Bucharest What to Pack

Luggage and bags: one suitcase or expandable duffel bag (you will need the extra room for taking back home all the things you will buy) and one small backpack

Clothing/Shoes/Weather Gear: Comfortable shoes (1 pair of sneakers and 1 pair of nice shoes with a flat sole for going to a nice restaurant or a show in the evening), 2 pairs of pants (1 nice black pair will do just fine to wear at a show and also during the day when you go to a nice museum or restaurant), 3 T-shirts, 1 nice blouse, 1 sweater and a light jacket. If you visit during late fall or winter, make sure you have a warm jacket with you, hat, gloves and warm boots (no high heels!).

Toiletries and Medical Supplies: You can buy everything in town, so you really do not need to take medication or toiletries with you. Of course, prescription medication is an exception to the rule and you need to take it with you when you travel to Romania.

Photo Equipment: Lots of film or a big memory card. In case your memory card gets full, there are plenty of places where you can take it and have your pictures transfered to a CD.

Miscellaneous: Good guidebook that will help you decide where you want to go and what you want to see. There is lots to do and see in town and you need to have a plan. If you get lost, don't panic. People there speak pretty good English and they will gladly provide directions!

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Clothing/Shoes/Weather Gear: Generally unless it rains, you should expect sunny weather in Bucharest in late August - for the first two days of my trip it was 32°C (90°F) and T-shirts and lightweight trousers were definitely recommended. If you intend to go into churches then long trousers are a must. On the shoe front, I would have to recommend trainers and sturdy shoes - the pavements and streets sometimes are far from even. Also if there is a torrential downpour, waterproof shoes are essential unless you want to come home with soaked feet. A very sturdy umbrella is recommended in a downpour.

Toiletries and Medical Supplies: In some countries, it may actually be possible to get medicines over-the-counter at pharmacies, but it’s better to bring your own to be sure. Keep these in your carry-on luggage as well. A note from your doctor is also a good idea, to protect yourself from any questions as you go through customs

Photo Equipment: Adaptors and Chargers for Electronics
If you carry a digital camera or cell phone, you’ll want to be able to recharge it. Having a charger won’t be enough because American-style plugs won't work in Eastern European electrical outlets, so make sure you purchase a power converter/adaptor. The proper device will reduce the 220 volts to a safe 110 volts for your appliances, as well as use a plug with two round prongs to fit into the sockets of your hotel room.

Camping/Beach/Outdoor Gear: Insect Repellent
If you are going to be hiking, bring insect repellent. Mosquito populations can be quite dense in forested areas. You also need to be wary of ticks. Products are available, but you may feel more confident with your own DEET-containing chemical spray or lotion.

Miscellaneous: Documents
Don’t forget them. Passport, appropriate visas, credit cards, money to exchange—leave them behind and you’re out of luck. Put all of these items safely in traveler’s wallet either on your person or in your carry-on luggage so they go where you go. I personally scan my passport, insurance document, air ticket and any hotel reservations/vouchers and then send it via e-mail to my yahoo adress where I can make a copy quickly in case of emergency. As a second back-up a Full-Color Photo Copy of Your Passport and Visas If your original passport goes missing, a good-quality photo copy can serve you well. Store these separately from your other documents so that if your wallet gets lost, you’ll still have your color copies.

Contacts and/or Glasses
If you have impaired vision, bring all the necessary supplies. You may have difficulty finding the products you need when you get to Eastern Europe.

Clothing/Shoes/Weather Gear: This was the first time I've ever had luggage not arrive along with me (came the next day)and from this point forward I will ALWAYS carry a change of clothes in my carry on luggage. It wasn't the fault of Bucharest's airport handlers, it got stuck in London when we had too short of a connection.

We did try to shop for a change of shirt and underwear and after trudging through the mall for a couple of hours, I settled on washing my underwear in the sink and buying a tourist tshirt which I felt ridiculous wearing

Bucharest was warmer and more humid than I thought, younger people do wear shorts although not as common as in the US

Toiletries and Medical Supplies: Grocery stores or pharmacies carry anything that you might forget. I found that even mid range hotels had very cheap shampoo and soap and never any lotion or conditioner so if you are particular, pack your own.

And I had the hardest time finding anything that resembled bandaids that I would buy back home, pharmacies carried bandaids but they were odd sizes and not a very wide selection.

Photo Equipment: I took a huge number of photos so bring lots of film or memory

Miscellaneous: ATM/Debit card was the most useful for paying, lots of restaurants do not take credit cards

Clothing/Shoes/Weather Gear: If you go to Bucharest in the winter (December - February) remember that the winters are cold there and you're almost guaranteed to see snow. Bring a sweater and a heavy coat or jacket. The summer on the other hand is very hot (30-35C in July-August) and it doesn't cool off much in the afternoon. Bring confortable shoes.

Toiletries and Medical Supplies: Regarding drug stores, every other store in downtown Bucharest it's a "Pharmacy".

Miscellaneous: As for the rest, don't worry. If you forgot something you can buy it there; Bucharest has plenty of stores and their shelves are full (unlike the communist period).

Luggage and bags: A backpack, handbag or a suitcase will do it just fine, as all of them are just common among Romanians. Just avoid to take too expensive stuff, as it is not a wise idea to stand up as a foreigner and to tempt people with things they'll never afford to buy.

Clothing/Shoes/Weather Gear: Weather is generally mild in Bucharest, with an average of -5C in January and +30 / +35C in July-August. Sandals, sport shoes, fancy shoes, sleepers, boots, they are all common and therefore take what you wish... The same goes for shorts or Armani suits (even if the latter can turn out to be a cheap copy).

Toiletries and Medical Supplies: There are all sorts of drug stores and hospitals, therefore you have no reason to despair in this respect. Toilet paper and female higiene products are easily accessible in all departments stores or supermarkets, even many kiosks sell them.

Photo Equipment: In Bucharest it is easy to find the right battery or the right film for your camera, but if you plan to go elsewhere in Romania, to avoid the time waste, buy them from Bucharest. Stores like Muzica (on Victoriei Avenue, S from the Royal Palace), Unirea Shopping Centre (Unirea Sq.) or most Kodak / Agfa / Fuji units in the city will help you in this respect.

Camping/Beach/Outdoor Gear: This is difficult thing with Bucharest: the closest camping place lies about 30 km. N of Bucharest, in Snagov Park (on Snagov Lake, deviation to the E from Bucharest - Ploiesti Road)... Otherwise head to teh nearest forest (e.g. Ciolpani, Pasarea, Cernica) and try to camp, but that shall be at your own risk then...

Miscellaneous: Nothing special, apart from the good will and the smile on your face. These are compulsory though ;)
Have a nice trip!

Miscellaneous: Take a spare sink plug or squash ball as hotels and rooms in private houses often don't have anything to block the sink with. A map of Bucuresti, which you can find in all bookshops and most street kiosks is invaluable. A lot of taxi drivers don't seem to know the city too well.