Scams in Bucharest
How to spot scams in Bucharest and avoid them
Bucharest is a wonderful city to explore, from the Grand Parliament palace to the charming Old Town, offering a great blend of history, culture and vibrant night life.
But like any tourist destination, Bucharest has it's fair share of scams that may ruin your exploration.
It's wise to be aware of potential scams! By being informed and cautious you can avoid these unpleasant situations. Here's a detailed breakdown of some common scams in Bucharest to watch out for:
Taxi scams in Bucharest
Some taxi drivers might try to increase the costs of the ride by manipulating meters or taking longer routes to get to the destination. The most common method though is them saying they don’t have change to give you back if you're paying with a large note.
These taxi drivers are stationed in tourist areas, near the northern train station, the Old City or near the bus stops.
They lure and verbally attract foreign tourists and offer to transport them to hotels or various tourist attractions. They charge very high rates and do not offer receipts.
Cases we're often reported where the tourists got off the taxi for a moment to buy something or withdraw money to pay the taxi driver and the driver ran away with the luggage.
How to avoid Taxi scams in Bucharest
It's recommended to use only the authorised taxis of the known companies or apps like Bolt and Uber.
Here's how to recognise an authorised taxi on the street:
The taxi cabs are yellow and they need to have displayed on the doors the company logo, the phone number of the taxi company, the fair/km (in Romanian Lei) and the taxi licence.
When you approach a taxi you usually ask if it's free. They either tell you yes or they will ask where do you want to go. If they give you a upfront price, that is a scam. It usually is a high price and for sure you won't receive a receipt. Move on to the next one.
When you find a good taxi, once you get in be sure they start the meter.
Have cash on you, Romanian Lei.
Often you can't pay with card if you took the taxi directly from the street and to avoid the scenario where they don't have change for bigger banknotes. Carry with you small banknotes and forget the coins…they may not accept them, although it's illegal for them to refuse.
We recommend you use taxi apps like Clever Taxi, Star Taxi or ridesharing apps like Uber and Bolt.
Fake guides scam
Be aware of people approaching you suddenly and offering you tour guide services although you didn't ask for one. It's more likely that they charge you more than it should cost and the service or informations they may offer are poor quality and wrong.
How to avoid fake guides
If someone appears out of nowhere and offers you these services just refuse them. To truly learn the history of Bucharest you should opt for licensed tourist guides affiliated with reputable companies.
Currency exchange scams
Beware of booths with vague signage or rates not prominently shown. These might have hidden fees that significantly reduce your exchange amount.
If one exchange booth gives you a to-good-to-be-true rate it's probably best you avoid that. Don't be lured in by unrealistic offers.
Before committing to an exchange, ask about any additional fees or commissions that might apply.
While uncommon, some scammers might try shortchanging you during the exchange process. They may try to slip a counterfeit bill into your exchanged currency. Be familiar with the security features of your home currency and the Romanian Lei.
Be attentive when counting your money and double-check the received amount.
How to avoid currency exchange scams
Before your trip, check reputable online sources for the average exchange rate for RON. An official source is the Romanian National Bank. This gives you a baseline to compare against.
When looking for an exchange boot it's best to use the ones on the main streets in the city centre areas. They typically display their rates and most have a 0% exchange fee.
Exchange your currency at banks, airports, or licensed exchange houses with a good reputation. Look for establishments with positive reviews from other travellers.
No matter where you changed your money be attentive when counting and double-check the received amount.
Consider using ATMs as an alternative. Look for ATMs affiliated with your home bank to minimise withdrawal fees.
The gift scam
You will often see, especially in the Old Town centre, women with children approaching you while you are sitting at a table or just walking around.
They will offer you a rose or something small as a souvenir. Usually they approach men that are accompanied by a lady. They will tell them to buy the lady a gift. They insist you buy her something and she won't take no for an answer.
She would hand over the rose to him and once he reached and took the rose she will start asking for a sum of money that is often way more than the real price.
How to avoid the gift scam
If this person approaches you just simply refuse it. If she doesn't take no for an answer just ignore her. She may stick around a couple of minutes (maybe you wil change your mind) and then she will get bored and leave.
If you want to buy something from her ask how much it costs before she hands you the goods and keep in mind that for sure you will pay a bigger price.
Fake products scams
Just like the gift scams you will see people approaching you, mostly on touristy areas. They sell counterfeit designer goods like perfumes and other accessories.
Some of them will say that everything is legit and offer you a receipt.
How to avoid fake product scams
When they approach you just refuse or ignore them. Stick to established stores if you want to buy luxury goods.
The parking scam
This scam involves individuals in parking lots, particularly near tourist attractions.
They often target areas without parking metres, creating a sense of urgency to pay them for a "service" that isn't required.
They can approach you in the parking lot demanding you need to pay the for ''watching'' your car.
There are also those who ''help'' you by letting you park in the spot they saved for you. They will see that you are looking for a parking spot and will start guiding you to come and take their spot. Of course, afterwards, they will ask for money for the spot or to watch your car.
How to avoid the parking scam
Legitimate parking attendants wear official uniforms and carry identification badges. These scammers typically lack any form of authorization.
They often target areas without parking metres, creating a sense of urgency to pay them for a "service" that isn't required.
If someone ''gave'' you their spot and demand money just say you don't have cash on you and that you payed for the parking spot on an app.
They might become aggressive or use scare tactics to pressure you into paying, just insist you don't have money or say that you will call the police.
This doesn't usually happen but it's better you know there we're cases when things got out of hand and police presence was needed.
Just refuse politely, ignore them and walk away.
Use designated parking areas with clear signage. Download and utilise authorised parking apps for convenient digital payment.
Restaurants and bar scams
This mostly happens in the Old Town centre but may occur in other parts of the town once they spotted that you are a foreigner.
Some of these establishments may ''accidentally'' charge you more either with something you haven't ordered, hidden charges, doubling portions or incorrect billing.
How to avoid the restaurants and bar scams
Sometimes it may be a real mistake but it's always ideal to check the prices from the menu and make your calculations. Don't assume something is free, ask if it's included in the portion or if you pay for it separately.
When you travel in Bucharest or anywhere else actually, trust your gut and use common sense. Be cautious and stay aware of your possessions.
By following these tips and staying informed, you can ensure a safe and enjoyable visit to Bucharest.
