How Much Does Brașov Cost? 2026 Budget Guide | Prices & Tips
Brașov serves as a highly affordable gateway to the Carpathian Mountains, offering a budget-friendly alternative to the expensive alpine resorts of Western Europe. Visitors can expect a solo daily budget ranging from $67 / 290 lei for those staying in hostels to $405 / 1,752 lei for a full luxury experience. Costs are driven primarily by the high concentration of historic landmarks and outdoor excursions, though base expenses for food and local transit remain low. While the city center is compact and walkable, specialized activities like visiting the Libearty Bear Sanctuary or nearby castles represent the largest share of a traveler's daily spend. As a premier nature destination, the pricing remains stable throughout the year, though winter brings a secondary peak due to the nearby ski slopes.
Is Brașov expensive to visit?
Brașov is remarkably affordable for a mountain destination, with daily costs typically ranging from $67 / 290 lei to $405 / 1,752 lei depending on your choice of accommodation and guided tours.
On This Page
Daily Budget
How much to budget per person per day in Brașov
$67
per person /day
$173
per person /day
$405
per person /day
Trip Costs by Duration
Total estimated costs per person, excluding flights
| Trip Costs by Duration | Budget | Mid-Range | Luxury |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3-Day Trip | $201 | $520 | $1,213 |
| 5-Day Trip | $335 | $866 | $2,022 |
| 7-Day Trip | $470 | $1,213 | $2,832 |
per person — Excludes international flights
Budget Buffer
Recommended contingency for unexpected expenses
It is wise to maintain a 15% buffer to cover mandatory hidden costs such as the daily $1.15 / 5 lei Mountain Rescue (Salvamont) fee and the standard 10% restaurant tip. Additionally, those planning to bring a photo-camera to the Bear Sanctuary should account for a specific fee of approximately $12 / 50 lei.
How Does It Compare?
See how Brașov stacks up against other popular destinations
What Things Cost
Real prices for common tourist expenses in Brașov
Food & Drink (2)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Beef Goulash at La Ceaun Served with traditional bread and pickles. A hearty, famous local meal. | $13 55 lei |
| Domestic Draft Beer (0.5L) Local brands like Ursus or Ciucaș are widely available. | $3.47 15 lei |
Transport (4)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Single Public Transport Ticket (90 mins, city) Standard urban ticket. Paper tickets are often sold as 2 rides (≈$2.31 / 9.99 lei). | $1.15 5 lei |
| Airport Express Bus (Line A1, GHV Airport) Uses the standard RATBV ticket (zone-based system). Connects GHV airport to the main train station and Old Town (Livada Poștei). | $1.15 5 lei |
| Taxi / Ride-hail Start Fee Standard flag-fall. Taxis usually cost ~$0.71–$1.06 / 3.06 lei–4.59 lei per km. | $0.72 3.11 lei |
| Tâmpa Mountain Cable Car (Round Trip) Official adult fare: ≈$10 / 45 lei return. One-way is ≈$6.93 / 30 lei. The ride takes ~3 minutes to reach the 'BRAȘOV' sign viewpoint. | $10 45 lei |
Accommodation (3)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Centrum House Hostel - Dorm Bed Excellent central location. Prices in Old Town average ~$29–$53 / 127 lei–229 lei per night for a hostel bed. | $27 116 lei |
| Hotel Ambient - Mid-range Double Room A well-known 4-star hotel in the city center. Expect to pay ~$94–$106 / 408 lei–459 lei per night. | $93 404 lei |
| Radisson Blu Aurum - Luxury Double Room One of the newest and most luxurious hotels in Brasov, located at the edge of the Old Town. | $170 738 lei |
Activities (4)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Bran Castle Adult Standard Ticket Standard tour access. Seniors pay ~$14 / 60 lei, Students pay ~$12 / 50 lei. Access to Time Tunnel/Torture chambers costs extra. | $21 90 lei |
| Black Church (Biserica Neagră) Entry Includes the Ottoman carpet collection. Students and retirees pay ~$4.63 / 20 lei. | $5.78 25 lei |
| Peleș Castle - Basic Tour Adult ticket ≈$23 / 100 lei; reduced tickets (e.g., retirees/students) are lower. The full tour is ~$37 / 160 lei. | $23 100 lei |
| Libearty Bear Sanctuary Weekend Ticket Weekday tickets are slightly cheaper at ~$21 / 90 lei. Children under 5 are not allowed. | $22 95 lei |
Connectivity (1)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Airalo Romania eSIM (1GB) Valid for 30 days. Larger 5GB plans cost ~$10 / 45 lei. | $4.12 18 lei |
Food & Dining
What to eat and what it costs
The dining landscape centers on hearty Transylvanian fare, with famous local dishes like beef goulash at La Ceaun costing approximately $13 / 55 lei. Budget travelers can find value at local spots like Grătarul cu Ștaif or Shaorma City, while a domestic draft beer averages just $3.47 / 15 lei. Most sit-down restaurants in the Old Town provide high-quality meals for significantly less than comparable European mountain towns.
