Best Place to Exchange Money in Bucharest

Where to change money in Bucharest

Under consumer-authority (ANPC) rules, exchange offices must post their rates in plain view, with any commission built into the rate. Before you hand over pounds, the office should give you a signed acceptance form showing the rate and the exact sum in lei. Walk away if that figure is lower than the board suggested, and compare the board with the National Bank of Romania's rate for the day. No city-centre office is named, as none could be checked against two sources.

• Adriatica & Company, Henri Coanda Airport - Runs the airport's exchange space (ZF, March 2024), with desks open 24/7 in the arrivals baggage hall and on the departures side, says the operator.
• Other exchange desks, Henri Coanda Airport arrivals - Two more offices on the arrivals ground floor, one open 24/7 and one from 07:00 to 19:00.

Changing money at the airport

Cash machines on the first floor of the arrivals terminal work 24/7: CEC Bank, BRD, Raiffeisen, Libra and SIBS as well as Euronet. A bank's own machine is usually the more predictable choice; on any of them, read the fee screen and refuse a conversion into pounds. The desks are handy for a small sum, but a fee-free card normally works out cheaper.

The CFR Calatori train leaves from the station in front of Arrivals and reaches Bucharest North (Gara de Nord) in roughly 20 to 25 minutes. Since 14 December 2025 a ticket costs 6.50 lei, or 13 lei from the conductor. Buy it at the ticket office, a Kiosk machine, online, by SMS to 7458 or by contactless card at the terminals on board.

STB's bus 100 runs to the city centre. Since 22 April 2026 it leaves from the shared stop outside Departures, reached by an indoor corridor from Arrivals. Its fare could not be confirmed, so check STB's Info TB app.

ATMs and cards in Bucharest

No published charge for foreign cards could be confirmed for any Bucharest bank or for Euronet, so trust the figure on screen before you confirm, and check your own bank's overseas fees. A travel or multi-currency card that waives them keeps costs down, and fewer, larger withdrawals limit any fixed charge.

When a machine or a shop's card terminal asks if you would like to pay in pounds, say no and pay in lei. Romanian consumer journalists call the home-currency option a common and costly tourist mistake. Keep some lei in cash for small purchases and tips.

Paying for transport in Bucharest

On STB's Otokar and hybrid Mercedes Citaro buses and on trams 1, 10 and 41 you can tap a contactless Visa, Mastercard or Maestro, including cards issued abroad, or a phone or watch, at the standard fare with no commission. Wait for the green APROBAT message. A tap covers one trip on that vehicle only, so tap again when you change; trolleybuses and older vehicles may still need a ticket.

Metrorex gates also take a contactless card, phone or smartwatch at the normal fare with no bank charge. Paying for a companion? Press "+" on the gate screen before the extra tap. City fares were under review in early 2026, so check prices before buying a combined STB and metro pass.

Good to know

• Tipping is voluntary and no percentage is set; a little cash in lei is simplest.
• The FCDO says to declare 10,000 euros or more in cash or travellers' cheques when you enter Romania; keep the certified declaration, or the money could be seized when you leave.
• Guides quoting 6 lei for the airport train predate the December 2025 rise.
• As commission must be built into the posted rate, a "zero commission" sign tells you little: the lei total on the form is what counts.