Romania: Castles, Carpathians, and Seriously Good Food
Medieval towns, mountain highways, and one of Europe’s best-kept secrets. All at a fraction of Western European prices.
Romania catches people off guard. You show up expecting grey Soviet blocks and instead you’re standing in a medieval town square with a castle on the hill and a plate of sarmale that costs less than a London coffee. Transylvania alone would justify the trip — Bran Castle, the Transfagarasan Highway, villages that look like they haven’t changed in 300 years. But then there’s Bucharest with its mad mix of crumbling grandeur and rooftop bars, the Danube Delta where pelicans outnumber people, and the Carpathian Mountains cutting through the middle of it all like a spine. It’s one of Europe’s most underrated countries and one of its cheapest. This guide covers everything you need to plan the trip.
3–3.5 hrs
From the UK
May–Sep
Best time
Romanian
Main language
RON (Leu)
Currency
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Best Time To Visit
Spring (March to May): Enjoy warm weather (10°C to 20°C) and nature in bloom. Ideal for cultural festivals and exploring historic cities like Bucharest and Sibiu, and witnessing the blossoming Carpathian Mountains and Transylvanian countryside.
Summer (June to August): Hot weather (up to 30°C), perfect for beach lovers at the Black Sea coast and festival goers. Enjoy sunbathing, water sports, and a vibrant cultural scene with music and film festivals.
Autumn (September to November): Cooler temperatures (15°C to 25°C) make it great for wine lovers and nature enthusiasts. Experience wine festivals in regions like Moldova and Transylvania and enjoy the scenic beauty of autumnal foliage.
Winter (December to February): A snowy wonderland, especially in mountain areas like Prahova Valley, ideal for skiing and snowboarding. Cities like Brasov and Sibiu offer festive charm with Christmas markets, with temperatures ranging from 0°C to 10°C in urban areas.
Detailed look: Best Time to Visit Romania
What To Expect
10°C
- Temperature
Capital: Bucharest
Population: 19.12 million (2023)
Language: The official language of Romania is Romanian, a Romance language with strong similarities to Italian. Romania also has quite a few minority languages, including Hungarian and Romani.
Currency: The official currency in Romanian leu (RON). 1 USD is equivalent to about 5.5 RON around £1 GBP. Check the latest rates here
Credit Cards & ATMs: Cards and contactless payments are popular with Romanians. Card schemes Visa and Mastercard are used the most. During the pandemic, cash payments greatly decreased, resulting in more card and contactless payments. A lot of places will now also accept contactless payments like Apple Pay or Google pay.
Plugs: For Romania there are two associated plug types, types C and F. Plug type C is the plug which has two round pins and plug type F is the plug which has two round pins with two earth clips on the side. Romania operates on a 230V supply voltage and 50Hz. I recommend buying a universal adapter
Safety: Romania is one of the safest countries in Europe. Its crime rate is low, and most tourists enjoy a stress-free journey in this gorgeous country.
Romania Travel Guides
From Transylvania’s castles to the Danube Delta — everything you need to plan your Romania trip.
City Guides
Itineraries + Maps
Best Places to Visit & Things to Do
Best Time to Visit
Travel Tips
Everything Else
How Much Does Romania Cost?
Romania is one of Europe’s cheapest countries to visit. Here’s what you’ll actually spend.