Cheap Eats
Where locals eat — real places, real prices
La Ceaun
$7.63–$15 / 33 lei–65 leiCouncil Square · Local chain
Their bean soup served in a bread bowl (~$7.86 / 34 lei) is a legendary budget filler.
Grătarul cu Ștaif
$8.09–$17 / 35 lei–75 leiOld Town · Street food area
Best spot for 'Mici' (grilled minced meat rolls) in the historic center.
Ando's
$5.78–$10 / 25 lei–45 leiCentrul Nou · Local chain
A local favorite for quick schnitzel and fries for under ~$8.24 / 36 lei.
Shaorma City
$5.08–$8.09 / 22 lei–35 leiOld Town · Street food area
Standard late-night stop. Massive portions for ~$7.06 / 31 lei.
Dei Frati
$10–$20 / 45 lei–85 leiNear Council Square · Local chain
Small, family-run Italian spot; the homemade pasta is worth the wait.
Getting Around
Transport costs and the smartest ways to move
Getting around the city and nearby trailheads is efficient, with single public transport tickets costing ≈$1.15 / 5 lei (valid 90 minutes, zone-based). Travelers arriving by air can use the Airport Express Bus (Line A1) from GHV for the same ≈$1.15 / 5 lei fare to reach the Old Town. For mountain access, the Tâmpa Cable Car provides a round-trip journey for ≈$10 / 45 lei, though hiking the same route is a popular free alternative.
Accommodation Overview
Lodging offers excellent value, with dorm beds at central spots like Centrum House Hostel averaging $27 / 116 lei per night. Mid-range travelers can find high-quality 4-star options like Hotel Ambient for around $93 / 404 lei, while luxury seekers have modern choices like the Radisson Blu Aurum for approximately $170 / 738 lei. The sweet spot for value is often found in the Schei district, where boutique guesthouses offer quiet mountain access.
Accommodation Budget in Brașov
Budget
Hostels, budget hotels, shared facilities
Mid-Range
3-star hotels, boutique stays, great locations
Luxury
5-star hotels, suites, premium amenities
💡 Prices vary by season. Book 2-3 months ahead for best rates.
Money-Saving Tips
Insider tricks to stretch your budget further
- 1 Hike the Serpentines trail to the 'BRAȘOV' sign on Mount Tâmpa to save the ≈$10 / 45 lei cable car fare.
- 2 Purchase public transport paper tickets as 2-ride tickets for ≈$2.31 / 9.99 lei at kiosks to ensure you always have a return fare ready.
- 3 Use a student ID at Bran Castle to reduce the entry fee from $21 / 90 lei to just $12 / 50 lei.
- 4 Carry a reusable water bottle and fill it at the public drinking fountains in Piața Sfatului to avoid buying bottled water.
- 5 Skip the 'Time Tunnel' multimedia experience at Bran Castle to save on the additional surcharge not included in the $21 / 90 lei base ticket.
- 6 Visit the Libearty Bear Sanctuary on a weekday when tickets are $21 / 90 lei, rather than the $22 / 95 lei weekend rate.
- 7 Book accommodations in the shoulder months of May or September to find rates between $59–$82 / 255 lei–357 lei for mid-range rooms.
- 8 Use the Airalo Romania eSIM for $4.12 / 18 lei to navigate mountain trails without relying on expensive roaming data.
- 9 Take the local bus from Livada Poștei to Bran or Râșnov instead of booking private day tours that often charge triple the price.
- 10 Eat at 'Autoservire' (self-service) cafeterias near the University area for the lowest prices on hot local meals.
Seasonal Pricing
When prices rise and fall throughout the year
Jul, Aug, Dec
+30–50%
Mar, Oct, Nov
-25–40%
May, Jun, Sep
Winter is a secondary peak due to the nearby Poiana Brașov ski resort. Shoulder months (May/Sep) offer dry hiking weather with lower hotel rates of ~$59–$82 / 255 lei–357 lei.
