Practical information

Bucharest is Romania's capital and largest city, as well as the most important industrial and commercial centre of the country. With its 2 million inhabitants in the city proper and more than 2.4 million in the urban area, it is also one of the largest cities in Eastern Europe. Bucharest is divided in 6 official districts ("sector", plural "sectoare"), numbered from 1 to 6, each with its own mayor and council. They are counted clockwise, starting from PIATA UNIRII. An unofficial district system is in far wider use, as people refer to places by using the neighborhood they are located in ("cartier", "cartiere"). Neighborhoods cover the entirety of the city, both slums and rich suburbs. A neighborhood may cover 200.000 persons (such as BALTA ALBA) or 1.000 persons (such as PRIMAVERII).


1. Language in Romania
The official (and native) language is Romanian. Most educated people born after about 1970 will speak reasonably good English; most educated people born before about 1970 will speak reasonably good French. Other than that, you'll find some people who know German and Italian.
2. Climate
Romania has a temperate-continental climate with hot summers and cold winters. This region gets all four seasons, although spring is brief and falls mainly in April. The average high daily temperature in summer is about 28°C and in winter about 0°C. It can get really hot and dry during the summer (40°C) and really cold during the winter (-20°C). Best time to visit is April through June, September through October and early December. For daily forecast please check here.
3. Time
Romania is in the Eastern European time zone (UTC+2).
4. Customs Regulations
Romania enforces the international rules of the Convention related to customs facilities for travelers. Any traveler may enter or leave Romania with a maximum of USD 10,000 in cash or traveler’s cheques.
5. Airports and Military Technical Academy transfer
Most flights, both international and domestic, land at the HENRI COANDA International Airport, located in OTOPENI 28 km north of the city downtown. It is the main hub for the Romanian flag carrier TAROM and is used by the major international airlines. The smaller AUREL VLAICU International Airport was used for commercial flights. It is located in BANEASA, much closer to the city centre than OTOPENI and is used primarily by low-cost airlines.
In case of arrival on the "HENRI COANDA" International Airport - OTOPENI, you can choose to arrive at Military Technical Academy between:
  • Take a bus - line 738 (the bus station is situated at Depart and Arrivals terminals) - to "PIATA ROMANA" bus station, in downtown Bucharest, then the subway (METROU) to "UNIRII" station.
  • Take a tram from "UNIRII" station - line 32 - to "ACADEMIA TEHNICA MILITARA" station.
  • Take a taxi to the "ACADEMIA TEHNICA MILITARA" (around 20 Euro).
In case of arrival in the AUREL VLAICU airport, downtown is easily accessible, either by taxi or public transportation. Bus lines 131 and 301 connect it with PIATA ROMANA in downtown Bucharest and then the subway (METROU) to "UNIRII" station. Take a tram from "UNIRII" station - line 32 to "ACADEMIA TEHNICA MILITARA" station.
6. Trains and Military Technical Academy Transfer
Bucharest is linked through direct daily trains to all neighboring countries' capitals (Belgrade, Budapest, Chisinau, Kiev, Sofia) as well as to Wien, Venice, Thessaloniki, Istanbul, Moscow and of course to main cities in all of Romania's 42 counties. All international trains and most long distance internal trains arrive at GARA DE NORD (Northern) station, located quite near of the city centre, to which it is linked by subway and several buses, trolley, tramway lines. The timetables for domestic routes are available here. In case of arrival in Bucharest by railway at GARA DE NORD Train Station, you can choose to arrive at Military Technical Academy between:
  • Bus, line 123 to "UNIRII" bus stop and tram no. 32 from "UNIRII" to "ACADEMIA TEHNICA MILITARA" station.
  • Subway trains to "UNIRII" station and tram no. 32 from "UNIRII" to "ACADEMIA TEHNICA MILITARA" station.
  • Taxi (around 5 Euros).
7. Public transportation
  • Trams, Buses and Trolleybuses
    • BUCHAREST has a relatively efficient public transport system, which operates from 05:30 AM to midnight. Tickets for bus can be bought at RATB kiosks, which are located on the main thoroughfares in the city. The current fare is 1,50 Lei (around 0,50 Euros) (one-way ticket for bus, when you get on the bus it is obligatory, to perforate the ticket, Ticket inspectors ("controlor") are widespread, and if you are caught without a ticket you'll pay a fine).
