Frequently Asked Questions

Romania is a very safe destination for tourists. Violent crime is rare, and visitors generally do not need to take extra precautions like hiring bodyguards or escorts. As with any travel, we recommend standard safety measures such as keeping valuables secure and being aware of your surroundings but Romania is considered one of the safer countries in Europe.

Regarding the war in Ukraine and local protests, we constantly monitor the situation and will notify all guests immediately if any developments could affect their travel plans. Your safety and comfort are our top priorities.

Absolutely! Our Beyond Dracula experiences are customizable. Each package includes:

• Expert-guided tours to iconic sites (e.g., Bran Castle, Sighișoara, Corvin Castle).
• Authentic accommodations in carefully selected locations (e.g., boutique hotels, historic guesthouses).
• Cultural experiences like traditional meals, folklore evenings, and exclusive access to hidden gems.
• Private transportation with English-speaking drivers.
• Flexible pacing, we avoid rushed schedules and prioritize meaningful exploration.

You can read more about how we create the bespoke experiences visiting our page How It Works

While we strive to create unforgettable experiences for a wide range of travelers, our Beyond Dracula packages may not be the best fit if you:

• Prefer self-drive or independent travel (our tours are guided).
• Are looking for budget backpacking or hostel-based trips (we focus on curated, high-quality experiences).
• Require visa assistance or legal travel documentation (we provide travel advice but not visa services).
• Expect luxury cruises, beach resorts, or city-only tours (our specialty is cultural immersion, history, and legend-based exploration in Transylvania and beyond).

If you are unsure whether our experiences align with your travel style, contact us,we are happy to help you decide!

Our pricing is transparent and tailored to your preferences. Costs depend on:

• Group size (private vs. small-group tours).
• Accommodation level (boutique 3–5 star hotels, guesthouses, or castles).
• Included experiences (e.g., private guides, exclusive dinners, VIP access).
• Season (peak summer vs. off-season discounts).

We will work with you to design a package that fits your budget and dreams. Contact us for more information!

To secure your booking, we require a 30% deposit at the time of confirmation, with the remaining balance due 30 days before arrival. For last-minute bookings (within 30 days of travel), full payment is required upfront.

We accept bank transfers and credit/debit cards (Visa, Mastercard). All payments are processed securely, and you will receive a detailed confirmation and receipt.

Cancellation policy:

• Cancellations made 60+ days before arrival: Full refund of deposit.
• Cancellations made 30–59 days before arrival: 50% refund of deposit.
• Cancellations made less than 30 days before arrival: No refund.

We recommend purchasing travel insurance to cover unforeseen circumstances.

For more details about payment terms & cancellations, see our Terms & Conditions.

No, we don’t handle visa applications. Check requirements with the Romanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs or your local consulate.

We do not provide insurance but we strongly recommend insurance covering medical emergencies, trip cancellations, and adventure activities. For insurace recommendations, ask our team.

We do not arrange flights but we can advise on best arrival airports and transfer options. For flight bookings, use your preferred travel agency or platform.

Passport/National ID for EU countries (Don’t forget them and make sure they are valid for at least 3-6 months after your entry to Romania.) Please make sure that in your passport you have a blank visa page for entry/exit stamps.

No visa is required for US, Canadian, and EU citizens, for other countries please check with your local embassy or consulate. Reach out anytime if you need help with this at office@beyonddracula.com.

Romanian Leu (RON) is the local currency, currently 1 EUR = ± 5 RON and 1 USD = ± 5 RON. You can check the daily rate here.

Yes, credit and debit cards (Visa, Mastercard, etc.) are widely accepted in Romania, especially in cities, hotels, restaurants, and tourist attractions. However, we recommend carrying some local currency (Romanian Leu, RON) for small purchases in rural areas, markets, or at local vendors who may not accept cards.

ATMs are readily available, and contactless payments are common. Always inform your bank of your travel plans to avoid any card blocks.

Tipping is entirely at your discretion and not required. You may wish to provide a gratuity as a reward for outstanding service.

We recommend a minimum of 5–7 days to fully immerse yourself in the Beyond Dracula experience. This allows time to explore:

• Transylvania’s highlights (Bran, Sighișoara, Sibiu, and Brașov).
• Dracula’s legend with visits to Snagov Monastery and Poenari Citadel.
• Cultural deep dives, like village life in Maramureș or the painted monasteries of Bucovina.

For those short on time, we offer 3–4 day “taster” itineraries focusing on key sites. For a comprehensive journey, 10–14 days lets you combine Transylvania with Bucharest, the Danube Delta, or the Black Sea coast.

The best time to visit Romania is May through September, when the weather is mild and ideal for exploring castles, hiking in the Carpathians, and experiencing outdoor activities.

