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.
Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.
