Romania Travel Guide

Discover the best of Romania with curated guides, insider tips, and honest stories.

Cable car suspended above a forested valley with autumn-colored trees and distant mountains under a blue sky; passengers ride in the car. Romania travel

Ornate European castle with tall spires, red-brick and beige stone, statues in the foreground against a blue sky.

Forested hill above a town with red-roofed houses in Romania; a church steeple rises near the bottom left under a clear blue sky.

A hillside town with densely packed colorful houses and red roofs under a clear blue sky at sunset/tlate afternoon light. Romania travel destinations

I may be biased since this is my home country, but I think Romania is still one of the most underrated travel destinations in Europe. Aside from being a very safe and relatively affordable country to travel to, Romania is full of spectacular places, from beautiful castles and medieval towns to a variety of landscapes ranging from dramatic mountain peaks to a lively seaside. Honestly, if you’ve never been to Romania, you’re missing out.

Quick Facts About Romania

Geography: Located in Eastern Europe, bordered by Hungary, Serbia, Bulgaria, Ukraine, Moldova, and the Black Sea.

Capital city: Bucharest, in the south

Regions: Transylvania, Maramureș, Bucovina, Moldova, Dobrogea, Muntenia, Oltenia, Banat, Crișana

Popular cities: Bucharest, Cluj-Napoca, Brașov, Timișoara, Iași, Craiova, Constanța, Sibiu

Climate: Hot summers, cold and snowy winters, and mild springs and autumns

Best time to visit: Spring (April-May) and autumn (late September-October); summer and winter can also be nice

Languages: Romanian

Currency: Romanian Leu (RON)

Minimalist travel illustration: a dotted flight path from a map pin on the left to an airplane on the right, looping midway.

Transportation

Unfortunately, getting around Romania is not the easiest task. Trains, when available, are extremely slow. Moreover, the roads are not always great for driving, with only a few highways currently available, although many more are under construction. Buses and vans remain the best options.

Major airports: Bucharest (OTP), Cluj‑Napoca (CLJ), Timișoara (TSR), Iași (IAS)

Trains: CFR Călători connects most cities; Private trains are often faster and more comfortable

Buses: While there are some bus routes connecting major cities, you’ll more often than not travel by van

Driving: It’s the best way to get around the country, although most roads are not great and have low speed limits

Public transport: Bucharest has 5 metro lines, plus buses and trams. Major cities have good public transportation with buses and trams.

Tip: Book CFR train tickets online at least a week in advance for a small discount. If private trains run the route you need, I recommend them over CFR. The private companies are InterRegio, Astra Trans Carpatic, Transferoviar, and Softrans.

Arrivals sign hanging from two cords with an airplane icon on the left and the word ARRIVALS on a beige background.

Other Useful Information

Here are a few more facts to help you make the most of your trip to Romania.

Safety: Romania is generally safe, including for solo travelers and women; use normal precautions in big cities, mostly Bucharest

Costs: Still pretty affordable compared to most of Europe; Bucharest and Cluj are the priciest

Tipping: Not mandatory but highly appreciated in restaurants; you can add it to the bill (usually 10%) or leave cash

Cultural notes: Food is always hearty and filling, to put it mildly, so order less than you normally would at the restaurant – you can always order more later!

Plugs: Type C & F, 230V

Tip: I’m not saying you should skip Bucharest, but please go beyond it. I hear so many people who have only visited Romania’s capital, and it’s really not representative of the country. Stay for a couple of days, but then explore the smaller cities, enjoy the mountains, lakes, and rivers, visit the castles, and maybe even venture into small villages. That’s where Romania’s beauty lies.

My Experience Traveling in Romania

Being Romanian, you’d think I’d be an expert on traveling around the country. But it pains me to admit I have more experience traveling in other countries than my own. However, in the past few years, I’ve made it a mission to explore more of my home country, and I now have a good knowledge of Transylvania and cities like Bucharest, Sibiu, and Sighișoara. And of course, I know my hometown of Brașov really well. Having friends visiting has made it easier to prioritize exploring my surroundings more, and I’ll keep doing that, so stay tuned for more content. Meanwhile, I’ve got quite a few posts to get you started!

