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Bucharest (București)

Romanian

• 230 volts
• Travel adapter required for plug type F

Banks

8.00 am - 4.30 pm (Mon - Fri)

Shops

8.00 am - 8.00/9.00 pm (Mon - Fri)
Supermarkets and grocery stores are generally open daily, including Sundays, from 8.00 am to 10.00 pm.

• 1 January - New Year’s Day
• 2 January - Second Day of New Year
• 6 January - Epiphany
• 7 January - Synaxis of Saint John the Baptist
• 24 January - Day of the Union of the Romanian Principalities
• Good Friday: Date varies
• Easter Sunday and Easter Monday: Date varies
• 1 May - Labour Day
• 1 June - International Children’s Day
• Pentecost Sunday and Whit Monday - Date varies
• 15 August - Assumption of Mary
• 30 November - Saint Andrew’s Day
• 1 December - National Day (Great Union)
• 25 December - Christmas Day
• 26 December - Boxing Day

The country is part of the Schengen Area. The following documents are required to enter Romania:

• A valid Swiss identity card or a valid Swiss passport
• No visa is required.

• Minors: A travel authorisation is recommended for minors travelling alone, with only one parent or without their parents.

As of: January 2025

Romania’s climate varies by region, resulting in different weather conditions across the country:

• Carpathians (mountain region): The climate is temperate, with cool summers and cold winters. Winter temperatures often fall below freezing, making this region a popular destination for winter sports.

• Transylvania (central Romania): This region has a continental climate characterised by cold winters and warm summers. Temperature differences between summer and winter are considerable, and heavy snowfall can occasionally occur in winter.

• Banat and Wallachia (southern Romania): These areas have a more moderate continental climate. Summers are warm to hot, with occasional heatwaves, while winters are milder than in other parts of the country.

• Dobruja (eastern Romania near the Black Sea): The climate is transitional between continental and maritime. Summers are warm and sunny, while winters are relatively mild and receive less precipitation than the rest of the country.

• Moldavia (north-east): This region has a pronounced continental climate with cold winters and hot summers. Rainfall is lower than in western regions, resulting in drier conditions.

  Your ideal time to travel to Romania:

• Beach holidays: Black Sea coast from June to September
• City trips: Ideal throughout the year, with particularly pleasant weather in spring and autumn

• Winter holidays: December to March in the Carpathians

• Using a mobile phone in Romania may incur roaming charges. Travellers are advised to check the applicable roaming fees before departure and, where necessary, purchase a suitable roaming package to reduce costs.
• Free Wi-Fi is available in cafés, hotels, public spaces and on public transport.

• Bran Castle (Dracula’s Castle): This iconic castle is located near Brașov in Transylvania and is one of Romania’s most visited attractions, often associated with the legend of Dracula.

• Peleș Castle: A beautiful Neo-Renaissance castle in the Carpathians near Sinaia, once the summer residence of the Romanian kings.

• Black Church in Brașov: One of the largest Gothic churches in Eastern Europe, known for its impressive collection of historic rugs and its large organ.

• Palace of Parliament in Bucharest: The second-largest administrative building in the world after the Pentagon. A tour of this enormous building reveals the opulent yet controversial history of its construction under Ceaușescu.

• Danube Delta: A UNESCO World Heritage Site and the second-largest river delta in Europe. It is home to an incredible variety of wildlife and is a paradise for birdwatchers.

• Sighișoara: One of the best-preserved medieval towns in Europe and the birthplace of Vlad the Impaler, who inspired the character of Dracula.

• Transfăgărășan: A spectacular high-altitude road through the Carpathians, offering breathtaking views of mountains and valleys.

• Wooden Churches of Maramureș: These unique churches are also listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites and are renowned for their intricate wood carvings and historic frescoes.

• Corvin Castle (Hunyadi Castle): One of the most impressive Gothic castles in Europe, located in Hunedoara.

• Salina Turda: A former salt mine transformed into an impressive underground leisure park, complete with a Ferris wheel and boat rides on the underground lake.

Travel inspiration
Be inspired by our blog articles and discover some of Romania’s most fascinating destinations:

• The 10 most beautiful road trips in the world: Transfăgărășan Road, Romania: spectacular hairpin bends through the Carpathians

Romanian cuisine is varied and offers a delicious blend of different cultural influences, with many dishes based on traditional recipes passed down from generation to generation. Here are some typical elements of Romanian gastronomy:

• Sarmale: Rolled cabbage leaves filled with a mixture of minced meat, rice and spices, traditionally served with sour cream and polenta.

• Mămăligă: Romanian polenta, often served as a side dish with mains such as sarmale or as a base with cheese and sour cream.

• Ciorbă: A sour soup made with a variety of ingredients such as beef, chicken or fish, as well as vegetables, and often flavoured with a splash of vinegar or sauerkraut juice for acidity.

• Mititei (Mici): Small, spiced skinless sausages, grilled and often served with mustard and bread.

• Papanasi: A popular Romanian dessert consisting of baked or fried sweet cheese dumplings, served with sour cream and blueberry preserve.

• Cozonac: A traditional sweet yeast cake filled with walnuts, cocoa or Turkish delight, particularly popular at Christmas and Easter.

