Timisoara is a university and industrial city located in western Romania. Often and by many described as a cosmopolitan city.
Timisoara is known as the city of roses and parks, a green city, spring especially when the city is full of tulips. Many call it the little Vienne due to the similar architecture.
The city is served by the third largest airport in Romania, Traian Vuia International Airport located 10 km from the city center. From here go domestic and international routes.
- TAROM has daily flights to Bucharest;
- Lufthansa has daily flights to Munich;
- Wizz Air has flights to Bari, Barcelona, Bergamo, Bologna, Brussels Charleroi, Dortmund, Eindhoven, Frankfurt Hahn, London Luton, Madrid, Memmingen (Munich West), Paris Beauvais, Rome Ciampino, Tel Aviv, Treviso and Valencia, not all daily;
- Ryan Air has flights to Bergamo and Bucharest;
- Blue Air has domestic flights to Cluj Napoca and Iasi. And summer Blue Air operates to Constanta (Black Sea).
Connections to and from many European destinations (such as Manchester, UK) can be made by Lufthansa via Munich. While Lufthansa is not a budget airline, its rates (even with a transfer) match those of direct airlines flying if they are booked from Lufthansa as a single ticket.
The Bucharest (Otopeni / Henri-Coanda) domestic flight ticket to Timisoara can be cheaper than the first class sleeping train; the train takes at least 9 hours without refreshments or meals 🙂 … Flight takes less than an hour; a transfer to Bucharest Airport can be a convenient alternative to a direct flight to Timisoara.
A Romanian alternative to Timisoara Airport was the nearby airport in Arad. This airport is closed (from April 2015) for complete reconstruction. Take a look at the map to decide that the airports in Târgu-Mureş, Cluj and Sibiu seem pretty close … but it’s not! Road or rail travel is 100% likely to last more hours than in Western Europe. That being said, if your local airport only has direct flights to those airports, it is worth staying in a hotel to continue the next day in Timisoara.
Additionally, there are regular buses directly from Budapest Airport in Hungary (costing around 30 / 35euro / person) or private cars, which lasts only three and a half hours. Because the Timisoara airport has relatively few international connections, the option to fly from / to Budapest (in Hungary) is taken by many visitors and Romanians, especially after the drastic cuts in services at Timisoara Airport in 2014. Do not confuse Budapest Hungary !!! with Bucharest the capital of Romania. Travel operators / airlines report that a remarkable number of people make reservations errors! These unfortunate ends not only in the wrong city, but in the wrong country! … so great attention. For transfers do not hesitate to ask for an offer to offer you the best price.
Please note that if you do not book a rental car on arrival, Serbia’s Beograd (Belgrade) airport (which seems to be close) is not convenient. Public transport between Timisoara is slow and practically non-existent.
The Express 4 line connects the airport to the center of Timisoara and Line 4B is headed to the main train station (fare 2.5 RON (one way), tickets are located at the ticket from the parking ticket inside the terminal); the bus station is located near the domestic terminal (turn right when leaving the international terminal). Car hire is also available … here you can choose us on 365rent.ro
Timisoara Airport is small and has very few retail outlets (only a duty free shop) and minimal refreshments. There are two self-service small “bars” (after check-in and security, one upstairs and one down), but no formal restaurant or bar. There is a smoking booth and the toilets are (as well as the entire airport) very well kept.
Just outside the airport (on the roundabout) is a faithful and quite moving replica of Traian Vuia’s early planes.
Remember to use the taxis included on this site (see below) – use your mobile, in fact Tudo Taxi have a big sign with their number! They (and the others below) will not take you extra money out of your pocket. Do not answer to offers to the city center from rogue taxis.
There are also daily direct trains from Budapest (a 4-hour journey), Vienna (8 hours) and Munich (15 hours) Traveling to and from Szeged you have 2 trains daily at 7:50 and 14: 48h: go first to Budapest and change to Bekecsaba, reaching Szeged at. 11: 40h and 18: 40h. There is no regular bus connecting these cities, as well as Belgrade. The train services between Romania and Serbia were suspended at the end of 2017.
