Romania is one of those countries that I think gets overlooked by backpackers.

After visiting several times and spending around 15–16 days travelling around the country, I can honestly say that I would go back tomorrow.

I travelled around Romania during the summer, mostly towards the end of August, and visited places including Bucharest, Sinaia, Turda, Cluj-Napoca and Sibiu.

I also didn’t get to everywhere I wanted.

Brașov, Timișoara, Craiova, Constanța and Iași are all places I’d like to explore more, and I’d particularly like to spend more time in northern Romania.

Romania isn’t the absolute cheapest country in Eastern Europe, but the smaller cities can be incredibly affordable. Accommodation can often be found for around €6–€10 per night, meals can be kept below €7–€8, and buses are generally very cheap.

The real attraction for me, though, isn’t just the price.

It’s the combination of Romanian food, mountains, castles, history, hiking, beaches and genuinely interesting cities.

Here’s my guide to backpacking Romania on a budget.

🇷🇴 Romania at a Glance


Time I’ve spent in Romania	Around 15–16 days
Best time I visited	Summer / late August
Travel style	Solo backpacking
Average daily budget	Around €12
Hostels	Often €6–€10
Meals	Often under €7–€8
Transport	Trains + buses
Best city	Cluj-Napoca
Best for nature	Sinaia / Transylvania / Carpathians
Best summer destination	Constanța
My overall value rating	9/10

Is Romania Good for Backpacking?

Yes. Absolutely.

I’d particularly recommend Romania to travellers who have already done a few trips and want somewhere that gives them a bit more of an adventure.

It isn’t as straightforward as travelling around some Western European countries, but I found the transport relatively easy to understand.

Most of the information I needed was available through Google, and when I wasn’t sure, I’d simply ask my hostel or hotel.

There’s also something I really liked about Romania: there aren’t huge numbers of international backpackers everywhere.

How Much Does It Cost to Backpack Romania?

On average, I spent roughly €12 per day.

Expense	Typical budget
Hostel	€6–€10
Food	€7–€15
Local transport	€1–€5
Activities	Variable
Basic daily budget	~€12–€25

My biggest money-saving tip

Use buses whenever practical.

Getting Around Romania

🚌 Buses

For budget backpackers, buses are your friend. Generally very cheap.

🚆 Trains

Useful for travelling between major cities, but can sometimes be more expensive than expected.

🚕 Bolt and Uber

I used Bolt much more than Uber — mainly for early trains or buses when I didn’t want to risk missing them.

Where Should You Go Backpacking in Romania?

My recommended places:
Cluj-Napoca · Sibiu · Sinaia · Brașov · Turda · Constanța (in summer)

Places I didn’t have enough time for:
Timișoara · Craiova · Iași

🇷🇴 Bucharest

My least favourite part of Romania — but still worth 1–2 days for the Palace of Parliament and Therme Bucharest.

🏔️ Sinaia

Mountain resort, beautiful scenery, Pelеș Castle — one of my top priorities in Romania.

⭐ Cluj-Napoca

My favourite city in Romania. Young, energetic, great cafes, restaurants and nightlife.

🏛️ Sibiu

Beautiful, compact historic centre. Easy to explore on foot.

🏖️ Constanța

Worth adding in summer for the Black Sea coastline.

🏰 Brașov

One of my biggest regrets not visiting properly. Surrounded by mountains, excellent base for Transylvania.

🍲 Romanian Food You Need to Try

Sarmale — cabbage rolls with seasoned meat and rice. Definitely try them.
Ciorbă — Romanian sour soups. Try a few varieties.
Mici — grilled minced-meat rolls. Great for a cheap meal.

My Favourite Food Spots

Lacrimi și Sfinți · Zexe · Mahala · Dristor Kebap · Burger Van Bistro · Scovergăria Mică

7-Day Romania Itinerary

Days 1–2: Bucharest
Days 3–4: Brașov
Days 5–7: Sinaia + Pelеș Castle

14-Day Romania Route

Days 1–2: Bucharest · Days 3–4: Brașov · Day 5: Sinaia · Days 6–8: Cluj-Napoca · Days 9–10: Turda · Days 11–12: Sibiu · Days 13–14: Craiova or further north

My Romania Ratings

Category	Rating
💰 Value for money	9/10
🏨 Accommodation	5/10
🚆 Transport	5/10
🍲 Food	7/10
🏛️ History & culture	8/10
🌲 Nature	7/10
🥾 Hiking	6.5/10
🎉 Nightlife	7/10
🛡️ Safety	6.5/10

🇷🇴 Adventure For Less Verdict

Romania: 8.5/10

Best for: Budget travellers, food lovers, history, castles, nature and hiking.
Best city: Cluj-Napoca · Best castle: Pelеș · Best summer destination: Constanța
Would I go back? 100%.

Adventure For Less tip: Romania isn’t necessarily the cheapest country in Eastern Europe — but the combination of low accommodation costs, cheap food, interesting cities and incredible nature makes it one of the best-value destinations I’ve travelled around.

Backpacking Romania