Hi everyone,
Like many of you, I love the Rick Steves approach to travel. However, if you are planning a trip to Romania using the existing Rick Steves materials—which heavily feature videos and articles dating back to around 2016—or reading older trip reports, I wanted to offer a friendly "reality check" on what to expect budget-wise on the ground today.
I have frequently seen travellers who want to visit Romania and start their plan with an image of Romania from at least a decade ago: an ultra-cheap, budget-basement destination where the US or Canadian dollar stretches endlessly. When they see modern quotes for accommodations or private guiding, there is often a bit of sticker shock or disappointment.
The reality is that Romania has undergone a massive economic transformation. If you are planning a trip today, here is why the financial landscape has changed and what you should actually budget for:
1. Intense Post-Pandemic Inflation
Like the rest of the world, Romania faced heavy inflation recently, but Southeastern Europe was hit particularly hard by rising energy and supply chain costs. Romania has seen some of the highest inflation rates in the EU over the last few years. Prices for food, entrance fees, and transport have adjusted upward significantly.
2. A Skyrocketing Standard of Living
Romania is a fully integrated EU member with a booming tech sector and a rapidly rising middle class. Local wages have increased dramatically. Because locals now have far more disposable income, there is a massive domestic demand for boutique hotels, high-end dining, and premium services, which naturally drives up prices in tourist hotspots like Brașov, Sibiu, Cluj, and Bucharest.
3. What Things Actually Cost Now (USD/CAD equivalents)
While basic groceries or local public transit remain relatively cheap, the things we typically look for as tourists have caught up with Central and Western European prices.
• Accommodations:
A nice, centrally located boutique hotel or highly-rated guesthouse that used to be $40–$60 a night is now easily $110–$180+ a night.
• Dining out:
A mid-to-high-end dinner for two with wine in a historic old town square will generally run $50–$90+, rather than the $25 bargains of the past.
• Private Tours: If you hire English-speaking specialist guides, expect professional, Western-tier day rates.
The Bottom Line
Romania is still an absolutely incredible, safe, and beautiful destination with stunning medieval castles, vibrant cities, and gorgeous countryside. It is still generally more affordable than Switzerland, France, or Scandinavia. But it is no longer a destination where private services come at a deep discount.
If you are planning a trip, budget for it closer to what you would spend in parts of Spain, Portugal, or Greece rather than the old Eastern Bloc stereotypes.
Hope this helps anyone currently planning a trip! Happy travels!