There are several trains to Bucharest and most major cities in Romania.
Belgrade (Serbia) is 150 km away (a 2 1/2 hour journey).
Budapest (Hungary) is 286 km away (a 3.5-hour journey).
Another option to travel between Belgrade and Timisoara is to make a reservation at www.365rent.ro . Online is possible and the phone is better. You need to give the address where you want to be taken and where you will go to another address; the time they will give you will not consistently correspond to what you wanted, of course, it’s not a taxi service but chooses as many people as possible. 35 € in a mini-van. It takes 4 to 5 hours to travel between the two cities (due to traffic jams, especially in Belgrade.
The bus terminal (Bus Station) is two hundred meters south of the North Railway Station (North Railway Station).
The buses to Vršac were mentioned earlier, just across the border with Serbia, but at the time of writing (April 2015), there were no buses.
There are no direct buses to Belgrade. The easiest way to get to Belgrade is to book a car at www.365rent.ro .
Perhaps the best way to discover the city is to visit the city. Understanding that it is better to bring as many tourists as possible and not to perceive them for everything, the locals offer free trips to the city, especially for English speaking speakers, but also for German / Hungarian speakers. A simple search on Google will find such free trips to the city.
The center of Timisoara is relatively compact and walking is certainly a pleasure. The city has an excellent public transport service including trolleybuses, trams and buses and newer sailing on the Bega River. Most buses and trolleybuses are new. Trams are also modern and comfortable. Most tram and bus stations have digital information panels.
There are two types of tickets, one for the three express lines (buses) and one for the rest of the buses, trams. The price of a ticket is only 2 lei, around 0.5 EUR, and you can find them at newspaper / cigarette stalls around each station. You can also buy subscriptions for one day, one week, two weeks or one month on one, two or all lines. Unique tickets and certain passes are available from the numerous kiosks that show the yellow RATT sign (public transport concern). The city has the most “public” public transport system in Romania – tickets and information are easy to find. The site is excellent and is written in Romanian and English: www.ratt.ro . Also, a brief description of the public transport, especially for tourists, can be found at here .
In Timisoara there is no shortage of taxis. You can reach any point in Timisoara, paying a fee of 10-20 Lei (about 3-6 €). Do not negotiate with the driver and insist that the unit is turned on.
If you want to rent a car, there are plenty of car rental companies. They offer affordable services and all kinds of vehicles. Car rental can also be made from us directly online www.365rent.ro or by phone +40739751444 non-stop!
If you try to navigate to an address many times, you need to be careful about changing street names. Sometimes people will give you the old name, which is also a problem with online navigation software.
As in most of Romania, outside cities, public transport is rare. But it’s cheap and though it’s slow, it’s surprisingly efficient.
Getting around: The city is possible by bicycle, which you can rent at velotm, which has several stations in the city. It’s free for an hour. You can not cycle into the city center, where all these bike stations are located … There are bike rental for students as well. During peak hours, beautiful weather is much better than being locked in heavy traffic. There are also bicycle lanes in some parts of the city. Be cautious when you share the road with cars because some drivers tend not to fully respect those who travel on two wheels (whether they are bicycles or motorcycles).
There is a separate bicycle route that leads from Timisoara to the Serbian border for 37 km on the Bega Canal. Starts in the Freidorf district, passes through the Freidorf industrial park, the village of Utvin, where the route passes on the Bega Canal on a bridge, Sânmihaiul Român, Uivar and Otelec, before the route ends at the Serbo-Romanian border.
