Romania Travel Guide

• Transylvania: Explore fortified churches and citadels, visit Bran and Peleș castles, hike the Carpathians, scenic drives such as the Transfăgărășan.
• Bucharest & the south: Walk Lipscani Old Town, see the Palace of Parliament, day trips to Sinaia and Poiana Brașov, sample contemporary Romanian restaurants.
• Bucovina & Maramureș (the north): Visit painted monasteries, photograph wooden churches, attend folk festivals and ride narrow-gauge trains where available.
• Black Sea Coast & Danube Delta: Sunbathe and swim on sandy beaches, take boat tours in the Danube Delta for birdwatching, visit seaside resorts and historic forts.
• Banat & west: Cycle quiet country lanes, explore multicultural towns and try regional Hungarian-Romanian cuisine, cross into neighbouring countries.

International arrivals typically come through Bucharest Henri Coandă International Airport (OTP); other international airports include Cluj-Napoca (CLJ), Timișoara (TSR) and Iași (IAS). Romania is well connected by flights across Europe and by rail and road from neighboring EU countries, making overland access from Hungary, Bulgaria and Serbia convenient. Low-cost carriers serve many European city routes while national airline TAROM provides additional connections.

Typical daily spend $35-90; Bucharest and peak-season Black Sea resorts are priciest, rural Transylvania and northern towns offer the best value.

• Hostel dorm bed: 50-90 RON
• Basic guesthouse room: 90-180 RON
• Mid-range hotel: 200-400 RON
• Upscale hotel: 465+ RON
• Market or street-stall meal: 15-30 RON
• Bottle of local beer: 8-15 RON
• Organised tour or activity: 15-60 RON
• Local bus or tram ride: 2-6 RON

For current prices on hundreds of everyday items, see Numbeo’s Romania cost of living, a crowd-sourced database that is updated often.

Ways to save

• Use guesthouses: Pensiuni offer good value, home-cooked meals and local insight compared with hotels.
• Travel by bus or train: Long-distance buses and trains are cheaper than flights and give scenic views across regions.
• Eat local: Choose markets, bakeries and small restaurants for hearty meals at low cost.

Full trip budgets are in Romania Itineraries.

Currency is the Romanian leu (RON). Cards are widely accepted in cities, tourist sites and many shops, though cash is handy for markets, smaller vendors and taxis. ATMs are plentiful in urban areas; use bank machines (BRD, Banca Transilvania, BCR, Raiffeisen) rather than independent ones, and decline the offer to charge you in your home currency. Pay in lei even where prices are shown in euros, carry small notes because shops are often short of change, and expect to enter your PIN for card payments.

• Tipping: about 10% in restaurants and cafés is normal (check first that no service charge has been added), usually left in cash even if you pay by card. Saying mulțumesc (thank you) as you hand over money is often taken to mean “keep the change”, so say it after you get your change back. Rounding up taxi fares is common.
• Cards & Cash: Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted; smaller businesses and rural vendors may prefer cash.
• ATMs & Mobile Payments: ATMs are easy to find in towns and cities; fees and withdrawal limits vary by bank - watch for dynamic currency conversion prompts. Contactless and mobile payments are commonly accepted in urban venues.
• Banknotes: lei1, lei5, lei10, lei20, lei50, lei100, lei200, lei500
• Coins: lei0.01, lei0.05, lei0.10, lei0.50

Romania values hospitality, respect for elders and modest dress in religious sites; a simple head covering and quiet behaviour in monasteries is appreciated. Locals are generally forgiving of honest mistakes by tourists, but observe basic courtesy and ask before photographing people in villages.

Romania offers excellent fixed broadband (among Europe’s fastest in many cities) and strong mobile networks with widespread 4G/5G. Mobile download speeds frequently exceed many European averages, and urban fibre plans commonly deliver 100+ Mbps or more.

• Electricity: 230V, 50 Hz; plug types C, F.

Yes, for most visitors; violent crime is uncommon but the main risks are roads, petty theft in cities and natural-hazard encounters in the mountains.

It is generally easy to stay healthy if you use common-sense precautions; main issues are ticks in rural areas, variable medical access outside cities and routine food-safety risks.

Romania blends Latin-rooted language and Orthodox tradition with regional folk cultures and a layered history of empires and modern statehood. Its diversity-from Carpathian villages to Transylvanian towns and the Black Sea coast-shapes distinctive regional identities.

Romanian cooking is hearty and meat-heavy, and portions are big.

• Meal times: lunch is the main meal, from about 13:00 to 15:00. Dinner is usually 19:00 to 21:00, later in Bucharest. Many restaurants offer a cheap weekday set lunch (meniul zilei) of soup, main course and sometimes dessert.
• What to order: start with a ciorbă (sour soup), often served with sour cream and a hot chilli on the side. Then sarmale (cabbage rolls) with mămăligă (polenta), grilled mici sausages with mustard and beer, and papanași (fried cheese doughnuts with jam and sour cream) for dessert.
• Street food and bakeries: covrigi (pretzel rings), cheese pastries and langoși fried dough are the cheap snacks; bakeries open early.
• Vegetarians and vegans: ask for de post dishes. These are meals for Orthodox fasting days, made without meat, dairy or eggs, and many restaurants have them all year. Bean stew and zacuscă (roasted vegetable spread) are safe bets.
• Regional cooking: Hungarian-influenced dishes in Transylvania around Cluj-Napoca and Sibiu, fish soups and carp in the Danube Delta, and Saxon and mountain cheeses around Brașov.
• Drinks: Romania makes good, inexpensive wine, and local beer is cheap. Hosts in the countryside will often pour a glass of țuică or pălincă (plum or fruit brandy, often very strong); accepting a small sip is polite.
• Water: tap water is drinkable in cities, but restaurants usually serve bottled still (plată) or sparkling (minerală) water, which you pay for.
• Paying: cards are accepted in most city restaurants. Leave about 10% for good service, ideally in cash.

