Travel Budget for Bucharest Visit Bucharest on a Budget or Travel in Style

Bucharest, Municipiul Bucuresti, Romania

Bucharest is a less touristy city known for its wide avenues and longstanding religious institutions. In this travel cost guide, we'll cover everything you need to know to plan your travel budget and have an amazing trip without spending too much. This guide includes average trip costs from previous travelers, typical hotel prices, food and dining costs, entertainment and sightseeing prices, and information about transportation.

How much does it cost to travel to Bucharest?

You should plan to spend around $175 (lei840) per day on your vacation in Bucharest. This is the average daily price based on the expenses of other visitors.

Past travelers have spent, on average for one day:

  • $98 (lei469) on meals
  • $25 (lei121) on local transportation
  • $122 (lei586) on hotels

A one week trip to Bucharest for two people costs, on average, $2,449 (lei11,760). This includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.

All of these average travel prices have been collected from other travelers to help you plan your own travel budget.

  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    $175
    lei840
  • One Week Per person
    $1,225
    lei5,880
  • 2 Weeks Per person
    $2,449
    lei11,760
  • One Month Per person
    $5,248
    lei25,200
  • One Week For a couple
    $2,449
    lei11,760
  • 2 Weeks For a couple
    $4,899
    lei23,520
  • One Month For a couple
    $10,497
    lei50,400
This data comes from the travel budgets of real travelers - How it works. Put these numbers on your website.


How much does a one week, two week, or one month trip to Bucharest cost?

A one week trip to Bucharest usually costs around $1,225 (lei5,880) for one person and $2,449 (lei11,760) for two people. This includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.

A two week trip to Bucharest on average costs around $2,449 (lei11,760) for one person and $4,899 (lei23,520) for two people. This cost includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.

Please note, prices can vary based on your travel style, speed, and other variables. If you're traveling as a family of three or four people, the price per person often goes down because kid's tickets are cheaper and hotel rooms can be shared. If you travel slower over a longer period of time then your daily budget will also go down. Two people traveling together for one month in Bucharest will often have a lower daily budget per person than one person traveling alone for one week.

A one month trip to Bucharest on average costs around $5,248 (lei25,200) for one person and $10,497 (lei50,400) for two people. The more places you visit, the higher the daily price will become due to increased transportation costs.




Is Bucharest expensive to visit?

Bucharest is a smaller city that attracts a range of visitors, each with distinct travel styles, spending habits, and budgetary requirements. You'll find a wide array of accommodation options, such as luxury hotels, mid-range places, or budget-friendly hostels.

Bucharest can definitely get expensive if you let it, but you have options to reduce costs, including eating at less expensive restaurants and taking public transit.

On average, budget travelers spend $69 (lei333) per day, mid-range travelers spend $175 (lei840) per day, and luxury travelers spend around $438 (lei2,103) per day. These costs are calculated from the expenses of previous travelers to Bucharest.

Within Europe, which is known to be an expensive region, Bucharest is a moderately priced destination compared to other places. The overall cost of travel here is fair for the region and comparable to Howth or Rhodes.

For more details, and to find out if it's within your travel budget, see Is Bucharest Expensive?

How much money do I need for a trip to Bucharest?

The average Bucharest trip cost is broken down by category here for independent travelers. All of these Bucharest travel prices are calculated from the budgets of real travelers. Also, you can see more details at How much does a trip to Bucharest cost?

Bucharest on a Budget
Category Budget Mid-Range Luxury
Accommodation 1
For 1 person in double occupancy
$25
(lei118)
$61
(lei293)
$148
(lei709)
Local Transportation 1 $11
(lei53)
$25
(lei121)
$48
(lei232)
Food 2 $38
(lei181)
$98
(lei469)
$260
(lei1,246)
Entertainment 1 $6
(lei30)
$14
(lei68)
$27
(lei130)
Alcohol 2 $2-6
(lei9-28)
$4-13
(lei21-64)
$9-26
(lei41-123)

Realistic Expectations for Your Travel Budget

Setting realistic expectations for your travel budget is important. Many people think they can visit Bucharest on a tight budget, but most travelers aren't comfortable with a low "shoestring" budget. Think about what you enjoy during your vacations and how you typically travel. Do you prefer resorts, vacation rentals, or hostels? Do you want to visit museums, sights, and participate in activities? Is dining out a priority? These factors will shape both your budget and your itinerary.

Bucharest on a Shoestring Budget?

You might think that you're a budget traveler. But unless you're willing to eliminate a lot of comforts from your trip, prepare to spend a lot more than the daily average of $69 that backpackers often get by on.

Young backpackers often get away with this shoestring budget, but it usually involves staying in hostel dorms, eating at the cheapest restaurants or fast food places, taking public transit or walking, and only visiting free attractions.