From the main train station (Gara de Nord, which can be reached with trams 1 and 8), there are two local train operators: National CFR and Regiotrans private company. The latter operate rather rather faded (and incredibly slow) trains in small towns and villages. Their calendars (much reduced since April 2015) can be found here: http://www.regiotrans.ro/mercedes-train-values-from-old-in-201-2015 (scroll to Timisoara to view the list of schedules) . CFR operates fast / medium / slow trains to Arad (the fastest destination is less than an hour – but you will pay much more for very fast trains.) CFR also operates a range of local train services (including two routes to Lugoj, but they do not always appear on the CFR website or calendars), but they are displayed at Timisoara Train Station (in glass cabinets, and detailed regulations such as musical instruments and uninfected animals can be taken in a train – if you have become obese from a medical point of view, you will be pleased to know that you can travel).
Please note that many small Romanian rural stations do not have a platform, shelter, lighting or information. Indeed, some seem to have lost their mark. Even the tracks will be covered with grass. See the TIME BEFORE travel – because there are only three trains a day, you have to plan your day! Google Maps is one of the few web sites on the map to display railway tracks and stations (use the satellite option to see!). It is surprising to see a considerable number of people suddenly coming from nowhere in a small height in the middle of a field (no access to the road) that has only a rusty sign.
Some trains in Romania (fast and slow) seem to get away in the most strange moments (like 3 o’clock in the morning) – which can be useful for returning from the late evening party to Arad!
Buses from Timisoara depart from a number of points. Buses in Romania are generally as much or more expensive as the train. They are however much more modern than the train and many are much faster. Use this site to find routes and destinations: www.autogari.ro.
For buses and trains, there is no savings to buy the return ticket (return ticket) and the purchase of two single ones allows you to have some flexibility in the way of return!
Hotels in Romania are cheap but Western standards, so if you lose your last train, it could be cheaper to book a hotel (even four stars) than to pay for a taxi.
There is a good chance anyone under 40 years of age will understand at least English. Hungarian and German are also quite common. You can also hope to understand it in Italian, Spanish, Portuguese or French, as they are part of the Romance languages.
If you have difficulty reading local street names or targets, just remember to think Romanian as a phonetic language, there are very few pronunciation rules (gi -> “gee”, ghi -> “gi”, “->” tz ” ș -> “sh”, chi -> “ki”, ci = “cee”, …).
Victoriei Square (Victoriei Square or Opera Square). It is the symbol of the Romanian revolution. Here you can find the Metropolitan Orthodox Cathedral, the Opera House, the City Hall, the Philharmonic, the Banat Museum and the beautiful palaces built at the end of the nineteenth century and early twentieth century.
Union Square (Unirii Square). With its wonderful palaces and all the cafes, it is the old town center. Here you will find the Catholic Dome, the Baroque Palace (now a beautiful art gallery), the Serbian Church and other important buildings.
Freedom Square (Freedom Square). Situated between Unirii Square and Victoriei Square is a small market with old buildings. Here you can find the old town hall and the beautiful statue of St. Nepomuk.
Bastion. Part of the old defensive walls of Timisoara. The Bastion is located near Unirii Square, being recently renovated.
Parks. Timisoara is known in Romania as the city of parks. The important parks you can visit are Botanic Park (next to Unirii Square, the most beautiful park in Timisoara), Roses Park (near Victoriei Square), Central Park (near Victoriei Square, right behind Metropolitan Orthodox Cathedral) others.
Traian Square (Traian Square). This is also a part of the old city, but it is more like a separate neighborhood, often called Fabric, thanks to its old factories around which used to run from the old times. The buildings are beautiful, but be careful. Try not to visit the area during the night and always keep an eye on your valuable items. Nearby is the Timisoara Brewery and the Installation Club.
The Village Museum. Located near Green Forest (Green Forest). Here you can discover the Romanian tradition.
Zoo. Located in the same area as the Village Museum, there is a small zoo, but your children will love it.
Museum of the Revolution, Popa Sapca no. 3-5 (Inside the Bastion), A great museum to visit in order to better understand what happened in the last seven days when Romania overthrew its communist dictatorship. Earlier reports said it was free of charge, but since August 2016 staff demand a fixed fee of $ 10 without any suggestion that it is voluntary.
