Communications

DIAL 112 in any emergency in Romania

Image:  Govt of  Romania

Dialling Romania

 Calling in and to Romania is fairly simple once you know the rules!

The phone market was opened up a bit in the last 5 years, with companies other than the former state-owned telco RomTelecom now allowed to offer landline residential services. 

However, the solution was a bit awkward, with the numbering system being grafted a bit so that the other operators would have to use a "3" in front of the county code (like a city code in other countries), instead of the Romtelecom "2".    The history of the telecommunications industry in Romania is included below for aficionados of the industry. 

Whatever the case, dialling is fairly straightforward if you follow the "Dialling Math" rules below, and dialling from overseas follows similarly.

Mad for Mobiles

Mobile phones have now overtaken the number of landline phones in Romania, with the mobile absorbing a high percentage of disposable income compared with English-speaking countries.  

All you really need to do if you're spending much time in Romania is to buy a local SIM card from any of the thousands of mobile phone shops which are easy to find in malls, shopping centres, street corners and seemingly everywhere.  Major players Vodafone, Orange and Cosmote divide up the Romanian market, all offering services and websites in English.

Simply copy over your address book to your phone, put the new local SIM card in, and copy back your info to the new card.  Or better yet, most of the standard chain stores in the  malls will do this for you!

 Read more about how to dial below    

Get Your Juice in Oradea! Get the juice into your veins and into your laptop at this vibrant, funky, clean and fun little cafe/bar and restaurant in very western Oradea in the Crişana region!

Photo:  Juice

All4U/Tonkin Café in Bucharest Gamers will love this cellar games centre, get your wi-fi and enjoy the bar too!

Photo: All4U Cafe

Romania is well wired with over 80 "public" Hotspots nationally at hotels, pubs, cafes, restaurants, and even a few weird and wired places like a seed store and even neighbourhood apartments in some cities!

Out of the 450 or so wireless hotspots currently operating in Romania's cities, the public hotpots in Romania appear at mostly at cafes, pubs, restaurants, hotels, and a few downtown public spaces too. 

It's really pleasant to have a slice of "true" civilization from time to time when enjoying your stay in Romania, and we've listed some of our favourite cafes, restaurants, and hotels offering free wireless so you can update your blog, e-mail your friends in the States, and let everyone know how much fun you're having in your cheap little fascinating corner of Old Europe!

Over half of the HotSpots listed on Rest Romania websites have been certified with the Free HotSpot Certification Program, so you'll have few if any problems connecting once you're there.  Check out the local pages (use the town name links) for maps and direction in each of the towns listed below. 

 All Over Romania!

We currently know of wireless HotSpots operating in the following locations across Romania:

If you know of more locations, please e-mail us here!

At a recent IT conference about wireless and mobility, Intel România counted about 78 public hotspots, most of which were in urban areas.   In addition to these public hotspots, about 4 out of 5 in Romania are actually hidden away in hotels, offices and conference centres.  Universities make up about 1 out of 10 of Romanian's hotspot, with the remaining public 10% listed below.

We've tried to list the most popular hotspots, although many of these have come from readers travelling in each area, so please update us with the facts when you know of a new hotspot, or one which is no longer operating.   We have heard of additional hotspots in Târgu-Mures, Bacău, Breaza, Călăraşi, Jurilovca, Moeciu, Otopeni, Piatra Neamţ, Pilu, and Târgu Lapus, but have yet to research these.   

Additionally, the airports at Iaşi and Timişoara offer hotspots in their departure lounges.

A Slice of ADSL:  Free

The Pizza Hut restaurant chain in Romania offers free wireless hotspots to customers at their Dorobanti, Calea Mosilor, Calea Victoriei and Plaza Romania locations in Bucharest. 

  They also have two wireless locations in Constanţa at their downtown restaurant, and the one out at the Tomis mall.   In Iaşi, the Moldova Mall restaurant will let you update your website with a slice, as will the River Plaza location in Râmnicu Vâlcea.

Starbucks does have a Plaza Romania location as well, although we don't know if they have wireless; some Starbucks do, some don't.  We'll keep checking, but if you find out, let us know, thanks.

Bukovina

Suceava

Ştefan cel Mare University 13 Universităţii Street in Suceava  Not surprisingly, it's the University which is supplying the juice on this campus.    +40 (230) 522 978  FAX: +40 (230) 520 080

Moldova

Iaşi

Surprisingly, we couldn't find hotels in the Moldovan capital which offered internet services, although bars, cafes and restaurants in Iaşi pick up the slack in this eastern capital.

