How much would it cost to travel to Romania? - 2026 Guide

How much does it cost to go to Romania?

Let's be honest, figuring out a travel budget can be the most stressful part of trip planning. A one-week vacation to Romania generally costs between 1,500 and 3,000 RON (Romanian Leu). Your final budget will mostly come down to four things:

• Accommodation costs
• Food prices
• Public transport
• Entry fees for attractions

When you choose to fly and where you sit on the plane will also swing your costs. If you grab flight deals early, you'll save a lot upfront. If you're a budget traveler sticking to hostels and street food, you'll keep your weekly spend closer to 1,500 RON. Upgraded choices push the total toward 3,000 RON.

What is the daily expense for budget travelers?

Budget travelers in Romania typically spend about 215 RON daily. They keep costs down by sticking to hostels, street food, and buses.

Accommodation costs remain low at hostels, which typically charge between 50 and 70 RON per night. When it comes to food, grabbing meals from street vendors significantly lowers your daily food expenses. A 24-hour public transport pass in Bucharest costs approximately 8 RON, which is a much cheaper way to get around than taking taxis.

What is the daily expense for mid-range travelers?

Mid-range travelers in Romania typically spend between 400 and 600 RON per day. This budget allows for comfortable stays in 3-star hotels, giving you a private room and a good breakfast without emptying your wallet.

Beyond just a nicer bed, mid-range tourists can enjoy sit-down restaurant meals for lunch and dinner, sampling a wider variety of local cuisine. This daily estimate also covers occasional taxi use for getting around town easily and higher-priced entrance fees for guided tours at major attractions.

Romania travel cost breakdown

What are the visa requirements and travel insurance costs for Romania?

American and Canadian citizens receive visa-free entry to Romania for a 90-day period. Just make sure your passport is valid for at least three to six months beyond your planned departure. You should also budget for travel insurance to cover any medical emergencies and protect against unexpected financial losses.

This insurance covers canceled flights and medical emergencies. Since visa entry is free for many North Americans, it is smart to reallocate some of those initial savings into a solid insurance policy for peace of mind.

How much do flights to Henri Coanda International Airport cost?

While round-trip flights to Bucharest average around $447, you can find one-way fares starting as low as $144. To save even more, try flying on a Wednesday or booking "hacker fares"—combining two one-way tickets from different airlines.

Naturally, flights cost more during the busy summer months and drop during the off-season. Ticket costs decrease if travelers remain flexible with their departure dates. To stretch your budget, compare flights into Bucharest with regional airports like Cluj Napoca or Timisoara.

What currency is used in Romania?

The Romanian Leu is the official currency of Romania. Abbreviated as RON, you'll notice the bills are made of a unique plastic polymer. A single Leu divides into 100 smaller coins known as bani, such as the 10 ban and 50 ban coins.

Tourists use the Leu for everyday purchases. You'll need Lei for almost all your daily expenses, including:

• Food prices
• Accommodation costs
• Entry fees
• Local transport

It's a good idea to grab some cash as soon as you arrive. Using RON is also essential for leaving tips at restaurants.

How can you exchange money to Romanian Leu?

To get the best exchange rates, skip the kiosks at Henri Coanda Airport and withdraw Lei directly from ATMs in the city. Take it from someone who has learned this the hard way: always decline the ATM's "dynamic currency conversion" prompt to save on hidden fees.

Having local cash on hand is a must, as Romanian vendors rarely accept foreign money. You'll need it to pay for street food and leave standard 10-15% tips at restaurants.

Why should you use an eSIM card for mobile data in Romania?

Using global eSIM cards in Romania is a budget-friendly method to secure unlimited mobile data and avoid expensive roaming fees. For immediate connectivity upon arrival, tourists purchase a reliable eSIM card for Romania to stay connected online during their trip. Having a good connection is a lifesaver when you're trying to find your way around unfamiliar cities.

This connectivity helps tourists navigate Bucharest and historical destinations across Transylvania. You'll need data to call an Uber or Bolt. Being online actually saves you money, since you can easily check bus schedules instead of paying for cabs. Accessing online maps also prevents navigation errors when exploring unfamiliar locations.

