Many apps you already have on your phone will be helpful during your stay in Romania. There are also numerous locally developed apps aimed at simplifying transportation, navigation, ticket and tax payments, as well as exploration of tourist attractions. Read more to discover all the useful apps in Romania.
Navigation and general orientation
Google Maps. Is travel even possible without Google Maps? This app provides real-time traffic updates and public transportation routes. It helps discover nearby restaurants, landmarks, and services in unfamiliar areas.
Maps.ME is an excellent alternative if you have connectivity issues. It allows you to download detailed maps and use them offline, which is particularly useful in rural areas or for saving data on roaming. The app also highlights attractions, hiking trails, and restaurants.
Local public transportation apps for Romanian cities
Buy tickets and pay
24pay app can assist you in paying for local public transport in the cities: Bucharest, Arad, Bacau, Baia Mare, Botosani, Brasov, Cluj, Constanta, Galati, Miercurea Ciuc, Iasi, Oradea, Piatra Neamt, Ploiesti, Ramnicu Valcea, Resita, Roman, Sfantu Gheorghe, Sibiu, Targu Jiu, Timisoara. Open the app, search for the desired city, and buy a ticket before you hop in the vehicle. The app doesn’t support metro tickets in Bucharest.
Find routes for the local public transport
If you use the local public transport, you need help to find the best route and vehicle schedule, and maybe also to pay for the trip. Most major cities in Romania have dedicated public transport apps. Go to Google Play / Apple App Store and check the name of the settlement you visit followed by the word “transport”. You’ll find the relevant app if there is one.
InfoTB is the official app for surface public transportation in Bucharest. With this app, you can check the public transportation schedule, plan your route and find out about temporary route changes. In Bucharest, Google Maps also provides reliable information about public transport. This is not always the case for other Romanian cities.
Find more about Public transport in Bucharest: trams, buses, metro system and more.
Ride-hailing and taxis
Ride-hailing apps
Bolt and Uber are the most popular ride-hailing in Romania. Both operate in Bucharest as well as many other cities across the country.
Cities where both Bolt and Uber operate: Bucharest, Alba Iulia, Arad, Bacău, Baia Mare, Brașov, Buzău, Cluj (Cluj-Napoca), Craiova, Galați, Iași, Oradea, Pitești, Ploiești, Suceava, Târgoviște, Târgu Mureș, Timișoara.
Cities where only Bolt operates: Bistrița, Râmnicu Vâlcea, Vaslui, Focșani, Piatra Neamț, Satu Mare, Tulcea, Târgu Jiu, Valea Prahovei.
Cities where only Uber operates: Hunedoara.
If you’re looking for a premium ride, Black Cab offers services in Bucharest, Constanta, Timisoara, Iasi, Brasov, and Cluj.
Taxis
FreeNow also operates in Romania, connecting its app users with taxi drivers in Bucharest, Cluj-Napoca, Brasov, Iasi, Constanta, and Timisoara.
Many large cities and even smaller towns across Romania have mobile apps for the local taxi companies, offering easier access to their services.
However, taxi drivers don’t have a good reputation, especially because some overcharge tourists. It’s advisable to use taxis only when ride-hailing services like Bolt or Uber aren’t available. If you must take a taxi, opt for one with a mobile app to ensure transparency.
In Bucharest, you can check for Star Taxi, Meridian Taxi, and Taxi Nord apps. For other regions, it’s always best to ask locals for recommendations.
Intercity and Long-Distance Travel
Trains
With the 24Pay app, you can buy train tickets for routes operated by CFR Calatori, Romania’s largest and state-owned railway company.
CFR Calatori also has a mobile app for buying tickets, planning routes, and checking live train status. If you prefer not to install too many apps, you can use the CFR website from your browser for the same services.
Infofer is another useful app if you’re looking for more train options beyond CFR. It provides schedules for all train companies operating in Romania. There are five private operators with limited routes, but it’s always good to know all the options. The app also allows you to track live train statuses for all companies. Again, if you don’t want to use the app, you can check the Infofer website in your browser for the same information.
Useful apps while driving in Romania
To drive in Romania, you need to pay for a vignette, which you can do via the 24Pay app or eTarife, the official app of the National Company for Road Infrastructure Administration. eTarife can also pay for the six bridge tolls you might encounter while driving across the country. Alternatively, you can pay these fees at gas stations if you prefer not to install multiple apps.
