Overview
- Capital: Bucharest. Major gateways: OTP (Bucharest Henri Coandă); regional: CLJ (Cluj-Napoca), TSR (Timișoara), SBZ (Sibiu), IAS (Iași).
- Language: Romanian; English widely spoken in tourism/cities.
- Currency: Romanian Leu (RON). Cards widely accepted; ATMs common.
- VAT/Sales tax: Standard 19%. Non-EU residents can use Tax-Free Shopping at participating stores—request forms, keep receipts, and get a customs stamp on exit from the EU.
- Power: 230V / 50Hz, plugs Type F (Euro two-pin also fits some sockets). Bring a universal adaptor.
- Water: Tap water is generally safe in cities, though taste varies—many travellers prefer bottled.
- Driving: Right-hand driving. Good highways between major centres; winter conditions in mountains. Some renters may request an International Driving Permit—check before travel.
- Time: UTC+2 (EET); summer DST UTC+3 (EEST).
- Health: No mandatory vaccines for most travellers. Consider routine updates; carry any personal meds.
- Local culture: Majority Orthodox Christian; modest dress in churches/monasteries; ask before photos. Bargaining is light-touch in markets (not in shops).
- Food & drink: Hearty and regional—sarmale (cabbage rolls), mici (grilled minced rolls), ciorbă (soups), mămăligă (polenta), papanași (dessert), plus excellent Transylvanian wines and craft beer. Good vegetarian options on request. Legal drinking age 18.
Airfare
International flights
- Not included unless specifically stated.
- We’ll confirm your exact arrival/departure airport(s) (usually OTP). If your itinerary ends in another city, book open-jaw or add a domestic hop.
- Please wait for our written tour confirmation before booking personal international flights.
- Typical booking windows: best economy pricing ~3–5 months out; business class ~5–8 months.
- Check baggage rules carefully—some regional fares are hand-luggage only unless you add a bag.
- Want us to handle it? We can book and ticket your international flights (service fee applies), align schedules to the land itinerary, share fare options, and assist with airline timing changes.
Domestic / regional flights (within your itinerary)
- Where used, they’re usually included (unless otherwise stated) and ticketed in economy.
- Allowances follow the operating carrier; details appear on your final docs.
- Fares remain subject to change until ticketed due to airport/government taxes and exchange-rate movements; any increases/refunds will be communicated promptly.
Good to know: Names must exactly match passports; allow 3 hours for international and 90 minutes for domestic check-in.
Travel Insurance
Comprehensive travel insurance is mandatory—medical cover, trip cancellation/curtailment, lost property and any paid-for activities. If your itinerary includes mountain walks or winter travel, ensure your policy covers those conditions and medical evacuation.
Tour Leader
Afrigay trips are hosted by Mike or a trusted Tour Leader, with licensed local specialist guides in each region (Bucharest, Transylvania, monasteries, castles). Your leader manages logistics, check-ins, safety briefings, day pacing and the thoughtful touches that make a trip feel special.
Travelling Alone
Solo travellers are very welcome. You can:
- Room solo (single supplement applies), or
- Opt to share—we’ll try to pair you with a traveller of similar profile to avoid the supplement. If we can’t match you, we’ll offer the best single rate available.
Meals
Inclusions vary by itinerary and are shown on the What’s included tab. We aim to include a Welcome Dinner and a Farewell Dinner so the group connects at the start and celebrates at the end. Not all meals are included—we leave space to explore the local scene. We happily cater for vegan/vegetarian, gluten-free and other needs—please advise in advance.
Optional Activities
Only the activities listed as Included on your trip page are part of your package. Anything else is optional and not included.
If you’d like extras, we can arrange them at additional cost—before travel or on tour—subject to availability, season, weather and any minimum numbers. Optional add-ons are usually paid direct to suppliers; if we pre-book, they’ll appear on your invoice. Your insurance must cover any optional activity you choose.
Tipping Protocol
Tipping is customary but at your discretion. EUR figures below use a simple guide RON 5 ≈ €1 (check live rates).
- Restaurants/Bars: 5–10% if service isn’t included.
- Taxis/e-hailing: round up.
- Hotel porters: RON 10–20 per bag (~€2–4).
- Housekeeping: RON 10–20 per room per night (~€2–4).
- Local guide/driver (day touring): RON 50–100 p.p. per day (~€10–20, group-size dependent).
- Tour Leader (multi-day Afrigay host): €5–10 p.p. per day—aligned with common global norms.
Your Tour Leader will brief you on any hotel/restaurant service charges that may already be added.
What to Bring
- Passport & copies, visas (if required), insurance details.
- Bank cards and a little cash (RON for markets/tips).
- Euro plug adaptor (Type F), power bank, unlocked phone for eSIM/SIM.
- Layers: summers can be hot; spring/autumn are changeable; winters are cold—pack a warm coat/boots if travelling then.
- Comfortable walking shoes, scarf/cover-up for churches/monasteries, sun protection.
- Personal meds and a small first-aid kit.
We’ll send a tour-specific packing cue sheet with your final documents.
LGBTQ+ Information
Same-sex relations are legal in Romania; there is no recognition of same-sex marriage/civil unions. Anti-discrimination laws include sexual orientation in employment/services, but social attitudes vary—major cities like Bucharest, Cluj-Napoca, Timișoara feel more relaxed (annual Pride events), while smaller towns are more conservative. We travel with discretion, avoid public displays of affection where they may attract attention, and work only with vetted, welcoming suppliers. Your Tour Leader will brief the group on safe, respectful conduct so the trip stays joyful.
Additional Information
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Rights Reserved
We may make reasonable changes to the itinerary, accommodation, transport or sequencing when required by weather, safety, governmental advice, availability or operational factors. Equivalent or higher-quality services will be substituted where possible. Afrigay Travel and partners operate within Romanian law and industry standards (and applicable international standards); participation implies acceptance of our full Terms & Conditions issued at booking.