How do eSIM cards compare to traditional prepaid SIM cards?

eSIM cards are far more convenient than traditional prepaid options. For hassle-free connectivity, consider a [dedicated eSIM offer for Romania](https://www.amigosim.com/esim-romania) that activates instantly upon arrival. This means you can skip the vendor kiosks at Henri Coanda International Airport and get cheap, unlimited data without swapping out tiny plastic cards.

Travelers reduce their overall travel costs if they purchase a specialized eSIM card for Romania in advance. It's just a much easier option since it connects the second you land.

How much do accommodation costs in Romania vary?

Accommodation costs vary widely, from highly affordable budget hostels to luxury spa resorts that charge between 500 and 900 RON per night. Prices also fluctuate depending on your location, especially in popular hubs like Bucharest, Brasov, or Sibiu.

Local hotel taxes and an 11% VAT will affect your final bill. Understanding these specific lodging charges helps tourists manage their overall travel costs. Visitors should monitor these expenses for a potential VAT refund if they qualify for specific tax exemptions. Sticking to simpler hotels is the easiest way to save money here.

What are the prices for hostels and rural guesthouses?

Hostels and traditional rural guesthouses are the most budget-friendly lodging options in Romania. A standard dormitory bed in a budget hostel typically costs between 50 and 70 RON per night. If you don't mind sharing a room, this is the cheapest way to sleep. Traditional rural guesthouses provide affordable alternatives to expensive city hotels while offering authentic cultural experiences.

You'll find these affordable spots across historical regions like Transylvania, Sibiu, and Brasov. These rural accommodations frequently include homemade meals featuring traditional local cuisine. Since you'll be paying in Lei, these guesthouses are incredibly gentle on your wallet.

How much do hotels and city apartments cost?

Standard hotels and private city apartments in Romania generally cost between 250 and 700 RON (approx. $55-$150) per night. Prices swing depending on how close you are to the action and what perks you want. Accommodation costs increase significantly near historic downtown areas in major cities.

A standard weekly budget in Lei easily covers these mid-range spots. Selecting a private apartment further from the city center reduces overall travel costs. You'll have more cash to spend on a nicer room if you secure cheap flight deals initially.

How much does food cost in Romania?

A daily food budget in Romania generally ranges between 100 and 150 RON if you're eating at average restaurants. Food prices remain highly affordable across the country because the government applies a lower 11% tax rate to restaurant meals, whether grabbing a quick lunch or sitting down for a formal dinner.

Thanks to this lower tax, you can enjoy everything from cheap street food to a full dinner without stressing your budget in popular destinations like Bucharest and Transylvania. Paying with the local Leu ensures you get the best rates for traditional cuisine.

What are the prices for street food and local cuisine?

Eating street food is one of the cheapest and best ways to taste real Romanian cooking. I still dream about grabbing a warm, pretzel-like covrigi from a corner bakery on a crisp morning. Budget travelers benefit from remarkably low food prices for authentic meals, including inexpensive street snacks like covrigi for 3 to 5 RON and mici for 5 to 7 RON.

Traditional sit-down meals are still very cheap at local mom-and-pop restaurants, with hearty ciorbă and sarmale priced between 20 and 40 RON. Travelers find the most authentic and affordable local cuisine by attending traditional village festivals in historical regions like Transylvania and Sibiu.

How much does dining out at restaurants cost?

You can expect to pay around 160 RON (about $35) for a three-course dinner for two. Dining out remains reasonably priced when guests order local cuisine in major cities.

Visitors should factor standard service tips into the final restaurant bill. Make sure you have some Lei on hand to leave a cash tip.

What is the tipping etiquette in Romania?

Tipping is expected in Romania. A standard tip is 10% to 15% of your restaurant bill, and it's best to leave this in cash using small Leu (RON) banknotes.

Remember to account for these gratuities when calculating your daily food expenses. When taking a taxi or Uber, just round up the fare. Hand your tip directly to your waiter or driver.

How much does transportation cost in Romania?

Transportation costs in Romania are generally low. You have plenty of cheap ways to get around, like:

• Extensive train networks
• Local buses
• Ridesharing

Your main transportation expenses will come from navigating within cities and taking the occasional train between them. Most major cities—like Brasov, Iasi, or Constanta—have cheap, reliable networks of buses and trams to help you get around.