Events to Watch
- ● Christmas Markets (Dec): Hotels +100%
- ● Oktoberfest Brasov (late Sep): High hotel occupancy
- ● Halloween at Bran Castle (Oct 31): Castle area extremely crowded and expensive
Free Things to Do
The best experiences that cost absolutely nothing
- 1 Hike to the summit of Mount Tâmpa for a panoramic view of the medieval Old Town.
- 2 Walk through Strada Sforii (Rope Street), one of the narrowest streets in Europe.
- 3 Explore the historic Schei District and admire the traditional Romanian architecture.
- 4 Visit the Pietrele lui Solomon (Solomon's Rocks) for a natural gorge walk and picnic area.
- 5 Climb the steps to the White Tower (Turnul Alb) for a bird's-eye view of the Black Church.
- 6 View the Black Tower (Turnul Negru), a 15th-century watchtower part of the city's old fortifications.
- 7 Stroll through Piața Sfatului (Council Square) to admire the Council House and surrounding merchant houses.
- 8 Walk the 'Under Tâmpa' (Sub Tâmpa) promenade along the southern edge of the fortress walls.
- 9 Admire Catherine's Gate, the only original city gate to survive from medieval times.
- 10 Window shop and people-watch along Republicii Street, the city's main pedestrian thoroughfare.
- 11 Visit the exterior and courtyard of the First Romanian School in the Schei district.
- 12 Explore the ruins of the Brașov Citadel (Cetățuia de pe Strajă) from the exterior pathways.
Worth the Splurge
Premium experiences that justify the price tag
Libearty Sanctuary - Super VIP Tour
A private 8-person tour in a special train with access to restricted areas of the sanctuary.
Belvedere Tasting Menu with View
Fine dining with the best panoramic view of the entire illuminated city of Brasov.
Private Bear Watching in the Wild
Expert-led hike to a forest hide to see wild Carpathian brown bears in their natural habitat.
Popular Activities
Top-rated tours and experiences in Brașov
Day Trip Costs
Popular day trips from Brașov and what they cost
Râșnov Citadel Garden & Dino Parc
≈$3.24 / 14 lei return by metropolitan bus
≈$12 / 52 lei (Citadel Garden ≈$2.31 / 9.99 lei + Dino Parc adult ≈$9.7 / 42 lei); add ≈$6.93 / 30 lei if using the inclined lift return
≈$15–$22 / 66 lei–96 lei depending on lift
Prejmer Fortified Church
≈$3.24 / 14 lei return by metropolitan bus
≈$6.93 / 30 lei
≈$10 / 44 lei
Payment & Money
How to pay and what to know about money
Romanian Leu (RON)
1 $ ≈ 4.33 lei
Yes
Widespread in hotels, modern restaurants, and major supermarkets. Some Old Town souvenir shops and public bus ticket kiosks prefer cash.
A 10% tip is standard in restaurants. If paying by card, you often need to tell the waiter the total amount including tip before they swipe. Rounding up is common for taxis (~$1.18–$2.35 / 5.1 lei–10 lei).
Avoid 'Euronet' ATMs due to high dynamic conversion fees. Use official bank ATMs like Banca Transilvania (BT), BCR, or Raiffeisen. Most bank ATMs do not charge local fees for foreign cards.
Connectivity
eSIM: $4.12–$12 for 1GB–5GB (opens in new tab)
Local SIM: $5.89–$14 / 25 lei–61 lei for massive data bundles
WiFi: Excellent in cafes and hotels; many public squares offer free hotspots.
Buy a local Orange or Vodafone SIM card at an official store in the city for ~$12 / 51 lei to get 20GB+ of data.
Why you can trust this guide
35+ countries • 8 years analyzing travel data
Independent developer and travel data analyst based in Prague. 35+ countries visited across Europe and Asia, 8+ years analyzing flight routes, accommodation prices, and seasonal weather patterns.
- All neighborhoods verified by walking them
- Curated locations based on walkability & safety
- Real-time availability via live partner maps
- Prices based on Booking.com & Numbeo averages
Methodology: This guide combines on-the-ground neighborhood research, current hotel pricing data, and real traveler feedback to provide honest, actionable accommodation recommendations for Brașov.
Updated: February 16, 2026
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