Book a Bus in Romania

Romania, a crossroads of Western, Byzantine, Slavic and Eastern influences, is a fantastic tourist and cultural destination. The stories of this place tell a complex history, of myths, legends and much more. You can easily explore the area by booking a bus in Romania.

Key facts about Romania

• Neighbour Countries: Ukraine, Moldova, Bulgaria, Serbia and Hungary.
• Population: 19,186,201.
• Official Language: Romanian.
• Main Religion: Christianity.
• Currency: Romanian Leu.
• Area: 238 391 km2.
• Ethnic Groups: Romanians, Hungarian, Romanis.

History and Culture of Romania

In the 19th century, the Austrian Empire was threatened from within by the growing power of its constituent nations. Subsequently, the Romanian region came under the direct rule of the Austro-Hungarian Empire from Budapest. Hungarian was established as the official language, and any Romanian who defied the regime was severely punished. It went on unchallenged for a long time. In 1859, with French support, Alexander John Cuza was elected to the throne, which led to the creation of the United Romanian Principalities on 11 December 1861, renamed Romania in 1862.

The reform-minded Cuza was forced to abdicate in 1866 after a military coup and was replaced by the Prussian Prince Charles I. With Russian help, Romania declared independence from the Ottoman Empire in 1877.

Weather and Geography

The nation forms a complex geographical unit centred on the Transylvanian basin, forming wonderful mountain landscapes. Beyond this area, the vast countryside to the south and east of Romania is traversed by the Danube River.

The geography, topography, climate, hydrology, vegetation and fauna are so different that they have made Romania a country rich in resources and natural diversity.

Due to its position in the south-eastern part of the European continent, the country has a temperate continental climate, with four distinct seasons, where temperatures vary considerably, but the variations are mitigated by bringing the sea closer.

Popular Cities to Visit in Romania

• Bucharest

Bucharest is Romania's largest city and its capital. It is one of the most populous cities in the European Union and one of the main industrial and transport centres in Eastern Europe. It is located in southeast Romania, on the banks of the Dâmbovita River, which flows into a tributary of the Danube called the Arges. Bucharest is also a city of wide tree-lined avenues and Belle Epoque buildings.

• Constanta

Constanta is one of the oldest cities in Romania, founded around 600 BC. This beautiful tourist destination is located within the Dobruja region, facing the Black Sea coast. It is not only the largest city in the region (and the fifth most populous in the country) but also serves as the capital of Constanta County. It is considered a top coastal destination for those who want to enjoy nature.

• Brasov

Brasov is one of the most visited cities in Romania because of its many historical sights and beautiful monuments ranging from Gothic to Baroque and Renaissance. In fact, it has been the setting for many periodic films. It is located in the centre of the country, 166 kilometres from Bucharest and 264 kilometres from Cluj-Napoca, in the southeast of the Transylvania region.

• Suceava

The city is not excessively large and is easy to get around on foot. It has an impressive 14th-century fortress that you can visit.

• Cluj

Cluj is the third most populated city in Romania with more than 300,000 inhabitants, after Bucharest and Iasi. Located in the northwest of the country, it is the ancient capital of Transylvania, the cultural and industrial centre of the whole western part of the country.

• Targu Mures

Targu Mures reflects the traces of Hungarian influence over many centuries, especially in the architecture and many faithfully preserved traditions. Marosvásárhely is the Hungarian name for the town, and Neumarkt am Mieresch is the German name, which, like the word "Târgu Mureş" (Mures market), reflects the main economic activity and commercial character of the town.

• Sibiu

In this city, you can find numerous cultural events and festivals. Here, you can visit museums with some of the best art pieces from Romanian artists.

Travelling in Romania

• Buses

Long-distance services are a popular way to travel from Romania to Western Europe, South-Eastern Europe and Turkey. Romanian buses are comparable in price to trains but faster and more direct.

Some of the popular routes in Romania are:

• Bus from Sofia-Bucharest
• Bus from Bucharest-Sofia
• Bus from Cluj-Napoca
• Bus from Bucharest-Varna
• Bus from Bucharest-Brasov
• Bus from Bucharest-Istanbul
• Trains

Romania is integrated into the European rail network and has good connections with Western Europe and neighbouring countries. Almost all these trains arrive and depart from Bucharest's main station, the Gara de Nord.

• Flights

Romania has good air connections to Europe and the Middle East. So it is very easy to find flights with a wide range of schedules at different prices.

• Boats

The port of Constanta has a passenger terminal on the Black Sea. This may interest you if you would like to know the countries surrounding the Black Sea.

Accommodation in Romania

In Romania, there is an excellent variety of accommodation. Depending on the city or area, one can find all kinds of quality hotels, even campsites to enjoy nature. One can also find residences for rent or hostels if you plan to travel on a limited budget.

Food in Romania

Some of the foods you must try when you are in Romania are:

• Ciorbă de burtă

It is a traditional Romanian soup with tripe, whitened with cream.

• Sarmale

Sarmale are miniature cabbage rolls wrapped in vine leaves or pickled cabbage leaves.

• Mititei

A mixture of minced meat, properly seasoned, moulded into small buns and grilled.

• Mamaliga

It is maize or flour porridge, cooked in water or milk, with a fairly compact consistency.

• Papanași

It is a traditional Romanian dessert, similar to the classic doughnuts in Poland.

Shopping in Romania

Most of what you can buy outside the capital can be found almost anywhere in the country. You can find the items either on the roadside or in the stalls around the main attractions.

Pottery, along with woodwork, is a typical Romanian handicraft, both the red pottery typical of the country and the black Dacian-style pottery popular with small manufacturers in the Moldavian and Transylvanian regions. It is also common to find Dracula memorabilia.

Romania Visa and Passport Requirements

If you are an EU citizen, you can travel to Romania without applying for a visa.

If you are a non-EU citizen, the requirements may be different, but in general, for a stay of up to 90 days per 180 days. The traveller must:

• Have a passport valid for at least 6 months and with at least a few blank pages.
• Demonstrate sufficient funds for the trip.
• Have a reservation for return flights.
• Have the necessary documents supporting the purpose of the trip.
• Have all the required documents for your next country of destination.
• Confirm with the airline that boarding will be permitted as these conditions may vary.