• Zacuscă: A vegetable side dish or spread typically made with roasted aubergines, peppers, tomatoes and sometimes mushrooms.

• Tuică: A strong Romanian spirit, usually distilled from plums and traditionally served as an aperitif before a meal.

• Vinete: An aubergine spread, often prepared with onions and tomatoes, typically served on bread or as a side dish.

• Brânză de burduf: A strong-flavoured sheep’s cheese, traditionally matured in sheepskin and often served with mămăligă or as a side dish.

• Greetings: In Romania, it is common to greet people with a firm handshake. It is polite to say “Bună ziua” (good day) or “Bună seara” (good evening) when greeting someone.

• Saying please and thank you: Saying “please” (“Vă rog”) and “thank you” (“Mulțumesc”) is very important in Romania and is appreciated in all interactions, whether in a restaurant, shop or on public transport.

• Clothing: Romanians generally value a neat appearance. In churches and monasteries, modest clothing that covers the shoulders and knees is recommended.

• Dining etiquette: At meals, it is customary to wait until the host invites everyone to start eating. The meal usually begins with a toast, often accompanied by the traditional spirit Tuică.

• Smoking: Smoking is prohibited in public buildings, on public transport and in many restaurants in Romania. It is advisable to ask whether smoking is permitted before lighting a cigarette.

• Tipping: In restaurants, it is customary to leave a tip of 10-15% if the service was good. Hotel staff, taxi drivers and guides also often receive a small tip as a sign of appreciation.

• Tap water is safe to drink in all major cities in Romania. Outside these areas, however, caution is advised and bottled water is recommended. If in doubt about the water quality, always ask your host for advice.

• No mandatory vaccinations are required for entry into Romania. Vaccination against hepatitis A is recommended.

• Make sure that you and your children are up to date with the standard vaccinations recommended in the Swiss vaccination schedule issued by the Federal Office of Public Health.

• Medical care in Romania’s urban areas is generally satisfactory, although services in rural regions are not comparable to those available in Switzerland. In the event of a serious illness or injury, it is advisable to return to Switzerland for treatment.
• Before travelling, Swiss citizens should obtain a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) from their health insurance provider.
• Many medicines commonly available in Switzerland can also be found in Romanian pharmacies. However, people who need to take medication regularly are advised to bring their own supply as a precaution. 

• Check the latest situation in the media before and during your trip and remain in contact with your tour operator.

• The risk of terrorist attacks cannot be completely ruled out.

• In large cities and popular tourist areas, travellers should be alert to pickpockets and scams.

• Further information on the current security situation is available on the website of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA).

As of: December 2024

• For car rental, a Swiss driving licence is recognised provided that, depending on the rental company, it has been held for at least two years.

• The minimum age for renting a car is 24, depending on the company.

• A CH sticker, first-aid kit, high-visibility vest, fire extinguisher and warning triangle are mandatory.

• Dipped headlights are also mandatory during the day.

• Vehicles using motorways must have a vignette. It can be purchased at border crossings, at many post offices and petrol stations. It can also be purchased online.

• Blood alcohol limit: 0.0 ‰.

• Long-distance trains: Romania’s national railway company CFR operates a network of long-distance trains connecting the country’s main cities. Trains are an economical way to cover long distances, although speed and punctuality can vary.
• Regional trains: Regional rail services are also operated by CFR and connect smaller towns and villages with larger cities. These trains often offer scenic views of the Romanian countryside, although delays can be frequent.
• Buses: Romania has a well-developed bus network and buses often provide a more reliable and faster alternative to trains. Numerous private and state-owned operators offer both long-distance and regional services.
• Metro: Bucharest, the capital of Romania, has a modern metro system. The metro is fast, efficient and serves the main areas of the city. It is a convenient option for travelling around the city and the network is continuously being expanded.
• Tickets: Tickets for trains, buses and the metro can be purchased at the relevant railway and bus stations, from ticket machines or online. In the Bucharest Metro, tickets can also be purchased from machines at the stations.

Air travel in Romania is well developed, with numerous connections both within the country and to international destinations.

Romanian airports with direct connections to Switzerland include:

• Bucharest Henri Coandă International Airport (OTP): Direct flights from Basel and Zurich.
• Cluj-Napoca Airport (CLJ): Direct flights from Basel and Zurich.
• Iași Airport (IAS): Direct flights from Basel.

These connections are mainly operated by Swiss International Air Lines, Blue Air and Wizz Air.

00 41 (omit the initial zero of the Swiss area code)

• Single emergency number: 112

16-20, Grigore Alexandrescu Str.
4th Floor
010626 Bucharest
Tel. +40 21 206 16 00
Email: southeasterneurope@eda.admin.ch

• The country is located in an active earthquake zone.
• The Romanian Carpathians are home to one of the largest bear populations in Europe. These bears occasionally approach towns and roads such as the Transfăgărășan in search of food. Visitors should always exercise caution and keep a safe distance.
• Violations of drug laws can result in lengthy prison sentences.
• Transporting refugees is considered people smuggling and can result in imprisonment. Do not give lifts to strangers, even for short journeys within Romania.
• Romanian authorities use Cell Broadcast to send immediate warning messages in Romanian and English to all mobile phones, for example in the event of extreme weather, earthquakes or dangers near the Ukrainian border.