Transportation

Traditional "Maxi-Caruţa" Common even along national highways where other forms of transportation whiz by, the study cart-and-horse combination solves much of local transportation needs to this day.

The photo immediately preceding this notice is Copyright (c)2005 - 2008 Rest Romania SRL, All rights reserved. Photo: © REST ROMÂNIA

The Mad Max Road Crew Local lads of the Rroma minority go between villages to split logs each autumn for elderly villagers

Photo:  Gabonne

 Getting Around in RO

One of the nicer oddities about Romania is that thanks to a low-wage population and decades of socialist fervour has lead to clean subways (no graffiti or even advertising as yet), and a dense network of bus and tram routes in cities.

But as Romanians do so well, embracing Western ways has meant the steady rise of the Maxi-Taxi, known as a mini-bus or carpooling van in America.   Seating between a dozen and 20, these little white people-movers scurry between major centres, and across town too.

Trains too represent a very viable option, with very few tourist destinations missed by at least a small station and a Personal train.  Check out our Romania by Train section here for more info.

However, even if you have a limited budget, a few days or even weeks of having personal transportation can be a real bonus, especially to get to those more out-of-the-way destinations.

Renting a car from the nearest airport is a super way to see Romania, and you have the added benefit of being able to book and pay before you leave home, giving you added security and planning ability. 

If you have any contacts at all in Romania, ask around for a driver if you might enjoy that.  Rates are quite informal and negotiable, depending on where you're going and what you want to do.   You can get by on a short trip out of Bucharest for maybe for a day, and even have your driver overnight with you somewhere from and up.

 Popular Public Transport

If you have come to your senses, and decide to avoid driving around Bucharest for the week, know that about three quarters of people in urban centres are accustomed to using public transport around town, with bus, maxi-taxi and trams being the most often used.  

This is much higher than in English speaking countries, and shows that public transport is NOT a bad idea!

Across Romania, as with the U.S., the public bus is the most used type of public transport, yet it is the quick and direct little maxi-taxi (a van that seats more than a half dozen people) that occupies the first place in terms of actual preference. 

Young people and older passengers in Romania use mass transit more than the national average.

In a recent face to face poll of over 1000 people, the most common mass transit used was the bus (46%), the maxi-taxi (26%) and the tram at 16%.

Normal-Taxi and Maxi-Taxi

Interestingly, about a quarter of residents use the taxi at least once a week, a figure massively over that of normal American cities where usage is as low as 3 to 5%.

Residents in their twenties tend to use a taxi more, being more disposed to invest in their comfort, whereas adults in their 30s rarely use a taxi, being more likely to drive themselves (Romanians buy cars later in life than in English-speaking countries).

The maxi-taxi, being used by a quarter of urban residents, is the most popular form of public transportation. The maxi-taxi is particularly common in the eastern centres, whereas the tram is more used in the western cities such as Timişoara.

Bucharest Transport Plans

Plans are underway to systematise secondary transport routes (maxi-taxi) in Bucharest under a city-wide plan, but this is somewhat like trying to organise chickens in a barnyard.

The microbus and maxi-taxi services in the centre of Bucharest probably relieve congestion more than contribute to it.

Nonetheless, city hall at least wants to reduce the number of companies operating in a bid to maintain a licensing stranglehold in the capital, with a basic position that maxi-taxis don't fit into their urban planning criteria for mass transport.

Additionally, the Bucharest mayor plans on introducing a congestion charge to improve traffic flow, much as London has successfully done in it's centre.   The fee would be based on engine size, and charged annually to residents applying for a permit to enter the zone. 

Your Own Car

 Drive Away!

Clearly the most flexible way to tour Romania is with your own rental car, and whether you go with an international rental company, a national Romanian firm, a regional hire company, or even some guy someone knows with some cars, you'll be pleased with the comparably low rates in Romania.

 Registration and Insurance Required

Traffic laws in Romania are very strict. Local authorities carry out frequent road checks. As a foreign visitor, you must carry vehicle registration and proof of insurance.

For emergency roadside assistance call 112, and for information about road conditions and driving in your area, call the Romanian Auto Club at (021) 222-22-22.