Bell Cafe, Costache Negri 12 in Iaşi  Cozy cafe in the back of the central marketplace shops, nice 54g wi-fi.    +40 (232) 222 101

No. 8 Caffe, Teodor Burada 8 in Iaşi  Sister cafe to Bell Cafe, another good neighbourhood choice    +40 (232) 231 512

Spălătoria Auto Willy, Str. Codrescu nr. 6 in Iaşi  Fun and funky, and free wi-fi.    +40 (232) 276 143

Terasa Corso, Str. Al. Lapusneanu 11 in Iaşi  Terasa style cafe super for a lazy afternoon, with good upload and download rates and a stable network, open daily until 1am.    +40 (232) 276 143

Time Out, 4 Copou Blvd in Iaşi  The net can also be picked up from Golfo di Napoli's terrace next to Habitat, which is open 24 hours.  Time Out is open late (2am weekdays, 4am weekends). +40 (232) 222 373

Pizza Hut, 1 Strada Palat, next to the Cultural Palace in Iaşi  On the gronud floor of the Moldova Mall, this Pizza Hut storefront offers free wi-fi to eager pizza-eaters.  Open daily 9am-11pm. +40 (232) 248 080 or  +40 (749) 275 424

Arte Cafe, Str. M. Kogalniceanu nr. 11 in Iaşi   Just behind the Mihai Eminescu high school, open daily until 1130pm.    +40 (746) 450 085

Club Motor, 17 Mangeron Blvd  in Iaşi  Pool table, ping-pong and non-stop fun, open 24 hours. +40 (232) 279 000

Take Eat, B-dul Stefan cel Mare at Casa Modei in Iaşi  A few net problems reported here, on the ground floor of the Fashion House complex.  Open daily 8am-last client   +40 (332) 405 563 or +40 (332) 405 564

Ciric Hotel Complex, Around the Ciric Hotel Complex (Complexul Hotelier Ciric) in Iaşi.  Connect to the c*free (Ciric) wireless network

Galaţi

Gaining strength from the confluences of the Danube, Prut and Sireţ rivers, Galaţi's greatness comes from it's location at the intersection of river, road and rail, with substantial freight activity.

Club B50, Public HotSpot at Strada Nicolae Balcescu Nr. 50 (Club B50) in Galaţi.  Connect to the c*free (B50) wireless network

Viva Market (wip.ro), Public HotSpot at Strada Armata poporului, Bloc D3a, around the Viva Market area in the Mazepa 2 quarter in Galaţi.  Connect to the c*free (wip.ro) wireless network

Fagului HotSpot, Public HotSpot at Strada Fagului Nr.4 in Galaţi.  Connect to the c*free (Fagului 4) wireless network

Muntenia

Bucharest

Bucharest has about a quarter of Romania's public hotspots, with the capital city sporting about 20 across hotels, bars, restaurants, cafes and a few public spaces. 

One of the better and more convenient spots in Bucharest is in front of the National Theatre, next to the Intercontinental hotel, and just metres from the Universitate Metro (underground subway) station. 

Cafe Culture

	One of our top 3 Bucharest choices is the cozy uptown All4U Cafe on 19 Amzei Church Street (Str. Biserica Amzei 19).  Synonymous with The Tonka Soul Cafe, next to the jeans outlet of the same name, offers a great spot to have a coffee, get competitive with their extensive games downstairs, listen to some seriously progressive house beats, or find a quite corner and relax while you type away.   Serving the university types, this internet cafe has 11b access.   Call on +40 (722) 665 454, or e-mail Mihai here for details.
	Further north, the trendy Turabo Cafe in their Dorobanti location (not far from the Metro station, at Calea Dorobanti Nr. 20-28) offers wi-fi with your cuppa.  One of six locations in Bucharest and since early 2007, in Iaşi as well, their website touts that "Businessmen, expats, young professionals, statesmen, stars and… models come to our four [Bucharest] locations every day, every month." EMail Tudor Here (the "Tu" in Turabo) for more info.
	Rooms Lounge at 28-30 Mendeleev is a wayyy cool spot for some hot bandwidth.  Colourful, trendy and relaxed on weeknights, but think about throbbing music on Saturday nights and a some sweet city views.  Check out their website or e-mail Victor here. Phone: (730) 076 667.
	The Pizza Hut restaurant chain in Romania offers free wireless hotspots to customers at their Dorobanti, Calea Mosilor, Calea Victoriei and Plaza Romania locations in Bucharest.

