Budget for travelling to Romania: how much a trip costs in 2026

Romania remains one of the cheapest European destinations in 2026, despite full Schengen entry in March 2024 and inflationary pressure that has raised prices 20-25% since 2022. For the Western traveller, purchasing power is still very favourable: a daily budget that barely covers survival in France or Germany buys comfortable eating, sleeping and moving in Romania. This post breaks down real costs with 2026 data.

Currency and exchange

Romanian leu (RON) is the currency. 1 € ≈ 5 lei in 2026. Romania is in the EU but not in the eurozone — entry has been postponed repeatedly, no firm date. In tourist areas many prices are also quoted in euros, but always pay in lei: the rate applied in restaurants or hotels when paying in euros tends to be worse. Cards accepted everywhere except small villages. Cash useful for markets, monasteries and local taxis.

Accommodation

Hostel/basic room: 100-180 lei (20-36 €) per night for a double. Good supply in cities and tourist villages.

Mid-range 3 hotel:* 220-350 lei (44-70 €) per night with breakfast. Bucharest and Brașov at the top of the range, Sighișoara and Cluj at the bottom.

High-end 4-5 hotel:* 450-800 lei (90-160 €) per night. Bucharest has significant luxury supply (Radisson, Athenee Palace Hilton); provincial options are more modest despite the name.

Rural guesthouses (pensiuni): Romanian speciality. In Maramureș, Bucovina or Transylvania, family houses with private rooms and breakfast for 150-250 lei (30-50 €) per double. Authentic experience, sometimes half-board.

Tourist apartment (Booking, Airbnb): 200-400 lei/night in cities.

Meals

Café breakfast: 20-40 lei (4-8 €) with coffee and pastry.

Popular restaurant lunch: 40-70 lei (8-14 €) with first course and drink. Romanian soups (ciorbă), sarmale (stuffed cabbage rolls), mici (grilled sausages). Very tasty.

Mid-range dinner: 70-130 lei (14-26 €) with two courses, dessert and a glass. Can rise in Bucharest and Brașov.

High-end restaurant: 180-300 lei (36-60 €)/person with tasting menu and wine.

Beer (Ursus, Timișoreana): 10-18 lei (2-3.60 €). Glass of wine: 15-25 lei (3-5 €). Romania is a serious wine country: ask for local (Cotnari, Murfatlar, Fetească). Coffee: 8-15 lei (1.60-3 €). Țuică (plum brandy): 10-15 lei a glass.

Transport

Intercity bus: Bucharest-Brașov 40-60 lei, Brașov-Sibiu 30-45 lei, Cluj-Sighișoara 30-50 lei. Companies: Flixbus, AutogariRomania.

Train: extensive but slow network. Bucharest-Brașov 45-70 lei (2.5-3 h), Bucharest-Cluj 90-130 lei (6-8 h). InterRegio fast, Regio slow and local.

Rental car: 30-50 €/day with basic insurance. Fuel 7-7.5 lei/litre (1.40-1.50 €). Limited motorways (A1 Bucharest-Sibiu partial, A3 Bucharest-Brașov in chronic works).

Vignette: mandatory sticker for national roads, 3 € / 7 days. Bought at borders, petrol stations or by app.

City taxi: cheap via apps (Bolt, Uber). Central Bucharest trip 15-25 lei (3-5 €).

Entries and activities

Palace of Parliament: 45 lei (9 €). Primăverii Villa: 45 lei. Bran Castle: 70 lei (14 €). Peleș Castle (Sinaia): 60 lei (12 €). Churches and monasteries: 5-15 lei. National Museum of Art (Bucharest): 30 lei. Romanian Peasant Museum: 20 lei.

Daily budget by travel style

Basic backpacker (hostel, buses, popular meals): 30-45 €/day.

Mid-range traveller (3* hotel, restaurants, mixed transport, 2-3 entries): 65-90 €/day.

Comfort traveller (4* hotel, higher-end restaurants, frequent taxi, all entries): 110-160 €/day.

Luxury trip (5* hotel, top restaurants, chauffeured car): 250-400 €/day.

Real example: a week for two

Route Bucharest-Brașov-Sighișoara-Sibiu-Cluj-Bucharest, 7 nights, 3* hotels, normal meals, rental car, 6-7 main entries:

• Car 7 days + insurance: 280 €
• Fuel (900 km): 90 €
• Vignette: 3 €
• Accommodation 6 nights for 2: 360 €
• Meals: 280 €
• Entries and museums for 2: 110 €
• Total without flights: 1,120 € for two.

Tips to save without losing quality

• Midday menus (meniul zilei) at city restaurants: 35-50 lei for main + soup + drink. Half the evening price.
• InterRegio trains quite comfortable, much cheaper than bus on long routes.
• Markets (Obor in Bucharest) for cheese, mici, local charcuterie.
• Rural guesthouses instead of hotels in areas like Maramureș or Bucovina: cheaper and better experience.
• Bucharest-Brașov by train (2.5 h, 50 lei) vs car: saves fuel and stress.

Far Guides’ complete Romania guide includes budget templates by travel style and a downloadable spreadsheet with updated prices.