Waze is widely used by Romanian drivers. The app is a great assistant for navigating the country’s roads.
Monitorul Preturilor and Peco Online are apps where you can compare the prices for fuel at the stations around you. You can also input your route to find all the gas stations along the way with the best prices. You can also use the Monitorul Preturilor website or the Peco Online website.
PlugShare and ChargePoint are the most popular apps to help you find electric vehicle charging stations for electric cars. Google Maps and Waze also have this feature.
When renting a car, don’t choose a company solely based on whether it has an app. Instead, select the rental service that best suits your needs, then check if it has an app. Most rental companies do. If you want to see more offers, you can use an aggregator such as Rentalcars.
Intercity buses
Use the 24pay app to find routes and book tickets for coach. Another option is the Bileteria website.
For long-distance trips, you can also try BlaBlaCar to find drivers heading in the same direction who are open to carpooling.
Flights Apps
HenriAppPort. If you land at Henri Coanda International Airport (Bucharest’s main airport), the official airport app can be quite useful. With it, you can monitor flight status updates, navigate the airport using an interactive map, and discover available services.
Useful apps for hiking in Romania
Munții Noștri is a mobile app designed specifically for hiking in Romania. It provides detailed maps and trail information for mountain routes in the Carpathians. It works offline, allowing access to topographic maps and GPS data without an internet connection, which is crucial in remote mountain areas. It features marked trails with difficulty levels, estimated times, shelters, tourist landmarks, and emergency contact details.
The Salvamont app is critical for mountain activities like hiking, skiing, or climbing. Developed by Romania’s national mountain rescue service (Salvamont), the app provides real-time information on mountain conditions, weather updates, and safety alerts for various hiking and skiing areas. One of its key features is the ability to directly contact rescue teams in emergencies, making it a vital safety resource for those exploring Romania’s mountainous regions. The app also offers information on nearby mountain rescue stations, shelters, and advice on how to stay safe while on the trails.
Read more: What to Do in Case of Medical Emergency in Romania: A Guide for the Uninsured
Food and dining apps in Romania
Dining
Google Maps Reviews. Choosing where to eat, it’s a good idea to check online reviews of restaurants. It can help you avoid disappointment and find the best dining options in the area.
Ialoc is an app that helps reserve tables at restaurants, bars, and cafes. It also enables you to discover new dining and drinking spots nearby. The app is available in Bucharest, Cluj, Timisoara, Brasov, Iasi, Sibiu, Prahova Valley, seaside resorts, Bacau, Suceava, and Oradea.
Food Delivery
Bolt Food, Tazz, and Glovo are the most popular food delivery apps in Romania. They offer similar services and are available in most cities across Romania.
Groceries Delivery
Bolt and Glovo also deliver groceries to your door. Besides them, you can also use Sezamo or Freshful.
Also read: Shopping tips: where to buy essentials in Romania
Travel guides
All the major travel apps are also available in Romania: Questo, GetYourGuide, Tripadvisor and more.
If you’re looking for something local, many Romanian cities and regions have their own dedicated tourism apps. Simply search for your destination along with the word “travel” in Google Play or the App Store.
For a broader perspective on Romanian destinations, you can also try Attractive Romania, an app developed by the government to promote the country’s travel spots.
Find events in Romania
Facebook is widely used in Romania and is the main resource for finding important events. Go to Facebook > Events and filter the events based on location and date.
If you prefer not to use Facebook, you can try iesim.ro or b365.ro (both in Romanian) for events in Bucharest, although they may not list as many events as Facebook.
For ticketed events, check websites like iabilet.ro and eventim.ro, though these platforms primarily promote events they sell tickets for.
Banking apps in Romania
Revolut is a financial app offering a wide range of banking services. It’s the most popular banking app in Romania, and many locals use it. It could be helpful if you need to make transactions with Romanians during your stay.
Communication
WhatsApp offers free messaging, voice and video calls, and group chats. It’s the most popular app in Romania in this category and might come in handy if you need to communicate with your host, guide, or other locals during your stay.
Google Translate provides decent translation from English to Romanian if you need to communicate with locals or learn a few basic phrases.
Accommodation Apps
Booking and Airbnb are widely used apps in Romania for finding accommodation.
Imobiliare and Storia are what you need if you’re looking to rent something long-term.