    • On route 783 - PIATA ROMANA-OTOPENI, magnetic cards used on the other routes are not valid - trip magnetic card (route 783) fare: 5 lei (around 1,50 Euros). Tickets can be purchased from the driver. For more information about RATB rout map and other useful information please check here.
  • Subway ("METROU")
    • Magnetic tickets for subway can be bought from subway station; Tickets valid for two journeys cost 2.50 lei, tickets valid for ten journeys cost 7.00 lei. Subway trains run between 05:30 - 23:30 and are supposed to run with a frequency of between 3-12 minutes.
8. Taxi
The current rate is between 1,7 Lei and 4,00 Lei per km. A fare price from the HENRI COANDA International Airport - OTOPENI to the Military Technical Academy is around 20 Euros. Always ask the driver to turn on the meter.
9. Rent a Car
All the subsidiaries of the large international companies are present in Romania: Avis, Budget, Hertz, Dollar, National and Euro-car.
10. Telephones
Public telephones are orange and use a prepaid phone card ("cartela de telefon - ROMTELECOM"). These can be used for all kinds of calls, including the direct international calls. Telephone cards can be purchased at the post offices, hotels, and kiosks at prices 10 Lei and 15 Lei. There also can be used prepaid cards from other phone companies, including Voice over IP and cell phones (ORANGE, VODAFONE, ZAPP and COSMOTE).
11. Important banks in Bucharest
  • BCR – Banca Comerciala Româna, B-dul Regina Elisabeta, nr. 5, Sector 3, Postal code 030016, Phone no (040 21) 407.42.00
  • BRD – Groupe Societe Generale, Calea 13 Septembrie, nr.116, Bloc 58, parter, Phone no (040 21) 4110142
  • Raiffeisen Bank – Western Union, Agentia Sebastian, Calea 13 Septembrie, Phone no (040 21) 410.65.29; 410.54.00
  • ING Bank – Self Bank, Calea 13 Septembrie, nr. 107-109, bl. 103-105, Phone no (040 21) 406.10.82
  • ABN – AMRO, Calea 13 Septembrie, Phone no: (04021) 4011070
  • HVB Tiriac Bank, Bd.Unirii, nr.1, magazin Unirea, Corp Centra,l Phone no: (040 21) 3000204
Money can be exchanged at banks, hotels, and private offices ("Casa de schimb valutar”). There can be major differences in rates, especially between banks and private exchange offices. So it is advisable to shop around. It is both illegal and not advisable to change money in the street as the chance to be cheated is very high.
Bank notes are in the following denominations: 1 Leu, 5 Lei, 10 Lei, 50 Lei, 100 Lei, 200 Lei and 500 Lei and coins: 1 Ban, 5 Bani, 10 Bani, 50 Bani.
Banks are open weekdays from 09:00 to 18:00.
The participants can also use valid cards to make payments.
12. Main attraction
Bucharest has 37 museums, 22 theatres, opera houses and concert halls, cinemas; 18 art galleries, lots of libraries and bookstores.
Sights: Architecture of the Historic Centre: CALEA VICTORIEI, PIATA PALATULUl, BULEVARDUL BRATIANU, BULEVARDUL REGINA ELISABETA, STRADA LISPCANI, PIATA ROMANA, PIATA VICTORIEI, BULEVARDUL AVIATORILOR, SOSEAUA KISELEFF, BULEVARDUL DACIA, MUZEUL SATULUI (village museum), CATEDRALA PATRIARHALA, CISMIGIU (Park).

For suggested walks through Bucharest please check: Fore more information on museums and concerts please check:
13. Culture
Bucharest has a diverse and growing cultural scene, with cultural life exhibited in a number of various fields, including the visual arts, performing arts and nightlife. Bucharest has an eclectic mixture of elements from traditionally Romanian buildings to buildings that are influenced by French architects. It is because of this French influence that Bucharest was once called "THE PARIS OF THE EAST" or "LITTLE PARIS."
