Bucharest: Paris of the East

Bucharest, the capital of Romania, is a metropolis characterised by diverse and sometimes very imposing architecture and, in addition, increasingly attracts visitors from near and far with top-class cultural events.

When is the best time to visit Bucharest?

The months from April to October are not only recommended as the best time to travel because of the climate. The Orthodox Easter festival is celebrated in March/April and the Bucharest International Film Festival also takes place in April. The EUROPAfest, Romania's largest music festival, continues in May, and the George Enescu Festival, one of the largest classical music festivals in Eastern Europe, takes place in September of odd-numbered years.

Tips worth knowing

Travellers should always keep their valuables safe, as petty crime can occur. It should also be noted that the tap water is not of drinking quality. In many places you can communicate in English and even in German. The cost of living is lower than in Germany: meals in restaurants cost between 10 and 30 RON, drinks cost about 3.50 RON for a soft drink or between 4 and 7 RON for a beer.

How do you get from Bucharest airport to the city centre?

From Bucharest's Henri Coanda Airport, it takes about an hour to get to Gara de Nord main station by express bus 780 or to the city centre by line 783 for about 3.50 RON. The train journey takes at least 75 minutes (with a good connection) and costs about RON 7.60, including the bus shuttle from the terminal to the station. A taxi ride is around 30-40 RON if you pre-order the taxi in the arrivals hall. "Rapid taxis" outside the airport building charge more: about 70 RON to the city centre.

Accommodation prices in Bucharest start at about 30 RON in hostels, about 89 RON in three-star hotels and about 135 RON in holiday flats.

Bucharest public transport is well developed and inexpensive with undergrounds, trams, buses and trolleybuses. The metro has a separate fare system with no single tickets. For two journeys you pay about RON 5, but it is cheaper to travel with a day or week ticket. For the other means of transport you buy the rechargeable "Activ" or "Multiplu" card. Single journeys cost about 1.30 RON, a day ticket about 8 RON. Taxi fares are also cheap compared to Germany at about 1.40 RON/km.