Is Sibiu expensive to visit?
In Sibiu, budget travelers spend $41 (lei181) per day on average, mid-range travelers spend $93 (lei413) per day, and luxury travelers spend around $178 (lei790) per day. These costs are calculated from the reported expenses of previous travelers to Sibiu.
Sibiu is a small yet captivating destination that lures visitors with differing travel styles, spending levels, and budgetary preferences. Visitors can find a range of options for accommodation from high-end luxury hotels to mid-range places to budget-friendly hostels.
Although Sibiu can be quite pricey if you let it be, you can cut costs by looking for discounts and coupons.
Within Europe, which is known to be an expensive region, Sibiu is a reasonably affordable destination compared to other places. It is in the top 25% of cities in Europe for its affordability. You can find more affordable cities such as Novi Sad, but there are also more expensive cities, such as Avignon.
For more details, and to find out if it's within your travel budget, see Is Sibiu Expensive?
How much money do I need for a trip to Sibiu?
The average Sibiu trip cost is broken down by category here for independent travelers. All of these Sibiu travel prices are calculated from the budgets of real travelers. Also, you can see more details at How much does a trip to Sibiu cost?
Realistic Expectations for Your Travel Budget
To manage your travel budget, it's important to set realistic expectations. Many people think they can visit Sibiu on a cheap budget, but most don't enjoy the limitations of a tight shoestring budget. Consider how you like to travel. Do you enjoy hostels, resorts, hotels, or vacation rentals? Do you want to dine out and explore the major attractions? These decisions will determine your budget and itinerary.
Who Exactly is a Budget Traveler?
You may believe you're traveling on a budget, but unless you're ready to give up some conveniences, you'll likely spend much more than the $41 daily average that backpackers get away with.
Younger budget travelers often stick to this low budget by staying in dorms, eating inexpensive meals, taking public transportation, and focusing on free activities and sights.
Luckily, Sibiu offers plenty of hostels, including PanGeea Hostel, B13 Hostel, and Hi Bye! Hostel. Staying at hostels like these means you can enjoy affordable dorm accommodation along with a lively social vibe, though amenities might be minimal.
Is Your Travel Style Average?
If you're a couple or a family traveling for fun, you'll likely want to stay in a mid-range hotel, eat at popular restaurants, and visit the major museums and attractions which have entry fees. Visitors to Sibiu typically prioritize the major attractions, museums, sights, and landmarks during their stay. Most activities cost money, after all. Therefore, it's realistic to expect your actual daily budget to be closer to $93 per person, per day.
The range of hotels and vacation rentals in Sibiu is impressive. If you're traveling with others, sharing your hotel with a partner, friend, or kids allows you to split the costs and save money. Families will want to find hotels and restaurants that accommodate children. Huet Residence is a solid choice for families, while Pension Palazzo also offers great options. For additional family and couple-friendly hotels, refer to our hotel guide for Sibiu here.
Seeking a Stylish Getaway from the Daily Routine?
If you're used to premier amenities and elevated service, prepare to spend about $178 per day. Choosing comfortable hotels, dining at award-winning establishments, indulging in extravagant excursions, and relying on taxis or private drivers to explore the destination will demand a higher price range. Many luxury travelers also enjoy unique experiences such as Private Day Tour Exploring Sighișoara, Biertan & Mălăncav - offered by Viator.
Accommodation Budget in Sibiu
Sibiu has a wide range of hotel prices. Luxury hotels come with higher price tags and better amenities, and prices are much steeper during peak season. On average, a room costs $44 in the off-season and averages $82 during peak season. Overall, you can expect prices from $31 to $123. Hostels, especially dorms, are cheaper alternatives. You can save by traveling in the low season, booking in advance, or looking for special offers.
Calculated from travelers like you
The average price paid in Sibiu for two people for a typical double-occupancy hotel room is $71 (lei306). For one person sharing a room, the average price paid for a hotel room is $35 (lei153) per night. These costs are from the reported spending of actual travelers.
Looking for a hotel in Sibiu? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options.
The most affordable highest rated hotels in Sibiu include:
- Pension Palazzo starting at $41
- Levoslav starting at $75
- Hotel Golden Tulip Ana Tower Sibiu starting at $78
- The Council starting at $58
- Mercure Sibiu Airport starting at $55
If you plan your trip for the shoulder or low season and avoid , you'll enjoy reduced accommodation costs and fewer tourists.
Transportation Budget in Sibiu
Calculated from travelers like you
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On average, past travelers have spent $29 (lei127) per person, per day, on local transportation in Sibiu. The cost of a taxi ride or rideshare service (Uber/Lyft) in Sibiu is significantly more than public transportation.
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Transportation1
Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
$29
lei127
There are direct connections to Sibiu International Airport from many European cities, especially those in Germany and Italy. Transylvania's largest airline is Carpatair, which offers daily connections to Munich, Bergamo, and Treviso, and connections three times a week to Bologna, Verona, Rome, and Stuttgart. Other airlines include Tarom, Lufthansa, and Blue Air.
