RITTO

Useful Information

Entering Romania
Visitors to Romania must have a valid passport. EU members do not require a visa. Visitors from other countries should check with the Romanian embassies or consulates in their respective countries. If a visa is required to enter Romania, it is better to obtain it prior to your visit. Visas may be also obtained at the point of customs on arrival, but it may cost more and formalities may take some time.

Language
The official language is Romanian, of Latin origin. English is well understood and spoken by most people, especially by the younger generation. French and German are also well understood or spoken, especially by the older generation.

Local time
Romania is on East European time zone, namely local time is 2 hours ahead of GMT and 1 hour ahead of most European countries, i.e. it is 15.00h in Cluj when it is 13.00 in London or 14.00h in Paris.

Money and Banking
Local currency: The Romanian currency is LEU, plural LEI (pronounced as in “lay”); 1 leu is divided into 100 BANI (pronounced “banny”); all payments are made in the local currency. In order to get acquainted with our currency, please visit the National Bank site at http://www.bnr.ro/def_en.htm. One Euro = 4.3 new lei

Bank cards: All major credit cards are accepted. ATMs are readily available in the town.

Changing money: You may exchange cash (preferably euros, English pounds, or US dollars) in all the banks (open 9.00 – 18.00) or Exchange offices (some of them open 24h). Please note that in most small shops and at the local market, only cash payments are accepted.

Telephone system
The international code for Romania is 40; in order to make an international call from Romania you must dial 00 followed by country code and number, e.g. 00 44 for the UK. Romania is well covered by mobile phone operators (the main ones are Orange and Vodafone) and if you come from Europe you will be able to use your mobile phone.

Electricity
Electric current is 220 volts; standard two-pin European style plugs are used.

Weather
Cluj has a continental climate, with hot summers and cold winters, not windy and average humidity. May is considered a stable month of the year, with a low chance of rain. The average weather in May is sunny with temperatures around +20 centigrade during the day with occasional heavy showers.

Transportation
By air: The airport is situated about 5 km east of Cluj and is connected to the city by road; it takes approximately 15 minutes by car between the center and the airport.

Taxis: Cluj is served by a large number of taxis belonging to various taxi companies, all of them relatively cheap. Useful numbers for calling a taxi are: 947, 946, 953, 969, if you dial from a local phone, or 0040-745-939031, 0040-722-889900 for instance, if you dial from your mobile. Beside the location you must also give your name in order to be identified. Taxis may be taken in the street of course, without calling. Fares are around 30 eurocents / km.

Eating out
Cluj has numerous restaurants, pizza houses, bars and cafes, many of them with places for sitting out. Opening hours are between 11 a.m. and midnight. Standard restaurant food is based on meat (steaks, grills, stew), vegetarian menus are rather limited but available, their range depends on every restaurant. Prices also vary, between 5 – 20 euros (equivalent in lei) per person.

Wine and Beer
Romanian wines are good quality and prices start from 4 euros a bottle in shops and 8-10+ euros a bottle in restaurants. Beers are mainly lager, Ursus being the local beer.

For additional information about factual Romania, see
http://www.turism.ro/english/factual.php

For additional information about Cluj, see
http://www.visit-romania.ro