Before you go
Iași essentials
Currency, transport, safety, tipping and season — short and up to date. Data is indicative; check official sources before you travel.
Currency & payments
- The currency is the Romanian leu (RON). Contactless cards are accepted almost everywhere, including on public transport.
- ATMs are plentiful; avoid exchange booths in tourist areas with poor rates, and keep some cash for markets or small venues.
- Check your bank's fees for foreign withdrawals and payments in advance.
Getting around
- Iași has no metro. The backbone is CTP’s nine tram lines; buses cover the rest of the city and the surrounding communes.
- The simplest way to pay is a contactless bank card, tapped straight on the onboard validator. The 24pay and IA’SI BILET apps work too. A ticket costs 4 lei and is valid 120 minutes.
- For point-to-point rides, use apps like Bolt or Uber. Avoid unlicensed taxis or any that refuse to run the meter.
From the airport to the centre
- Iași International Airport (IAS) is just 8 km east of the centre — one of the shortest city-to-airport distances in Romania.
- Bus 50 links Aeroport – Târgu Cucu – Piața Unirii – Gara directly, every 30 minutes; about 20 minutes into the centre.
- Taxis wait outside the terminal, and Bolt and Uber both operate in the city.
Safety
- Iași is generally a calm city. Ordinary big-city awareness is enough: watch your pockets in crowds and on public transport at rush hour.
- Cross only at marked crossings; traffic can be heavy and pedestrians don't always get priority in practice.
- The single emergency number is 112.
Tipping
- In restaurants, a 5–10% tip is customary if you were happy; some places already add a service charge to the bill.
- For taxis, bars or small services, rounding up is enough and appreciated.
When to go
- Spring (April–June) and autumn (September–October) are ideal: pleasant weather, open terraces and fewer crowds.
- Summer can be hot but is full of festivals and beer gardens; winter brings markets and a special mood in the city centre.
Water, plugs & internet
- Tap water is drinkable in Iași; many people still prefer bottled water for taste.
- Sockets are type C/F (European), 230V — UK and US travellers need an adapter.
- Prepaid SIM cards (Orange, Vodafone, Digi, Telekom) are cheap with generous data; free Wi-Fi is common in cafés and malls.
Scams & traps to avoid
- Taxis: only get into ones with the fare displayed on the door and ask for the meter; the easiest option is Bolt or Uber, with the price known upfront. Avoid taxis that approach you at the airport or Gara de Nord.
- Exchange booths: avoid the ones in tourist areas advertising “0% commission” with poor rates; change at a bank or withdraw from an ATM.
- Venues with no prices on the menu or with unpriced “specials” — ask the price before you order.
- Watch for pickpockets in crowds and for people asking for signatures or donations on the street.
Free things to do
- Big parks: Grădina Botanică (King Mihai I), Cișmigiu, Tineretului, Carol — walks, lakes and greenery in the middle of the city.
- A stroll through the city centre (Centru), along Bulevardul Ștefan cel Mare and through the covered passages — architecture and atmosphere, for free.
- Historic churches and monasteries (Stavropoleos, Antim) — free entry, observing the rules.
- Văcărești Delta — an urban nature reserve, great for walks and birdwatching.
- Some museums have free-entry days or discounts for certain categories — check each one's website.
Language & useful phrases
- The official language is Romanian; young people and tourism staff generally speak English, and other languages in tourist areas.
- Handy phrases: “Bună ziua” (formal hello), “Mulțumesc” (thank you), “Vă rog” (please), “Cât costă?” (how much?) and “Nota, vă rog” (the bill, please).
Official tariffs
| CTP ticket (one ride, 120 min) | 4 lei |
| CTP 1-day pass | 13 lei |
| CTP tourist pass, 3 days | 30 lei |
| CTP 30-day pass | 130 lei |
| Parking, central zone | 7 lei/hour |
| Parking, central monthly pass | 198 lei |
| Fine for travelling without a ticket | 99 lei |
| Children under 7, transport | free |
Officially published tariffs in lei (RON), not estimates. Roughly 5 lei to €1. We deliberately do not publish made-up ranges for meals or hotel rooms — those vary too much by venue and season to be useful.
The information on this page is indicative and can change. For official data (exchange rates, transport fares, rules), check the competent sources before travelling.
Frequently asked questions
How many days do you need for Iași?
For the essentials — the Palace of Culture, Trei Ierarhi, the Metropolitan Cathedral, Copou with the Botanical Garden and the Palas area — two full days are enough. With three you also fit the monasteries on the city's edge (Cetățuia, Galata, Frumoasa) and an evening in the centre.
How do I get from the airport to central Iași?
The airport is about 8 km east of the centre. Bus 50 links Aeroport – Târgu Cucu – Piața Unirii – Gara, departing every 30 minutes; the ride into town takes around 20 minutes. Otherwise, taxis and ride-hailing wait outside the terminal.
How much is public transport in Iași?
A single urban CTP journey costs 4 lei and is valid for 120 minutes. There are passes too: 13 lei a day, 30 lei for the 3-day tourist pass, 130 lei for 30 days. The simplest way to pay is a contactless bank card, tapped straight on the onboard validator.
Is Iași a safe city?
Yes, it's generally a calm city, and the centre stays busy until late. Ordinary big-city awareness is enough: watch your pockets in crowds and on public transport at rush hour.
Which area is best to stay in?
The centre and the Palas area if you want everything on foot — the Palace of Culture, the restaurants and the shops are minutes away. Copou for greenery, universities and quiet. Păcurari and Tătărași for better prices, a few tram stops from the centre.
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