Hotels and Offices

	The iconic Intercontinental Hotel in downtown Bucharest offers wireless for it's guests.   It does have a rather extensive lobby area, so dress with a collar and pick up the good juice.  At 4 Nicolae Balcescu Blvd next to the national theatre, you can't miss it.  Wireless Data Connection Fee is 10€ for guests, and 15€ in the public areas.  E-mail them here, of call the front desk at +40 (21) 310 2020 or FAX: +40 (21) 312 0486.
	The Hotel Ambasador offers free wireless connections for patrons from it's crazy-concrete pseudo-Deco formal facade at 8-10 Magheru Blvd.  Brunches from 12€, coffee service from 4€.  E-mail the Ambasador or call the Hotel on +40 (21) 312 9080 for more information.
	The Pensiunea Casa Mica (Little House Pension) at 74 Gen'l Petre Popovat St., over in Sector 6 is one of the few proper pensions in the city offering wi-fi free to it's guests. Rather nicely located out near the Orchideea shopping complex featuring the hypermarket Carrefour, if you're basing yourself in Bucharest for any time and need in-house wireless, this pension offers affordable rooms from 25€, with restaurant and pool.  E-mail the Casa Mica, or phone on +40 (21) 223 8538, +40 (749) 114 663 or FAX: +40 (21) 221 1169.
	Another downtown well-known property for those seeking free wi-fi (available throughout the hotel) is the Hotel Dalin in the city centre at 70-72 Mărăseşti Blvd in Sector 4.  A hotel of undeniable calm and class, you can find single rooms often available sub-100€ in this beautiful property with some of the best-done rooms for Westerners, while still retaining a uniquely Romanian flavour.  Book online, e-mail, or phone on (21) 335 5541 or FAX: +40 (21) 335 5541.

	Somewhat bizarrely, the national Ice Hockey Federation offers a free wireless hotspot, presumably to enthusiasts at 35-37 Basarabiei Blvd in Sector 2.   Email the Federation for more info, or call on  +40 (21) 324 7713 or  +40  (21) 648 7216.
	Mailers on Sos. Fundeni nr. 117-121 in Sector 2 charges to connect for it's office wi-fi at this direct marketing campaign company.   E-mail Mailers or call on  +40  (21) 305 4100, +40  (723) 290 401,  or FAX: +40 (21) 305 4109.
	Mach9 offers wireless internet services to other businesses, and also offers wireless from their "Head Office Group" sales offices at 71 Sirenelor Street.  E-mail Mach 9 here or call their offices on (31) 401 1083 or (744) 202 784 for more info.

Neighbourhood HotSpots

	The Wi-Fi Zone RO is an independent HotSpot provider in Sector 1 on the ninth floor of an apartment block  at Bd. Banu Manta 22, Bl. 29, sc1, et 9, ap 39.   Call ahead on +40 (722) 739 056 for hours available.
	Str. Hatisului HotSpot, Public HotSpot at Strada Hatisului, Sect. 2, Bucuresti in Bucureşti.  Connect to the c*free (Bucuresti) wireless network
	Tei Sector 2 HotSpot, Public HotSpot at Strada Inginerilor Tei, Sect. 2, Bucuresti in Bucureşti.  Connect to the c*free (Tei) wireless network
	The Pink Panther (Pantera Roz) on Str.Campia Libertatii, Nr.6, Bl.PM52, Sc.D, Ap.182 is another block business in Bucharest, you can try them on +40 (729) 729 335  or EMail the Pink Panther  here.

Buşteni

Offering summer and winter delights for any traveller, Buşteni is the gateway to the Bucegi mountains and some fabulous hiking, skiing and scenery.

Pensiunea Orange, Public HotSpot at Pensiunea Orange in Buşteni on B-dul Libertăţii nr.79 in Buşteni.  Connect to the c*free (Orange) wireless network

Câmpulung-Muscel

Happily located halfway between Dracula's real castle (at Curtea de Argeş), and Dracula's tourist castle (at Bran)

Pro Sedna, Public HotSpot courtesy Pro Sedna Interactive at Strada Lascar Catargiu, Nr. 7 in Câmpulung-Muscel.  Connect to the c*free (sedna) wireless network

Ploieşti

In the gritty oil town of Ploieşti, maybe it's lucky that even one business is sharing it's bandwidth, although this medical centre is not the most likely tourist destination one would hope!

ProSmile Medical Centre, 81A Bobălna Street in Ploieşti  Try not to alarm anyone as you sit there with your laptop and take-away latte.   +40 (722) 720 447

Predeal

România's highest resort facilities rest majestically atop the Bucegi mountains and some inspirational hiking, skiing and stunning views.

