Travora
/ Romania
Carpathian castles and Balkan charm
Romania blends baroque cities, painted monasteries and the Dracula legend across the Carpathian mountains. Bucharest, nicknamed 'little Paris', mixes grand boulevards with lively backstreets, while Transylvania lines up Saxon villages and medieval fortresses. A full Schengen member since 2025, it is an affordable gateway to Europe for a Cameroonian traveller, with spectacular nature and prices still gentle compared with Western Europe.
In pictures
The visa, step by step
How to apply
Romania has been a full Schengen member since 2025. Apply for a Schengen short-stay visa through the relevant VFS Global centre (via the Romanian mission or a mandated Schengen country), by appointment, with biometrics.
Required documents
- Passport valid 3 months beyond return, 2 blank pages
- Completed and signed Schengen form
- Recent biometric photos
- Travel insurance (€30,000 cover)
- Flight and hotel bookings + proof of funds
Good to know
- •Schengen visa valid across the whole Schengen area
- •Fees are non-refundable if refused
- •Book your appointment early, slots are limited
Countdown checklist
Every step dated back from your departure.
- J-60Check your passport
Valid ≥ 6 months after return + 2 blank pages.
- J-46Gather the visa documents
Passport valid 3 months beyond return, 2 blank pages · Completed and signed Schengen form · Recent biometric photos · Travel insurance (€30,000 cover) · Flight and hotel bookings + proof of funds
- J-45Book the flight
Best fares are usually gone 6–8 weeks out.
- J-36Submit the visa application
Observed processing: 15 working days on average, sometimes longer + safety margin.
- J-21Health: vaccines & yellow card
Yellow fever often required; malaria prophylaxis depending on the area.
- J-3eSIM, insurance & money
Data on landing, travel insurance, some cash.
- J-1Print / back up your documents
Passport, visa, tickets, bookings (paper + phone).
Indicative lead times, computed with a safety margin from observed processing times. Reconfirm with official sources.
A one-week budget
Round-trip flight from Douala / Yaoundé
450 000 FCFA–750 000 FCFANo direct flights. Expect 1-2 stops (via Istanbul, Paris or Addis Ababa) for roughly 12-18 hours total.
Indicative round-trip price: it varies widely by season, layover and how early you book.
Where the money goes (backpacker estimate)
Budget simulator
What to do there
Bran Castle
The famous 'Dracula's castle' perched on its rock, between Bram Stoker legend and Carpathian history.
Palace of the Parliament, Bucharest
The heaviest administrative building on earth, an oversized relic of the Ceausescu era; an impressive guided tour.
Brasov old town
Medieval square, the Black Church and the Tâmpa cable car for a panoramic view over red rooftops.
Sighisoara
UNESCO-listed medieval citadel, birthplace of Vlad the Impaler, with its colourful clock tower.
Transfagarasan road
One of Europe's most beautiful mountain roads, winding through the Carpathians (open in summer).
Painted Monasteries of Bucovina
Vivid 15th-16th century exterior frescoes, UNESCO-listed Orthodox jewels.
One week, day by day
- D1
Day 1: Arrive in Bucharest, old town (Lipscani) and a first Romanian dinner.
- D2
Day 2: Palace of the Parliament, Village Museum and the 'little Paris' boulevards.
- D3
Day 3: Train to Brasov, settle in and wander the medieval old town.
- D4
Day 4: Day trip to Bran Castle and Râsnov fortress.
- D5
Day 5: Sighisoara medieval citadel and lunch on the square.
- D6
Day 6: Back towards Brasov or Sinaia, the flamboyant Peles Castle.
- D7
Day 7: Return to Bucharest, last shopping and departure.
Travel checklist
A printable list (or save as PDF) so you forget nothing.
Travel checklist — Roumanie
Before you leave
What to pack
Indicative data (June 2026), reliability moyenne. Visa rules, prices and timelines change: always confirm with official sources before booking.
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