Bucharest has a number of landmarks that are identified with it throughout the world. Perhaps the most prominent of these is the PALACE OF THE PARLIAMENT, which was built in the 80's during the reign of Communist NICOLAE CEAUSESCU. Currently the largest building in Europe and the third-largest in the world, the palace houses the Romanian Parliament (the Chamber of Deputies and Senate), as well as "THE NATIONAL MUSEUM OF CONTEMPORARY ART". It is also often used as a convention centre.
Another well-known landmark of Bucharest is the "ARCUL DE TRIUMF" (TRIUMPHAL ARCH), which was built in 1935 and was modeled after the Arc de Triumph in Paris.
In terms of visual arts, the city contains a number of museums featuring both classical and contemporary Romanian art, as well as selected international works. THE NATIONAL MUSEUM OF ART OF ROMANIA is perhaps the best-known of Bucharest museums. It is located in the former royal palace and features extensive collections of medieval and modern Romanian art, including works by renowned sculptor CONSTANTIN BRANCUSI, as well as a prominent international collection assembled by the former Romanian royal family.
Other, smaller museums contain more specialized collections of works.
THE ZAMBACCIAN MUSEUM, which is situated in the former home of Armenian-Romanian art collector KRIKOR H. ZAMBACCIAN contains works by many well-known Romanian artists as well as international artists such as Paul Cezanne, Eugene Delacroix, Henri Matisse, Camille Pissarro and Pablo Picasso.
THE GHEORGHE TATTARESCU MUSEUM contains portraits of Romanian revolutionaries in exile such as Gheorghe Magheru, Stefan Golescu, Nicolae Balcescu and allegorical compositions with revolutionary (Romania's rebirth, 1849) and patriotic (The Principalities' Unification, 1857) themes.
THE THEODOR PALLADY MUSEUM is situated in one of the oldest surviving merchant houses in Bucharest and includes many works by Romanian painter Theodor Pallady as well as a number of European and Oriental furniture pieces.
THE MUSEUM OF ART COLLECTIONS contains the collections of a number of well-known Romanian art aficionados, including Krikor Zambaccian and Theodor Pallady.
THE MILITARY MUSEUM presents the Romanian military history, includes an interesting collection of weapons, military uniforms and visual information about Romanian nation by the military point of view.
14. Shopping centers
  • UNIREA Shopping Center
    • Once a showpiece of Socialism, this is the hugest department store situated in the centre of the city. There are fashion stores on the first and second floors while the electronics and household appliance shops on floors three and four are also worth a visit. There's a Body Shop and McDonald's on the ground floor, and the excellent La Fourmi supermarket can be found in the basement.
    • Address: Piata Unirii no.1
      Opening hours: Daily: 09:00-22:00, Sunday: 09:00-18:00
      Metro: Station PIATA UNIRII
      Website: www.unireashop.ro
  • CARREFOUR ORHIDEEA
    • Supermarket/shopping centre, here you can find: fresh meat, a wonderful selection of fresh fish, a wide range of fruit and vegetables, and a good delicatessen. Also offers clothes, computer software and household accessories.
    • Address: Splaiul Independentei, nr. 210-210B (Grozavesti)
      Opening hours Daily: 09:00-21:30, Sunday: 09:00-20:00
      Website: www.carrefour.ro
  • For more information, please, visit: Bucharest Guide - Shopping
15. Hotels
In Romania are rated between one to five stars, motels from one to three stars and rural accommodation between one to four flowers (daisies). Rooms may be looked through tourist agencies, or direct with the property.
You can also book reservation for the major hotels in Romania on an Internet site: Bucharest Hotels.

Reputed, hotel chains are to be found in Romania: Intercontinental, Holiday Inn, Hilton, Sofitel, Crowne Plaza, Best Western, Marriott. Do not forget that the day at the hotel begins at noon and you must specify in advance your day of departure.
16. Units of measure
In Romania the metric system is in use (1000 m =1 km=0.62 miles).
17. Public holidays
  • January 1st-2nd - New Year
  • The first Monday after the Orthodox Easter
  • May 1st - International Labor Day
  • December 1st - National Holiday
  • December 25th-26th - Christmas
18. Useful phones
  • General Emergency Service - 112
  • Ambulance - 961
  • Emergency Hospital - 962
  • International phone calls - 971
  • Fire Department - 981
  • TAROM flight booking office - 9361