What currency is used in Bucharest?

Bucharest uses the Romanian leu (RON).

How much does a day in Bucharest cost?

Roughly $30-50 a day in US dollars on a backpacker budget (a hostel or shared room, street food and public transport), and $80-130 mid-range (a private room and restaurants). These are broad estimates, last reviewed October 2026.

Is Waypacker free to use in Bucharest?

Yes. Joining is free and stays with hosts carry no nightly rate or booking fee.

Are Waypacker hosts ID-verified?

Every host's ID and selfie are checked by hand by a real person before they can host. Nothing is sent to an AI service.

Can I meet locals in Bucharest without staying with anyone?

Yes. You can join meetups and city groups, or ask locals for tips, without booking a stay.

Will anyone see my exact location?

No. Hosts and meetups appear as a neighbourhood-sized area about a kilometre wide, and exact addresses are never stored.

Bucharest travel guide

Romania

Belle Époque mansions, Orthodox churches and vast communist-era boulevards sit side by side in Romania's capital. Bucharest is big and a little chaotic, with lively parks and a strong café culture.

Essentials

Language: Romanian; English is widely spoken by younger people
Currency: Romanian leu (RON)
Plugs: Type C and F, 230 V
Emergency number: 112
Tipping: Around 10% is usual in restaurants; check whether service has already been added.

Rough daily budget

Approximate spend per person per day, in US dollars:

Backpacker: $30-50, with a hostel or shared room, street food and public transport.
Mid-range: $80-130, with a private room and restaurant meals.

Last reviewed: October 2026

Where to stay in Bucharest

Old Town (Lipscani): cobbled streets of bars, restaurants and historic inns, loud late into the night.
Cotroceni: a quiet district of early 20th-century villas, the botanical garden and leafy streets.
Dorobanți and Floreasca: a smarter northern area with good restaurants, embassies and easy access to the big parks.

Getting around Bucharest

The metro is the quickest way across the city, with buses and trams filling in; traffic is heavy at rush hour. Ride-hailing apps are widely used and help you avoid the unlicensed taxis at the airport and main station.

Best time to visit Bucharest

May to June and September to October; July and August can be very hot.

Top things to do in Bucharest

Tour the Palace of the Parliament, one of the largest administrative buildings in the world
Wander the Village Museum, an open-air collection of traditional houses and churches from across Romania
Hear a concert at the Romanian Athenaeum, a domed 19th-century hall
Browse the Cărturești Carusel bookshop in a restored building in the Old Town
Spend an afternoon in Cișmigiu Gardens or around the lakes of King Michael I Park

What to eat in Bucharest

Sarmale: cabbage leaves rolled around minced pork and rice, served with sour cream and polenta
Mici: small grilled sausages of mixed minced meat, eaten with mustard and beer
Ciorbă de burtă: a sour tripe soup finished with sour cream and garlic
Papanași: fried cheese doughnuts topped with sour cream and berry jam

Day trips from Bucharest

Sinaia and Peleș Castle: a lavish royal castle in the Carpathian foothills, about two hours by train
Brașov: a Saxon old town ringed by mountains, roughly two and a half to three hours by train
Snagov: a lakeside monastery on an island, about an hour north by car

Local etiquette

Cover shoulders in Orthodox churches and keep voices low during services. If you bring flowers to a host, give an odd number, as even numbers are for funerals.

Staying connected

EU roaming applies, mobile data is fast and cheap, and prepaid SIMs are sold in operator shops across the city.

Staying safe

Pickpocketing happens in the Old Town and on busy transport, and unlicensed taxis can overcharge. Traffic is fast and drivers do not always stop at crossings, so look twice.

A local tip

Book the tour of the Palace of the Parliament a day or two ahead and bring your passport, as ID is checked at the entrance.

Visas:rules depend on your nationality and change often – check your own government's official travel advice before you go.

Meet people in Bucharest on Waypacker

Waypacker is a free travel community: stay with ID-verified local hosts, join meetups and city groups, and ask people who live in Bucharest for advice. We are new here, so if you live in Bucharest, you could be one of the first hosts.

Join free

Questions about Bucharest

What currency is used in Bucharest?: Bucharest uses the Romanian leu (RON).
What is the emergency number in Bucharest?: In Bucharest, call 112.
When is the best time to visit Bucharest?: May to June and September to October; July and August can be very hot.
How much does a day in Bucharest cost?: Roughly $30-50 a day in US dollars on a backpacker budget (a hostel or shared room, street food and public transport), and $80-130 mid-range (a private room and restaurants). These are broad estimates, last reviewed October 2026.
Is Waypacker free to use in Bucharest?: Yes. Joining is free and stays with hosts carry no nightly rate or booking fee.
Are Waypacker hosts ID-verified?: Every host's ID and selfie are checked by hand by a real person before they can host. Nothing is sent to an AI service.
Can I meet locals in Bucharest without staying with anyone?: Yes. You can join meetups and city groups, or ask locals for tips, without booking a stay.
Will anyone see my exact location?: No. Hosts and meetups appear as a neighbourhood-sized area about a kilometre wide, and exact addresses are never stored.

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