An International Driving Permit (IDP) is recommended. The IDP is an internationally recognized document that, when accompanied by a valid driver’s licence, allows you to drive in Romania (and about 150 other countries) without a specific test.

You can also use your IDP as a form of picture identification in case of a lost or stolen passport. An IDP is valid for one year from the date of issue. Your local automobile association is usually the sole issuer of the IDP.

Your Big Day on Romania's Roads

First of all, are you SURE you want to drive in Romania?  Is there NO way you can hire a driver of some sort or use a bus?

If you are determined to drive, at least remember to drive defensively, as traffic accidents are a common cause of death and injury. Road conditions vary. Apart from major city streets and intercity highways, most roads are in disrepair, poorly lit, narrow, and without marked lanes.

Driving after dark, especially for non-locals, is really not at all recommended, due to unsafe conditions, including horse-drawn carts without lights and wandering livestock.   That said, national roads are generally clear and easy enough to navigate, although mountainous sections can be challenging. 

 Get a Guy.  No, Seriously.

If you are in Romania for more than a few days, using a private vehicle will become a real option.  You might even afford your own driver to go with the car if the owner is not particularly busy.  All cities are full of young men with too much time on their hands.  E-mail us if you need one.

Not only will you make a friend for life, you'll help out a guy who is probably fairly responsible, has poor prospects of getting a real job in the near future, and who can really use the cash.   But, as with your typical taxi driver, make sure you work out all the details and prices ahead of time.  And remember, the price you pay him daily is way less than the $100 a day you can spend on a car rental!

car rental

Major Rental Companies in Romania:

These car hire firms (rental car companies for Americans) all serve Romania in Bucharest and many have depots in other towns. 

All international agencies (Hertz, Avis, Budget, National/Europcar, and Thrifty) maintain a presence at Bucharest's Henri Coanda International Airport as well as downtown offices, and most also have airport and city locations in other cities.

The daily rates quoted are based on a U.S. driver hiring for a week.  Actual overnight and daily rates may be higher, and amounts do not include insurance (some travel insurance cover the excess/deductible amounts).  Rates shown updated annually, for an accurate comparison please contact each rental company to confirm rates.

  Heavy Wheels rent-a-car agency in Bucharest

If you know something about , let us know here!  We'll review and include your helpful info in our next update of this page!

maxi-taxis

Braşov Maxi-Taxi Depot This maxi-taxi stand in Braşov is where the Bucharest routes terminate and depart.

The photo immediately preceding this notice is Copyright (c)2005 - 2008 Rest Romania SRL, All rights reserved. Photo: © REST ROMÂNIA

Example Maxi-Taxi Charges Current late 2006

From Bucharest to:   Constanţa Mangalia Bacău Iaşi Câmpina Târgovişte Ploieşti Braşov Sibiu - Cluj Baia-Mare Râmnicu-Vâlcea Drobeta Turnu-Severin Oradea Arad Timişoara -

Major Maxi Taxi Routes in Bucharest Many of the Bucharest MaxiTaxis serve shopping centres and destinations on the fringes of the city

701 Magazin Cora - Autogara Obor 702 Gura Ialomitei - Str. Burnitei 703 Str. Marin Grigore - Str. Radu Dudescu 704 Str. D-tru Brumarescu - Str. Zanoaga 705 Str. Pogoanelor - Bd. Camil Ressu 706 Str. Sinei - Str. Margelelor 707 Sos. Alexandriei - Piscu Crasani 708 Str. Pucheni - Str. Crasna-Boja 709 Str. Luncii - Cimitirul Ghencea 2 710 Str. Ghidigeni - Poiana Largului 711 Bd. Laminorului - Str. Lonea 712 Pod Chitila - Gara Baneasa 713 Bd. Regiei - Bioterra Baneasa 714 Magazin XXL - Selgros Baneasa 715 Andronache - Str. Dragomiresti 716 Pod Grozavesti - Piata Progresul 717 Str. Nitu Vasile - Magazin Cora

Romania's Favourite Public Transportation

The flexible and fast maxi-taxis run between all major cities regularly, with daily services provided by a variety of companies.

