INFORMATION ROMANIA | Travel in / to Romania | Daylight obligation and more …!
Please note when driving to and in Romania. Since July 01, 2023, there is a light obligation also during the day in cities and also outside of cities (thus everywhere).
Please also note that you need a vignette for almost all roads outside cities (highways, but also country roads). The costs are not high and the vignette can be purchased in advance at many petrol stations and also online (at least one month before arrival): https://www.roviniete.ro/en/
You also need a vignette for the journey there and back via Hungary (on the highway). This can also be purchased online (link as above). You can also purchase the Austrian vignette via https://asfinag.at or also at petrol stations in Germany / Hungary (and of course Austria, only then it is probably too late). Please always keep / take the invoice with you, in Austria the payment receipt can also be checked in addition to the vignette.
In Romania the 0.00 per mille limit for alcohol when driving applies!!!
Please note the speed limits in Romania:
max. 50 km / cities
max. 90 km / country roads (even if Google Maps indicates 100 km!!)
max. 130 km / highways
In Romania, you still need a fire extinguisher (although this is usually viewed more loosely by “foreigners”, it is still mandatory) and two warning triangles.
And even if other drivers (especially lorries!!!) drive faster in built-up areas, please keep to the speed limit. For the safety of yourself, your family, third parties and, of course, to avoid fines.
Pedestrians ALWAYS have priority at crosswalks (unless there are traffic lights). Please note! You must normally also stop if you see a “potential” pedestrian / zebra crosser (what a word) at a crosswalk.
Please also stop at unrestricted level crossings and check left and right for approaching trains. It is the law and is primarily for your safety. The “roadway” is usually a little “bumpier” when crossing rails, so take your time and keep your distance from the car in front. Never start crossing when the car in front of you is still on the tracks!
Have a good trip | Drum bun
INFO ROMANIA | Camping | Clamping | Motorhome sites and more
We are still working on our new information section (sorted by regions in Romania) about camping, traveling by motorhome and more.
Motorhomes and “free standing” / “wild camping” | A lot is possible, not everything is allowed and some things can be very dangerous. Romania’s Carpathian Mountains are inhabited by brown bears, there are many national parks and protected regions and many things are also prohibited and therefore not allowed. However, if you do not want to spend the night on an official campsite, please ask in the town of your desired overnight destination.
There is certainly the possibility of finding a place on a private property (with permission), in front of a guesthouse (with permission) or somewhere else. But please ask … as the local residents can point out possible dangers (e.g. bears).
Our online overview is still missing a lot of information and details and therefore … we ask for your help to complete this overview (in German, Romanian and English). You can enter new places directly on the page free of charge, which we will put online after a short check.
Many thanks in advance to all helpers. There is also a small rating system, anyone who wants to can leave their impressions. Of course, please always use the appropriate wording. Thank you.
[Overview of camping, camping and motorhome pitches in Romania]
INFO ROMANIA | Parking in the cities of Romania
Many vacationers arrive with their own car or rent a car at the airport and are … a little overwhelmed by the parking situation in some Romanian cities. Therefore, here is some information and tips. And first of all: Don’t get infected by the possibly creative parking behavior of some locals. A car is quickly towed away (in cities, e.g. in fire zones, in front of hospitals, road junctions, crosswalks, …) and can then only be released for cash. Problem, you first have to find out where your car is … and that can be a lengthy task.
# Relaxed parking in Braila
The city of Braila is located in the south-east of Romania and has a population of around 150,000. There are actually always enough parking spaces, even in the center and … all parking spaces in the city of Braila are free of charge.
# The neighboring city, Galati … not so relaxed
The city of Galati is also located in the southeast of Romania and is the neighboring city of Braila with approx. 300,000 inhabitants. In many parts of the city (center, but also in outlying areas) parking is subject to charges (Mon to Sat, 8:00 to 20:00). Payment can be made via a parking machine on site or via SMS (Romanian telephone number required). IMPORTANT: On average, it only takes a short time to find a smart yellow or orange immobilizer on the front wheel if the parking ticket is not validated. Depending on the time of day, you will have to pay 200 or 300 lei (approx. 40 or 60 euros) to remove it.
# Brasov, take / plan time for your search
In the center or near the center of Brasov, it is not easy to find a parking space at almost any time of day. There are few parking spaces and due to many restrictions (one-way streets) it can take time to find a parking space. You really shouldn’t be in a hurry here! The parking lots are subject to charges (Mon to Sat, 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.) and can be paid for via a parking machine on site, via SMS (1 hour at a time, but you can also add more SMS, but you need a Romanian number) or via app (also 24 hours / one day). There are also paid parking lots throughout the city of Brasov, so always pay attention to the corresponding signs.