🎒
Backpacker
~150 RON/day (~£26 / $34 / €30)
- Hostel dorms from 50 RON (£9 / $11 / €10) per night
- Street food, bakeries, and supermarket cooking
- Public transport and walking
- Free hiking trails, old town wandering, free museums
🍜
Mid-Range
~300 RON/day (~£51 / $69 / €59)
- Private rooms, budget hotels, or Airbnb
- Local restaurants serving sarmale, mici, and ciorba
- Castle entries and guided day trips
- Mix of taxis, Bolt, and public transport
🏨
Upscale
~500+ RON/day (~£85+ / $115+ / €98+)
- Boutique hotels and luxury guesthouses
- Fine dining and premium wine experiences
- Private tours, spa resorts, and helicopter transfers
- Rental car for scenic routes like the Transfagarasan
Detailed Cost Breakdown
Budget
- Hostel dorm: 50–100 RON (£9–17 / $11–23 / €10–20)
- Campsite: 30–70 RON (£5–12 / $7–16 / €6–14)
- Budget hotel: 150–300 RON (£26–51 / $34–69 / €30–59)
Mid–Luxury
- Airbnb apartment: 200+ RON (£34+ / $46+ / €39+)
- Boutique hotel: 400–700 RON (£68–120 / $92–161 / €79–138)
- Luxury resort: 800+ RON (£137+ / $184+ / €157+)
City Travel
- Bus/tram/metro: 3–6 RON (£0.50–1 / $0.70–1.40 / €0.60–1.20)
- Daily transport cap: 8–15 RON (£1.40–2.60 / $1.80–3.40 / €1.60–3)
- Bolt/Uber short trip: 15–40 RON (£2.60–6.80 / $3.40–9.20 / €3–7.90)
Long Distance
- Intercity bus or train: 30–100 RON (£5–17 / $7–23 / €6–20)
- Domestic flight: 100–300 RON (£17–51 / $23–69 / €20–59)
- Car rental per day: 100–250 RON (£17–43 / $23–57 / €20–49)
Eat Cheap
- Street food / bakery: 10–25 RON (£1.70–4.30 / $2.30–5.70 / €2–4.90)
- Supermarket meal prep: 15–30 RON (£2.60–5.10 / $3.40–6.90 / €3–5.90)
- Coffee: 7–15 RON (£1.20–2.60 / $1.60–3.40 / €1.40–3)
Eating Out
- Mid-range restaurant: 50–100 RON (£9–17 / $11–23 / €10–20)
- Beer (pint): 8–15 RON (£1.40–2.60 / $1.80–3.40 / €1.60–3)
- Wine (glass): 15–30 RON (£2.60–5.10 / $3.40–6.90 / €3–5.90)
Budget Fun
- Museum entry: 10–30 RON (£1.70–5.10 / $2.30–6.90 / €2–5.90)
- Castle entry (Bran, Peles): 50–80 RON (£9–14 / $11–18 / €10–16)
- Free walking tour: free (tip your guide)
Big Experiences
- Guided day trip: 100–300 RON (£17–51 / $23–69 / €20–59)
- Danube Delta boat tour: 150–350 RON (£26–60 / $34–80 / €30–69)
- Ski day pass (Poiana Brasov): 150–250 RON (£26–43 / $34–57 / €30–49)
Tips for Saving Money in Romania
💧 Bring a filtered water bottle — Tap water is safe in most Romanian cities. Skip the bottled water, save a few quid every day. A LifeStraw or Grayl bottle works well for rural areas where quality varies.
🚶 Walk everywhere — Brasov, Sibiu, Sighisoara, and Cluj-Napoca are all compact enough to explore entirely on foot. Even in Bucharest, the main sights cluster close together.
🎒 Book hostels early — Romania has some of Europe’s cheapest hostels. Dorm beds start at 50 RON (£9 / $11 / €10) a night and loads of them organise free group activities.
🚌 Use public transport over taxis — Bucharest’s metro costs 3 RON per ride. Buses and trams in other cities are similarly cheap. Some taxi drivers overcharge tourists, so stick to Bolt or Uber if you need a ride.
🥘 Cook some meals yourself — Most hostels and Airbnbs have kitchens. Romanian supermarkets and local markets are incredibly cheap. Try making mamaliga (polenta) or pick up a jar of zacusca (roasted vegetable spread).
🏕️ Wild camp in the Carpathians — Romania allows wild camping in many areas, especially in the mountains and near rural villages. Free accommodation with some of the best views in Europe. Just watch out for bears (seriously).
📅 Travel in shoulder season — Visit in May, early June, September, or October. Accommodation is cheaper, crowds are thinner, and the weather is still great. Autumn in the Carpathians is especially good.
🗺️ Take free walking tours — Bucharest, Brasov, Sibiu, and Cluj-Napoca all offer free walking tours. Best way to get your bearings and hear stories you won’t find in guidebooks. Tip the guide a fair amount.