Cold Creek Hotel, Public HotSpot at Hotel Piriul Rece, Predeal, in the Piriul Rece Quarter in Predeal.  Connect to the c*free (Piriul Rece) wireless network

Sinaia

Just when you thought it couldn't get weirder.   We're not sure how close this is to Peleş castle, although it is certainly far away culturally.

MOTO Store ATVs and Scooters, Calea Bucureşti, nr. 66A in Sinaia  Rent a scooter after you log on to the free wi-fi.  The garage is at Piatra Arsa 1 if you need your ATV looked at.    YAHOO!  +40 (244) 312 392 or +40 (344) 814 220

Slobozia

Halfway along the rich and fertile wide alluvial plains between Bucharest and the Danube River is regional centre Slobozia.  If you're heading to or from the Romanian Riviera and need to stop, you can be connected within 15 minutes of the freeway.

Stil Invest, 27 Matei Basarab Street in Slobozia Right along the main drag, this business offers free wireless to those in need.  Stop into Slobozia from the Freeway of the Sun, quick and convenient (adds a half hour to your trip) +40 (243) 234 164  FAX: +40 (243) 234 164

The Black Sheep of the Clubs This hot little night spot in Baia Mare keeps the locals coming back and the tourists happy with free wireless internet.  Check out the info for the Oiţa Neagră (little black sheep) to the left.

Photo:  Oiţa Neagră

University Wireless at Suceava A rather good map of the reception areas at the campus of the Ştefan cel Mare university in Suceava

Image:  USV

Oltenia

Râmnicu-Vâlcea

Enjoy your pizza and beer at the Pizza Hut on the River Olt.  Really, one of the last places we expected wireless and pizza.

Pizza Hut, in the downtown River Plaza, Calea lui Traian, nr 125 in Râmnicu Vâlcea  When the urge for pepperoni and checking your e-mail hits you, this is the place to revel in a hot slice of Americana. Open until 10pm, 11pm Sat/Sun.    +40 (250) 732 613 or +40 (749) 099 042

Dobrogea

Constanţa

Sleepy seaside summer-town Constanţa is hardly the cosmopolitan hub, and the dearth of little cafe's with wireless is noticeable. 

Appraisals Office, bd. Tomis nr. 295, bl. T16, ap.26 Constanţa  What is this place? Please e-mail us if you know. Or call on +40 (341) 428 921

CMI Dumbrâva Carmen, str. Bogdan Voda Nr. 11 Constanţa.  What is this place? Please e-mail us if you know. Or call on +40 (241)  

Pizza Hut Downtown, between the main PO and Unirii Square, Str Rascoala din 1907, nr 10 Constanţa  Very well placed downtown location close to everything. Daily 10a-10p.    +40 (241) 518 430 or +40 (740) 121 915

Pizza Hut Tom Centre, in the Food Court of the Tom Commercial Complex, 401 Tomis Blvd. Constanţa  Near the Carrefour in the complex, get your pizza and wi-fi 9a-9:30p Mon-Sat. 9a-8p Sundays.    +40 (241) 585 415 or +40 (749) 120 614

Tulcea

Port town on the mighty Danube and hopping off point for the Danube Delta World Heritage Area reserve, and offers another hopping off point for some wireless time before your next journey too!

Deep 2, 40 Portului Street in Tulcea  On the road down to the port.   +40 (745) 075 813

Old Times Pub, 118 Pogoriilor Street in Tulcea  A Romanian take on a classic English pub   +40 (743) 035 285

Pizzeria Datino, 34 Pogoriilor Street in Tulcea  In the ground floor area, down the road from the Old Times Pub

Hotel Delta, 2 Isaccei Street in Tulcea  A rock-solid favourite hotel with good wi-fi.  +40 (240) 514 720

Hotel Rex, 1 Toamnei Street in Tulcea  A modern megalith with equally big amenities in the central financial district, with wireless too!  +40 (240) 511 354

Banat

Buziaş

Buziaş on the road to Oltenia from the Banat makes for a great stopping off point for a bit of wireless and a snack!   We're really not sure about these ones, both sites are in the Alsax company, a French-Romanian company which promotes agrotourism from their 37 A. Şaguna Street head offices.

Alsax Pesticides 1 Griviţei Street in Buziaş  Weed and Feed and Wi-Fi.  Don't laugh, if you need the bandwidth, you'll be there in the parking lot.    +40 (256) 321 184 or (740) 111 601

Alsax Seeds (Seminte)  10 Brediceanu Street in Buziaş  Sister location to the pesticides operation.    +40 (256) 321 184

Timişoara

Romania's western facing regional city.

