Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
GETTING AROUND
Air
Given the distances and poor state of the roads, flying between cities is a feasible option if
time is a primary concern.
The Romanian national carrier
Tarom
( call centre 021-204 6464;
www.tarom.ro
)
op-
erates a comprehensive network of domestic routes. The airline flies regularly between
Bucharest and Baia Mare, Cluj-Napoca, Iaşi, Oradea, Satu Mare, Sibiu, Suceava, Târgu
Mureş and Timişoara.
»Flights between regional cities usually involve travel via Bucharest and connections aren't
always convenient.
»Timişoara-based
Carpatair
( 0256-300 900;
www.carpatair.com
)
also runs many do-
mestic flights. The carrier flies from Timişoara to Iaşi, Craiova and Bacău.
Bicycle
Romania has great potential as a cycling destination, though cycling has not yet caught on
to the extent it has in other European countries.
On the positive side, cycling offers an excellent way of seeing the country and meeting
locals. Off the main highways, Romania is criss-crossed by thousands of kilometres of sec-
ondary roads that are relatively little trafficked and ideal for cycling.
On the negative side, there's not much cycling infrastructure in place, such as dedicated
cycling trails and a network of bike-rental and repair shops. Many cities, including
Bucharest, do have some cycling trails, but these are half-hearted efforts and frequently
leave cyclists at the mercy of often-ignorant and aggressive drivers.
It's possible to hire or buy bicycles in many major towns, though not all. The group
i'velo
( 021-310 6397;
www.ivelo.ro
)
is trying to popularise cycling and has opened
bike-hire outlets in several cities, including Bucharest, Timişoara, Braşov, Constanţa, Iaşi
and Sibiu. Rates average about 5 lei per hour or 30 to 50 lei per day.