Fortunately, there's plenty of hostels in Bucharest, like T5 Social, BEDSY, and Hostel Sport Bucharest. Here, you can score affordable dorm accommodation along with a vibrant social scene, though amenities may be lacking. Moreover, the city provides great public transportation, which allows budget travelers to save on expensive taxi or Uber fares.

Do You Fit the Profile of an Average Traveler?

Couples and families on a fun trip will likely choose a mid-range hotel, enjoy meals at popular dining spots, and visit significant museums and attractions that have entry fees. When visiting Bucharest, most people will want to check out the major attractions, museums, and iconic landmarks. After all, most activities are not free. So, it's realistic to expect your actual daily budget to be about $175 per person, per day.

Bucharest offers a diverse selection of hotels and vacation rentals. If you're traveling with companions, you can share a hotel room with a partner, friend, or your kids, making it easier on your wallet. Families should look for hotels and restaurants that are family-friendly. Christina Hotel Bucharest is an excellent option for kids, and Pension La Noblesse is another fantastic choice. For more family and couple-friendly accommodations, check out our hotel guide for Bucharest here.

Dreaming of a Stylish Getaway?

If you want a vacation with premium amenities and superior service, brace yourself for a price near $438 daily. Choosing upscale hotels, dining at award-winning eateries, enjoying lavish excursions, and using taxis or private drivers around the city will require a luxury budget. Also, higher-end tours are common with luxury travelers, such as Private -RedPatrol Tour of Bucharest with a Romanian Classic car - offered by Viator.

Accommodation Budget in Bucharest

The cost of hotels in Bucharest can be surprisingly wide-ranging. Some hotels charge a lot more because they offer extra luxury and amenities. Prices are also much higher during peak season. Off-season rooms average $48, but the demand in peak summer season pushes that average to around $90. Budget hotels range from $33 to $155, and hostels provide a cheaper option, especially in dorms. Booking early, traveling off-season, or finding special deals can help save money.

Average Daily Costs

Calculated from travelers like you

The average price paid in Bucharest for two people for a typical double-occupancy hotel room is $122 (lei586). For one person sharing a room, the average price paid for a hotel room is $61 (lei293) per night. These costs are from the reported spending of actual travelers.

  • Accommodation1 Hotel or hostel for one person
    $61
    lei293
  • Accommodation1 Typical double-occupancy room
    $122
    lei586

Hotels in Bucharest

Looking for a hotel in Bucharest? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options.

Find the best hotel for your travel style.

Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world.



Actual Hotel Prices in Bucharest

The average hotel room price in Bucharest based on data provided by Kayak for actual hotel rooms is $48 in the low season and $90 in the peak season. Below are the average prices for each budget category. (Prices in U.S. Dollars, before taxes & fees.)

The most affordable highest rated hotels in Bucharest include:

  • My Hotel Apartments starting at $104
  • Crystal Palace Hotel Bucharest starting at $76
  • Christina Hotel Bucharest starting at $43
  • Hotel Lido by Phoenicia starting at $41
  • Vila Paris Boutique Hotel starting at $77
Tips to Save Money on Accommodation in Bucharest

Bucharest has a great public transit system, so it's possible to stay further outside the city and commute in. This may keep your accommodation prices down, but your transportation costs will go up. It can also be inconvenient if you're short on time.

By avoiding the peak summer season and traveling in the low or shoulder seasons, you will be rewarded with lower accommodation prices and fewer crowds.

The city's old town is a favorite spot for visitors. Hotels here may be expensive, but they usually have a lot of character and offer convenient access to local attractions.


Recommended Properties


Transportation Budget in Bucharest

Bucharest boasts a great public transit network. Public transit options include trams, buses, and trolley buses. For a budget-friendly and fast way to explore, public transportation is the way to go. Taxis and rideshares are also widely available.

In some sections of Bucharest, you can enjoy a walkable environment, which helps you see the sights. Many of the tourist attractions are within a walkable area.

Public Transit:  starstarstarstarstar (great)
Walkability:      starstarstarstarstar (good)

Average Daily Costs

Calculated from travelers like you

  • On average, past travelers have spent $25 (lei121) per person, per day, on local transportation in Bucharest. The cost of a taxi ride or rideshare service (Uber/Lyft) in Bucharest is significantly more than public transportation.

  • Transportation1 Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    $25
    lei121

Some of the standard transportation options and hotel transfers include:

  • Airport Henri Coanda (Otopeni) to Bucharest - Private Transfer - Driver for $38 details
  • Bucharest to Airport - Private Transfer - Personal Driver to OTP Henri Coanda for $34 details
  • Bucharest to Giurgiu (Port) - Private Guided Transfer - Car and Driver for $123 details

Recommended Services


Flights to Bucharest
How much does it cost to go to Bucharest? Naturally, it depends on the dates. We recommend Kayak because they can find the best deals across all airlines.

