Bucharest is the capital and largest city of Romania, a Danube-plain metropolis of about 1.7 million people known for the monumental Palace of the Parliament, a revived medieval Old Town, grand Calea Victoriei and its belle epoque 'Little Paris' boulevards. It combines Ottoman-era inns, Brancovenesc churches, interwar villas and communist-era blocks with a lively cafe, bar and live-music scene.
Bucharest is a safe capital with low violent crime against visitors. The US State Department rates Romania Level 1 (Exercise Normal Precautions), the lowest level. The most common problems are pickpocketing on public transport, taxi overcharging, bar and restaurant overcharging in the Old Town, stray dogs, and heavy traffic. Bucharest also has the highest earthquake risk in the country. Normal big-city precautions keep a trip trouble-free.
Current safety advisory
Low
US State Department Level 1 - Exercise Normal Precautions (advisory last issued 14 October 2025; no change found as of October 2026). Romania has moderate seismic activity; Bucharest has the highest earthquake risk.
Last updated: 2026-10-14
Essential safety tips
Practical advice that applies everywhere.
Bucharest is generally safe for visitors; the main risk is petty theft. Pickpockets work the metro, trams, bus 783 from the airport, the Gara de Nord area and crowded Old Town streets, so carry bags in front and keep phones out of back pockets
Use ride-hailing apps (Bolt, Uber, FreeNow) instead of hailing taxis on the street. Look at the price in the app before you ride; drivers at Gara de Nord, Henri Coanda Airport and in the Old Town have been known to overcharge
Stray dogs are still present in some districts, especially around industrial areas, parks and railway land. Do not approach or feed them; if a dog barks, stand still and walk away slowly. For a bite, go to a hospital at once for rabies treatment and call 112
Bucharest has the highest earthquake risk in Romania. In an earthquake, drop, cover under sturdy furniture or against an inside wall, and leave buildings only after shaking stops. Learn the exits of the accommodation on arrival
Old Town (Lipscani) bars sometimes add hidden charges or push tourists into overpriced drinks. Check the printed menu prices, never accept a drink without prices, and ask for an itemised bill (nota de plata) before paying
Traffic is heavy and drivers often do not yield at crosswalks. Cross only at lights, watch for cars turning across the pedestrian signal, and be careful of cyclists and e-scooters on pavements
Winter can bring ice and heavy snow from December to February, and summer heat can reach 35-40 degrees C in July and August. Carry water and avoid midday sun in summer; wear shoes with grip in winter
Keep your passport or ID card with you; Romanian police may ask for ID. Keep a photo copy in your phone and the original in the hotel safe when not needed
Common scams to avoid
Recognise and sidestep tourist-targeted scams.
Taxi overcharging
Unlicensed or aggressive drivers at Henri Coanda Airport arrivals, Gara de Nord and the Old Town quote flat fares many times the metered price, or refuse to turn on the meter
How to avoid: Order Bolt, Uber or FreeNow in the app and confirm the plate number before entering. If you must use a street taxi, pick a licensed one with the tariff displayed on the door (about 3.5-4 lei per km) and insist on the meter
Old Town bar and restaurant overcharging
Some places in Lipscani show low prices outside, then add inflated drinks or service charges, or present menus without prices and bill by the glass at high rates
How to avoid: Read the full menu with prices before sitting, ask about any cover or service charge, check every line of the bill, and avoid touts who pull you off the street into unfamiliar bars
Distraction pickpocketing
Pairs or groups work the metro (especially M1 and M2 at Piata Unirii and Gara de Nord), bus 783 and tram 41; one person distracts or blocks the door while another takes a wallet or phone
How to avoid: Wear bags in front, zip every pocket, hold the phone away from open doors on the metro, and step away if a group crowds you
Currency exchange shortchanging
Street changers and some booths near Gara de Nord and the Old Town offer rates that look attractive, then hand over fewer lei or mixed old notes
How to avoid: Do not exchange on the street. Use a bank ATM or a licensed casa de schimb that displays 'buy' and 'sell' rates, count the money in front of the clerk and keep the receipt
ATM skimming and card cloning
Skimmers have been found on standalone ATMs, especially in tourist areas and near stations
How to avoid: Use ATMs inside bank branches, cover the keypad when entering your PIN, and check for loose card slots. Use contactless card or phone payment wherever possible
Fake police or plainclothes officers
Men claiming to be police ask to check your wallet or passport for 'counterfeit money' or 'drugs'
How to avoid: Real officers will wear uniform and show ID. Do not hand over your wallet; say you will go to a police station or call 112, and walk into a shop or hotel lobby
Health considerations
Staying healthy on your trip.
- Vaccinations
- No vaccinations are required for entry from the EU or US. Routine vaccines should be up to date; hepatitis A and tetanus are commonly advised. Tick-borne encephalitis and Lyme disease are present in forests and parks outside the city, so use repellent if hiking near Bucharest
- Water
- Tap water in Bucharest is treated and legally safe, but many residents and visitors prefer bottled or filtered water because older pipes can affect taste and some buildings have old plumbing. Bottled water costs 3-6 lei ($0.65-1.30) in shops
- Food
- Restaurant and street food hygiene is generally good. Choose busy stalls and cooked-to-order items. Raw milk products and unlabelled home-made items from markets are best avoided if you have a weak stomach
- Facilities
- Bucharest has public and private hospitals. For emergencies call 112 and the ambulance will take you to the nearest emergency room (UPU). Private clinics such as Regina Maria, MedLife and Sanador accept walk-ins and card payments. Pharmacies (farmacie) are marked with a green cross; Catena, Help Net, Dr Max and Sensiblu chains operate across the city, and at least one pharmacy per district stays open 24 hours
Safety for specific travellers
Tailored advice for different groups.
Emergency contacts
Numbers to know before you go.
- Police
- 112 (single European emergency number; police dispatcher will connect you)
- Medical
- 112 (ambulance, SMURD and emergency medical dispatch)
- Fire
- 112 (Fire Brigade, ISU Bucuresti-Ilfov)
- Coast Guard
- Not applicable in Bucharest (inland city); for Black Sea coastal emergencies elsewhere in Romania dial 112
- General Emergency
- 112 (works from all phones, even without a SIM or with no credit; operators often speak English; free 112 smartphone app sends your location to dispatchers)
- Main Hospital
- Spitalul Clinic de Urgenta Floreasca, Calea Floreasca 8, Sector 1, Bucharest, +40 21 599 2300
- Embassy Us
- US Embassy Bucharest: Bulevardul Dr. Liviu Librescu 4-6, +40 21 200 3300; after-hours emergency +40 21 200 3433
- Embassy Uk
- British Embassy Bucharest: Strada Jules Michelet 24, +40 21 201 7200