Budget & Costs
What does Romania cost?
Romania is 30–50% cheaper than Germany — and even more in rural areas. Prices are rising, especially in Bucharest and the tourist hotspots of Transylvania, but compared to Europe, Romania remains a real bargain. The currency is the Romanian Leu (RON): 1€ ≈ 5 RON.
Typical Prices (Guidelines 2025/2026)
| Item | Price (€) |
|---|---|
| Coffee in a café | 1.50–3.00 |
| Lunch (Meniu zilei) | 5–8 |
| Dinner in a restaurant | 10–20 |
| Beer (0.5l in a bar) | 1.50–3.00 |
| Beer (0.5l in a supermarket) | 0.60–1.20 |
| Supermarket shopping (1 day) | 8–15 |
| Hostel (dormitory) | 10–18 |
| Hotel (mid-range, double room) | 40–70 |
| Guesthouse in the countryside (double room incl. breakfast) | 25–45 |
| Bus Bucharest–Brașov | 8–12 |
| Train Bucharest–Sibiu | 10–18 |
| Rental car (per day) | 20–40 |
| Museum entry | 2–5 |
| Fortified church entry | 1–3 |
| Danube Delta boat tour (day tour) | 30–60 |
Budget Levels
Backpacker / Budget (25–40€ per day)
Hostels or Couchsurfing, food from supermarkets (Lidl, Kaufland, Mega Image) or street stalls (Covrig/Plăcintă for under 1€), daily menus in local restaurants (Meniu zilei for 4–7€ including soup + main course + dessert), travel by train and bus. Romania is a dream for budget travelers: hostels from 10€, minimal entrance fees, extremely cheap groceries.
Mid-range (50–90€ per day)
Guesthouses (Pensiune) with breakfast, mid-range restaurants, rental car or first-class train, occasional guided tours. The most comfortable way to experience Romania: rural guesthouses often offer homemade food and hospitality that no hotel in the world can replace. Typical: 30–50€ for the guesthouse, 15–25€ for food, 10–15€ for activities.
Comfort / Luxury (100–200€+ per day)
Boutique hotels in Bucharest and Sibiu, restored mansions in Transylvania, gourmet restaurants (Bucharest has several Michelin-recommended addresses), private tours through the Danube Delta, helicopter flights over the Carpathians. Even at luxury level, Romania is significantly cheaper than Western Europe — a Michelin menu here costs 50–80€ instead of 150–200€.
Tipp
Romania's biggest saving hack: the "Meniu zilei" (daily menu). At lunchtime, most local restaurants offer a complete menu for 4–7€: soup, main course, sometimes dessert, and a drink. Often the best and most authentic meal of the day.
Saving Tips
Romania is already inexpensive, but with a few tricks, you can save even more:
- Pensiuni instead of hotels: Rural guesthouses (Pensiune) are the best type of accommodation in Romania: 25–45€ for a double room with breakfast (often huge and homemade). Many also offer dinner (Cina) for an extra 8–12€ — better than any restaurant.
- Take advantage of the meniu zilei: The daily menu is available in almost every restaurant at lunchtime for 4–7€. Just ask: “Aveți meniu zilei?" (Do you have a daily menu?).
- Regional trains instead of express trains: IR trains are cheaper than Regio-Express. CFR (Romanian Railways) offers tickets online with discounts. Buses (FlixBus, Autogări) are often faster and cheaper than trains.
- Cash in rural areas: In villages and small towns, many guesthouses and restaurants only accept cash. ATMs (Bancomat) are everywhere — but avoid private exchange offices (Schimburi) at the airport, as the rates are poor.
- Bring a student ID: In Romania, students often get a 50% discount at museums and attractions.
- Cook for yourself: Romanian supermarkets (Kaufland, Lidl, Mega Image) are extremely cheap. Local cheese, fresh bread, tomatoes, and fruit cost a fraction of Western European prices.
- Free experiences: Enter fortified churches (many have free entry), stroll through medieval old towns, hike in the Carpathians (no park fees), and enjoy the landscape in villages — the best experiences in Romania cost nothing.
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