🚆 Book intercity trains early — CFR (Romanian Railways) offers decent savings if you book in advance. Second class is perfectly fine. Some routes are scenic enough that you won’t want to fly even if it’s faster.
🍷 Drink local wine — Romania is a seriously underrated wine country and a glass at a restaurant rarely costs more than 15–30 RON (£2.60–5.10 / $3.40–6.90 / €3–5.90). Skip the imported stuff entirely.
Getting Around Romania
Romania is bigger than you think. Here’s how to move between the castles, mountains, and cities without losing half your budget.
Domestic Flights
Best for Bucharest to Cluj or Timisoara. Not many routes, but saves hours on long cross-country trips.
✅ Fast — cuts 8-hour train rides to 1 hour
✅ Budget airlines like Wizz Air from 100 RON (£17 / $23 / €20)
❌ Limited routes and airports
Car Rental
Best for road trips. The Transfagarasan, Transalpina, and exploring rural Transylvania basically require a car.
✅ Total freedom — stop wherever you want
✅ From 100 RON/day (£17 / $23 / €20)
❌ Romanian drivers can be… adventurous. Roads vary wildly in quality.
City Buses & Trams
Best for getting around within cities. Bucharest has a metro. Other cities rely on buses, trams, and trolleybuses.
✅ Very cheap — 3–6 RON per ride
✅ Contactless payment works in larger cities
❌ Can be crowded and confusing outside Bucharest
Intercity Trains
Best for Bucharest–Brasov, Bucharest–Sibiu, and scenic Carpathian routes. Slow but cheap and often the most convenient option.
✅ Scenic mountain routes
✅ Cheap — Bucharest to Brasov from 40 RON (£7 / $9 / €8)
❌ Delays are common. First class isn’t much better than second.
Intercity Bus
Best for routes trains don’t cover well. FlixBus and local operators fill the gaps, especially to smaller towns.
✅ Often faster than trains for the same route
✅ Cheap — from 25 RON (£4 / $6 / €5)
❌ Quality varies a lot depending on the operator
Bolt & Uber
Best for short trips in cities. Both apps work in Bucharest, Cluj, Brasov, Timisoara, and other major cities. Always cheaper than street taxis.
✅ Fixed pricing — no meter games
✅ Available in most cities
❌ Surge pricing during events and late nights
Which Is Right For You?
Exploring one city
Walk + use the metro or tram
City hopping
Train or bus between them, Bolt within
Transylvania road trip
Rent a car. No question.
Tight budget
Trains + buses, book ahead
Quick Tips
📅
Book Trains on CFR
CFR website is clunky but it works. Book intercity trains in advance for the best prices.
📱
Use Bolt Over Taxis
Street taxis occasionally overcharge tourists. Bolt and Uber give you fixed, transparent pricing.
🚘
Watch the Roads
Mountain roads are spectacular but narrow. Rural roads can be rough. Drive carefully, especially at night.
💳
Card Payments
Cards and contactless (Apple Pay, Google Pay) work in most Romanian shops, restaurants, and transport. Carry some cash for markets and rural areas.
Book Tours & Tickets
Related Resources
Travel Problems
Missed flights, lost luggage, dodgy hotels. It happens. Here’s how to handle all of it without losing your mind.
Theft & Scams
Pickpockets, tourist traps, and cons you won’t see coming. We break down the most common ones and how to avoid every single one.
Travel Insurance
Don’t skip this one. Especially travelling solo. We compare the best policies and explain exactly what you actually need.
FAQs
Do I need a visa to visit Romania?
If you hold a UK, US, Canadian, Australian, or EU passport — no. Romania is part of the Schengen Area (it joined fully in January 2025), so visa-free visitors get 90 days within any 180-day period across the whole Schengen zone. Your passport needs to be valid for at least 3 months beyond your planned departure date and issued within the last 10 years. Worth knowing: the EU’s Entry/Exit System (EES) is rolling out across Schengen borders and is expected to be fully operational by April 2026. This replaces passport stamps with biometric registration (fingerprints and a photo) the first time you enter. And ETIAS — a pre-travel authorisation for visa-exempt nationals — is expected to launch in late 2026. Until then, you just need your passport.
