Currency in Romania
The complete Romanian Leu (RON) travel guide
The Romanian Leu (RON, symbol lei, plural lei) is the official currency of Romania. Issued by the Banca Națională a României (BNR), banknotes come in 1, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, and 500 lei denominations; coins in 1, 5, 10, and 50 bani (1 leu = 100 bani). Like other Central European EU members (Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland), Romania has not adopted the euro despite EU membership since 2007. RON has been notably stable against EUR — BNR manages within a relatively tight band against the euro, treating EUR as the de facto reference currency. Romania attracts 3+ million international tourists annually for Transylvania (Bran Castle, Sighișoara), Bucharest, and the painted monasteries of Bucovina.
Cash, cards, and ATMs in Romania
Romania is increasingly card-friendly in Bucharest, Cluj-Napoca, Brașov, and major tourist destinations. Visa and Mastercard work at chain hotels, malls (AFI Cotroceni, Mega Mall, Băneasa), chain restaurants, and supermarkets (Carrefour, Auchan, Mega Image, Lidl). Amex acceptance is moderate. ATMs at BCR, BRD, Banca Transilvania, and Raiffeisen branches accept foreign cards with per-transaction limits of RON 800-2,000 (~$170-430) and fees of RON 10-30 per withdrawal. Avoid Euronet ATMs at tourist areas — same DCC scam pattern as elsewhere in Eastern Europe. Cash remains useful at smaller restaurants, taxis (outside Bolt/Uber), and tipping.
Tipping culture in Romania
Tipping in Romania is appreciated and standard at restaurants. Restaurants: 10% is normal at sit-down restaurants — some upscale Bucharest restaurants add a 10% service charge automatically; check the bill. Taxis: round up to nearest RON 5; Bolt and Uber drivers can be tipped in-app. Hotels: RON 5-10 per bag for porters at international chains; RON 5-10 per night for housekeeping. Tour guides at Transylvania day-trips from Bucharest: RON 50-100 per person. Hairdressers: 10%. Restroom attendants at restaurants/malls: RON 1-2.
Best way to get Romanian Leu (RON)
For USD-to-RON or EUR-to-RON, multi-currency cards (Wise, Revolut) deliver rates within 0.5% of mid-market — Revolut is particularly popular in Romania. Bank-branch ATMs (BCR, BRD, Banca Transilvania) offer reasonable rates with moderate fees. Authorized casas de schimb in central Bucharest offer transparent rates — comparison-shop across 2-3 booths. Avoid Henri Coandă (OTP) airport currency exchange counters — spreads of 4-7% above mid-market. For substantial transfers, Wise consistently beats traditional Romanian bank wires by 1-2% on total delivered amount. Note: RON is sometimes confused with the older ROL (pre-2005 denomination) — the redenomination dropped 4 zeros (10,000 ROL = 1 RON), so check old listings carefully.
Practical money tips for Romania
- •Always decline DCC at retail terminals — pay in RON, not your home currency
- •Use Bolt or Uber in Bucharest, Cluj, Brașov, Timișoara — significantly cheaper and safer than street taxis
- •VAT (TVA, 19%) is included in displayed prices at chain retailers; reduced 9% rate on food and pharmaceuticals
- •Romania plug types C and F (same as Germany/EU); voltage 230V/50Hz — Americans need adapter
- •Get a SIM card on arrival (Orange, Vodafone, Digi, Telekom) — 7-30 day plans available for RON 30-120
- •Bucharest taxi mafia: airport taxis have been a chronic problem — always book via Bolt/Uber app or use the official airport taxi rank with metered Black Cab service
- •Inter-city travel: trains (CFR) are slow but cheap; private bus companies (Autogari, FlixBus) are faster; renting a car is excellent for Transylvania trips
Common money scams to avoid in Romania
Common tourist money scams in Romania include: rigged taxi meters from Henri Coandă airport — for years, taxis charged 5-10x reasonable fares; the official Black Cab metered service or Bolt/Uber should be used (never accept rides from drivers waving you down in the arrival hall); "free" Bucharest walking tours with extremely aggressive tip-demands at the end; counterfeit RON 100 and 200 notes given as change at unauthorized money changers; aggressive Romani (gypsy) panhandling near major tourist sites that occasionally turns into distraction-theft; and "tour package" overcharging from hotel concierges for Transylvania day-trips (book directly via verified operators like Romania Active or Romanian Friend for fair pricing).
Frequently asked questions
Is Romania in the Eurozone?
No. Romania is an EU member (since 2007) but uses the Romanian Leu (RON), not the euro. Romania has officially committed to euro adoption (originally targeting 2014, repeatedly delayed). The current realistic timeline is 2026-2029, depending on whether Romania meets convergence criteria (inflation control, fiscal discipline, public-debt levels). Recent fiscal-deficit overruns have pushed expected adoption later. BNR effectively manages RON within a tight EUR band, so the practical impact of non-adoption is limited.
Can I use euros in Romania?
Some Bucharest and Brașov tourist businesses accept euros at terrible rates (8-12% loss). Always pay in RON. Convert at a bank ATM or authorized casa de schimb. Hotel concierges sometimes accept EUR but at unfavorable rates — always check before transacting.
How much cash should I bring to Romania?
Plan on RON 80-200 ($17-43) per day in cash for smaller restaurants, taxis, tips, and small purchases. With cards accepted at most chain establishments, your daily cash needs are modest. Withdraw from a bank ATM (BCR, BRD, Banca Transilvania) — never use Euronet at tourist areas.
Is Transylvania safe for tourists?
Yes, Romania is genuinely safe for tourists with standard urban precautions. The "Dracula tourism" infrastructure around Bran Castle (the inspiration for Bram Stoker's novel, though Vlad the Impaler never actually lived there) and Sighișoara is well-developed and tourist-friendly. Brașov, Sibiu, Cluj-Napoca, and Maramureș all offer excellent experiences. The main tourist financial risks are scams (taxi meters, exchange rates) rather than safety concerns.
Is Romania expensive for tourists?
Cheap by Western European standards. Budget travel runs $30-60/day; mid-range $60-120/day; luxury $150-300/day. Restaurant meals cost RON 30-80 ($6-17) per person at local restaurants. Bucharest hotels run RON 200-500/night for mid-range. Tipping, transit, museums all reasonably priced. Brașov and Cluj are slightly cheaper than Bucharest. Romania is among the most affordable EU destinations.
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Exchange rates refresh hourly from Frankfurter (European Central Bank reference data). Travel money information was compiled in 2026 and reflects current cash/card culture, tipping norms, and common scam patterns.