Visit Romania with a Schengen visa

Do I Need a Visa to Travel to Romania?

Bulgaria and Romania, members of the EU since 2007, were already applying parts of the Schengen legal framework, in particular those related to controls at the EU’s external borders, police cooperation and the use of the Schengen Information System (SIS).

The 27 Member States of the European Union (EU) unanimously agreed on 30 December 2023 to lift air and sea border controls with Romania and Bulgaria in the Schengen area. This decision is effective from 31 March 2024.

Citizens from the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and most European nations, don’t need a visa to visit Romania for tourism purposes. However, from 2023 you will need to register for an ETIAS travel authorization to enter the country.

For some nationalities, visa requirements to visit Romania apply. Here you can check the nationalities that need a visa to visit Romania.

Transport and best ways to Visit Romania with a Schengen visa

There are several public transportation options to get around Romania, including trains, buses, car rentals, domestic flights, taxis, and similar public transport in cities.

Trains in Romania

The railway network in the country is very well-developed, affordable, and connects the whole national territory. This makes the train one of the most common means of transport to travel around Romania.

Services include Regional (R), which is the cheapest and slowest; InterRegional (IR), which is faster, more pricey, and requires seat booking in advance; and Inter-City (IC), which is the fastest and most expensive option. You can check train schedules on www.cfrcalatori.ro.

Buses in Romania

Regarding buses, there are different bus companies that offer cheap and fast connections between the major cities and popular towns in Romania. You can check the schedules of buses, coaches, and minibus maxitaxi on Autogari.

Driving in Romania

If you are interested in exploring remote areas of Romania, the best option is rental cars or hiring a taxi with a driver. Going on a road trip might be the best way to explore and discover Romania’s remotest areas. Roads are well-marked and maintained.

Safety in Romania

Romania is overall a very safe country for tourists, but it does experience some petty crime, mainly in big cities such as Bucharest. Here we provide you with some general advice regarding safety:

• Thieves disguised as police asking to see your ID and wallet is a common scam. Note that Romanian police won’t stop you randomly and will not ask for your wallet.
• Try to use ATMs only in banks, shops, or shopping malls, especially at night.
• Crowded places may attract pickpockets, so take care of your belongings and leave essential documents in a safe deposit box at your accommodation, if possible.
• Thefts at the hotel rooms can occur, so make sure you lock the door from the inside and lock up valuables in a safe when you are out and about.
• When calling a taxi, always use reliable and well-known taxi companies or common ride-sharing apps. For taxis, try to negotiate a fixed price beforehand or make sure the meter is working correctly.
• When clubbing or exploring the nightlife, pay attention to your drinks and avoid accepting food or drinks from strangers. Always check your receipt.
• When traveling by train overnight, lock your cabin and don’t leave your luggage unattended.
• The current security situation regarding the Russian invasion of Ukraine is volatile, so avoid traveling from Romania to Ukraine or border areas.
• Purchase travel insurance in case of emergencies.

Weather in Romania

The weather in Romania is temperate, and there are four distinct seasons:

• Spring – Offers pleasant weather with cool nights and mornings, but warmer during the day.
• Summer – It can get very hot. Days are long and very sunny.
• Autumn – Like many other European countries, autumn offers wet weather and cooler temperatures.
• Winter – Prepare for cold weather, especially in the mountains. From December to mid-March, snowfall is abundant. Not the best time to drive!

If you need a guide, if your are looking for a tour around Romania, read this article. Click here! Or contact us.

You may as well learn more about where did Vlad Tepes live, and especially about Târgoviste, the city where Vald Tepes settled and had his real Castle (not Bran castle). Click here to learn more about Targoviste.