The short answer is yes. But, it really depends on where in Romania are you traveling and how late are you walking on the streets.
Is Romania safe for solo female travelers?
As a solo female, it can feel unsafe from time to time and there are some crucial things to keep in mind. Here are some things to keep in mind.
Romanian men aren’t afraid to come up to you on public transport or on the streets if they see you are alone.
Most of the time they will want to have a chat, give you compliments, or invite you to have a drink with them.
Catcalling is something common in Romania. Men will stop their car beside you, stare at you, compliment your looks, and try to have a conversation with you.
If you aren’t interested in talking with them or you feel unsafe, the best way is just to walk away to a crowded place and ignore them so that it’s clear to them that you are not interested.
In most cases, they will leave you alone.
Safety in small cities or Romanian villages
We wouldn’t recommend walking alone in the dark in the villages or small towns of Romania.
It’s not because you have chances to be in danger physically, but at that time there may be lots of solo men or groups of men already drunk roaming around the streets – men who can approach you and follow you around.
If you ended up in an unsafe situation or if you see someone following you around who is harassing you verbally, call the police by dialing 112 and share your whereabouts with them.
Your best bet to get rid of someone following you is usually to ignore them, act tough, and walk a bit faster but very confident with your chin up.
Call someone you know and share your location with them, and make sure you’re going to a more crowded place or in a central area where you can get support.
If they see you speaking on the phone, they won’t like it and they might leave you alone sooner.
Another good idea is to carry pepper spray with you. You can buy it online or in military shops.
We don’t say that every time you go out at night, this can happen. But we think it’s good to be aware and take precautionary steps IN CASE you found yourself in an unsafe situation.
Is Bucharest safe for solo women?
Generally speaking, Bucharest is considered very safe for solo female travelers.
Especially in more central areas, you’ll feel safe even when it gets dark. Bucharest is still alive after 10 pm, with clubs, shops, and food spots still open.
Seeing both men and women, walking around the streets at that hour, give you a safe feeling. Police cars and law enforcement officers are also very present in Bucharest.
When it comes to other areas (Ferentari, Rahova și Pantelimon neighborhoods) we wouldn’t recommend you go out when it gets dark outside.
And if you decide to go out either way you can also wear pepper spray with you, it’s legal in Romania.
Taxi Scams
Taxi drivers are usually very talkative and if they see you are a foreigner, they might choose the longest route to get you to your destination.
You can end up paying double or triple the regular price, so your best bet is to take a Uber or a Bolt.
Be safe!
