Go, but pay attention.
No major changes since yesterday.
Governments, one trip
What they're telling their own citizens about Romania
The real score
The breakdown
See it from your perspective
Go, but pay attention.
The general Sketch Score, unweighted for any specific traveler.
Don't fall for it
Scams to know
Taxi price manipulation
Drivers may overcharge by taking longer routes, claiming the meter is broken, or demanding inflated fares. Always check the price per kilometer on the car door and use ride-hailing apps or company-affiliated cabs.
Currency exchange fraud
Exchange offices often use hidden commissions or separate rates for cash and traveler checks. Use banks instead of independent bureaux, especially those located in tourist areas like Mamaia.
Confidence tricks
Passers-by may offer unsolicited help or approach with palm reading and fortune-telling games to extract money. Ignore these approaches and avoid engaging with those who become hostile when refused.
Pickpocketing
Thieves target crowded areas like train stations, markets, and public transport. Keep valuables in inner pockets or a travel pouch worn under your shirt and avoid confronting suspects if you are targeted.
Don't do this
Laws that jail tourists
Dress code for religious sites
Women are prohibited from entering churches or mosques if they are wearing short skirts.
Arbitrary police fines
Police may unpredictably fine or attempt to arrest individuals for minor, non-standard infractions such as putting feet on a park bench. Remain courteous and apologetic if confronted by officers.
Staying healthy
What to watch out for, health-wise
Active notices
- • Global Measles
Vaccines
Required: Yellow Fever
Recommended: Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Measles, Rabies, Tick-borne Encephalitis
Source: CDC Travelers' Health →Getting in
What you'll need at the border
The visa policy of the Schengen Area is a component within the wider area of freedom, security and justice policy of the European Union. It applies to the Schengen Area and Cyprus, but not to EU member state Ireland. The visa policy allows nationals of certain countries to enter the Schengen Area via air, land or sea without a visa for up to 90 days within any 180-day period. Nationals of certain other countries are required to have a visa to enter and, in some cases, transit through the Schenge
Source: Wikipedia →Real, not invented
Terrorism
Although there’s no recent history of terrorism in Romania, attacks cannot be ruled out. Attacks could be indiscriminate, including in places visited by foreign nationals.
Source: UK FCDO →Real, not invented
Cultural & legal notes
LGBT+ travellers
Same-sex relationships are legal in Romania. There are active LGBT+ communities and events in Romania, though the majority of LGBT+ people are not open. Find information on LGBT+ issues in Romania and read more advice for LGBT+ travellers .
Source: UK FCDO →Right now
In the news the last few days
- World News : Romania adopts new measures to boost Danube waters to cool Cernavoda nuclear plant2026-08-22
- Romania adopts new measures to boost Danube waters to cool Cernavoda nuclear plant2026-08-22
- Russia Launches Major Missile Attack On Kyiv And Surrounding Region , Killing At Least 172026-08-21
- EU blames Russia as explosive - filled marine drone spotted in Europe2026-08-21
Pack this, know this
The little things that trip people up
Plug & voltage
C / F · 230V
Driving side
right
Emergency
police: 112 / ambulance: 112 / fire: 112
Tipping
A tip is usually 5-10% of the bill and is expected in restaurants, coffee shops, taxi, hair dressers.
SIM / Data
Mobile phones are ubiquitous in Romania. There are five networks - four GSM/3G (Orange Romania, Vodafone, Telekom and DigiMobil). Orange and Vodafone have almost full national coverage (98-99% of the surface of the country), while the German Telekom is expanding quickly.
Cash vs. Card
The national currency of Romania is the leu (plural lei), which means lion in Romanian. The leu is divided into 100 bani (singular ban). On 1 July 2005, the new leu (code RON) replaced the old leu (code ROL) at a rate of 10,000 old lei for one new leu. Old ROL banknotes and coins are no longer legal tender but can still be exchanged at the National Bank and their affiliated offices.
Zoom in
7 Romania cities on SKETCH.WORLD
Real, resident-submitted Numbeo crime data at the city level — the same national picture above, with crime swapped for what people who actually live there report.
Show the receipts (8 sources)
- us-state — observed 2026-09-09
- uk-fcdo — observed 2026-09-09
- ca-gac — observed 2026-09-09
- worldbank-political — observed 2026-09-09
- worldbank-policeTrust — observed 2026-09-09
- cdc-health — observed 2026-09-09
- reddit — observed 2026-09-09
- lgbtq-legal-wikipedia — observed 2026-09-09