers have become increasingly common in Romania. Some of these scams have become rather sophisticated, involving individuals posing as plainclothes policemen, who approach the potential victim, flash a badge and ask for his/her passport and wallet. In many of these cases, the thieves succeed in obtaining passports, credit cards, and other personal documents.

The loss or theft abroad of a U.S. passport should be reported immediately to the local police and the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate. Useful information on guarding valuables and protecting personal security while traveling abroad is provided in the pamphlet A Safe Trip Abroad which is available from the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C. 20402.


While in a foreign country, a U.S. citizen may encounter road conditions which differ significantly from those in the United States. The information below is provided for general reference only, and may not be totally accurate in a particular location or circumstance.

Safety of Public Transportation: Good
Urban Road Conditions/Maintenance: Poor
Rural Road Conditions/Maintenance: Poor
Availability of Roadside Assistance: Poor

Driving, especially after dark, can be hazardous. Roads are generally narrow, badly lit, and in poor repair. Roads often are used by pedestrians and animals as well as vehicles. Road travel can be particularly dangerous during the winter when snow is on the ground.

Taxis are fairly inexpensive for inner-city transportation. Most older taxis are not equipped with seat belts. Travelers should either call for a taxi in advance or agree upon a price before entering a taxi to avoid being overcharged. Buses and trolley cars are widely available and inexpensive, although they tend to be crowded and susceptible to pickpockets.



U.S. citizens are subject to the laws of the country in which they are traveling. Penalties for possession, use, or sale of illegal drugs in Romania are strict, and convicted offenders can expect jail sentences and fines.

Romania's customs authorities encourage the use of an ATA (Admission Temporaire/Temporary Admission) Carnet for the temporary admission of professional equipment, commercial samples, and/or goods for exhibitions and fair purposes. ATA Carnet Headquarters, located at the U.S. Council for International Business, 1212 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10036, issues and guarantees the ATA Carnet in the United States. For additional information call (212) 354-4480, send an e-mail to atacarnet@uscib.org, or visit http://www.uscib.org for details. At the time of departure, tourists may need all receipts for presentation to customs authorities.


Before traveling to Romania, prospective parents may wish to obtain information about both United States visa requirements and Romanian adoption laws from the U.S. Embassy in Bucharest or from the Embassy's web site at http://usis.kappa.ro. Romanian adoption law mandates criminal penalties for offering money or goods to obtain the release of children for adoption. An information packet on Romanian adoptions is available by writing the Office of Children's Issues, Room 4817, Department of State, Washington, D.C. 20520, or by telephoning (202)647-2688.


U.S. citizens are encouraged to register in the Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy and obtain updated information on travel and security within Romania. The U.S. Embassy in Bucharest, Romania, is located at Strada Tudor Arghezi 7-9; telephone (401) 210-40-42. After hours, a duty officer may be reached by calling (401) 210-63-84. Consular services for U.S. citizens are performed in the consular section located at Strada Filipescu No. 26 (formerly Strada Snagov), one block from the U.S. Embassy at the corner of Strada Batistei. The telephone number of the consular section is (401) 210-40-42. An embassy branch office in Cluj-Napoca provides emergency services only to U.S. citizens; its address is Universitatii 7-9, Etage 1, telephone (40)(95) 19-38-15.


The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has assessed the Government of Romania's Civil Aviation Authority as Category 1 -- in compliance with international aviation safety standards for oversight of Romania's air carrier operations. For further information, travelers may contact the Department of Transportation within the U.S. at 1-800-322-7873, or visit the FAA Internet home page at http://www.faa.gov/avr/iasa/iasa.pdf. The U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) separately assesses some foreign air carriers for suitability as official providers of air services. For information regarding the DOD policy on specific carriers, travelers may contact DOD at 618-256-4801.