Brașov is a fairy-tale city in the heart of Transylvania, surrounded by the Carpathian Mountains and packed with medieval history. Its affordability, combined with stunning architecture and easy day trips to famous castles, makes it one of Europe’s best-kept secrets for budget travelers.
Overview
Romania is one of Europe’s most affordable destinations, and Brașov offers excellent value across all budget levels. The local currency is the Romanian Leu (RON), with approximately 4.6 RON to 1 USD. Daily costs range from $65 for budget travelers to $390 for luxury visitors. Even mid-range travelers at $130/day will find the quality far exceeds what that budget buys in Western Europe.
Daily Budget Breakdown
Budget (300 RON/day | ~$65 USD): Stay in a hostel dorm (50-80 RON/night), eat at local eateries serving traditional Romanian food (60-100 RON/day), and use the excellent public bus system (12-14 RON day pass). Castle entries and museum tickets run 10-40 RON each.
Mid-Range (600 RON/day | ~$130 USD): Book a 3-star hotel or city-center apartment (250-450 RON/night), enjoy restaurant dining with local wines (120-200 RON/day), and use taxis for convenience (40-80 RON/day). Budget for 2-3 paid attractions per day.
Luxury (1,800 RON/day | ~$390 USD): Stay in a boutique hotel in the Old Town (700-1,200 RON/night), dine at Brașov’s finest restaurants (300-500 RON/day), and hire a private driver for castle day trips (150-300 RON/day).
Where to Save
Hiking up Tampa Mountain is free and offers better views than the cable car (which costs 22 RON round trip). The Black Church, Council Square, and the medieval Old Town are free to explore from the outside. Traditional Romanian food at local restaurants is incredibly affordable — a full meal with drink often costs 30-50 RON ($7-11). Public buses to surrounding villages and attractions are cheap and reliable.
Where to Splurge
A private guided day trip covering Bran Castle, Peleș Castle, and Râșnov Fortress ($60-90 per person) is the best way to see Transylvania’s highlights with context and commentary. Book a meal at one of Brașov’s atmospheric medieval-themed restaurants for a memorable evening at 150-250 RON per person. A night at a boutique hotel in a restored medieval building brings the Old Town history to life.