Is Romania safe for tourists?
Yes, very. Romania consistently ranks as one of Europe’s safer countries for visitors. Violent crime against tourists is rare. The main things to watch for are petty theft in crowded areas (Bucharest’s Old Town, busy train stations), overcharging taxis (use Bolt or Uber instead), and stray dogs in some neighbourhoods — though this has improved a lot in recent years. If you’re hiking in the Carpathians, brown bears are a real thing. Stick to marked trails, make noise, and don’t leave food out. Common sense stuff, mostly.
How many days do I need in Romania?
For a solid first trip, 7–10 days covers a lot. Most people do Bucharest (2 days), Brasov and nearby castles (2–3 days), and either Sibiu, Sighisoara, or Cluj-Napoca. If you want to add the Danube Delta or the Black Sea coast, add another 2–3 days. Two weeks lets you do a proper road trip through Transylvania, the Transfagarasan Highway, and the painted monasteries of Bucovina without rushing. You could easily spend a month and still have places left.
What's the best time to visit Romania?
Late spring (May–June) and early autumn (September–October) hit the sweet spot — pleasant weather, manageable crowds, and lower prices. Summer (July–August) brings heat (Bucharest regularly hits 35°C+) and packed Black Sea resorts. Winter (December–February) is ideal for skiing in the Carpathians and Christmas markets in Brasov and Sibiu, but mountain temperatures drop well below freezing. The Transfagarasan Highway is closed by snow roughly November through June, so plan that one for summer.
What currency does Romania use?
The Romanian Leu (RON). As of March 2026, rates are roughly: 1 GBP ≈ 5.85 RON, 1 USD ≈ 4.35 RON, 1 EUR ≈ 5.08 RON. Cards and contactless payments (Apple Pay, Google Pay) work in most shops, restaurants, and transport — Romania went heavily digital during the pandemic. Carry some cash for markets, small rural guesthouses, and occasional places that don’t take card. ATMs are everywhere in cities. Avoid airport exchange bureaus; they give terrible rates.
Is Romania cheap to visit?
Genuinely, yes. It’s one of the best-value destinations in Europe right now. A budget traveller can manage on around 150 RON/day (£26 / $34 / €30). Mid-range is closer to 300 RON/day (£51 / $69 / €59) with private rooms and restaurant meals. Even the “splurge” tier — boutique hotels, nice dinners, private tours — comes in at a fraction of what you’d pay in Western Europe. A full sit-down meal at a decent restaurant rarely costs more than £10–15.
Do I need travel insurance for Romania?
Yes. Romania doesn’t have reciprocal healthcare agreements with the UK, and while EU citizens can use an EHIC/GHIC card for emergency treatment, it doesn’t cover everything. Private hospital bills can add up fast. Travel insurance is also important for trip cancellations, lost luggage, and adventure activities like hiking and skiing. We’ve got a full comparison of recommended policies in our Travel Insurance section.
Can I drink the tap water in Romania?
In most cities — yes. Bucharest, Brasov, Cluj-Napoca, Sibiu, and other major urban areas have safe, treated tap water. In rural areas and some smaller towns, quality can vary. When in doubt, bring a reusable bottle with a built-in filter. Saves money, reduces plastic, covers you either way.
Do I need any vaccinations for Romania?
No specific vaccinations are required for most visitors. But make sure your routine jabs are up to date (tetanus, diphtheria, hepatitis A). Tick-borne encephalitis is present in rural and forested areas — worth discussing with your GP if you’re planning lots of hiking in the Carpathians. Check with a travel health clinic 6–8 weeks before departure.
What language do people speak in Romania?
Romanian — which is a Romance language, so if you speak any Italian, Spanish, or French, you’ll recognise more words than you’d expect. English is widely spoken in cities, especially by younger Romanians and in the tourism industry. In rural areas, English is less common, but people are generally friendly and patient. Learning a few Romanian basics (multumesc = thank you, buna ziua = good day) goes a long way.
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