Is Romania expensive? What things really cost in 2026
Short answer
No, Romania is one of the cheapest countries in the European Union to travel in, clearly cheaper than Western Europe and similar to or a little below neighbouring Hungary. A realistic budget day is about 270 lei per person and mid-range about 590 lei; the money goes mostly on beds in the old towns, car hire for the villages and castle tickets.
Daily budget: backpacker, mid-range, luxury
| Budget | Mid-range | Comfort | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bed (per person, sharing) | lei110 | lei250 | lei550 |
| Food & drink | lei90 | lei180 | lei350 |
| Sights & tickets | lei40 | lei90 | lei150 |
| Local transport | lei30 | lei70 | lei150 |
| Per person, per day | lei270 | lei590 | lei1,200 |
Approximate 2026 prices, two people sharing a room. From our Romania day-cost table.
What things cost
| Item | Typical price* |
|---|---|
| Bucharest metro trip | about 5 lei |
| Canteen lunch (meniul zilei) | about 35–50 lei |
| Papanași dessert in Brașov | about 25–35 lei |
| Mici with a beer | about 30–40 lei |
| Bran Castle ticket | about 70–90 lei |
| Train Bucharest–Sinaia | roughly 40–60 lei |
| Rental car | about 150–250 lei a day |
| Mid-range hotel in an old centre | about 300–500 lei a night |
* Approximate prices, October 2026. They change with season and exchange rates.
Where the money goes
Accommodation is the largest cost: family guesthouses (pensiune) cost about 150–250 lei a night and old-centre hotels in Brașov, Sighișoara and Sibiu 300–500 lei, with boutique and Belle Époque hotels at 700–1,500 lei. Tickets add up on a castle-heavy trip: Bran costs 70–90 lei, Peleș 50–100 lei and the Palace of Parliament tour 60–80 lei. A rental car (150–250 lei a day plus fuel) is the main transport cost if you visit the Saxon villages or the Transfăgărășan. Food is good value, with canteen lunches at 35–50 lei and a restaurant dinner with wine at 80–150 lei.
When it is cheaper
Outside July, August and the Christmas season, hotel prices in Brașov, Sibiu and Sighișoara are usually lower, often noticeably so in November and from January to March, except in the ski resorts near Brașov.
How to spend less
- Eat the meniul zilei (set lunch) for 35–50 lei instead of à la carte.
- Use Bolt or Uber rather than hailing taxis at the airport or Gara de Nord.
- Travel between cities by CFR train, booked on the CFR Călători site, and hire a car only for the village days.
- Stay in family guesthouses that include breakfast.
- Withdraw cash from bank ATMs and avoid independent machines with high fees.
- Pick a combined tour of Bran, Râșnov and Peleș only if you would otherwise need a car just for that day.
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Common questions
How much does a day in Romania cost?
About 270 lei per person on a budget, about 590 lei mid-range and about 1,200 lei in comfort, sharing a double room.
Is Romania cheaper than Western Europe?
Yes, considerably: set lunches cost 35–50 lei, trains 50–120 lei per leg and guesthouses 150–250 lei a room.
Is car hire expensive?
No, about 150–250 lei a day, and one-way fees within Romania are often small.