Rental Cars in Bucharest
The price of renting a car in Bucharest will depends on dates, the type of car, the location, and your age. We recommend Kayak because they can find the best deals across all car rental companies.



Food Budget in Bucharest

The cuisine in Bucharest is nice, but it's not the main attraction for tourists. There are still some delightful finds around the city that are worth exploring. Many Romanian recipes have been passed down through the generations and they still use traditional flavors. You'll see some German or Hungarian influences, but the flavors are still uniquely Romanian. Popular dishes include ciorba (tripe soup), cabbage rolls, and mici (grilled meat rolls).

Average Daily Costs

Calculated from travelers like you

  • While restaurant and meal prices in Bucharest can vary significantly, the average cost of food in Bucharest is $98 (lei469) per day, per person, based on the spending habits of previous travelers.

  • Food2 Meals for one day
    $98
    lei469

When dining out, the average daily cost for food in Bucharest is around $98 (lei469) per person, with previous travelers spending from $38 to $260. Generally, breakfast and lunch cost less than dinner, but this will depend on the type of restaurant and what you order.

Typical meal prices in Bucharest are as follows:

  • Breakfast: $10 to $29
  • Lunch: $15 to $39
  • Dinner: $29 to $68
  • Coffee: $8
  • Fast Food or Street Food: $15

Eating out in Bucharest is cheap by European standards. There are restaurants that range in price and style and you can usually find something you like whether you're looking for fine dining, are quick and cheap. Many restaurants have a menu option that includes an appetizer, main dish, dessert and drink for about 7 euros. There are popular fast food places and Shaorma is availabe everywhere. It's possible to find traditional Romanian food as well as international options such as Turkish, Italian, French, Chinese, Spanish, Indian, Greek, and Japanese.

Food & Dining Tips

Many establishments feature breakfast in their pricing, although some tack it on as an added expense. The price and quality can fluctuate depending on the hotel. Being aware of this beforehand helps you gauge if you'll need extra cash. The hotel buffet might be a delicious choice, or you could save some cash by heading to a nearby bakery or cafe.

Keep a water bottle handy instead of buying drinks everywhere. It's also a great way to reduce waste.

Planning a tour? Be sure to confirm in advance which meals are provided. You could find yourself footing the bill for some meals, which can affect your budget.

Taking a food tour or cooking class is a great way to experience the culture in Bucharest. After all, cuisine is one of the reasons why so many people visit. A few of the best culinary activities here include:

  • Dinner at the Museum of Communism & tour after closing for $52 details
  • Bucharest Historical Food Tour in Old Center for $79 details
  • Private Bucharest Food Tour with a Local Foodie for $124 details

Recommended


Sightseeing and Activities Budget in Bucharest

Tourists are naturally attracted to Bucharest due to its museums and attractions, food, nightlife, and historical sights.

Average Daily Costs

Calculated from travelers like you

  • Sightseeing activities, entertainment, and entrance tickets in Bucharest typically cost an average of $14 (lei68) per person, per day based on the spending of previous travelers. This includes fees paid for admission tickets to museums and attractions, day tours, and other sightseeing expenses.

  • Entertainment1 Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    $14
    lei68

Major landmarks in Bucharest include Parliament Palace, Lipscani, Revolution Square, the Arch of Triumph, Romanian Atheneum, and the WWII American Memorial. Museums include the Village Museum, the Museum of the Romanian Peasant, the Art Museum, the National Museum of Contemporary Art, the Old Court Museum, Cotroceni Palace Museum, and the Bucharest History Museum, among many others. There are also many churches and monasteries in the city. These include Curtea Veche Church, Pariarchal Cathedral, Stavropoleos Church, Coltea Church, New St. George Church, Kretzulescu Church, Plumbuita Monastery, and Otetari Church.



There are some good walking tours of the city center, some of which are even free. During the peak season you may have to book in advance. Ask for information at your hotel or a tourist information center.

Another interesting activity is to tour the many old urban buildings that have been left over from the Communist era. They can be a fascinating look into the past. Check out this guide to Urban Ruins in Bucharest for more details.

Parks are popular places to relax in the city as well. Cismigiu Garden is a small park near the center of town. It's also the oldest park in the city and has boat rental in the summer or ice skating in the winter. Other parks worth visiting include Herastrau Park, which is one of the larger parks near a lake on the Colentina River, the Botanical Gardens, Carol Park, Tineretului Park, and Titan Park. If you want to see a concert, some of the best venues are Opera Nationala, Filarmonica George Enescu, and Teatrul National de Opereta Ion Dacian.