About a quarter of Romanians use the Maxi-Taxi for their transportation needs, and as a traveller, you should too!   Whilst bus travel between cities and in cities is the most used, Romanians actually prefer the maxi-taxi, usually priced somewhere between a bus or tram and a regular taxi.

Maxi-Taxis:  Popular, Not Planned

While most Romanians choose the bus for their public transport needs, most of these riders would prefer something else -- namely, the maxi-taxi.

Clearly the market exists for the maxi-taxi, but route expansion is not on the cards according to Bucharest city planners.

While the city government tries to introduce stricter licensing, insurance and quality standards, Bucharesteans have few complaints about the maxi taxi services, which on some routes offer an attractive alternative to more expensive taxis and decidedly more crowded city busses and trams.

Plans are underway to systematise secondary transport routes (maxi-taxi) in Bucharest under a city-wide plan, but this is somewhat like trying to organise chickens in a barnyard.

The microbus and maxi-taxi services in the centre of Bucharest probably relieve congestion more than contribute to it.

Nonetheless, city hall at least wants to reduce the number of companies operating in a bid to maintain a licensing stranglehold in the capital, with a basic position that maxi-taxis don't fit into their urban planning criteria for mass transport.

Maxi-Taxi Legislation

While the Maxi-Taxi industry is composed of a de-facto oligarchy of private companies, the bidding process run by the government and the underlying legislation ensure the companies are regulated to EU standards.

However, television news crews have a hard time staying away from a maxi-taxi accident, leading to the (probably incorrect) impression the industry is less safe than other mass road users. 

While adequate safeguards, requirements and penalties exist in Romanian law, enforcement by the Romanian Road Authority and the police have only recently been prioritised to ensure operators comply with their license conditions and current regulations.  With the addition to their fleets of more monitoring vehicles, there is at least the likelihood that the obvious violators will be fined and taken off the road.

Company Ownership

The government holds competitive auctions for maxi-taxi routes between the major cities, with dozens of companies bidding to win the lucrative routes.

Most of the 230 or so maxi-taxis plying routes out of and around Bucharest on 26 approved routes are leased by the operators, with fleet sizes varying widely.   There is a bewilderingly heavy cross-ownership amongst the maxi-taxi companies, and these consortia share some routes.   In some cases, 22 companies are involved in some way across 9 actual vans, with some of those similarly invested in other maxi-taxis and companies. 

CITY BUSES and Trams

The Most-Used Transport Option

The public transportation system in most Romanian cities is a combined system of buses (electric or diesel) and trams.  Romanians make a distinction between liquid fuel powered buses, and those powered by electricity, calling them "trolley-bus" funnily enough. 

The Wheels on the Bus Go Round and Round

(Albeit rather slowly most of the time)

City buses are the best choice for those who can figure out the route systems, which are arguably simpler than many more honed networks in the USA and UK.   

The public Transportation is served in Bucharest on a 228 square km area, with a number of 111 transport lines, out of which 26 are trams, 19 trolley-busses and 66 busses, with 1,926 stations, and the total length is 355 Km, 143 for trams, 72 for trolley-busses and 304 for busses.

In 2005 969 millions of persons have used the ground public transportation, 436 choosing the tram, 97 the trolley-bus and 436 million the bus. The daily number of travellers was: for trams 1.45 million, for trolley-busses 0.32 million and for busses 1.45 million.

ROMANIAN TAXIS

The Long Hard Drive

Taxi drivers ("taximetriştii") have protested en masse and complained bitterly over increased certification requirements in legislation over the past few years, although most of these merely brought local standards up to European and world standards. 

One of the new tenants of a 2004 law for the first time prevented a taxi driver with a suspended driving license from actually driving a taxi.   A brave new world.

Increased petrol prices of course have not made the cabbie's life a dream, and at around $2000USD, certification costs really are fairly steep compared with a decade ago. So, your taxi driver is not looking for pity, but be generous in your negotiations and you'll get a great taxi ride!

Your Romanian Ride

Figuring out the public transportation is not always the easiest thing to do when you arrive in a new Romanian town.  

While the bus, trolley-bus and tram system in most cities is really quite good (a far greater percent of urban Romanians use these than in English-speaking countries), getting a taxi is often the quickest and easiest choice for cross-town travel. 