There are also hourly buses to and from to Bucharest and Cluj-Napoca, as well as trains which connect Sibiu to Bucharest, Brasov, and Cluj-Napoca.
When driving, confirm that your hotel has convenient parking options.
Some of the standard transportation options and hotel transfers include:
- Sibiu - Timisoara transfer, Visit at Corvins Castle and City Tour in Timisoara for $184 details
- Sibiu to Balea: Bus Transfer for $75 details
- Bucharest: Private Transfer to Sibiu for $183 details
How much does it cost to go to Sibiu? Naturally, it depends on the dates. We recommend Kayak because they can find the best deals across all airlines.
The price of renting a car in Sibiu 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 Sibiu
Cuisine is one of the main reasons people travel, so don't miss out on the local fare.
Calculated from travelers like you
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While restaurant and meal prices in Sibiu can vary significantly, the average cost of food in Sibiu is $44 (lei189) per day, per person, based on the spending habits of previous travelers.
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Food2
Meals for one day
$44
lei189
When dining out, the average daily cost for food in Sibiu is around $43 (lei189) per person, with previous travelers spending from $19 to $82. 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 Sibiu are as follows:
- Breakfast: $4 to $13
- Lunch: $6 to $17
- Dinner: $13 to $30
- Coffee: $3
- Fast Food or Street Food: $6
In the old town of Sibiu there are plenty of restaurants, cafes, and fast food available-serving both local and international fare. The Small Square in particular has a large range as well as the best quality food and service in the city. As far as Romanian food goes, it takes its influence from a number of the surrounding cultures. Some of these include meatballs from the Turks (used in a soup called perisoare), musaca or moussaka from the Greeks (an eggplant or potato-based dish usually with ground meat), and snitel or wiener schnitzel from the Austrians (a thin veal cutlet that has been breaded and fried). One of the most common meals is a kind of polenta called mamaliga eaten on its own or as a side, while pork serves as the main meat in Romanian cuisine. Other specialties include gulas (goulash), fish or lamb dishes, cheese made from cow's or sheep's milk, and pastries like clatite (crepes), papanasi (Romanian doughnuts), and cozonac (a kind of sweet bread). One local dish particular to this area is ciorba, a sour soup which has different variants with meatballs and/or vegetables.
Several hotels include breakfast with your stay, while others charge separately for it. The cost and quality can vary significantly depending on the hotel. Knowing this in advance can guide your budget decisions. It could be worth it for the tasty buffet available at the hotel, or you may wish to find a cheaper option at a local bakery or cafe.
Carry a reusable water bottle with you to avoid spending on drinks. It's also a win for the environment.
If you're considering a tour, double-check which meals are included in the package. There may be instances where you'll have to pay for your own meals, potentially stretching your budget.
Sightseeing and Activities Budget in Sibiu
Calculated from travelers like you
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Sightseeing activities, entertainment, and entrance tickets in Sibiu typically cost an average of $6.75 (lei29) 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.
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Entertainment1
Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
$6.75
lei29
Sibiu is perhaps best known for its medieval old town center, which is the setting for most of the main attractions. The oldest remnant from this ancient past is perhaps the Citadel of Sibiu which was one of the best fortified in Europe during the Middle Ages and remains very well preserved today. Some of the citadel's highlights include a stairs passage, which connects the lower part of the citadel with the upper part, as well as the Golden Barrel (Butoiul de Aur), the oldest restaurant in Romania, which sits at the end of the stairs passage. Other architectural landmarks include the 13th-century Council Tower, the Evangelical Lutheran Cathedral, and the Romanian Orthodox Holy Trinity Cathedral.
Also popular are the city's museums which give deeper insight into the art, history, and culture of the surrounding area. One of these is the Brukenthal Museum which resides in the Brukenthal Palace on the Grand Square. It features over a thousand paintings from Dutch and Flemish schools, Italian schools, and, of course, German, Austrian and Romanian collections, as well as Governor Brukenthal's own collection dating from the 15th-18th centuries. The other most-visited museum is the "ASTRA" National Museum Complex, which consists of more than 300 buildings in an area covering one square kilometer of open air. It is located just south of Sibiu and includes highlights like a Universal Ethnography Museum, a Museum of Transylvanian Civilization, and a Museum of Saxon Ethnography and Folk Art.
The best way to experience Sibiu is to explore the sights on foot, moving from square to square admiring old-world architecture and learning about the city's art, history, and culture at the local museums.
There is also plenty to do in the area surrounding the city as well with opportunities for outdoor activities like hiking and biking. The Fagaras Mountains and Cindrel Mountains are two locations for an excursion outside of the city. Visitors can additionally take short trips to a bathing resort in Ocna Sibiului or the UNESCO World Heritage Sites at the villages of Biertan and Valea Viilor.
A nice way to explore destinations in Sibiu 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:
- Private Walking Tour of Sibiu for $24 details
- Sambata de Sus: E-Bike Guided Tours for $117 details
- Exclusive Tour: Bran Castle, Brasov and Rasnov fortress from Sibiu for $161 details
Sibiu, Romania
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.