Entering Romania
Romania is a member of the E.U., but not a member of the Schengen zone.
If you are travelling into Romania as an EU national, all you need is a passport or equivalent personal identification document. Some EU countries issue personal identification cards (besides passports) that allow your entry in Romania, but please note that a passport is the only widely accepted personal ID for foreign nationals.
National currency
Romania’s currency is Leu (plural “Lei” – pronunciation: lay).
Abbreviation: RON
Banknote denominations: 1, 5, 10, 50, 100, 200 and 500 lei.
Coins: 1, 5, 10 and 50 bani pieces. (pronunciation: bahnee)
1 leu = 100 bani
Currency exchange
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. Please note that exchange rates offered by the exchange offices at airports and other border crossing points can be 10% to 20% less than the official rate.
Taxi drivers serving the airport might accept US Dollars or Euros but most stores in Romania will only accept lei. US Dollars are as good and popular as the Euros; you do not need to buy Euros before you leave the USA as you will have to change the Euros into Lei anyways.
Exchange rate
To consult the current exchange rate for the main foreign currencies, go to:
http://bnro.ro/Exchange-rates-1224.aspx
ATM (Bancomat)
ATM machines are available at main banks and at airports and shopping centres. There are very, very few ATMs in remote areas or villages.
Credit cards
Major credit cards including American Express, Mastercard and Visa are accepted in large hotels, car rental companies and stores in the main cities. However, credit cards are unlikely to prove useful in small towns or away from tourist areas.
Rules of the Road
Minimum driving age is 18. Driving is on the right side of the road.
A valid U.S., Canadian, Australian, EU driver’s license is acceptable for driving in Romania for 90-days from the date of entry into the country.
Passengers in the front seat and the back seat of a car must wear seatbelts at all times. Children under 12 years of age must ride in the back seat.
Speed limits are 50 km/h (31 mph) in build-up areas, 90 km/h (56 mph) on main roads and 110 km/h (70 mph) on highways unless posted otherwise.
The use of cellular phones while driving is prohibited (only hands-free devices are allowed).
Driving while under the influence of alcohol is a criminal offense and penalties are severe. The police have the authority to stop vehicles at random and to perform preliminary breath alcohol tests.
In case of a car accident do not leave the site, call the police and make sure that you get a copy of the Police Report. General emergency number is: 112.
Independent travelers entering Romania by car (own or rental) need to obtain a road toll sticker, called RoVinieta. RoVigneta is available on-line www.RoViniete.ro as well as at most border-crossing points, postal offices and gas stations.
Cost of RoVinieta for passenger cars: Romanian currency equivalent of 3 euros (valid 7 days) or 7 euros (valid 30 days).
Safety and insurance
Please ensure that you have the necessary insurance arrangements to cover you for any likely problems that you might experience whilst at the conference. We suggest that you bring a travel insurance covering any kind of problems with cancellations of flights or loss of luggage, covering health or medical needs that might occur, and for general activities in the outdoors (planned for pre-conference, might have some risks involved even if minimized). And of course, remember to bring your insurance documents with you!
What to bring?
For our traditional International Tasting Evening
Please bring any of the items listed below, to be set out on a table, be tasted and feasted on during the night – and maybe for the next few days.
– something typical from your country, region, or town (that does not need cooking, e.g. cheese, fish, jam, etc.),
– something homemade, sweet or salty,
– something to drink: alcoholic or non-alcoholic.
For the weather
Weather in Romania in mid-spring varies. It can be quite warm and sunny, or rainy and cold. Be prepared for all types of weather and keep posted with weather information.
So, bring a wide range of clothing to cover all eventualities:
– Bring your mountain jacket, at night it does get cold,
– Rain gear & hiking boots,
– Sun lotion, hat & shades,
– Mosquitoes protection lotion,
– You may also want to bring: your swimming costume (for the pre-conference participants is a must).
Special needs
If you have any special needs, i.e. a certain diet, disabilities or pregnancy, please let us know. We will do our best to help you out.
Useful telephone numbers
Misi: 0040-745-920081
Istvan: 0040-740-587017