# Timisoara, European Capital of Culture 2023 … the modern age.
First of all, parking spaces in the city center are also subject to charges, but the search for the “bad parking offenders” is very modern here. With the help of a specially purchased and equipped camera car, which regularly checks the streets and squares, parking tickets are issued in no time at all. The camera car drives through the streets and records all parked cars / license plates, compares in real time whether a parking ticket has been issued and … we don’t know that, but we suspect it … gives the “bad guys” among the parkers a parking ticket.
# Bucharest … without words
Parking in Bucharest is easy, either in the hotel parking lot or 20 km outside the city. Anyone who has ever driven a car in Bucharest will quickly realize … you need a lot of time, patience and also a certain calmness to the driving style, which is similar to some movies / Italian cities. In many districts, the city center, shopping centers and more, the traffic is usually quite slow (Navi: In 800 meters you have reached your destination. Expected travel time: 48 minutes). Parking spaces are subject to charges and can usually be paid for on site, via SMS (Romanian telephone number required) or via app. Depending on the district (old town), however, it is very, very difficult to find a parking space or at extreme prices (300 lei (60 euros) for 24 hours in a “private parking lot”). Our tip is therefore clear. Look for a hotel with free parking and walk or use a taxi/Uber or buses/subways. It’s worth it!
# In the countryside and in small towns
Things are almost always very relaxed here – you park, period. However, you should always take a look at any signs (usually near places of interest / excursion destinations). There may also be charges there.
# Finally … Idea: Just don’t pay the ticket !!!
Almost never works, as in most cities you get a nice yellow (or orange) clip “stapled” to the front wheel of your vehicle in addition to the ticket. The costs vary depending on the time of day/night. Therefore, if parking fees are due, please pay them in your own interest.
More cities, experiences about parking in Romania are welcome as comments!
# And by the way: RO Vignette … To be allowed to use the highway in Romania, but also country roads (so it is mandatory for every car) you need a vignette. The vignette (Rovinieta) can be purchased and paid for online (German interface) one month in advance (i.e. before your vacation). The costs are also manageable and ok. For a car it costs 3 euros for 7 days, 7 euros for 30 days, 13 euros for 90 days and / or 28 euros for a whole year. Rental cars usually already have this vignette, but it never hurts to ask … never hurts. Here is the link: https://www.roviniete.ro/en/
INFO ROMANIA | Bears on the Transfagarasan and in Romania !!
When the Transalpina as well as the Transfagarasan are open in summer … and especially here, but also in many other regions, you can meet them again … the brown bears.
First of all our BIG request:
DO NOT FEED THE BEARS !!!
DO NOT ATTRACT BEARS !!!
BEARS are wild animals of the forest and not “adventure objects”, please respect this on your trip and when encountering one or more bears! Enjoy yourself, but stay in the car and just drive on slowly.
In Romania there are about 8,000 to 10,000 brown bears living in the wild and more and more bears are drawn towards the roads and towns, as the bears unfortunately receive food from some travelers and therefore return to the roads again and again, even with their own offspring. We understand, it is a special experience … but bears can also be dangerous and, above all, feeding them destroys their natural habitat and possibly even their lives … for a moment of attraction.
We therefore ask you to let the bears … be bears and show responsibility … Do not feed the bears and please do not stop if you see one or more bears at the roadside. This behavior will attract the bear because it thinks it will get food. Leaving the vehicle in such a situation to get a closer look at a bear should NEVER happen anyway. Thank you !
It should be mentioned that feeding bears in Romania has now been made a punishable offense. Your vacation can quickly come to a premature end here!
INFOS ROMANIA | (Weekly) markets in Romania | Pictures of a market in Galati
In addition to the “typical German” shopping facilities such as Lidl, Penny, Kaufland, DM and many more, there are far more shopping opportunities in Romania than in Germany and Austria.
So-called “Alimentare” in every village and almost on every corner (comparable to the Edeka stores of 30 years ago) in the cities are open 7 days a week, many of them (mostly in the cities) even around the clock 24 hours a day.
In contrast to Germany and Austria, all supermarkets in Romania are also open every day (even on Sundays), usually from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. or from 10 a.m. in the shopping centers. Before public vacations or during vacations, some supermarkets may even open 7 days a week / 24 hours a day (e.g. the Carrefour supermarket chain in France).
But back to the pictures, there are daily markets throughout the country (called piata, comparable to German weekly markets, but in many cities seven times a week and even in every district), which also offer fresh goods (mostly fruit and vegetables, baked goods, meat but also many other products) fresh from the region and neighboring or nearby countries (Turkey).
Something that makes Romania even more attractive for a vacation … Strolling through the market every morning and buying fresh food for the day. Where else can you do that in German-speaking countries?
Regarding the prices, the pictures are from March 2023 in LEI (RON) (5 Lei / Ron correspond to approx. 1 Euro)