Tips on Bucharest Warnings or Dangers – Stay Safe!

Bucharest Warnings and Dangers

Bucharest is a wonderful city that is the capital of Romania where there are dangers like there are in any big city. Here are some special warnings about things that are particular dangers in Bucharest.

Driving Risks

Traffic in Bucharest is a wild ride, especially in the wintertime. The roads are very dangerous if they are wet and when covered by ice and snow. It seems that drivers in Bucharest do not slow down if the weather is bad and may be even more aggressive in heavy traffic.

Auto accidents are frequent, especially at the large roundabouts and where major intersections are located. Without making any mistake in driving yourself, you may suddenly be involved in a massive accident with many other vehicles.

Taxi Rip-Offs

Taxi meters are designed to over-charge you. Locals know this and always ask the price for the ride to go to their destination before getting into the cab. Upon entering the taxi, pay the stated price and tell the driver to turn the meter off. Then, sit back and enough the wild ride in congested traffic.

Dangerous Sidewalks

In many parts of Bucharest, there are sidewalks that are in desperate need of repairs. There are gaping holes, uneven pavement, and things to stumble over, especially in the dark. When coming upon a construction zone, it is best to cross the street to the other side to avoid being hit by falling debris.

Street Criminals

Like every big city, there are muggers who will rob you. It is best not to change money on the street, especially when offered a deal at an exchange rate that is too good to be true. The way this scam works is one person offers to exchange money, the exchange is made, and then while walking down the block, another person robs you that is a partner in the crime.  It is safer to use an ATM instead while using normal caution and the ATM exchange rate is better than banks offer.

Wild Dog Packs

The city officials of Bucharest have tried their best to deal with this long-standing problem of stray dogs in the streets. They removed many of them, yet the wild dog packs still exist. They can, at times, be very aggressive.

If you must walk the same way more than once and encounter them frequently, the best thing to do is carry a package of the cheapest biscuits you can buy. Throw the biscuits on the ground away from you, for the dogs to eat, as you pass them safely. If you feed them something simple like biscuits, with enough for all of them to be distracted, they will not harm you at all, in fact, they will turn suddenly friendly.

Second-Hand Smoke

If you are still a smoker (shame on you) you will love Bucharest because smoking is allowed almost everywhere and cigarettes are really cheaply priced. If you are a non-smoker and a person who cares about their own health, you will find it difficult to get away from the smokers. When you return to your hotel, do not be surprised when your clothes reek from the stench of cigarette smoke.

Editor’s note: The information contained on this page was compiled using real traveler reviews about the warnings and dangers in Bucharest.