Is Romania safe to travel NOW? (Safety ranking 2023)

Written by the Travel Safe team

Romania is a mystical and beautiful gem, located in the far north of the Balkan Peninsula, separated from the famous Balkan countries by two mountain rings: the Carpathian Mountains and the ancient Dobrogea Mountains.

Even though it is located in the north of the Balkans, where there are many countries known for their crime rate and unfavorable political situation, Romania is more than safe to travel to.

There are more risks in visiting larger and more important European capitals than in visiting Romania.

Even the streets of its vintage-style cities, over the past two decades, since the collapse of the Soviet Union when Romania became part of the European Union, have been filled with tourists from all over the world, making it makes it a warm and welcoming tourist destination. destination for anyone who craves treks through vast forests or simply yearns for a spooky adventure along the mysterious castles of Transylvania.

Warnings and dangers in Romania

OVERALL RISK: WEAK

For the most part, Romania is a safe country to travel to and considered a welcoming travel destination, ranked among the most threat-free countries on the planet.

TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: WEAK

Transportation in Romania is generally safe. Just like in any other country, taxi drivers might take advantage of an unprepared tourist, ripping them off and making them pay way too much for the trip. Tourists are advised to use Uber or Black Cab to avoid such occurrences.

RISK OF PICKPOCKETS: WEAK

Even though pickpocketing and petty theft are among the most common crimes that one can encounter in Romania, they are more common in big cities like Bucharest or other famous tourist destinations in Romania, and even there, they are rare compared to other major European capitals.

RISK OF NATURAL DISASTERS: WEAK

Some Romanian cities, such as Bucharest, are somewhat vulnerable to seismic risks, given that they are located in an active seismic zone. Apart from this, some parts of Romania might become inaccessible due to heavy rain or snowfall in winter.

RISK OF Aggression: AVERAGE

Although crimes against tourists remain a problem in Romania, assaults are not a problem and rarely occur against tourists.

RISK OF TERRORISM: WEAK

Since 2016, Romania has started to strengthen its anti-terrorism laws, although it has always been considered one of the countries in the world least threatened by terrorism. Traveling to Romania is therefore considered as safe as possible when it comes to terrorism.

RISK OF SCAMS: AVERAGE

Scams do occur in Romania, but mainly in the form of price gouging in bars or from street vendors. Excessive drinking is also a problem in nightclubs.

RISK FOR WOMEN TRAVELERS: WEAK

Even though Romania is as safe as possible for female travelers, they should be aware of the dangers of traveling alone in a foreign city. Like most everywhere, they should avoid walking alone on empty or poorly lit streets, passing groups of people who behave or look strange, or engaging in conversations with strangers who may seem oddly friendly.

So… How safe is Romania really?

Surprisingly for some, the chances of being physically attacked in Romania are much lower than being attacked in, say, the United States or Western European countries.

However, as an inexperienced traveler, you might encounter minor incidents such as pickpocketing, petty theft, or sellers who might try to cheat you into selling something.

As in most countries, you need to be wary of scammers, plan everything in advance, negotiate all fees in advance, double-check everything you hear from sellers on the streets, and be careful when making friends with unknown “friendly” locals who try to help you. anything: they might try to steal something from you or charge you for their help.

Speaking of scams, here are some of the most common ones:

• Money exchange scams: Always be careful when exchanging money, try to do it at official exchange offices and check your money once exchanged.
• Public transport scams or thefts – be on the lookout for petty pickpockets wandering around on buses or trains. You may not even notice that they are stealing your wallet because they are very skilled.
• Street friendships – friendly strangers might want to charge for their “services”, “help”, etc.
• Vehicle thefts – avoid renting Volkswagen, Opel or Mercedes cars due to the risk of carjacking, and of course, avoid leaving valuable items in plain sight.

Also be careful in nightclubs or bars of people trying to spike your drink (this is not common, but has been reported) and in poorly lit streets and areas, or if you see any activity strange people on the streets, like groups of teenagers acting violently or anyone. otherwise, he appears and acts intoxicated or ready to start a fight.

It goes without saying that you should avoid areas of Romania known for higher crime rates.

How does Romania compare?

Useful information

Visas

In most cases, visas are not required for any stay of less than 90 days. However, you should ensure that your passport is valid for at least six months from your return date and if you are unsure whether or not you need a visa, you should check this at www.doyouneedvisa. com. Depending on your nationality, this will help you check if you need a visa for the country you are visiting.

Currency

The currency in Romania is the Romanian leu. You should avoid exchanging money on the street or at unofficial exchange offices. You will find the best exchange rate at official banks. Another option may be to withdraw money from local ATMs using your debit or credit card.

Weather report

Romania’s climate is mild, with four very distinct seasons. It’s colder in the north since the Carpathians are there, so if you’re traveling to Transylvania, be prepared and dress warmly.

Airports

As expected, the busiest airports are located in Bucharest. There are two, and the largest is located 16.5 km north of Bucharest, called Henri Coanda Bucharest International Airport.

Travel insurance

We advise travelers to ensure that they have travel insurance which would cover, in the event of an emergency, all costs relating to any medical issues, as well as in the event of theft or loss of personal items.

Click here to get a travel insurance quote

Romania Weather Averages (Temperatures)

Average high/low temperature

Romania – Safety by city