Once "negotiated", your taxi travel in Romania will actually cost about one-half to two-thirds the price of a comparable trip in your home city.   Being a foreigner, your trip will cost a bit more, but the relative cost of the trip to you is still well below that for a Romanian!   Even at the gently-to-highly inflated price you'll pay, you're still getting off cheap. 

How Your Taxi Fare is "Calculated"

(Yes, we're joking)

Your driver will have several methods at his (there are few female drivers) disposal.  These techniques are most commonly used with visitors and to a lesser extent, local residents who don't take taxis much.

"The Little Understanding" remains a very common way for the driver to secure what he considers a reasonable price for your trip.  Do beware the "Sharks" who pander to those who don't know the actual tariffs and the obligations of the taxi driver. Drivers will claim tariffs are out of date even under the noses of police and traffic cops. 

"Monkey with the Button" is the most used and most profitable method of taking the passenger. "The Mobile Phone" is a method recently introduced in the arsenal of the taxi scamster. Many times, the same distance travelled by the taxi with the same tariff can result in different costs due to the

actual speed control being nobbled to show a much higher speed. 

1.  "The Little Understanding"

This method is fairly common actually.  Especially at night, drivers do a trip for an established sum, which is always a bit higher than it should be if it were metered at the proper tariff. All done without taxes or receipt of course!

2.  "Rounding Off"

One trip of 2.57 Euros for example was rounded off to 3 Euros, so the driver wouldn't have to give the rest of the change. "It's simpler to calculate and to not worry about the small change", says a taxi driver.

3.  "You Call This a Taxi?"

Don't be surprised if a "taxi" drives up without tariffs posted in the window or with out-of-date tariffs showing from 10 years ago. If you don't pay attention when you're getting into the cab, or don't ask the actual fare, you'll find yourself at the destination with a seriously inflated fare.

4.  "The Sharks Attack"

The worst offenders of the inflated price are the "sharks", or the illegal drivers who with the help of a radio interceptor for dispatcher calls arrive smiling with no meter, no posted tariffs, and negotiate solely on a per-trip basis. Never a great deal.

5.  "The Little Wheels Go Round and Round"

Another rather efficient method of scamming the passenger is to put tyres which are too small on the car. Thusly, the measured distance by the taxi meter, which was calibrated for normal tyres, will be automatically inflated. But it's an old trick, and most police are on the look-out for this one.

6.  "Dial-a-Deal"

One ingenious little scam taxi drivers have used involved the mobile phone (or "cell phone" as Americans prefer). You need to have two mobiles, where one is older and gives out more radiation. This is put next to the meter behind where the speed cable comes in. Then, somewhere along the journey, the hidden mobile is called from the driver's mobile, the sudden radiation burst will bump up the recorded speed dramatically.

This is very hard to detect or prove, with the other phone well hidden away. But, if you keep an eye on the meter, the sudden jump in recorded fare should alert you to something being amiss.  That, and the driver having just fiddled with his phone might be another good clue!

7.  "Monkey the Button"

The meter, which calculates the speed, distance and cost of the trip is a fake. Here comes the "monkey". It's an electronic device which transmits impulses at the press of a button. The impulses cause the meter to register, for short periods, a greater speed than what the taxi is actually going, thus increasing the price. The most used locations for this "monkey box" are under the gear box, near the brake pedal, in the driver's dor or under the driver's seat. The most sophisticated versions use a remote to monkey about with the meter, although these cost upwards of 350 Euros.

Your Countermeasures

The Alternative to Taxis Most major cities are reasonably well served by a system of busses, trams and/or trolley-busses.  Once you figure out how to buy a ticket, it's cheap and gets you there.

The photo immediately preceding this notice is Copyright (c)2005 - 2008 Rest Romania SRL, All rights reserved. Photo: © REST ROMÂNIA

Children's Parking at the Mall Parking for the wee ones at a Râmnicu Vâlcea shopping centre

Photo:  B Dinu

You are far from helpless against these techniques!  Simply pay attention and know the tariff before agreeing to travel with the taxi.

