Transportation

Getting around Romania

Romania has an immense network of forestry roads and free access to the hills, this is why genuine mountain biking is wonderful here.

Bycicle

All towns have local bus services and in the main cities there are also trams and trolley buses. Bucharest is the only city in Romania that is also served by metro.

Romania´s bus network consists of a coordinated array of private companies. Buses can be really useful if you´re planning to visit some local village not served by train.

An alternative to the poorly red of buses are the incresingly popular maxitaxis. The advantage they have over trains is the frequency and speed with which they get to the destination, although trains are much more safer in this respect.

Bus / minibus

Train

Travelling by train in Romania is remarkably cheap and reliable. Most Romanian towns are easily reached by train. There are three categories of trains: the “Regio” - is the cheapest but it has its inconviences: is pretty crowded, stops in every little village and is quite uncomfortable. Then there is the “Inter Regio”. Most of the people travel with it, as the price / timing / comfort ratio is the best. The last and highest category is the Intercity. They run a little bit faster than the “Inter Regio” and offer better travelling conditions and facilities. They also have a restaurant. In the trains is not allowed smoking. The train network is very well served and delays are pretty unusual.

Car and motorbike

Driving in Romania can be quite an atraction. In the cities traffic is heavy and crowded, especially around the center, and parking places are scarce. Outside the major towns and cities, though, the roads are relatively traffic free and many routes, especially through Transylvania, are wonderfully scenic.

The main roads – Drum National or DN – are generally in good condition. A big minus of Romania are the highways. There are only two, one linking Bucharest to Pitesti and the other, Bucharest to Constanta. So if you are gonna ride along Romania on the national roads, take care to the speed limits, there are many controlling patrols.

Petrol stations are present everywhere, even in the rural areas. The most common and highly recommendable are run by OMV, MOL and PETROM. Try to avoid the small, private stations. Credit cards are accepted at most stations.

Driving regulations in Romania are standard. You must drive on the right and overtake on the left side. Seat belts are required outside towns. Drinking and driving is prohibited and severely punished.

For renting a car you must be 18 and hold a driving license.

Romania makes a fine country for motorcycling, the only problem is that the speed for motorbikes is quite low: 50 kph on the open road. Helmets are compulsory.

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