Essential tips for tourists in Bucharest

Bucharest is a vibrant, busy capital and, surprisingly, quite safe even at night for anyone with a minimum of common sense. We’re not talking about a city you need to tiptoe through, but about one where small local details – how you pay for the bus, which taxi you choose, where you exchange money – can save you time, cash and stress. Ignore them, and you’ll find the city isn’t “dangerous” at all, just unforgiving towards tourist naivety.

This guide doesn’t try to scare you, but to give you a set of simple reflexes: what to politely avoid, how to say “no, thank you” when needed and how to use the city’s infrastructure in your favour. Treat it like a short urban survival manual written by someone who’s already seen all the typical tourist mistakes and would rather tell you about them before you repeat them.

Taxis vs. apps: In some capitals you can still get away with hailing a random cab; in Bucharest the rule is simple: don’t. Avoid street taxis, especially in the Old Town, at Gara de Nord or Otopeni Airport. Drivers waiting for walk-up customers may charge inflated prices, particularly if they smell euro bills in your wallet. Order exclusively via apps such as Uber, Bolt or Star Taxi – you’ll see the fare in advance, the route will be recorded and you won’t be bargaining on the pavement.

Bus, tram, trolleybus: Surface transport is more civilised than it looks at first glance, with one condition: there are no ticket inspectors on board, you validate everything yourself. You can pay directly at the validators in the vehicle using any contactless bank card, via the official 24Pay app or by sending an SMS to 7458 before boarding. If you prefer physical travel cards, you’ll find them at STB kiosks in major stations, reloadable with different ticket types.

Metro: The metro remains the fastest way to dodge traffic – and Bucharest traffic is an extreme sport for locals, not for visitors. Tickets are bought directly in stations, either from machines or ticket counters, as multi-ride cards. If you don’t fancy carrying extra plastic, you can pay with your bank card directly at the access gates. The only condition: you validate before passing through; otherwise the very serious controllers can present you with a “memorable” fine on the spot.

Payments and currency: In Bucharest you don’t pay in euro. The official currency is the leu (RON), and all prices are displayed in lei, from restaurants to bus tickets. Card payments are accepted almost everywhere, but it’s still useful to carry some local cash for markets, small shops and those situations where “the card terminal isn’t working” precisely when you weren’t expecting it.

Currency exchange: The difference between a smart exchange and a rushed one shows instantly in your wallet. Don’t exchange money at airport ATMs or at the first bank counter you see – the rate is, to put it politely, “unfavourable”. Look for independent street exchange offices (Exchange), where rates are usually much better. Check the board outside and make sure it clearly says “Commission 0%”; if it doesn’t, just keep walking.

Tipping: In restaurants, tip now appears directly on the bill, with standard options (0%, 5%, 10% or 15%). For good service, 10% is the civilised norm – but always check whether a service charge or tip is already included on the bill, so you don’t end up paying it twice. In taxis or ride-sharing apps, tips are not mandatory, but rounding up the fare or adding 5–10 lei is common practice when the driver doesn’t behave as if they’re in a rally.

Driving style: Bucharest traffic is a mix of urban chess and Formula 1 reflexes, practised by people who’ve had a long day. Drivers can be impatient, change lanes often and see the horn as an additional language. The honest recommendation for visitors: use public transport, walk and rely on ride-sharing apps. There’s no need to prove you can handle the chaos – locals already do that every weekday morning.

Closed streets and pedestrian zones: In summer, the “Open Streets” programme closes key arteries such as Calea Victoriei to cars, turning them into excellent pedestrian areas. The Old Town is officially pedestrian-only – vehicle access is blocked by bollards, so don’t expect to drive “right up to the restaurant door”; it simply won’t happen. It’s the kind of city where the best areas to stroll are precisely where cars aren’t allowed.

Parking: Blue-marked spots, managed by City Hall, are paid parking and can easily be paid via the AmParcat app or by SMS, following the instructions on the blue signs. Do not park in residential spaces – they’re usually numbered or clearly marked, and using them without authorisation can lead to wheel clamps or the car being towed. In short, if it’s not obvious that “you’re allowed”, you probably aren’t.