For Beyond Dracula experiences, we tailor itineraries to seasonal highlights, ensuring you get the most immersive visit. Browse options on our Itineraries page.

Romania’s infrastructure is improving, but travel times can be longer than expected due to:

• Mountain roads (e.g., Transfăgărășan Highway) are scenic but winding.
• Rural areas may have slower roads or ongoing construction.
• Google Maps estimates often do not account for traffic, livestock crossings, or unpaved sections.

Our approach:

• We pad travel times in itineraries to avoid rushing.
• We use local drivers who know shortcuts and road conditions.
• We recommend flexible scheduling, some of the best experiences happen spontaneously!

Consult your mobile carriers to ensure your phones are ready for use in a foreign country.

Most guesthouses and hotels have excellent internet available free of charge. Buying a pre-paid card that includes internet traffic can be an easy way to have internet on the road also.

You will be reachable throughout your stay, with perhaps short periods without a phone signal in mountainous areas. If any of the locations where you’ll stay for a longer period of time has no signal, you will be notified in your itinerary. Should you require internet in your vehicle, get in touch at office@beyonddracula.com.

Almost every country has a different type of plug and socket. Here is a list of plugs and sockets used in each country, to help you find a suitable adaptor. Romania uses types C and F.

Throughout your stay, you will experience a variety of meals. Typical Romanian cuisine includes always a soup (mainly with veggies and some meat, sometimes accompanied by cream and hot peppers), a main course (meat with veggies and/or potatoes and rice), and dessert (fruit cakes, dry cakes, etc.). Typically dishes are not spicy, the ingredients used are typical for a temperate country.

Tap water is drinkable unless otherwise mentioned. Bottled water is easily available and your guide will make sure there is always some in the car.

Most restaurants do not need reservations more than a day or two in advance; if that is not the case, you will be notified in advance.

Romanian is the language commonly used in the country, a Latin language at its roots. For speakers of another Latin language, it will be fairly easy to distinguish some words. English is commonly spoken in most major cities and towns, sometimes also in some of the villages where many travelers have reached in recent years.

Here are some common words and phrases you could make an impression with:

• Thank you! – Multumesc!
• Good morning! – Buna dimineata!
• Hello! – Buna ziua! (anytime during the day until 6pm)
• Good evening! – Buna seara!
• How are you? – Ce mai faci?
• What’s your name? – Cum te cheama?
• That was great/delicious. – Mi-a placut mult!/ A fost delicios.

Please let your guide know about any special interests you may have for shopping, or if you collect any items he could help you find. While we can advise based on quality and your needs, we don’t endorse any particular shop or artisan, shopping is not required nor expected, and travelers assume all responsibility for transactions.

Greeting in Romania is gender-specific: men shake hands, while women who know each other kiss on the cheek, twice, starting with the left cheek (men and women don’t shake hands, they kiss cheeks if they are familiar enough, otherwise a nod is enough).

Punctuality is not the strongest trait of Romanians, though they hate having to wait when others run late. The “academic quarter” (15-minute delay) is quite the norm.

Romanians are generally quite sensitive to criticism and will hardly recognize their mistakes in public. Try to avoid confrontational behavior and express criticism in a non-aggressive way.

If you are a smoker, you should know that smoking is not allowed indoors since 2016 in Romania, but you can smoke on open-air terraces. Please be mindful of non-smokers around you.

This is not an exhaustive list for your packing, just a few things to consider:

• Clothing:
  • Type of clothing ideal for activities and local standards;
  • Rainwear/Warm clothes if the climate requires it
  • Any specialty clothing for unique activities (horseback riding, active adventures, etc…)
  • Layers if needed for evenings, air conditioning or if traveling off-season
  • Typical evening dining attire at restaurants
  • Specific dress requirements for any religious sites, etc…
  • Swimwear if accommodations have a pool, etc…
• Footwear ideal for activities
• Sunglasses/caps/gloves etc. other accessories depending on the season
• Any amenities/beauty/health products that might not be provided by accommodations
• Prescriptions and medications
• Plane tickets, boarding passes, etc…
• Passports with copies stored separately
• Cameras
• Charging cables, extra batteries, adapters, or memory cards.

Plane tickets/Boarding passes. Don’t forget them, we really want to welcome you at the airport!

If you’re flying a low-cost company such as WizzAir, RyanAir, EasyJet, etc. make sure you check in online at least 3h prior to your flight to avoid extra taxes at the airport. Most of these companies now have apps where you can store/download the boarding passes on your phone.

International driver’s license. It never hurts to have it although you’ll be driven safely throughout your stay in Romania.