Romania’s mix of fragile mountain ecosystems, rich rural traditions and important wetland reserves means visitors should protect habitats, respect village customs, and prefer community-based experiences to support cultural continuity.

• Protecting Mountains & Parks: Follow marked routes and leave‑no‑trace rules in Retezat and Piatra Craiului and when hiking in the Carpathians to reduce erosion and protect alpine meadows. Use mountain guides for glacier or longer treks around Bucegi and Făgăraș.
• Respect for Rural Communities & Traditions: Stay in family-run guesthouses in Maramureș or Bucovina to support traditional crafts and agriculture, and ask before photographing people during village events and Orthodox church services.
• Wildlife & Bear Viewing Ethics: Do not feed or approach brown bears; choose reputable wildlife tours and support sanctuaries like the Libearty Bear Sanctuary near Brașov that rehabilitate animals instead of exploitative encounters.
• Danube Delta & Wetland Care: When exploring the Danube Delta, use licensed, small‑scale boat operators, keep noise to a minimum and avoid disturbing nesting birds; follow Delta Biosphere Reserve regulations to protect its unique wetlands.
• Cultural Heritage & Souvenirs: Buy handcrafted ceramics, textiles and woodwork from verified artisans and local cooperatives, and avoid purchasing items made from protected species or undocumented archaeological material.

Romania attracts tech workers, students, and EU citizens seeking lower costs and strong urban amenities with easy access to nature. Expats move for fast internet, vibrant university cities, and an improving startup scene.

Long-Term Visas: EU/EEA citizens move freely; non-EU nationals use long-stay D visas, work permits, or self-employment (PFA) registration.

Working There: Easy for EU citizens; non-EU workers require formal permits or must register as self-employed (PFA) for freelance work.

Cost of Living: Monthly living costs typically range US$700-1,500 depending on city; Bucharest and Cluj are the most expensive cities.

Health & Wellness: Public healthcare available through CNAS for residents; private clinics provide faster, English-friendly treatment in major cities.

Banking & Finance: Local currency is the Romanian leu (RON), SEPA and IBAN banking supported, accounts require ID and proof of address.

Taxes: Personal income taxed at a flat 10% rate for most income, with social contributions also applied to wages.

Popular Places to Live in Romania

Deciding where to live is about preferring big-city amenities or smaller historic cities with access to nature. For the biggest tech community choose Cluj or Bucharest; for mountain access pick Brașov, trading some city services for outdoor life.

• Bucharest - Biggest city, strongest international connections, best coworking and cultural venues, tradeoff is busier urban life
• Cluj-Napoca - Tech and university hub, youthful scene and coworking, tradeoff is higher rents than other Romanian cities
• Timișoara - Western city with cultural variety and good infrastructure, suited to remote workers wanting quieter pace
• Brașov - Medieval town with mountain access, ideal for outdoor weekends, tradeoff is fewer large corporate opportunities
• Sibiu - Historic centre and calm lifestyle, good for families and culture seekers, smaller international community

Romania is popular with digital workers who value high internet speeds, lower costs than Western Europe, and lively tech communities. Cities like Bucharest and Cluj blend coworking, events, and affordable living, while mountain towns offer outdoor escapes on weekends.

Nomad Visa: No single dedicated nomad visa widely used; non-EU remote workers typically use long-stay D visas or register as self-employed (PFA).

Long Term Rentals: Long-term rentals affordable, one-bedroom in Bucharest €350-600/month, smaller cities often cheaper and family-sized apartments economical.

Internet: Excellent internet in cities, widespread fiber and cheap gigabit packages, reliable for remote work and video conferencing.

Monthly Cost: Expect roughly US$900-1,600/month depending on city and lifestyle, lower outside major urban areas.

Coworking: Strong coworking scene in Bucharest and Cluj, Impact Hub and local spaces host events and networking opportunities.

Fitness & Wellness: Gyms common in cities, mountain trails and thermal spas nearby, outdoor lifestyle easy to combine with remote work.

Community: Growing English-speaking tech and startup community in Cluj and Bucharest, many meetups and networking events weekly.

Time Zone: Eastern European Time EET/EEST (UTC+2/UTC+3), daylight saving applies, aligns with Central Europe business hours.

Romania Digital Nomad Visa

• Stay Duration: 1 year, renewable.
• Validity: 12 months, extendable.
• Eligibility: Remote workers for foreign companies earning ~€3,700+/month (3× Romanian average wage).
• Application: Apply at a Romanian consulate or the General Inspectorate for Immigration.

Popular Nomad Hubs in Romania

Nomads balance cost and community: Bucharest and Cluj offer the biggest tech scenes and services, while Brașov and Timișoara trade price for access to nature and a quieter pace.

• Bucharest - Capital, largest coworking scene, best flight connections, tradeoff is higher rents and busier city life
• Cluj-Napoca - Tech hub and university city, strong startup community, tradeoff is rising housing costs
• Timișoara - Cultural city near Western borders, good quality of life, tradeoff is smaller international community
• Brașov - Mountain access and tourist infrastructure, ideal for outdoor weekends, tradeoff is fewer large coworking spaces