Getting Romanian Leu for Your Trip to Romania

Romania offers incredible value for travelers - medieval Transylvanian towns, the painted monasteries of Bucovina, the Carpathian Mountains, and the vibrant capital Bucharest, all at prices that make it one of Europe's most affordable destinations. The country uses the Romanian Leu (RON), not the Euro, despite EU membership.

Card acceptance has improved dramatically in Romanian cities, with contactless payments now common in Bucharest, Cluj-Napoca, Brasov, and Sibiu. However, Romania is still more cash-reliant than Western Europe - rural areas, small guesthouses, and village shops often prefer or require cash.

The best strategy is to bring a fee-free debit card for cities and have some Leu cash for the countryside. ATMs are readily available, but avoid the exchange bureaus that sometimes have unfavorable rates.

Understanding the Romanian Leu

The Leu (plural: lei) has moderate denominations that are easy to work with:

Quick Reference

• £1 ≈ 5.7-6 RON (varies with exchange rates)
• 10 RON ≈ £1.70
• 50 RON ≈ £8.50
• 100 RON ≈ £17

Common Notes and Coins

• Notes: 1, 5, 10, 50, 100, 200, 500 RON (polymer notes)
• Coins: 1, 5, 10, 50 bani (100 bani = 1 leu)
• Romanian notes are colorful and made of durable polymer plastic

Best Ways to Get Romanian Leu

1. Fee-Free Debit Cards (Recommended)

Cards like Wise and Revolut offer the real mid-market exchange rate with minimal fees. Perfect for cities and tourist areas - use for card payments and ATM withdrawals.

2. Bank ATMs

The safest way to get cash for rural areas. Use ATMs from major Romanian banks: BCR, BRD, Banca Transilvania, or Raiffeisen. Always decline the currency conversion option and withdraw in RON.

3. Card Payments

Widely accepted in Bucharest, Cluj-Napoca, Brasov, Sibiu, and other cities. Hotels, restaurants, supermarkets, and major attractions take cards. Smaller towns and villages often prefer cash.

4. Avoid: Tourist Area Exchange Bureaus

Some exchange offices in tourist areas have poor rates or hidden fees. If you must exchange cash, use reputable bureaus in shopping centers or banks.

Using Cards in Romania

Where Cards Work Well

• Restaurants and cafes in major cities
• Hotels and Airbnbs (for initial booking)
• Supermarkets (Kaufland, Lidl, Carrefour, Mega Image)
• Major tourist attractions and museums
• Shopping malls and chain stores
• Petrol stations

Where Cash is Often Needed

• Rural guesthouses and pensions
• Village shops and local markets
• Small restaurants in the countryside
• Some Transylvanian castle entry fees
• Taxi drivers (though some take cards)
• Traditional markets and craft sellers

ATMs in Romania

Best ATMs to Use

• BCR (Banca Comercială Română): Largest network, reliable
• BRD (Groupe Société Générale): Major French-owned bank
• Banca Transilvania: Large Romanian bank, good coverage
• Raiffeisen: Austrian bank with good presence

ATMs to Avoid

• Euronet: High fees and aggressive currency conversion
• ATMs in nightclubs or tourist hotspots with fees
• Any ATM that strongly pushes conversion to your home currency

Important: Decline Currency Conversion

Romanian ATMs often offer to convert to your home currency (Dynamic Currency Conversion). Always decline this and withdraw in RON - the ATM's conversion rate is typically 5-8% worse than your card provider's rate.

Costs in Romania

Romania offers exceptional value across the board:

Typical Costs (2026)

• Restaurant meal: 40-90 RON (£7-15)
• Beer: 10-18 RON (£2-3)
• Coffee: 10-15 RON (£1.70-2.50)
• Museum entry: 20-50 RON (£3.50-8.50)
• Public transport: 3-5 RON (£0.50-0.85)
• Hotel (mid-range): 200-400 RON (£35-70)
• Bran Castle entry: 50 RON (£8.50)