· There are no ATMs at Bucharest Airport so you will need to use a Bureau de Change if you need money for taxis. You can change sterling there, so there is no need to get Euros before you leave the UK. If you do, you will lose twice on the exchange rate (sterling to Euros, and then Euros to lei). Make sure that any currency you take to Romania is in pristine condition though, as many individuals and businesses will refuse to accept bank notes that are even slightly creased. Once away from the airport, ATMs are plentiful and you will get a better exchange rate than with Bureaux de Change. As the lei is non-convertible, it may be better to draw small amounts of money each day, rather than be left with currency you can't spend outside of Romania. I use a Nationwide debit card to do this, as they don't levy a charge when you draw money abroad.
John Matthews

· You cannot get lei outside Romania. The best currency is US$, in small denomination notes without any tears or numbers handwritten on them. Sterling or Euros are a poor second. I travel to Romania frequently and take 20 students on an archaeological excavation each summer. We have never had problems with dollars. ATMs are widely available to obtain lei with your debit/credit card.
Douglass Bailey, Cardiff