ROMANIA

TRAVEL MANUAL

 CAPITAL AND LARGEST CITY: Bucarest

 AREA: 238.391 km²
 POPULATION: 19,256,744
 DENSITY: 84 per Km² (217 people per m²)

 GOVERNMENT: a semi-presidential, representative democratic republic where the prime minister is the head of
government and the president is the head of stat
 OFFICIAL LANGUAGES: Romanian is the only official language. Other spoken languages include Hungarian,
English, Lithuanian, Bulgarian, Serbo-Croatian, Russian, Slovak, Romani, Ukrainian, and German.

 OFFICIAL TIME
Time zone: EEST (Eastern European Summer Time)
Winter time: UTC (Universal Time Coordinated)/ GMT (Greenwich Mean Time).
DST: Daylight Saving Time (+ 1 hour).
Difference in winter time with
- Italy: +1 hour
- Poland: -1 hour
- Estonia: no difference
- Turkey: no difference

 MONEY
Romania's currency is the leu (usually appears in the plural form lei). It comes in Polymer notes.
The currency has changed to RON (Romanian new lei).
1 (green) 5 (purple) 10 (Reddish Brown) 50 (Yellow) 100 )Blue) (200 and 500 lei notes are rarely used).
The leu's subdivison is the ban (plural form bani), 1 leu = 100 bani, which comes in 1 (brass), 5 (cooper) 10 (steel) and
50 (brass) bani coins.

Conversion rate for:

o Estonia: RON/EUR = 4.5499
o Italy: RON/EUR = 4.5499
o Poland: RON/PLN = 1.07465
o Turkey: RON/TRY = 1.1544

Foreign currencies may be exchanged at banks or authorized exchange offices (called: "casa de schimb" or "birou de
schimb valutar"). International airports and larger hotels also offer currency exchange services.
If you use exchange offices always check the commission percentage, usually it is zero except in the airport.
 COMMUNICATIONS
TELEPHONES
To call from abroad to Portugal, dial the international access code 00, the country code 351, the area code and the
city code.
To call abroad from Portugal, dial the international access code 00, the country code, the area code and then the
number wanted.
o Italy: 00 40 _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
o Poland: 00 40 _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
o Romania: 00 40 _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
o Turkey: 00 40 _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

 MOBILE PHONES
There are three network service providers in Romania (Orange, Vodafone, Telekom and Digi.mobil) that have
roaming agreements with most international mobile phone companies and provide users with a good coverage
nationwide.

 DRIVING
Vehicles drive on the right. All passengers must wear seat belts.
Citizens of the European Union countries
can enter Romania with a valid passport or with their National Identity Card.

 ENTRY FORMALITIES
Citizens of the European Union can enter Romania with a valid passport or with an identity card to enter Portugal. In
addition to their identity card, minors must also present authorization from their parents to travel.
Citizens from other countries need a visa, which may be requested at the Romanian Embassy or Consulate of their
country for stays of up to 90 days.

 EMERGENCY
In the event of a serious emergency (medical/ambulance, fire, and police), simply dial the National Emergency
Number 112 from any phone (landline or mobile).
This is a free call.
Operators speak English and French.
Only use this number in real emergencies.

 TIPPING
Taxi drivers do not expect tips but courteous service can be rewarded.
Hotel maid - the equivalent of 4 Lei or 25 Lei for one week or longer stays.
Hotel Concierge - tipping for the answer to a simple question is not necessary but 10 Lei to 15 Lei is suitable for help
making reservations or getting tickets to a show.
Restaurants - although service is included a 5% to 10% tip will be appreciated.

 ETIQUETTE
Romanians are friendly and open and foreigners are usually made very welcome. Chatting with visitors is very
common for Romanians and they will find a way to communicate with you even if they cannot speak your language.
Older people particularly appreciate old-fashioned politeness. It is respectful to use Mrs. or Mr. when using the
name of a person that you just meet.
Handshaking is the most common form of greeting. When a Romanian man is introduced to a woman, he will
probably kiss her hand, strictly avoiding her eyes.
If one refuses what a host offers to eat or drink, this will often be taken as a polite refusal by guest who really means
to say "yes". If you want to refuse the offer find a polite excuse and say it firmly or ask for a replacement.
It is common to linger once the meal (lunch or dinner) is over.
When visiting someone at home bring a small gift. Most common gifts include flowers or chocolate (for women
only), a bottle of wine or liquor.
The number of flowers that one offers must always be odd.
Other well-appreciate gifts include Western cosmetics (i.e. eau de toilette or after-shave) and clothing.
All gifts should be wrapped, but many Romanians might not unwrap their gifts in your presence.
In Romania as in many Latin countries life is lived at a more relaxed pace. Normal European courtesies should be
followed on social occasions. Although casual dress is fine in most occasions, wearing a suit and tie, or the women's
equivalent, is important at business meetings.
Appointments are necessary and punctuality is expected.
It is not considered impolite to ask a person's age, politics, income or religion.

USEFUL PHRASES

Hello Salut

Goodbye La revedere

Good morning Bună dimineaţa /'bu.nə di.mi'ne̯a.t͡sa/

Good evening Bună seara /'bu.nə 'se̯a.ra/

Good night Noapte bună /'no̯ ap.te 'bu.nə/

Please Vă rog /və 'rog/

Thank You Mulţumesc ͡

/mul.tsu'mesk/

You're welcome Cu plăcere ͡

/ku plə'tʃe.re/

I'm sorry Îmi pare rău /ɨmʲ 'pa.re rəw/

Excuse me/pardon me Scuză-mă /'sku.zə.mə/

Yes Da /da/

No Nu /nu/

Do you speak English? Vorbeşti engleza?

I can't speak English Nu vorbesc englezeşte

Where is? Unde este…………?

Today astăzi

Tomorrow maine

How much is it? Cât costă asta? /↗kɨt ↘'kos.tə 'as.ta/

One unu

Two dui

Three Trêi

Where is the bathroom? Unde este toaleta? /↗'un↘de 'jes.te to.a'le.ta/

How are you doing? Ce faci? /↗ t͡ʃe ↘'fatʃʲ/

͡
Enjoy your meal Poftă bună /'pof.tə bu.nə/

The bill please Nota vă rog!

railway station gară

It's an emergency caz de urgență

Street rutier

Turn left ia-o la dreapta.

Turn right ia-o la stanga