Don't just get in and let the taxi take you away into a world of unknown fares.  If you are not comfortable with negotiating your fare, don't take a taxi -- figure out the bus and tram schedules (The airport shuttle service, route 783 is reasonably fast and about 2E)

You must know how much the trip costs before you even talk to a taxi driver. Call the company or ask someone who knows. When the driver tries rounding or a little understanding with you, hold firm and let the driver know what you will pay. He is free to concentrate on more lucrative fares, so simply move on to the next taxi driver.

However, if you are not Romanian, it is your unwritten duty to pay a bit extra. The reasons are so long, that it's pointless to resist. The Romanian version of "fair" is well-intended, and while it does not match the English-speaker's version of "fair", both sides are sincere and well-intended.

Frankly, when you compare what that extra 1 Euro means to you, and what the extra 1 Euro means to the taxi driver and his family, it's a little rude to be cheap. So, smile, but be firm, and don't let your new best friend take advantage of you -- too much. 

In summary, keep in mind:

1.  FOR REAL?  Make sure it is a "real" taxi and ask in English if the posted tariffs are current.  If the guy can't answer in reasonable English, move on, pretend to be uninterested and in a hurry.

2.  MAKE AN OFFER!  When the driver shrugs or is inexact about the total fare, make an offer for the trip.  The driver should meter you according to the law, but your offer can be for the meter plus a "tip".  Start low and find the middle ground. 

3.  CLOSE THE DEAL!  Just be firm.  Give an understanding smile to his complaints, let him know life is hard for everyone.  If he keeps trying to jack up the price, smile broadly as you tell him you expect a discount for the complaining.  Be genuine as you give your thanks as you hand over the money.  If you pay him less than a small fortune, he will think he is doing you a big favour anyways, and will probably act slightly injured.  Capitalism has come late to Romanians, so standards and expectations are still a little strange sometimes.

Get a Regular Ride for the Longer Term

If you are a regular taxi user around the same parts of town, consider using the same guy at a negotiated rate.  You DO need to have figured out by this point how to make a Romanian back down from an outrageously high offer, but if you have this skill, you can do well. 

You will make a real friend this way (the friend-for-money dynamic in Romania is common and relationships like this can be bizarrely genuine). Whilst using the illegal taxis is a bad idea for several reasons, if you are in town for a while, even a dodgy ride from somebody's brother can be negotiated at a good rate.   And because of the seemingly endless network of friend of friends of relatives that exists at all level of business and life in Romania, you will also find good shopping, restaurants, and reasonably useful help with getting things done.

Your Bucharest Airport Taxi Options

In Bucharest, Cris Taxi offers good service and drivers who are rarely a hassle.  Get a phone card online (Nobelcom offers cards with a free-call 1-800 type number in Romania) and call Cris Taxi as you are clearing customs and getting your baggage.  Alternately you can get money out of the ATMs at the airport and buy a phone card at one of the kiosks there.

They'll run a taxi out to the airport for you -- yes, you'll pay and extra 2 Euros or so for the call, but you'll come out better than using the monopoly service "Fly Taxi".  Cris charges 45 U.S. cents per km (call them for current rates), where as Fly is more in the 60 cent range.

Fly Taxi is a good service, good clean cabs and receipts included.  For a traveller used to American or English taxi rates, you won't even notice the increased rates, which is about $1USD per mile.  So, $12 - 17 will get you in from either airport (Baneasa or Otopeni), depending on where you are going in Bucharest.

In any case, keep the driver's charges to what is on the meter, and do watch the meter for any curious little jumps.  There is no airport tax or surcharge, so don't let suggestions of any extras increase your fare.  Fly pays 20EUD to the airport monthly per cab, but this is not your responsibility.

Again, with Cris and Fly this is almost never a problem and is rarely reported.   Read our Travel Forum for more information from other travellers about Taxis and airports.  Of course, by far the best solution is to have a friend pick you up.  Or make a little deal with anyone you know who will drive you and that you can pay.  Most Bucharesters would be pleased to offer the service for 20 dollars or so!

intercity coaches

These run between all major cities regularly, with service daily to 5 times daily

The Taxi Scandal at Henri Coanda Airport

Your Taxi Choices at Otopeni