Shopping

Since the 1990s, brand names and high-end stores have been pushing their way into the Romanian market. From high fashion boutiques to art galleries, shopping in Bucharest can fit any taste or budget. Stroll down Blvd. Magheru from Piata Romana to Piata Universitatii for a shopping extravaganza or hit one of the many shopping malls favored by the local rich & famous.

» Shopping Centers
Bucuresti Mall
Address: Calea Vitan 55-59, Bucharest
Tel: (21) 327.67.00
Web: www.bucurestimall.com.ro
Open: Mon. - Sun. 10:00am - 10:00pm

Mario Plaza
Address: Calea Dorobantilor 172, Bucharest
Tel: (21) 230.47.71
Open: Mon. - Sat. 10:00am - 9:00pm, Sun. 10:00am - 2:00pm

Plaza Romania Mall
Address: Blvd. Timisoara 26, Bucharest
Tel: (21) 407.84.16
Web: www.plazaromania.ro/index.php
Open: Mon. - Sun. 10:00am - 10:00pm

Unirea Center
Address: Piata Unirii 1, Bucharest
Tel: (21) 303.03.07
Web: www.unireashop.ro/index_en.php
Open: Mon. - Sat. 9:00am - 10:00pm; Sun. 9:00pm - 6:00pm

World Trade Plaza
Address: Blvd. Expozitiei 2, Bucharest
Tel: (21) 202.44.50
Open: Mon. - Sun. 8am - 8pm

Car rental

Cars can be rented at the Henri Coanda International Airport and major hotels. Main cities in Romania are covered for both pick-up and collection services.

Note: driving a car is recommended only for travel outside Bucharest

Auto Management - Rent a car
Tel: 723 162.679
Email: contact@rent-romania.ro
Web: www.rent-romania.ro

Autorent (Thrifty)
Henri Coanda International Airport
Tel: 740.002.000
Email: office@autorent.ro
Web: www.autorent.ro

Avis
Henri Coanda International Airport
Tel: (21) 201.19.57
Email: reservations@avis.ro
Web: www.avis.ro

Budget
Henri Coanda International Airport
Tel: (21) 204.16.67
Email: budget@pcnet.ro
Web: www.budget.com

Emerald Automobile
Address: Str. Bihor 9
Tel: (21) 318.53.95
Email: office@emerald-auto.ro
Web: www.emerald-auto.ro

Euro Cars
Henri Coanda International Airport
Tel: 788.484.811
Email: office@eurocars.ro
Web: www.eurocars.ro

Europcar
Henri Coanda International Airport
Tel: (21) 201.49.37
Email: europcar@dataserv.ro
Web: www.europcar.com

Euro Service Amerom
Henri Coanda International Airport
Tel: 745.189.951
Email: esa@arexim.ro
Web: www.esa.ro

Hertz
Henri Coanda International Airport
Tel: (21) 201.49.54
Email: reservations@hertz.com.ro
Web: www.hertz.com.ro

Sixt
Henri Coanda International Airport
Tel: (21) 201.46.26
Email: email@sixt.ro
Web: www.sixt.ro

Taxi companies

Several taxi companies operate in the city. Taxis can be summoned by telephone or hailed on the street. Fares per km are posted on driver's and passenger doors.

Average Taxi fares:
Initial Fee: 2.0 Lei ($0.7) plus 2.0 Lei / km ($1.12 / mile)

Check the taxi fares and ask the driver to confirm the approximate cost of the ride, if not sure. Please note that some taxi companies may post and/or charge up to five times the fares mentioned above.

Alfa - 9488
As - 9435
Cristaxi - 9461
Cobalcescu - 9451
Fly - 9440
Leone - 9425
Meridian - 9444
Mondial- 9423
Perozzi - 9631
Prof Taxi - 9422
Speed - 9477
Taxi 2000 - 9494

Public Transportation

Bucharest has an efficient public transportation network made up of: bus (autobuz), tram (tramvai) and trolley bus (troilebuz) as well as subway (Metrou).

The ground transportation system operates - between 5:00am and 11:59pm.

Tickets must be purchased beforehand and validated in the ticket-stamping machine upon boarding. You may be requested to show the stamped ticket during the trip. One-way tickets or passes valid for one day, one week, 15 days or one month can be purchased at any kiosk displaying the RATB logo. A one-way ticket is 1.3 Lei (approx. 50 cents). Tickets are interchangeable for the bus, tram and trolley bus, with the exception of express buses.

The express bus system is more useful for reaching destinations outside the city centre, as only a few express buses actually pass through the centre itself. Two- or 10-journey tickets, as well as monthly passes, are available for these buses.

RATB maps can be found at kiosks near bus and tram stops or you can print one here.

The subway (Metrou) is best for getting around the city centre; the system operates -between 5:00am and 11:30pm.

There are four metro lines (M1, M2, M3 and M4). The most frequently used line is the north-south M2 line (going from Pipera to IMGB, stopping at Piata Victoriei, Piata Romana, Universitate and Piata Unirii along the way. Metro stations are indicated by white signs with a blue "M." Tickets can be purchased inside the stations at counters indicated by a "Casa" sign.

Metro maps can be printed here or can be purchased in bookshops and kiosks (and are also posted near the ticket gate entrance). The final destination is indicated on the front of the train. Each stop is announced as the train nears the station. At peak times, they arrive every four to seven minutes, off-peak times every 15-20 minutes.

There are two types of ticket - two-trip 2.2 Lei (approx. $1.00) and ten-trip 8.0 Lei (approx. $3.00) tickets. One-day and one-month passes are also available at the station.

Festivals and Events

Easter Gifts National Arts & Crafts Fair (April)
International Music Festival "Jeunesses Musicales" (May)

Bucharest International Music Festival "EuropaFest" (May)

Bucharest of Old Festival (May) (May)

'GayFest' Gay Pride Festival (May) (May)

Bucharest 'ArtPhoto' Image & Photography Festival (May - June)
Bucharest International Film Festival (April)

Bucharest "D'Ale Bucurestilor" Street Music Festival (June)

Craftsmen's Fair (June - July)

Bucharest City Challenge - Car Racing (August)
George Enescu Music Festival (September- every two years)

International Furniture and Interior Design Fair / BIFE-TIMB (September)
Romania Tennis Open - an ATP event (September)
eXplore International Contemporary Dance Festival (October)
Winter Gifts Arts & Crafts Fair - Museum of the Romanian Peasant (December)