A nice way to explore destinations in Bucharest is with local tours that last just a few hours. This way you can see as much as possible in an efficient way with knowledgable guides. Prices vary by the type of activity or tour, the dates, and the size of the group. Here are a few of the highest rated tours by previous visitors:

  • Bran Castle, Peles Castle and Brasov City - Private Tour from Bucharest for $210 details
  • Private Walking Tour: Essential Bucharest + Hidden Gems for $76 details
  • Dracula Castle, Peles Castle & Brasov-Private Tour from Bucharest for $157 details

Recommended Activities


Nightlife Budget in Bucharest

While Bucharest features some nightlife activities, it doesn't reach the excitement levels of other, more renowned destinations. The city has come to life with its party scene, with many bars and clubs that you can choose from. There are rooftop bars, chic dance clubs, and cozy pubs where you can pass the evening. You'll find most of the upscale clubs in the northern part of the city, with a more casual scene found in the downtown areas around Universitate and Romanā.

Average Daily Costs

Calculated from travelers like you

  • The average person spends about $8.93 (lei43) on nightlife and alcoholic beverages in Bucharest per day. The more you spend on alcohol, the more fun you might be having despite your higher budget.

  • Alcohol2 Drinks for one day
    $8.93
    lei43
Nightlife Tips

Exploring the nightlife is often a fun part of any trip, but skipping a few drinks can make a big impact on your overall travel cost.

Stay sharp if you're out at night and enjoying a few drinks. You might attract pickpockets or worse, so stay close to friends you trust and avoid being alone.

Nightlife activities and tasting tours are popular in Bucharest. A few favorites from other travelers include:

  • Wine Tasting in Bucharest long version for $65 details
  • Bucharest Private Old Town Pub and Bar Crawl with Guide for $54 details
  • Bar Crawling for $42 details

Recommended


Travel cost data last updated: Dec 21, 2024

Budgeting and Travel Tips for Bucharest

  • Peak summer season brings higher prices and more people to the city. To avoid the chaos and save some money, consider a trip during the shoulder or low seasons.
  • Traveling a little slower can help you save money, as you can enjoy a lot of the beauty of the area while you relax. If you pack all of the activities into every day, you'll end up spending lots of money. But if you take it a little slower and enjoy your time, you'll usually end up spending less.

Budgeting Challenges

  • Going on a trip with little ones? You'll likely want a private vehicle or taxi. It can be much simpler to dodge the challenges of public transport, but keep in mind that it might cost a bit more.
Traveling in Bucharest
Bucharest Bucharest, Romania

Bucharest is the capital and largest city in the country of Romania. With about 2 million residents living in the city and about 2.4 million in the surrounding urban area, it is also one of the largest cities in Southeastern Europe. As such, it is the economic, industrial and commercial center for the country. As a visitor, you will likely enter Romania by arriving in Bucharest. The city continues to grow and change, and there are ongoing infrastructure projects that continue to modernize the city. It is not uncommon to find historic churches on the same block as modern office buildings and Communist style apartment buildings. There are also many sights around town and the city continues to grow as a trendy and fascinating city.

Bucharest has a temperate continental climate that is similar to that found throughout Romania. There are four seasons with hot summers and cold winters. The spring and fall seasons are quite short. Summer high temperatures average about 29 degrees Celsius and winter high temperatures are around 2 degrees Celsius. Winter temperatures have dropped to -20 degrees Celsius before, although it rarely falls below -12 degrees Celsius. In general, the best times to visit the city are April through June and September through October.



Neighborhoods & Around

Bucharest is very much a mix of the old and the new. It is not uncommon to see old buildings next to new ones. Neighborhoods throughout the city continue to change and modernize. The downtown area has most of the city's more visited attractions including Parliament Palace, the Bucharest University, and most of the museums. There are also many bars and an active nightlife.

Most of the city's neighborhoods are referred to by the nearest metro station. Neighborhoods without metro stations include Dorobanti in the northeast, Drumul Taberei in the west, Rahova and Ferentari in the southwest and Lipscani, or the old city center which is located between Unirii and Universitate Square.

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We've been gathering travel costs from tens of thousands of actual travelers since 2010, and we use the data to calculate average daily travel costs for destinations around the world. We also systematically analyze the prices of hotels, hostels, and tours from travel providers such as Kayak, HostelWorld, TourRadar, Viator, and others. This combination of expenses from actual travelers, combined with pricing data from major travel companies, gives us a uniqe insight into the overall cost of travel for thousands of cities in countries around the world. You can see more here: How it Works.



1 Categories averaged on a per-item basis.
2 Categories averaged on a per-day basis.
For example, the Food2 daily average is for all meals for an entire day, while Entertainment1 is for each individual purchase. Thus, the overall daily average cost is not a summation of the individual categories.