Van Graph KFe (Cafe), Str. Matei Corvin at Unification Square in Timişoara  Spaced out place, hosts to annual concerts and events.  

Crişana

Arad

With daily flights to Italy, Bucharest and more, and sited on the main highway between Hungary and Transilvania, Arad is becoming Southern Crişana's international hub.

Stada Horea HotSpot, Public HotSpot at the intersection of Strada Horea and B-dul Revolutiei, in the central district (Centru) in Arad.  Connect to the c*free (ARAD) wireless network

Get Your Juice in Oradea! Get the juice into your veins and into your laptop at this vibrant, funky, clean and fun little cafe/bar and restaurant in very western Oradea in the Crişana region!

Photo:  Juice

All4U/Tonkin Café in Bucharest Gamers will love this cellar games centre, get your wi-fi and enjoy the bar too!

Photo: All4U Cafe

Oradea

In addition to the out-and-about town hotspots in Oradea listed below, you can get wi-fi when staying overnight at the Hotels Elite, Impero, Iris, and Nevis.  See our Oradea section for more details.

Juice CoffeeHouse, Str. Vasile Alecsandri 13-15 in Oradea  You've hit the jackpot if you want a cuppa, some free wireless to update your trip blog, and some reasonable music!  +40 (359) 176 455 or +40 (727) 707 404  Restaurant:  +40 (730) 992 222  

La Galleria Restaurant, Str. Madach Imre Nr. 1-5 in Oradea  Good food, good free wi-fi too!  The food is not free however.   +40 (259) 475 490

Complex Comercial Lotus Market, Nufarului nr. 30 in Oradea 
 This huge indoors market area makes for a convenient spot to shop, stop, connect and enjoy!  Find the IT Training centre for good 802.11g reception.  +40 (259) 436 022

The Lotus Complex, HotSpot Zone around the Lotus Commercial Complex in Oradea .  Connect to the c*free (oradeanul.com) wireless network

Profi NurV, HotSpot Zone around Profi in Oradea .  Connect to the c*free (NurV) wireless network

Home HotSpot , Residential HotSpot Strada G. Enescu, nr 18. in Oradea .  Connect to the c*free (Servicii) wireless network

Sânmartin

Sânmartin (Saint Martin) is just 15 minutes south of Oradea via good 4-lane highway near the thermal baths which make the area a tourist destination.  Your accommodation can arrange transport between the airport and Sânmartin.  The twin properties below offer free 54g wi-fi.

Pensiunea Carmena, Baile Felix nr. 64 in Sânmartin  Traditional pension with cabins from under 80RON with breakfast and wireless included! +40 (259) 319 398,   +40 (744) 606 793, or  +40 (740) 247 635.

Pensiunea Connyland, Baile Felix nr. 67/H in Sânmartin.  Two and three star accommodation across 2 and 3 person rooms with wi-fi.   +40 (359) 405 913 or +40 (744) 160 531 FAX: +40 (359) 814 360

Maramureş

Baia Mare

Who would have guessed that in the capital of the land of wooden churches and hearth of the the Maramureş culture, you'd find speedy modern wireless hotspots?   Well, they're here!

Hotel Ambassador, 2 Moldovei Street in Baia Mare  A rather impressive 4-star hotel with wi-fi, conference centre, health centre and great restaurant. Visa, MC, Amex all accepted.   +40 (262) 250 242  FAX: +40 (262) 250 238

Hotel Carpaţi, 16 Minerva Street in Baia Mare  The website at www.hotelcarpati.ro seems to be down .   +40 (262) 214 812

Oiţa Neagră (Little Black Sheep Bar & Restraurant), 59 Victoriei Street in Baia Mare  Fun little spot with bar and restaurant areas and wi-fi for patrons.     +40 (362) 805 619

The Budapest Restaurant, Victoriei Street in Baia Mare  Upscale with  free wi-fi.    +40 (262) 219 897

Transilvania

Alba Iulia

Hotel Cetate at Unirii 3 and the Hotel Park on Str. Primaverii 4 both offer 54g Wi-Fi access, as does the Salon Magic on Dr. Aurel Lazar 7A, and in the old Alba Iulia fortress, head to Pub13 for some free online time and a nice beer!

Hotel Cetate, Strada Unirii 3 in Alba Iulia 
Free wireless in a beautiful historical area near the old fortifications. 
  +40 258 815833  

Hotel Parc, Strada Primaverii 4 in Alba Iulia 
An acceptable hotel with free wireless placed in a historical area of Alba Iulia.
  +40 258 811723