Is Sibiu expensive? What things really cost in 2026
Short answer
Sibiu is good value by European standards and a little cheaper than Brașov or Cluj for many things, though prices in the old town have risen. Expect about 275 lei a day per person on a tight budget, about 550 lei mid-range and 1,050 lei or more for comfort. Rooms in the old town and car hire for the mountains take most of the money; meals and museums are cheap.
Daily budget: backpacker, mid-range, luxury
| Budget | Mid-range | Comfort | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bed (per person, sharing) | lei120 | lei220 | lei450 |
| Food & drink | lei100 | lei180 | lei300 |
| Sights & tickets | lei40 | lei80 | lei150 |
| Local transport | lei15 | lei70 | lei150 |
| Per person, per day | lei275 | lei550 | lei1,050 |
Approximate 2026 prices, two people sharing a room. From our Sibiu day-cost table.
What things cost
| Item | Typical price* |
|---|---|
| Coffee | about 12–18 lei |
| Local beer | about 12–15 lei |
| Main course in the old town | 40–70 lei |
| Full dinner with wine, per person | about 120–180 lei |
| Home-cooked meal in a village guesthouse | often about 60–90 lei |
| Tursib city bus ride | a few lei |
| Council Tower climb | a few lei |
| Brukenthal National Museum | roughly 30–50 lei |
| ASTRA open-air museum | about 30–40 lei |
| Taxi from the airport | roughly 40–60 lei |
| Mid-range double near Piața Mare | 350–550 lei a night |
* Approximate prices, October 2026. They change with season and exchange rates.
Where the money goes
Accommodation is the largest cost: guesthouses and hostels in the lower town are about 200–300 lei a night for a double, hotels around Piața Mare and Piața Mică 350–550 lei, and restored townhouse hotels 600–1,100 lei. Transport comes next if you leave town, because the shepherd villages, fortified churches and the Transfăgărășan are easiest by rental car or tour. Food and sights are cheap: a main course is 40–70 lei, and the big museums are roughly 30–50 lei. A small local tourist tax may be added to hotel bills.
When it is cheaper
Late autumn, January to March and weekdays outside festival dates are usually cheapest. Prices rise in summer, during the International Theatre Festival in June and on December weekends during the Christmas market.
How to spend less
- Stay in the lower town (Orașul de Jos), a few minutes' walk below the main squares, where rooms are cheaper.
- Take Tursib buses to the ASTRA museum and the airport instead of taxis.
- Eat a hearty lunch rather than dinner on the main squares; side streets are cheaper.
- Buy telemea and smoked caș cheese and Sibiu salami at markets and village shops for picnics.
- Join a shared day tour for the fortified churches or the Transfăgărășan if you would otherwise rent a car alone.
- Book early for the Theatre Festival in June and Christmas market weekends, when cheap rooms go first.
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Common questions
Is Sibiu expensive?
No, it is good value. Expect about 275 lei a day on a budget, about 550 lei mid-range and 1,050 lei or more for comfort.
How much is a meal in Sibiu?
A main course is about 40–70 lei, and a full dinner with wine about 120–180 lei per person.
Can I pay by card in Sibiu?
Yes, almost everywhere in town. Carry some cash for villages and markets.