Romania is home to medieval castles, fairytale towns, the Carpathian Mountains, and one of the largest thermal bath complexes in Europe — where I had the best spa day of my life, and is worth booking a return flight for alone.
If your only reference for Romania is Dracula’s Castle and Transylvania, let me expand that for you: this country is home to medieval cities, the Carpathian mountain range, a wild river delta that’s one of Europe’s last untouched wetlands, and a capital with an exciting food and nightlife scene. It’s the kind of place where you can have a completely different trip depending on whether you go north, south, or into the mountains — and almost none of it is overcrowded. I left surprised by how much Romania had packed into one country, and more surprised that more people aren’t talking about it. Lucky for you, it’s still early enough that you won’t be fighting other tourists for the experience.
Romania is very affordable by European standards. Budget travelers can explore comfortably on around $45-$65 per day, while a mid-range trip runs closer to $90-$120 daily. You’re more likely to hit Western European prices at hip coffee shops, nightlife bars in Bucharest, and anything within eyeline of a castle. Walk five minutes away from tourist facing squares to find lower prices for the same quality.
No visa is needed for U.S. passport holders visiting Romania for up to 90 days, but there are two new EU entry systems to know before you fly. EES (Entry/Exit System) is now active in 2026: instead of a passport stamp, you’ll register your biometrics — facial scan and fingerprints — at the border using automated kiosks. ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorisation System) is also launching in late 2026. It’s a quick online authorization, not a visa, valid for three years and covering all Schengen countries, and costs €20 for adults. Check the official ETIAS website for updates before traveling in late 2026 or beyond.
Romania uses the leu (RON), not the euro — while the country has been a member of the EU since 2007, it hasn’t adopted the shared currency yet and has no firm timeline for doing so. Cards are widely accepted in major cities, but you’ll want cash for rural areas, markets, and tipping. Skip the airport exchange counters and pull cash from an ATM in the city instead — the rates are much better. I always recommend getting a Charles Schwab or Wise debit card before you go to save on transaction fees, as Schwab automatically refunds all ATM fees every month.
Romanian is the official language, spoken natively by about 91% of the population. Hungarian and German are the largest minority languages, concentrated in Transylvania, where you’ll often see bilingual signage. English speakers will be able to get by just fine in cities and among the younger generation — the country’s English proficiency ranks 11th in Europe, higher than France, Spain, Italy, and Greece, with about 60% of Romanians able to speak it well. Download a translation app and learn a few Romanian basics before you go to rural areas, where proficiency drops off.
Romania is one of the safer countries in Europe for solo female travelers. The primary risks are what you’d find in most European cities: petty theft and pickpocketing in busy tourist areas during peak season, occasional catcalling, and the standard nightlife precautions around drinks. In rural areas you may get longer looks than you’re used to — but this is often curiosity more than a threat, and it fades quickly once you make eye contact or say hello.
Tap water in Romanian cities technically meets EU standards, but old pipes mean it can come out chlorinated, slightly murky, or with a metallic taste — which is why most Romanians don’t drink it and default to bottled water. In rural areas, skip the tap entirely and go straight for bottles. Bottled water is cheap (a 5-liter jug runs about $1), so there’s no real reason to risk it, especially in smaller towns or older guesthouses. A reusable filter bottle is always a good call for reducing plastic waste and staying hydrated wherever you go.
Romania uses Type F outlets as standard, with Type C also compatible. Travelers from the U.S. will need a plug adapter and, in some cases, a voltage converter. The good news is that most modern electronics — like laptops and cell phones — have dual-voltage chargers. As long as your charger brick reads “100–240V,” an adapter is all you need. I travel with this universal multi-plug adapter that works for most countries, including Romania.
Hair tools are the exception. Most U.S. hair dryers and straighteners are built for 120V, so plugging them into a 230V outlet will fry them. Voltage converters exist for this, but they have still been known to damage the devices or trip circuit breakers. My honest recommendation is to invest in a dedicated dual-voltage travel hair dryer or straightener before you go and save yourself the headache.
Romania is an underrated nomad base — it has some of the fastest internet in Europe, with cafe speeds in major cities regularly hitting 100-200 Mbps. A single person can live well on $1,000-$1,500/month, with coworking spaces in Bucharest and Cluj running around $85-$110/month. If you want to stay long term, Romania has a dedicated Digital Nomad Visa for non-EU remote workers. The income requirement is approximately $6,100/month and the visa fee is €120, so it’s geared toward higher earners, but the tax perks and EU base make it worth it if you qualify.
Detailed guides to Romania’s major cities (and lesser-known counterparts) are on the way! I’m sharing all the practical tips, hidden spots, and budget advice you’ll need. Want first access when they go live?
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