Pictured: Cantacuzino Castle, 2024

Young woman on a swing between two large trees in a sunny courtyard with a historic brick building in the background, blue sky above.

Silhouette of a vampire wearing a cape centered on a pale beige background

Romania Travel Resources

Official tourism website: RomaniaTourism.com
Flights: Trip.com or Kiwi.com to find affordable flights to and from Romania
Accommodation: Booking.com is my go-to for Romania, but Agoda is a good alternative
Transportation: Find all train schedules at MersulTrenurilor and buses at Autogari.ro; Omio has a few bus routes
Ridesharing apps: Bolt and Uber are both widely available and affordable
Navigation: Google Maps for daily navigation and Maps.me for hiking
Car rental: DiscoverCars allows you to browse countless options all over Romania
Activities: GetYourGuide and Viator have tons of choices;
Travel insurance: I personally use and recommend SafetyWing. VisitorsCoverage is a good alternative
Sightseeing and attractions: The official websites are my go-to; alternatively, check Klook and Tiqets
Walking tours: Book a free walking tour on GuruWalk and just tip your guide
eSIM: I use either Airalo or Saily, depending on the destination and length of the trip
VPN: I tried different ones, but my favorite is by far NordVPN
Currency converter: Download the Xe app for up-to-date rates

Tip: While I always recommend spring and autumn for travel around Europe, I think Romania is truly magical in the winter. If you seek whimsical vibes and fairytale-like landscapes, head to Romania during the winter holiday season – it’s cheaper than more popular destinations like Germany or Austria. There are also many cool ski resorts in Transylvania!

When is the best time to visit Romania?

Anytime! Really, any season is good to visit Romania, depending on what you seek. Late spring and early fall offer the best combination of good weather, fewer crowds, and lower prices. Summer can be great if you avoid the big cities, especially Bucharest, that can get very hot! Winter is great for Christmas markets, snowy landscapes, and cozy vibes.

How many days do I need in Romania?

There are so many areas of Romania that most people never reach, and if you wanted to really see it all, you’d need a good couple of months – and that’s also because traveling around the country is pretty slow. But here are some more doable recommendations:
City break: 3-4 days for Bucharest or Cluj; 2-3 days for Brașov, Timișoara, Sibiu, Iași, or Craiova
Transylvania loop: 7-10 days (including Cluj, Brașov, Sibiu, and Sighișoara)
Road trip: 2-3 weeks for the highlights

Is Romania expensive to visit?

Romania is quite affordable to visit for most travelers, especially if you’re coming from western countries. Prices tend to rise in the summer and around winter holidays, but acccommodation, dining out, and transportation are all fairly cheap compared to most European countries.

Is Romania safe for solo travelers?

Yes, Romania is overall really safe for solo travelers, including solo female travelers.I have an in-depth article on how safe traveling in Romania is, but as a woman traveling solo, I never had any issues. You should still be cautious in crowded areas in big cities, especially in Bucharest, but that’s a general rule for most European capitals.

What should I eat in Romania?

Let me start by saying that Romanian food can be really heavy and mostly meat-based. As someone who stopped eating meat, it can be a little tricky. If you do eat meat, sarmale (cabbage rolls), mici (grilled skinless sausages), and ciorbă de burtă (tripe soup) are the most traditional dishes. You should also try Romania’s most popular dessert: papanași (fried donuts with sour cream and jam).

Do I need to speak Romanian to travel around Romania?

No, Romanian is not needed to travel around the country. And honestly, it’s a pretty difficult language to learn. Luckily, young generations speak English across the country, so you won’t have any issues getting around. Older people may not speak English, but that’s mostly an issue in the countryside. In the major cities, you’ll do just fine! Of course, learning a few basic words is always helpful.

Do I need travel health insurance for Romania?

You can have access to free public healthcare in Romania if you have a European Health Insurance Card. However, travel health insurance is recommended for issues like non-emergency treatments, trip cancellations, and other travel disruptions. Moreover, all travelers who need a visa for Romania must also have travel medical insurance. I currently use and highly recommend SafetyWing.