Romania travel guide: when to go, weather, money and tips

Romania rewards travellers who are curious rather than in a hurry. This guide is for anyone planning a first visit from the UK, Europe or the USA — whether you are joining a small group with us or simply want to understand the country before you decide when to go. It answers the practical questions first, then fills in the detail.

Why visit Romania?

• The Carpathian Mountains run through the heart of the country, with quiet roads, forests and villages that still farm the old way.
• Transylvania's Saxon villages, fortified churches and walled towns such as Sighișoara feel like stepping into a story, without needing the Dracula clichés.
• The painted monasteries of Bucovina, with frescoes covering their outer walls, are unlike anything else in Europe.
• Maramureș keeps living traditions alive — wooden churches, haymaking by hand, and craft that has barely changed in generations.
• The Danube Delta is one of the continent's great wetlands, a maze of channels, reed beds and birdlife best explored slowly by boat.
• Romanian food and wine are genuinely good and still affordable by Western European standards — hearty, seasonal, and often served at a table with people who want to share it with you.
• Romania offers real value and far fewer crowds than the well-trodden parts of Western Europe, so the castles, monasteries and mountain roads rarely feel overrun.

When is the best time to visit Romania?

There is no single "best" month — it depends on what you want to see. Spring and autumn suit most first-time visitors, while summer is best for the mountains and the Delta, and winter has its own quiet charm.

Spring (April–May) brings fresh green landscapes, orchards in blossom and comfortable travelling temperatures, though mountain roads at higher altitude may still be affected by late snow.

Summer (June–August) is the most reliable season for higher-altitude routes such as the Transfăgărășan and Transalpina, and the best time for the Danube Delta, when wildlife and boat access are at their best. Lowland cities can feel warm and busy in July and August.

Autumn (September–October) is a favourite for many travellers: warm days, cooler evenings, golden forests, the grape harvest in wine regions such as Dealu Mare, and roads that are usually still fully open into early autumn.

Winter (November–March) is quieter and colder, with snow settling in the hills and mountains. December brings Christmas markets in cities such as Sibiu, and the season has a slower, cosier character, though some mountain routes close and daylight hours are shorter.

As a general rule, the high mountain roads are only reliably open from summer into early autumn, and the Danube Delta is at its best from spring through to autumn.

What is the weather like?

Romania has a continental climate: warm to hot summers, cold winters, and a noticeable difference between the lowlands and the mountains at any time of year.

In the lowland cities and plains, summer days can be genuinely hot, while spring and autumn are milder and generally the most comfortable for walking and sightseeing. Winters in the lowlands are cold, with grey skies and occasional snow.

In the Carpathians, conditions are cooler and change quickly — a warm valley can give way to a cold, windy ridge within an hour's drive, and snow can linger into late spring at altitude. Mountain winters bring proper snow and genuinely cold temperatures.

Forecasts vary from year to year and region to region, so treat any seasonal description as a guide rather than a guarantee, and check a short-range forecast closer to your travel dates.

What to pack and wear

Layers are the single most useful packing strategy in Romania, whatever the season, because temperatures can shift between a sunny town square and a mountain pass on the same day.

For most of the year, pack:

• A light rain jacket, since showers can appear even in a mostly sunny week
• Comfortable, sturdy walking shoes — cobbled old towns, monastery courtyards and village paths are not kind to thin soles
• At least one warm layer for the mountains, even in summer, as evenings and higher altitudes cool quickly
• Modest clothing for visiting churches and monasteries — shoulders and knees covered is the general expectation, and some monasteries may lend a wrap skirt at the entrance if needed

If you are travelling between November and March, add a proper insulated coat, warm hat, gloves and waterproof winter boots, since snow and genuinely cold temperatures are common in the hills and mountains during this period.

Money: currency, cards and tipping

Romania's currency is the Romanian leu (RON) — the country has not adopted the euro, so bring or withdraw lei rather than relying on euros for everyday spending.

Cards are widely accepted in cities, hotels, restaurants and most shops. It is still worth carrying some cash for villages, local markets, small guesthouses and rural stops, where card machines are less common. ATMs are widely available in towns and cities for withdrawing lei.

Tipping is customary rather than obligatory: around 10% in restaurants is typical when you have enjoyed the service, and rounding up is common for taxis, guides and drivers.

One practical tip: airport currency exchange kiosks tend to offer noticeably poorer rates than banks or ATMs in town, so it is usually worth changing only a small amount on arrival and doing the rest once you are in the city.

Language and people

Romanian is a Latin language, related to Italian, French, Spanish and Portuguese, which many English speakers find easier to read than expected, even without prior study.

English is widely spoken among younger people and throughout the tourism industry, though it is less common in rural villages, where older residents may speak only Romanian. Our own team speaks English and Romanian, and we can arrange guides who speak French, Italian, Spanish, Polish, Hungarian and other languages on request.

A few words go a long way:

• Bună ziua — Good day
• Mulțumesc — Thank you
• Vă rog — Please
• Noroc! — Cheers
• Poftă bună — Enjoy your meal

Romanian hospitality is warm and genuine. Do not be surprised if a conversation turns into an invitation to the table, complete with homemade țuică (plum brandy) pressed on you as a welcome. If you are invited into someone's home, taking a small gift — flowers, sweets or something from your own country — is a thoughtful and appreciated gesture.

Getting to Romania from the UK

Several UK airports run direct flights to Bucharest and other Romanian cities, with a flight time to Bucharest of around three hours. Romania is two hours ahead of the UK, so remember to adjust your watch on arrival.

Getting around

Distances in Romania often take longer than a map suggests, particularly on mountain roads and through villages, where winding routes, slower traffic and roadworks are common. This is exactly why we plan shorter drives between stops and use comfortable private vehicles with driver-guides, so you spend your time enjoying the journey rather than rushing through it. Trains exist and are a scenic option for some routes, but they are generally slow compared with road travel.

Is Romania safe?

Romania is generally safe and welcoming, and most visits pass without any trouble. As anywhere, the usual city precautions apply — keep an eye on bags and valuables in busy areas and use registered taxis or arranged transport at night.

Driving in Romania can be demanding for visitors unused to mountain roads, overtaking trucks or variable road surfaces, which is one reason many of our guests prefer a private driver-guide to self-driving.

For the latest official guidance, always check GOV.UK travel advice for Romania before you go.

Practical checklist

• Passport and entry rules: check GOV.UK travel advice for Romania for current passport validity and entry requirements before you travel.
• Health cover: a GHIC or EHIC card can provide access to state healthcare, but it is not a substitute for proper travel insurance, which we recommend for every trip.
• Plugs and power: Romania uses type F/C sockets at 230V, the same standard as most of continental Europe, so UK visitors will need a travel adaptor.
• Mobile and roaming: roaming charges and coverage depend entirely on your UK provider, so check your plan before you go.
• Drinking water: bottled water is widely available and commonly preferred by visitors; tap water in cities is generally treated, though many travellers still choose bottled water as a matter of habit.
• Pharmacies: pharmacies are widely available in towns and cities for everyday needs.

How we make it easy

We keep our groups small — a maximum of 12 guests — and build most trips as private, tailor-made journeys around what you actually want to see. You will have one point of contact before and during your trip, a 30% deposit secures your place, and our bilingual team is on hand throughout in English and Romanian.

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