Fast Facts

Airlines -- The headquarters of the national carrier, Tarom, Spl. Independentei 17 (tel. 021/303-4444; www.tarom.ro; Mon-Fri 8am-7:30pm, Sat 9am-1:30pm), are at the airport (tel. 021/201-4979). British Airways: Calea Victoriei 15; tel. 021/303-2222; Mon-Fri 9am-5pm.

Ambulance -- In emergencies, dial tel. 973, 961, or 021/243-1333. To summon Puls, a private ambulance service, dial tel. 021/224-0187 (Mon-Sat 7:30am-7:30pm; Sun 7:30am-1:30pm).

American Express -- Services are available through Marshal Turism (www.marshal.ro), at B-dul Unirii 20 (tel. 021/319-4444) and B-dul Magheru 43 (tel. 021/319-4455). Hours are Monday to Friday 9am to 6pm and Saturday 9am to 1pm.

Area Codes -- For Bucharest dial tel. 021 or 031; the latter is an additional dialing code for services offered by alternative telephony providers.

Banks & Currency Exchange -- Banks are the best place to exchange foreign currency. ATMs are everywhere and are the best way to obtain local currency, assuming that your credit card has a PIN or that your cash card has been enabled for international use.

Car Rentals -- Major companies include Avis (various branches; tel. 021/210-4344; www.avis.ro), Hertz (tel. 021/222-1256; www.hertz.com.ro), and Europcar (tel. 021/310-1797; www.europcar.com). Standard car rental can be as low as 30€ ($38) per day for a cheap model with unlimited mileage. If you prefer something classier, try Bavaria Rent a Car (tel. 021/201-4534 or 0730-333-707; www.bavariarent.ro), specializing in BMWs, with tough models that will better handle some of Romania's more treacherous roads.

Drugstores -- Open round the clock, Help Net has branches at B-dul Unirii 24 (tel. 021/335-7425), Calea 13 Septembrie 126 (tel. 021/411-9574), B-dul Ion Mihalache 92 (tel. 021/224-44215), and Str. Av. Radu Beller 8 (tel. 021/233-8984).

Embassies -- The U.S. Embassy (Mon-Fri 8am-5pm) is at Str. Tudor Arghezi 7-9 (tel. 021/200-3300; www.usembassy.ro). The Canadian Embassy (Mon-Thurs 9am-5pm; Fri 8.30am-2pm) is at Str. Tuberozelor 1-3 (tel. 021/307-5000; www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca). The U.K. Embassy (Mon-Thurs 8:30am-5pm; Fri 8:30am-4pm) is at Str. Jules Michelet 24 (tel. 021/210-7200; www.britishembassy.gov.uk/romania). Contact the Australian Consulate General, Str. Buzesti 14-18, Fifth Floor (www.dfat.gov.au) at tel. 021/316-7558. New Zealanders should contact the New Zealand Embassy and Mission to the European Union in Brussels (tel. +32/2/512-1040; www.nzembassy.com).

Emergencies -- Dial tel. 961 in case of emergencies; for an ambulance, dial tel. 961 or 973; and contact tel. 981 in case of fire.

Hospital -- Romania's best state-run facility is Emergency Clinic Hospital (Spitalul de Urgenta), Calea Floreasca 8 (tel. 021/317-0121 or 021/317-0171). A good private service is Dr. Victor Babes, Str. Mihai Bravu 281 (tel. 021/317-9503), which is open daily from 8am to 8pm, and has a price list for all services on its website, www.cdt-babes.ro. A good chain of clinics is Medicover (emergency number tel. 021/310-4040; appointments 021/310-1599), with three branches, at Calea Plevnei 96 (tel. 021/310-4410), Str. Dr. Grozovici 6 (tel. 021/316-2155), and Str. Grigore Alexandrescu 16-20 (tel. 021/310-1688); they're open 8am to 8pm Monday through Friday and also Saturday morning.

Internet Access -- Most hotels now have Internet, and many have Wi-Fi.

Police -- Dial tel. 955. The most central police station is at Calea Victoriei 17 (tel. 021/311-2021).

Post Office -- Bucharest's main post office is located at Str. Matei Millo 10, and is open Monday to Friday 7:30am to 8pm, and Saturday 8am to 2pm.