Travelling To Bucharest For Work? 4 Essentials To Consider

Romania’s capital, Bucharest, is a uniquely beautiful city enriched by thousands of years’ worth of history. From its vibrant culture to the welcoming and friendly people who call it home, any visitor is sure to fall in love. But if you're lucky enough to travel with work, there are a few things you should keep in mind. Read on as we prepare you for your latest work trip. Expect tips, tricks, and useful information in this worker's guide to Bucharest.

Bucharest is incredibly affordable 

One of the biggest concerns while travelling away for work is the big question: can I afford it? Often people can get caught up in the romance of travel and suddenly realize far too late that their funds won’t stretch. When it comes to Bucharest, you shouldn't worry too much. Compared to other European cities, Bucharest is easily one of the most affordable destinations you could be travelling to.

Your accommodation will set you back a fraction of what you're used to paying. Travel planning sites reveal a plethora of decent hotels between $20-100 a night. Plus, there are many Airbnb hosts that operate within the city. So, if you really want to get in the mix this could be a really affordable way to experience a bustling city.

However, food and drink will affect your wallet the most whenever you travel for work. Luckily for you, Bucharest boasts massive savings in this department too. Even the most popular eateries like La Bibliotecă Herăstrău will serve a hearty meal for well under $10.

Good to know: Despite being a member of the European Union, Romania’s currency is the Romanian Lei. It currently converts to around 0.24 USD so you’ll be living pretty comfortably even on the most modest of budgets.

Learn about the history of Bucharest 

Just because you're on a business trip it doesn’t mean you shouldn’t soak in the culture. In fact, business trips often take you to places you’d never consider visiting. So when the opportunity arises you should grab it by both horns and make the most of it.

Bucharest’s nature is all part of its charm and can be a bit of a culture shock when you first arrive, even though it's part of Europe. Boasting a rich and storied history in communism, Romania as a whole is incredibly interesting.

Aside from knowing the obvious, you’ll be doing yourself a disservice by not digging a little deeper. This not so ancient history defines the capital and surrounding country to this day.

As travel guides dictate, the phrase city of contrasts comes to mind as more than a simple travel cliche. From a Berlin-esque hipster metropolis to the palace of the Parliament — a relic of communist rule —  Bucharest is a city like no other. And that should be experienced, even if your main concern is work.

Bring portable tech if you want to get some work done

In the face of affordable prices, rich history, and a fantastic atmosphere, unfortunately, you’ll eventually be expected to get down to business and actually do some work. In a city as vibrant as Bucharest, this is easier said than done. Being prepared for all possible situations is a must. Because finding moments of focus will be a brief and fleeting relief.

Consequently, bringing along flexible tech for the ride will be an absolute lifesaver. For the most part, an internet connection won't be an issue. There are tonnes of places you’ll find a reliable service, namely your hotel room and a few tourist destinations. But that doesn't mean you're ready to work just like that.

Professional guidance from tech experts can advise you on the perfect hotel setup. However, some major elements to consider include Bluetooth keyboards, portable chargers, adjustable stands, reliable laptops, and a hard drive docking station.

All of the above are quintessential necessities when it comes to working away from home. But the latter two are the nuts and bolts of your operation, This is because your laptop and docking station will house the core components of your work.

While a laptop alone is all well and good for the odd task, professionals will require a docking station to transform their hotel into a fully functional workstation. These docks are essentially a facilitator that incorporates peripherals devices like hard drives and work phones into your setup. Either way, linking everything together allows you to connect all vital information into one place, despite being potentially thousands of miles from the office.

Alternatively, you’ve landed in a new city ripe for exploration. With docking stations enabling you to quickly access hard drives without installing them and mini laptops allowing extra portability. These seemingly inconsequential pieces of tech will provide added flexibility that relinquishes you from the desk.

As long as you get the work done, does it matter you had a little fun along the way? Absolutely not, so enjoy this unique opportunity in Bucharest for all its worth.

The public transport system is really useful

Now you have the kit to move about a little more freely, you’ll soon discover the wonders of Bucharest's public transport system. Aside from Uber, this is the cheapest and most efficient way to explore the city

It's important to be wary of local taxi companies — they have a historic reputation for overcharging unsuspecting tourists. Which in truth, is a fairly normal occurrence all over the world.

But not to worry, the travel infrastructure in Bucharest operates an above-ground system consisting of buses, trolleybuses, trams, and rail. And a highly touted underground Metro network. In all cases, the experience tends to be clean, simple, and best of all, reasonably priced.

Tickets are also flexible and easy to purchase. Simply look out for booths located around bus stops and metro stations. Where you can purchase tickets with varying travel options.

Good to know: Buchest’s travel system is a badly kept secret. It could be advised to plan ahead and avoid peak travel times. Otherwise, you’ll be in for a rather crowded experience.

Recommended reading: 9 Tips On How To Be A Successful Entrepreneur In Europe

If you’re travelling for work it can be difficult to split company time with your yearning to explore. Of course, work is important, but it's about finding a good balance. Remember travelling is a privilege and a great excuse to see the word

Very few places encapsulate a work and play atmosphere quite like Bucharest. So follow these top tips and make the most of your opportunity.