Is Brasov expensive? What things really cost in 2026
Short answer
Brasov is good value by European standards and noticeably cheaper than Western Europe, although the old town around Council Square charges the highest prices in the region. A budget day is about 210 lei per person (roughly €42), mid-range about 500 lei and comfort about 1,000 lei. Bran Castle and day trips are where the costs add up.
Daily budget: backpacker, mid-range, luxury
| Budget | Mid-range | Comfort | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bed (per person, sharing) | lei70 | lei180 | lei400 |
| Food & drink | lei80 | lei150 | lei280 |
| Sights & tickets | lei40 | lei100 | lei160 |
| Local transport | lei20 | lei70 | lei160 |
| Per person, per day | lei210 | lei500 | lei1,000 |
Approximate 2026 prices, two people sharing a room. From our Brasov day-cost table.
What things cost
| Item | Typical price* |
|---|---|
| Mici (grilled minced-meat roll) | about 5–8 lei a piece |
| Chimney cake | about 15–25 lei |
| Bowl of ciorba (sour soup) | about 20–35 lei |
| Sarmale with polenta | about 40–60 lei a portion |
| Papanasi | about 25–35 lei |
| Plum brandy in a restaurant | about 10–20 lei a shot |
| City bus ride | about 3–4 lei |
| Bus to Bran | around 10 lei |
| Tampa cable car, return | roughly 30–40 lei |
| Bran Castle ticket | roughly 70–90 lei |
| Two-course dinner with a beer in the old town | about 60–110 lei per person |
| Mid-range guesthouse in the old town | roughly 300–550 lei a room |
* Approximate prices, October 2026. They change with season and exchange rates.
Where the money goes
Accommodation is the biggest item: about 70 lei per person sharing in a hostel or simple room, 180 lei in an old-town guesthouse and 400 lei in a boutique hotel, and some hotels add a small local tourist tax. Food is about 80 lei a day with bakery breakfasts, a weekday meniul zilei and mici, or 150 lei with two sit-down meals. Sights cost about 40 lei a day on a budget, more on the Bran and Rasnov day. Local transport is cheap, about 20 lei, but a rental car (roughly 150–250 lei a day) or tours for Prejmer, Viscri and Sighisoara raise it.
When it is cheaper
Outside the ski season and the Christmas market, November and March to April (excluding Easter) are usually the cheapest months for rooms. Prices are highest in July and August and over Christmas and New Year, when Poiana Brasov also fills with skiers.
How to spend less
- Eat the weekday meniul zilei (daily set lunch), the best-value meal in town.
- Take the hourly public bus to Bran and Rasnov from Autogara 2 (around 10 lei) instead of a tour.
- Walk up Mount Tampa on the forest path (45–60 minutes) instead of paying for the cable car both ways.
- Check whether meat and fish are priced per portion or per 100 g before ordering.
- Pay by card or use a bank ATM and decline the machine's conversion offer, rather than using exchange booths.
- Eat a street or two away from Council Square, for example on Strada Muresenilor or in the Schei district.
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Common questions
How much money do I need per day in Brasov?
About 210 lei (roughly €42) per person on a budget, about 500 lei mid-range and about 1,000 lei for comfort, including a share of a double room, food, sights and transport.
How much does Bran Castle cost?
Roughly 70–90 lei for the ticket. The public bus from Autogara 2 in Brasov costs around 10 lei each way. Check current prices before you go.
Can I pay by card in Brasov?
Yes, cards are accepted almost everywhere. Use a bank ATM for cash and decline the machine's currency conversion.