Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB - Traveling by bike in Transylvania (Romania)

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Traveling by bike in Transylvania (Romania)

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[This message has been edited by Grant Johnson (edited 14 December 2005).]

Chris:

I plan to ride through northern Romania sometime in August or September this year. I won't be able to arrange a tour with your company because I don't have complete control over my schedule (my travel dates depend on when I can get time off work, I often don't know that until the week before).

What information and suggestions can you provide for independent travellers in Romania? I have the following questions:

1) Is 95 octane gas easily available? Do the major gas stations take credit cards?

2) What are the police like? Do they stop you and ask for money (like Ukraine) or are they normal and leave you alone (like Hungary).

3) What about worries about theft of the bike? Any more or less than in neighboring countries (Slovakia, Hungary).

Any suggestions or information you could share would be appreciated.

Thanks, Michael

Hi Michael,

I will be in Romania around the end of august. Visiting the castle of dracula in Brasov and enjoying the country road's and the mountain scenery.

I am not sure about the fuel, but cops and robbers are not a real problem. Just take the normal precoutions and you should be fine.
Actually the Romanian's think the Hungarian's are "bad" and vise versa.
Mayby one thing to "look out" for is gipsy's, but this also come's from Romanian people and I have the feeling they blame everything on the gipsy's. Even if it rain's it's the fault of the gipsy's http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/ubb/wink.gif

Maybe see you there, I'll let you know where and when I am. (this sounds very philosofical)

Maarten

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- www.maartensworld.tmfweb.nl -

Hi Maarten:

There is actually a good chance that we might be able to get together in Romania towards the end of August, as long as I don't get any surprise schedule changes from work. Right now I am planning to be in Southern Poland August 15 to 18th and might well go south from there to Romania.

So far as the Gypsies (Romany) go, I hate like hell to say bad things about a group of people, but every single encounter I have ever had with Romany people has been a bad experience. I think it is best to avoid them. Sort of like the same way I avoid organized motorcycle "gangs' who wear colours - that's not to say that they are all bad, just that there are enough bad apples in the basket that it makes sense to stay away from the whole basket.

Attached is text of a private reply that I got from TMT, who posted the note at the beginning of this thread. I think it kind of repeats what you said.

Quote:

Hi, Michael !
It's nice to have you here, Michael, ..., you'll see that Romania it's a nice country for riding, but as many other countries, she has some "obstacles" that, maybe, are difficult to pass.

But: There is nothing that you have write to me. The big problem here is to be careful at what kind of hotels, motels to you stop..., it will be only a problem of money..., maybe they will ask you more than it's the real price..., but only in exceptional cases you will have other problems..., like your personal security or...etc. Don't worry about that..., Romanians are nice people, but you know : + or - ! You have to look careful with what kind of people do you talk or ride...,
If you'll need help..., a motorider will be the best choice,...we still have here that "spirit" of partnership !
So: - no problems with 95 gasoline, and we have lot of "Shell", "OMV", "BP", "ARAL", ...etc, thay usualy take credit cards.
You can not compare Roamania with Ukraine..., I think that we are far away from that. In general no problems with police.
- "theft of the bike" : it will be better to secure your bike anytime and everywhere, but no lots of problems about that.
Suggestions : - first, if i'll be around here when you come..., and if you'll right me a week before..., i'll be happy to ride with you, maybe for some days...!!!
- ...if you'll take a road map, it will help to see the most of the beauty of Romania (...you can buy it from the gas stations).
- but if you have any problem just phone <snipped by Michael> and hope that I can help you. (You can buy a phone card with 100.000 lei, about 3 USD )

Ok, have a nice trip..., and don't worry to much about coming here !

ride safe,

Chris.

- 1 USD= 33.000 lei, 1 EU= about 33.000 lei

[This message has been edited by PanEuropean (edited 29 July 2002).]

In addition to the great info you have already , you need to be aware of the roads sometimes i.e. potholes of truck swallowing proportions , covers missing from manholes and so on .

Also , Visas . It seems almost everybody still needs a visa for Romania .

Romania is very poor , but I had a great time there . I never had any problems with the bike being tampered with when I left it on the street in the daytime , although people did say at nighttime it should be tucked away safely and were always glad to help do so .

There's a very common scam where a fake policeman asks for your passport and money , and this usually happens just after someone offers to change money on the street ( which is illegal ) . Just walk away and you will be OK .

Enjoy,
Chris

Hi,

I am not sure about other's, but since about 1 year EU-citizens do not need a visa in Romania.

However, if you need one, it's available at the border. (At least, it used to be before you did not need it anymore)

OK, it sounds a bit confusing, I know http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/ubb/wink.gif

Maarten

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- www.maartensworld.tmfweb.nl -

Since the beginning of 2002, Canadians don't need a visa either.