How to survive your first month in Bucharest as a student

By Bucharest Team

Articles

Your first month in Bucharest is a strange mix of excitement, confusion, and Google Maps.
For a new student, the city can feel like a huge, noisy creature that’s impossible to tame. But once you learn a few basic rules — and keep your sense of humor intact — you’ll realize that beneath the chaos, Bucharest actually has heart.

1. Learn the basics of the city (not just through Waze)

During your first weeks, you’ll probably take the wrong bus more than once. That’s normal.
Bucharest isn’t exactly logical: a boulevard might end in someone’s backyard, and two different neighborhoods might share the same street name.

A few landmarks will save you:

Real center: Universitate – Romană – Unirii.
Student areas: Regie, Grozăvești, Tineretului, Drumul Taberei (for Poli, ASE, UNATC, Medicine, etc.).
“Life zones”: Cotroceni (for walks), Floreasca (for nights out), Carol–Filaret (for quiet, green escapes).

Pro tip: download Google Maps, but also Moovit or Trafi — they show public transport in real time.
And yes, walking is the best way to actually feel the city.

2. Apps that make your life easier

Being a functional student in Bucharest doesn’t mean being clever — it means having the right apps:

Tazz / Glovo / Bolt Food – for those nights when you live off deadlines.
Bolt / Uber – for late evenings when the metro stops running.
Revolut / Monese – for quick payments or splitting bills with friends.
eTransport București / STB – to survive public transport.
Eventbook / IaBilet – to find concerts, festivals, and student-friendly events.
Instagram & Facebook student groups – still the best places for room rentals, events, and last-minute info.

Bonus: join the student associations of your university — they often know more than the administration does.

3. How to make friends (without trying too hard)

People in Bucharest might seem distant at first — they’re not unfriendly, just careful with their energy.
They don’t fake warmth, but once you connect, the friendships are real and long-lasting.

Here’s what works:

Actually go to classes (especially the optional ones) — that’s where people talk.
Join a student organization (ASER, VIP Romania, ESN, AIESEC).
Don’t underestimate the power of one coffee after class — that’s how most friendships start.
Attend small events on campus: film nights, book swaps, or quiz evenings.

In Bucharest, people connect through shared interests more than random proximity. Find your kind of crowd — the rest follows naturally.

4. What to avoid

Apartments that sound “too good to be true.” If the landlord asks for three months upfront and “no contract,” run.
The area around Gara de Nord at night. Not unsafe, but not ideal.
Friday night traffic. It’s not a time — it’s a lifestyle.
“I’ll study later.” You won’t. You really won’t.

Bucharest is full of temptations: parties, cafés, endless distractions.
It’s easy to lose your rhythm. Keep a bit of balance — the city will drain your energy fast, but it gives back in stories you’ll never forget.

5. How to start feeling at home

The first month is always a test — a mix of excitement and homesickness.
Build small rituals: a favorite café, a park bench, a daily walk. When you have routines, the city starts to feel yours.

And don’t force yourself to “fall in love” with Bucharest.
This city doesn’t try to impress. It makes you earn it.
But once you do, it stays with you — not because it’s perfect, but because it pushes you to grow.

In the end

Being a student in Bucharest is a course in itself — one that teaches you independence, resilience, and the art of improvisation.
You’ll learn to laugh at chaos, to survive on cheap coffee, and to celebrate small victories: catching the metro on time, passing your first exam, recognizing shortcuts through the city.

Bucharest isn’t an easy city. But it’s one that teaches you life — fast, loud, and unforgettable.
And that might just be the best class you’ll ever take.