Banat Museum, Martin Luther Street 4 (adjacent to the Metropolitan Cathedral), the Museum is currently closed and is not scheduled to open for years (2016). It will open in another location and only staff are in the current location.
Communist Consumer Museum, Architect Laszlo Szekely no. 1 (formerly Zoe) (near Balcescu Square), A unique museum, arranged as a typical Romanian apartment in the “golden age”. See, touch, hear and discover the items that Romanians could buy in the communist era, from toys to vinyl, TV and radio, bicycles, kitchen facilities and much more! The entry is free. The museum accepts donations.
Enjoy coffee products in Unirii Square (Unirii Square) or Victoria Square (Victoria Square). Enjoy the nightlife at the end of the week, dancing all night at Fratelli or the epic, or at their summer locations, or the D’Arc terrace on the Bega Canal. Eat a great pizza or pasta at Da Toni, enjoy a good beer at Bierhaus (you can find about 50 beer types there), eat Romanian dishes at Club XXI, do not miss Toniq cocktails If you like shopping, Iulius Mall is the place to visit. Enjoy a pleasant walk in the Botanical Park. Timisoara is a very cosmopolitan city and if you ask / forget, you can enjoy all sorts of activities, including long and impressive opera seasons and other classical music.
Français Cultural Center, Bd Loga. The French and French communities in Timisoara attend the local CCF, which organizes exhibitions, concerts and various events.
Rent bikes in Timisoara (tBike), Circumvalation Street, Explore the city of Timisoara and cycle. There are some special bikes in Timisoara, but these are part of the pavement most of the time. Cycling in Timisoara is not so easy, so be prepared to share your bike with pedestrians and parked cars. Often there is no bike and you have to cycle on the main road. You also have to choose the bicycle tours from Timişoara and the Revolution of 1989. 25 ron
Scartz, str. Architect Laszlo Szekely nr. 1 (used to be Zoe), Scartz is a so-called “hipster bar”. It’s a café just outside the city center. It is known among students and young adults as a great place to spend, and that’s exactly what parents looked like. With sofas, luxury chairs, hammocks and bunk beds, it has truly become a perfect place to “get out”. While the interior is decorated to look warm and hip, the exterior is more elegant and is happening. And the best part of all this: They sell ice cream! For just 2 lei we had a chocolate ice cream rectangle in our hands. Eat a little strange, but then again, who does not eat strangely while sitting in bed, in a hammock or on a couch? A place you just have to visit, just for his fun. Scartz is also a home for an independent theater group called Aualeu Theater, to be seen. They play every weekend, between October and May. The limited number of seats, from 20 to 40, depending on the show, should call first to book a place, or just ask the bartender.
Politehnica University of Timisoara (Politehnica University) and West University of Timisoara (West University) are the most important universities in the area.
Universitatea Politehnica Timisoara (Universitatea Politehnica) si Universitatea de Vest Timisoara (Universitatea de Vest) sunt cele mai importante universitati din zona.
In Timisoara you can buy everything from well-known brands to Romanian products. Major shops are located in the city center. If you want an authentic adventure visit, visit the Aurora Market or the Brancoveanu shopping area, but watch carefully and respect the valuable items. The police will not help you at all.
Victory Square.
The city center, with many shops.
Iulius Mall
One of the largest shopping centers in Eastern Europe. You can find numerous Romanian and international brands and a Cinema City multiplex there.
Bega Shopping Center, (near Hotel Continental). The first important mall in Timisoara.
Every weekend there are two “flea” markets that take place at:
Aurora-Flavia Market.
Mehala Market. Also the largest car and bicycle market in the city.
Markets are also open on weekdays, but with much lower attendance.
There are also several small corner shops, some of them claiming to be open 24/7 (“Non-Stop”, although few are in reality.) Cigarettes (at the official fixed price) are sold by most hotels and restaurants.
