Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Map
if you're going to use public transport); timetables are also posted on streetlamps
near bus stops (the central “station” is across the road from Hotel Ibis on Calea
Grivi
$
ei). Remember to use the self-service machine to validate your ticket once you're
on board.
VISITOR INFORMATION
There is no official tourist information service in Bucharest; in most cases, your hotel
will be able to point you in the right direction, and provide you with a map. Ask
specifically for the listings publication,
Bucharest in your Pocket,
which has maps as
well as details of hotels, restaurants, and attractions. Bucharest's bookstores stock some
good publications on the city and on major points of interest around the country. The
European Union Information Center
(
&
021/315-3470;
www.infoeuropa.ro) on
Pia
$
a Revolu
$
iei, can also help you get your bearings.
FAST FACTS:
Bucharest
Airlines
The headquarters of the national carrier,
Tarom
(Spl. Independen$ei
17;
&
021/337-0400;
www.tarom.ro; Mon-Fri 9am-7pm, Sat 9am-1pm), are at
the
airport
(
&
021/204-1355
or 021/201-4979).
British Airways:
Calea Victoriei
15;
&
021/303-2222;
Mon-Fri 9am-5pm.
Air France:
Str. General Proporgescu
1-5;
&
021/312-0085.
Ambulance
In emergencies, dial
&
973
or 021/243-1333, to summon
Puls,
a pri-
vate ambulance service; otherwise, dial
&
021/224-0187
(Mon-Sat 7:30am-
7:30pm; Sun 7:30am-1:30pm).
American Express
Represented by Marshal Turism (www.marshal.ro), at B-dul
Unirii 20 (
&
021/335-1224)
, and B-dul Magheru 43 (
&
021/223-1204
). Open
Monday to Friday 9am to 6pm and Saturday 9am to 1pm.
Area Codes
For Bucharest dial
&
021.
Banks & Currency Exchange
Banks are the best place to exchange foreign cur-
rency. ATMs are everywhere and are the best way to obtain local currency,
assuming that your credit card has a PIN, or that your cash card has been
enabled for international use. Open round-the-clock is
Alliance Exchange
(B-dul Bâlcescu 30).
Car Rentals
Avis
(various branches;
&
021/210-4344;
www.avis.ro),
Hertz
(
&
021/222-1256;
www.hertz.com.ro), and
Europcar
(B-dul General Magheru;
(
&
021/313-1540
). Standard car rental is now as low as
€
29 ($36) per day for a
cheap model with unlimited mileage. If you prefer something classier, try
Bavaria Rent a Car
(www.bavariarent.ro;
&
021/201-4534
), specializing in
BMWs, with tough models that will better handle some of Romania's more
treacherous roads.
Drugstores
Open round-the-clock,
Help Net
has branches at B-dul Unirii 24
(
&
021/335-7425
), Calea 13 Septembrie 126 (
&
021/411-9574
), !os. Mihai Bravu
128, bl. D24 (
&
021/252-7266
), and Str. Av. Radu Beller 8 (
&
021/233-8984
).
Embassies
The Consular Section of the
U.S. Embassy
(Mon-Fri 8am-5pm) is at
Str. N. Filipescu 26;
&
021/200-3300;
www.usembassy.ro. The
Canadian Embassy
