Airports in Romania - The do's and don'ts of travelling in Romania

There are plenty of airports in Romania, and a wide range of obscure flights seem to come here such as cheap flights directly from the UK to the sea.

The quality flights come into Otopeni - though Eayjet also arrive there from Spain and Italy, though not to the UK. It is based on where lots of Romanian workers live.

The airports in Romania, are very basic and don't expect bargains in the duty free areas - the traditional stuff is stupidly expensive, making me suspect it is designed for people desperate to spend the last of their currency on something for the wife or family. Amazingly Bucharest hotels are full during the week so there must be plenty of trade coming.

The airports in Romania use to have some funny announcements over the tannoys such as 'We would like to remind people that firearms don't count as hand luggage."

Another was the repeated number if a taxi driver robbed you... I always thought it would be a bit late when you needed it. In the end only 1 taxi firm can collect from the airport.

Getting to and from the airports can be a challenge. When you travel by bus - always click your ticket as the man homes in on obvious tourists as easy people to get the fines from and being charged 40 dollars before you even get to Bucharest will dampen your holiday spirit!

There is a train service to Otopeni but oddly enough no track - so you need to go to the nearest station and then catch a minibus to get to and from the local airport in Romania,

The taxis will certainly charge you a fortune for the trip - the official taxi company has high rates already.

I get members of the family and friends to collect and deliver me to the airports. Even the biggest airport in Bucharest is small and it is easy to find your way around.

While you are at Otopeni airport in Bucharest, make sure you go upstairs to the little chapel. It is a small chapel covered in wood and golden icons. The little tea place along the corridor is nice though the prices of drinks are again high. In the arrivals hall you will find a Costa coffee place - which is hidden at the end of thee hall under the stairs.

Don't change your money at the airport if you can avoid it, as the rates of exchange are not value for money. Ironically however they are still better than in Brasov where there seems to be some cartel going on.

The airport is however a good place to get the hire car as you have plenty of options. This is where my Canadian uncle gets his car from and he always seems happy with it.

The final thing I have noticed is that the online checking services don't seem to work. I watched with amusement as a chap, who had paid extra to check in without lining up at one of the airports in Romania, was directed to the end of a long and winding queue to be checked in - he was fully of British indignation and anger as he stomped to the back.

The final warning notice I saw was again in Otopeni airport - Please note you cannot take more than 10 liters of bear in your luggage - so now you know!

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