Is Romania Expensive? Real Travel Costs in 2026

Romania keeps showing up on "cheap European destinations" lists, and for good reason — but the conversation usually stops at "it's cheap" without giving you actual numbers. As someone based here, let me walk you through what things really cost so you can plan properly.

The quick answer: yes, Romania is affordable

Romania uses the Romanian leu (RON), and at mid-2026 exchange rates, 1 EUR ≈ 5 RON. This matters because many prices are set in lei, and the conversion consistently works in the visitor's favor.

Compared to Western European prices, Romania runs roughly 40–60% cheaper for most things a tourist encounters: restaurants, hotels, local transport, and attractions. The gap is smaller for imported goods and international hotel chains, but for anything locally produced or operated, the savings are real.

Food and drink — actual prices

This is where Romania shines for budget travelers.

Romanian cuisine is hearty and portion sizes are generous. A "meniu de prânz" (lunch menu) at a local restaurant — soup, main course, sometimes dessert — costs €5–8. You'll struggle to spend a lot on food unless you actively seek out high-end restaurants.

Tipping: 10% is standard at sit-down restaurants. Not expected at cafés or bars, but appreciated.

Accommodation — what to expect at each budget

Hotels and guesthouses in Romania are legitimately cheaper than most of the EU, even accounting for recent price increases.

The best value in Romania isn't hotels — it's pensions (guesthouses), especially in Transylvania, Maramureș, and Bucovina. These are family-run, typically include breakfast, and often have better character and hospitality than chain hotels at a fraction of the price. A pension with a hot tub or pool in a mountain village can cost as little as €30–50 per night.

Airbnb is popular in cities, with central apartments in Bucharest or Cluj starting around €30–45 per night.

Getting around

Flights into Romania are cheap from most European cities. Budget airlines (Wizz Air, Ryanair) connect Bucharest, Cluj, Timișoara, and Iași to dozens of European hubs. Expect €30–100 round-trip if you book 4–6 weeks ahead.

Within Romania:

For cities, public transport and ride-hailing apps (Bolt is more popular than Uber in Romania) are both cheap and reliable. For exploring the countryside — Transylvania's fortified churches, painted monasteries of Bucovina, or the Transfăgărășan road — a rental car is the clear best option and surprisingly affordable.

Road quality note: main highways and national roads are fine. Some secondary mountain roads are narrow and slow. GPS/Google Maps works well everywhere.

Attractions and activities

Entrance fees in Romania are modest by European standards.

Many churches, fortified citadels, and natural sites are free or cost under €3. The salt mines (Salina Turda is genuinely spectacular) and royal castles are the main paid attractions, and even those are a fraction of what equivalent sites cost in Western Europe.

Sample daily budgets

Here's what a day actually looks like at three budget levels, per person:

Budget (€30–40/day): Hostel dorm or shared guesthouse room, breakfast included, lunch at a local restaurant, supermarket dinner, public transport, one free/cheap attraction.

Mid-range (€60–80/day): Private room in a pension or 3-star hotel, restaurant lunch and dinner, a mix of walking and ride-hailing, one paid attraction or guided tour.

Comfortable (€100–150/day): 4-star hotel, eating at the best local restaurants, rental car or private transfers, multiple attractions, a guided tour or unique experience.

Two people traveling mid-range for 10 days should budget roughly €1,200–1,600 total (flights excluded), covering accommodation, all meals, transport within the country, and activities. That's hard to match anywhere else in the EU.

When to visit for the best value

Peak season is July–August and the Christmas/New Year period. Prices for accommodation in tourist areas (Brașov, Sibiu, Black Sea coast) increase 30–50% during these windows.

The best combination of weather, crowds, and prices is May–June and September–October. Temperatures are pleasant (18–28°C), most attractions are open, and you'll pay off-season rates while enjoying peak-season conditions.

Winter (December–February) is ideal for skiing in Poiana Brașov or Sinaia, Christmas markets in Sibiu and Cluj, and dramatically empty castles. Just pack warm.

A few practical tips

Currency: Always pay in RON, not EUR. Some tourist spots accept euros but at unfavorable rates. ATMs (bancomat) are everywhere in cities; withdraw RON directly.

Language: Romanian is a Romance language — if you speak Italian, French, or Spanish, you'll recognize words. In tourist areas and cities, English is widely spoken, especially by younger Romanians. In rural areas, a few Romanian phrases help enormously and are always appreciated.

Safety: Romania is safe for tourists. Bucharest and major cities have the usual big-city precautions (watch your belongings in crowded places), but violent crime against tourists is extremely rare. The countryside is remarkably safe.

SIM / data: If you're coming from the EU, your mobile data works here at no extra cost (EU roaming). From outside the EU, consider an eSIM — it's cheaper than roaming and takes two minutes to set up.