Romania surprises almost every first-time visitor. Not because it is more difficult than expected — it is not — but because it is more extraordinary. This guide covers everything you genuinely need to know before your first trip: the practicalities, the expectations, and the things that will catch you off guard in the best possible way.
Want to Visit These Places with a Local Guide?
Romania Soul Tours designs custom journeys. Max 12 people. Local guides born in the regions they show you.
Why Romania Is the Right Choice Right Now
Italy has 57 million tourists a year. Romania has 14 million — and most of them are Romanian. That ratio is the most important fact about travelling here in 2025. You will find castles, mountains, wildlife, UNESCO heritage and some of the finest food in Europe, all without the crowds, queues and inflated prices that have made authentic travel increasingly impossible in Western Europe.
This is not a criticism of France or Italy. Those countries are extraordinary. But if you have already been, or if you want something genuinely different, Romania is the answer.
This is not a criticism of France or Italy. Those countries are extraordinary. But if you have already been, or if you want something genuinely different, Romania is the answer.
Safety: The Answer Is Yes
The most common question first-time visitors ask. The answer is straightforward: Romania is very safe. It has a lower violent crime rate than the UK, France and Germany. Petty theft exists in busy city centres — as it does everywhere — but violent crime against tourists is extremely rare.
We have operated tours in Romania for 20 years and have never had a serious incident. The countryside and mountain villages are as safe as anywhere in Europe. People are generally warm, curious about foreign visitors and genuinely hospitable. You will be offered food and drink in circumstances where you might expect to be charged for it.
We have operated tours in Romania for 20 years and have never had a serious incident. The countryside and mountain villages are as safe as anywhere in Europe. People are generally warm, curious about foreign visitors and genuinely hospitable. You will be offered food and drink in circumstances where you might expect to be charged for it.
Getting There: Easier Than You Think
Direct flights from London to Bucharest take approximately 2 hours 45 minutes. Wizz Air operates the most frequent routes from Luton to Bucharest, Cluj and Sibiu. Ryanair operates from Stansted. TAROM (Romanian national airline) serves Gatwick.
Romanian airports are straightforward. Bucharest Henri Coanda (OTP) is functional and efficient — not glamorous, but not stressful. From the airport, your Romania Soul Tours guide or driver will be waiting. You do not need to navigate anything independently unless you choose to.
See our complete flights and airports guide.
Romanian airports are straightforward. Bucharest Henri Coanda (OTP) is functional and efficient — not glamorous, but not stressful. From the airport, your Romania Soul Tours guide or driver will be waiting. You do not need to navigate anything independently unless you choose to.
See our complete flights and airports guide.
Money, Currency and Costs
Romania uses the Romanian Leu (RON), not the Euro. Cards are accepted in cities, hotels and most restaurants. In rural villages, cash is useful — particularly for markets, small guesthouses and local shops. ATMs are widely available in towns.
Romania offers extraordinary value compared to Western Europe. A restaurant dinner in Bucharest: £8–15 per person with wine. A guesthouse in a mountain village: £30–50 per person including breakfast. A cellar visit with tasting: £15–25 per person. These prices are not budget travel — they are simply what things cost in Romania.
Romania offers extraordinary value compared to Western Europe. A restaurant dinner in Bucharest: £8–15 per person with wine. A guesthouse in a mountain village: £30–50 per person including breakfast. A cellar visit with tasting: £15–25 per person. These prices are not budget travel — they are simply what things cost in Romania.
What to Expect: The Real Romania
Romania does not feel like Western Europe. That is the point. Roads in the Carpathians can be slow and winding — but the scenery on them is extraordinary. Village guesthouses are not hotels — they are family homes where you eat what the family grows. The pace of life in rural Romania is genuinely different: unhurried, generous with time, and completely unconcerned with tourist schedules.
The things that catch first-time visitors by surprise, consistently, are: how beautiful the landscapes are, how good the food is, how welcoming the people are, and how little the country resembles whatever they imagined before arriving.
The things that catch first-time visitors by surprise, consistently, are: how beautiful the landscapes are, how good the food is, how welcoming the people are, and how little the country resembles whatever they imagined before arriving.
Your First Three Decisions
1. Which region? If you have never been, Transylvania is the most accessible first region — castles, mountains, Saxon villages and excellent infrastructure. Maramures is the most extraordinary but benefits from some Romania context first.
2. How long? Three nights gives you a genuine first impression. Five nights gives you room to understand what you are looking at. Seven nights is the minimum to feel that you have genuinely been somewhere, not just visited.
3. Guided or independent? Independent travel in Romania is entirely possible, but it requires significantly more research and preparation than France or Italy. A guided journey with local expertise gets you into places — family homes, working farms, genuine village life — that are not accessible otherwise. See our 3-night tours from £395 or build a custom journey.
2. How long? Three nights gives you a genuine first impression. Five nights gives you room to understand what you are looking at. Seven nights is the minimum to feel that you have genuinely been somewhere, not just visited.
3. Guided or independent? Independent travel in Romania is entirely possible, but it requires significantly more research and preparation than France or Italy. A guided journey with local expertise gets you into places — family homes, working farms, genuine village life — that are not accessible otherwise. See our 3-night tours from £395 or build a custom journey.
Ready to Experience This in Real Life?
Plan Your Romania Journey with Us
Free itinerary in 48 hours. No templates. No obligation. Just expert Romania planning.
You Might Also Like
