Bucharest, Romania

• Bucharest is Romania's capital, sitting in the southeast. The city has two faces - northern areas like Primăverii, Dorobanti, and Herastrau have Belle Époque buildings and tree-lined streets that feel safe to walk around at night. Head south and you'll see more communist-era blocks and rougher neighborhoods.
• Most Romanians under 40 speak English, especially in the center and tourist areas. Hotels, restaurants, and museums will have English speakers. You'll need basic Romanian phrases in local shops and residential areas. Emergency services (112) have English operators.
• The metro is clean and runs frequently from 5am to 11pm. Each train has a security guard. Buses and trams get packed during rush hour - that's when pickpockets work. Keep your valuables secure. Use Uber or Bolt instead of street taxis to avoid getting scammed.
• You'll deal with some stares and occasional catcalling, but serious harassment isn't common. The northern districts stay active late with decent lighting and police around. Bucharest ranks reasonably well for safety among European capitals, though it's not without issues.

Romanian is the main language, but English is widely spoken by people under 40 and throughout the tourism industry. Bucharest ranks 12th in Europe for English proficiency. The emergency service (112) has English-speaking operators. Service staff at hotels, restaurants, and tourist sites will speak English, though basic Romanian phrases help in local shops and residential areas.

• People dress well here, especially for restaurants and bars. Smart-casual works for most places. You'll need comfortable shoes for Old Town's cobblestones during the day, but bring nicer clothes for going out at night.
• Most people under 40 speak English, and you'll find it throughout hotels, restaurants, and tourist spots. Basic Romanian helps in local shops: 'bună ziua' (hello), 'mulțumesc' (thank you), 'vă rog' (please). People appreciate the effort even if they switch to English right away.
• Take off your shoes when entering someone's home. If invited for dinner, bring flowers (odd numbers), chocolates, or imported alcohol. Expect meals to last 2+ hours with multiple courses - try everything and show you appreciate it.
• Wait for the host to say 'Poftă bună' (good appetite) before eating. Toast with 'Noroc' (good luck). Tip 10% for decent service. Most restaurants are casual, but theaters and opera houses expect formal dress.

• The metro runs 5am to 11pm with trains every 5-8 minutes. Each train has a security guard. Single journey costs 5 lei (€1). It connects all major areas and is your best bet for getting around.
• Buses and trams fill the gaps the metro misses, but they pack out during rush hours (7-9am, 5-7pm). Pickpocketing happens more on buses and trams than the metro. Validate your ticket when you board or risk a fine.
• Use Uber or Bolt instead of street taxis to avoid scams. If you need a regular taxi, call one through your hotel. Don't get in unmarked cars or flag down taxis at the airport or train stations - that's where scams happen.
• The northern neighborhoods have decent sidewalks and lighting for walking. Old Town's cobblestone streets look nice but they're uneven - wear comfortable shoes. Central areas stay lit and busy late, so evening walks in the safer neighborhoods work fine.
• If you're planning day trips outside the city, consider renting a car.
• For peace of mind on arrival, book your airport pickup in advance.

Explore Bucharest with local guides and curated experiences.