Before the big holidays (Christmas, Easter), some supermarkets are also open during the night. During holidays, you can still find small open-air shops, usually 24 hours a day, and gas stations.
If you want to eat in Timisoara, you can find places for each budget. Since Timisoara is a very cosmopolitan city, local cuisine is influenced by Italian, Serbian, Hungarian, German, Turkish and Arabian cuisine.
Smoking is not allowed in cafes and restaurants in Romania by law (2016), just outside people still smokes.
Pan Rusovan (near Piata Victoriei, market 700, Iosefin complex). A well-known chain for sandwiches, burgers and delicious but not for the best quality.
Pinguin, (Freedom Square). non-stop. Fast-food bookstore serving shaorma, kebab, pleascavita. in the Oriental restaurant.
Yes Toni Pizza, (on Dalia Street in the university district). Italian cuisine in an earthly environment. The price of a pizza ranges from € 5 to € 10. The home delivery service is also available.
Napoleon, (in the Student Campus). A good place to eat a pizza or a hamburger.
Timisoreana, (near the beer factory). Known for grilled meals and local cold beer.
D.A.F. Junior, Str. Gloriei, Nr. 5 (in the eastern suburbs), Romania is meeting with Las Vegas! This surreal complex including bowling, bars and tennis also has a very good restaurant with an outdoor terrace. The meals are enormous and offer a wide range of Romanian cuisine at very good prices.
XXI Club (Victory Square). Very well known for Romanian cuisine.
Tinecz (in Calea Aradului). Very popular restaurant in Timisoara.
Sabers near Omv on Aries Street
Aquarium, Market 700, City Business Center (Go to the City Business Center ground floor and take the elevator up to the 6th floor) dinner, lunch or business meeting …. Meanwhile, you can relax on the outdoor terrace with city views . Steaks are especially recommended! A main meal and a glass of wine cost an average of 12-20 euros
Flower House, (near Liberty Square). International cuisine.
Great Chinese Restaurant – Chinese Restaurant, (near Badea Cartan Square, Simion Barnutiu Street). Best Asian Restaurant in Timisoara. A meal will usually cost you around 10-15 €.
You will find many places outside the city center. In summer, the best place to spend is on the banks of the Bega River, in the south of the city: numerous bars and restaurants offer shade and drinks. On the other side of the university buildings are, for example, Friday 15 and La Căpete, where the program includes live music.
We also have plenty of hotels, apart hotels, hostels where you can stay!
General precautions apply as in any country in Central and Eastern Europe. Timisoara is much safer than Romania as a whole – indeed Romania has far less street and burglary than (for example) Britain.
As in all cities, keep your valuables permanently around you or in safes. Do not leave any visible objects pointing to the valuable items inside the car: backpacks, trolleys, jackets, wallets, navigation devices, mobile phones, cash. There is obviously a chance (as in any country) that the car will be broken and things will disappear!
Do not start fights and join fight. Be clever and leave. Do not let anyone harass you and let foreigners take you to unknown places. Do not accept shady offers or gambling on the street or behind the buildings. If a big fight triggers in a club, it leaves immediately – tactical police forces may come soon and may “reassure” everyone.
To dial fixed roaming numbers, use the international prefix +40 followed by 256 for the city prefix.
City Hall’s website: www.primariatm.ro
Embassies and Consulates (may not be updated):
Consulate General of Germany
Consulate General of Italy
The Consulate General of Serbia and Montenegro
Austria Honorary Consulate
Netherlands Honorary Consulate
Honorary Consulate of India
Honorary Consulate of France
Sweden Honorary Consulate
Honorary Consulate of Tunisia
Hungary Honorary Consulate
Honorary Consulate of the Czech Republic
Honorary Consulate of the Republic of Moldova
Honorary Consulate of Bulgaria
365rent.ro promoted by 365Rent Ltd Timisoara our dear city +40.739.751.444