Less recommended areas: Bucharest is generally a very safe capital, including in the evening, as long as you apply the same common sense you would in any large city. Dark peripheral areas or neighbourhoods such as parts of Ferentari and Rahova have no tourist attractions anyway, so there’s little reason to explore them late at night. Gara de Nord (the main train station) mainly calls for a bit of extra attention to your pockets, not panic.

Street approaches: If someone offers you “designer perfumes” at suspiciously low prices, insists on selling you something or asks for money, the standard “No, thank you” and simply walking on are perfectly sufficient. On crowded public transport and in the Old Town, keep an eye on your pockets and bags, just as you would in London, Paris or Barcelona. The main difference is that here pickpockets don’t necessarily wear interesting hats – but the rest of the script is familiar.

Drinking in the street: Drinking alcohol in public spaces (streets, parks, squares) is illegal, except on licensed terraces. The Gendarmerie and Local Police do hand out fines quite frequently for open bottles on benches or “just a quick beer” in the park. If you want a drink, have it on a terrace, not on the pavement – it’s more comfortable, more legal and, honestly, far nicer.

English and locals: Romanians – especially young people and staff in bars, cafés and restaurants – speak surprisingly good English. You’ll find people more than willing to give directions, explain the menu or help with any confusion. A smile and a sincere “thank you” go a long way; British-style sarcasm works too, but is better kept for dinner conversations than for exchanges with your waiter.

Neighbours and quiet: If you’re staying in a short-term serviced apartment in Bucharest or Airbnb in a residential block, it helps to know that Romanians value peace and quiet. There are legal “quiet hours”, usually between 22:00–08:00 and 13:00–14:00. A simple greeting on the hallway (“Bună ziua” – “Good day”) and avoiding full-volume music or apartment parties will guarantee an excellent relationship with the neighbours. Otherwise, clothing can be casual or smart-casual, with no special restrictions; only in Orthodox churches and monasteries is it recommended to dress modestly, avoiding very tight shorts or completely bare shoulders.

Sensitive topics: In conversations with locals, it’s wise to avoid jokes about cultural stereotypes or very heated political discussions unless you know the person well. Bucharest is a relaxed city, but like any capital, it has its own sensitivities. In short: humour is welcome, as long as it doesn’t turn into a public debate on politics in the middle of the restaurant.

The overly friendly lady scam: If you’re a single man and a very friendly lady suggests going to a “hidden, special bar known only to locals”, it’s usually not the start of a love story, but of an expensive one. The classic forced-consumption scheme involves a few drinks, a mysterious atmosphere and, at the end, a bill of hundreds or thousands of euro, backed by very serious-looking bodyguards. The elegant solution: a polite refusal and staying in large, well-known bars in the Old Town or other popular areas.

Erotic clubs and strip clubs: If you choose such a venue, always ask for the price list before ordering anything. Check the cost of every service – from private dances to drinks for the performers – before agreeing to it. This is the kind of place where transparency on the bill matters more than interior design. Casinos, on the other hand, are legal and well regulated, especially those in 5-star hotels where ID is required at the entrance and house rules are clear; the only real “trap” is forgetting that you’re not James Bond with an unlimited budget.

Emergency number: 112 is the single emergency number for Police, Ambulance and Fire Brigade, and operators speak English. It’s the only number really worth memorising, even if you spend the rest of your holiday on terraces. Use it for genuine emergencies, not for disagreements with your waiter – it’s an emergency service, not customer support.

Police: Police officers in Bucharest, especially those in the National Police and Traffic Police, are fair, professional and used to dealing with foreigners. If you have a real problem – from theft to a traffic incident – briefly explain what happened and show your documents. What you must never do, under any circumstances, is try to “fix” the situation with a bribe: it’s a serious crime, and the outcome will be anything but amusing.

Medical help: For major emergencies, large public hospitals such as Floreasca Hospital or the University Hospital have emergency departments (UPU) open around the clock. For minor issues – a sprain, a seasonal infection, an allergy – there are numerous private clinics (Regina Maria, Medicover, Sanador), where staff usually speak fluent English and appointments are quick. You don’t need to come to Bucharest scared of the medical system; you just need to know where to go and avoid diagnosing yourself solely based on internet forums.

For the full range of short-term accommodation options in Bucharest, visit the website of Alia Accommodation Bucharest.