If you're heading to Transylvania or Moldavia, the national trains are your cheapest bet. Planning these routes in advance will save you a lot of money, though keep in mind that renting a car for a road trip requires specific documents.

What are the costs for public transport and ridesharing?

It's highly affordable to navigate Romanian cities using daily public transport passes or app-based ridesharing platforms like Uber and Bolt. A standard single-ride ticket typically costs 3 RON. A 24-hour public transport pass in Bucharest costs approximately 8 RON (Romanian Leu).

Purchasing these unlimited transit tickets lowers overall travel costs. Ridesharing services are a great, scam-free alternative to regular taxis across Romania. You can easily book these vehicles as long as you have data on your phone.

How much does train travel cost between cities?

Train travel in Romania is an affordable method to get around the country. The national railway system, CFR Călători, offers cheap tickets for popular tourist routes, such as the journey from Bucharest to Transylvania.

The railway network connects major cities like Brasov, Sibiu, Cluj Napoca, and Timisoara. As a quick insider tip, try to book a window seat on the route to Brasov—the views rolling through the Carpathian Mountains are absolutely stunning.

How much are car rentals and the mandatory RoVinieta?

A standard car rental in Romania typically starts around 130 RON (Romanian Leu) per day. Drivers must purchase a RoVinieta, a mandatory electronic toll sticker for any passenger car on the national road network. Renting a car is the best way to explore the rural countryside and historical regions.

Budgeting for a rental car opens up beautiful rural regions like Transylvania and Sibiu. The daily rate for car rentals drops a lot if you visit outside the busy summer months in major cities like Bucharest and Cluj Napoca.

How much are sightseeing and entrance fees in Transylvania and other regions?

Sightseeing in Romania is very budget-friendly, with entrance fees to major landmarks, castles, and museums generally ranging from 10 to 40 RON. You'll pay these fees in Lei to explore famous spots across Transylvania, Brasov, and Sibiu, including iconic sites like Bran and Corvin Castle.

Checking out local cultural events is a fantastic way to get an authentic experience without blowing your budget. Traditional village festivals and craft workshops usually cost anywhere from nothing to 80 RON, and they are great places to score cheap, delicious homemade food. Skipping expensive private tours in favor of these local festivals is a great way to save money while having a better time.

How can you lower your overall travel cost to Romania?

Lowering your Romanian travel costs comes down to a few smart moves: booking hacker fares for flights, visiting during off-peak travel periods, and utilizing local transit passes. Small daily habits—like using an eSIM to avoid roaming fees or eating street food instead of dining out—will also stretch your budget significantly.

You don't have to sacrifice the magic of your trip just to stick to a tight budget. You can easily cut costs by sleeping in hostels or guesthouses, eating street food instead of sitting down at restaurants, and taking the bus instead of cabs.

Does off-peak travel reduce vacation expenses?

Traveling during the off-peak shoulder seasons of May, September, or October drastically reduces overall vacation expenses. Tourists save up to 40% on their total travel costs by avoiding the expensive peak tourist season from June through August. General travel costs and airfares increase dramatically during the summer, particularly in July. Prices jump up everywhere in the summer, especially in hotspots like Bucharest and Transylvania.

Securing affordable flight deals becomes significantly easier during these quieter months. Accommodation costs for city apartments and rural guesthouses, along with daily car rentals, offer much better financial value during off-peak periods. If you want to do Romania on a budget, visiting in the shoulder season is the best move you can make.

How can tourists claim a VAT refund?

Non-EU tourists are eligible to claim a VAT refund on specific purchases before departing from Romania. The standard Value Added Tax (TVA) is 21%, while you'll only pay an 11% rate on food and hotels.

You can file this paperwork at designated customs desks located inside major transit hubs, such as Henri Coanda International Airport in Bucharest. You'll receive these approved funds in the local Romanian Leu (RON) as long as you show your store receipts.

Sources

• https://travel.gc.ca/destinations/romania
• https://taxsummaries.pwc.com/romania/corporate/other-taxes
• https://bct.stb.ro/en/tarife-bct