Romania Currency & Money Guide: Exchange, Cards, and Tips

Romania uses the Romanian leu (RON), not the euro; cards are widely accepted in cities, but carrying some lei remains essential for markets, rural areas, small purchases, and tips. On 27 October 2026, the European Central Bank’s reference rates implied approximately 1 SGD = 3.74 RON, although your bank, card network, or exchange counter may offer a slightly different rate. Use bank ATMs, choose to be charged in RON, and budget around 10% for restaurant service when no gratuity is included. Romania is generally affordable for travellers: a casual meal may cost about 25–45 RON, while a sit-down restaurant meal commonly costs 60–120 RON per person in 2026. For planning a trip, see the Romania destination guide and use Hello’s multi-currency expense tracking to record lei and Singapore-dollar spending with automatic exchange-rate conversion.

The official Romania currency is the Romanian leu, abbreviated RON, with “lei” used for amounts greater than one; exchange Singapore dollars into lei rather than assuming euros will be accepted. Romania remains an EU member but has not adopted the euro, and prices in Bucharest, Brașov, Cluj-Napoca, and other destinations are normally displayed in RON. Coins include bani, while banknotes commonly range from 1 to 500 lei. On 27 October 2026, ECB reference data listed EUR/RON at 5.3488 and EUR/SGD at 1.4285, producing an indicative rate of about 1 SGD = 3.74 RON. Rates move daily, and the final amount depends on your provider’s spread and fees.

*Calculated from the 27 October 2026 ECB reference rates; use it as a budgeting guide, not a guaranteed transaction rate. Compare the rate shown by your card issuer or ATM before confirming. Hello can automatically convert expenses between RON and SGD, making it easier to see the real cost of meals, transport, and accommodation while travelling.

The most reliable Romania exchange strategy is to withdraw or exchange modest amounts of lei through reputable banks and licensed exchange offices, while avoiding airport counters, hotel desks, and unclear street offers. Exchange offices are common in Bucharest and other cities, particularly around major streets, stations, and shopping areas, but compare the displayed “buy” and “sell” rates and ask whether commission is included. A prominently advertised rate may apply only to large transactions or may exclude a service charge.

Withdrawing RON from a bank-affiliated ATM is often more convenient than bringing large amounts of Singapore dollars to exchange. At the machine, select RON or “without conversion” if offered; declining dynamic currency conversion normally lets your card network or bank determine the exchange rate instead of the ATM operator. Keep the receipt until the transaction appears correctly in your banking app.

Useful habits include:

• Exchange only enough cash for the first day, then reassess.
• Count notes before leaving a counter.
• Avoid exchanging at airports unless convenience matters more than value.
• Do not accept help from unsolicited people near ATMs or exchange booths.
• Keep a small emergency reserve separately from your wallet.

Romanian notes can be unfamiliar at first, so check the denomination carefully before handing over cash.

Visa and Mastercard contactless payments work at most hotels, supermarkets, restaurants, cafés, and attractions in Romania’s major cities, while cash remains useful in villages, markets, and remote regions. Contactless cards, Apple Pay, and Google Pay are widely supported in Bucharest, Cluj-Napoca, Brașov, and other urban tourist centres. Smaller independent businesses may accept cards only above a minimum amount, and some rural operators may prefer cash. Carry a physical backup card because phone batteries, terminals, or network connections can fail.

ATMs are widely available in cities and most towns, especially near bank branches, shopping centres, and supermarkets. They may be less common in isolated parts of the Danube Delta, Bucovina, and mountain villages. Prefer machines operated by established banks and be cautious with standalone tourist-zone ATMs, including Euronet machines, which may offer costly conversion rates or operator fees.

Before withdrawing:

• Check your home bank’s foreign transaction and cash-withdrawal fees.
• Cancel if the ATM fee is unexpectedly high.
• Decline conversion into SGD and select RON.
• Withdraw a moderate amount rather than carrying large sums.
• Use ATMs inside banks or busy, well-lit locations.

Hello’s budget tracker can record card payments and cash withdrawals in multiple currencies, helping distinguish the amount charged from the actual RON spending.

Romania tipping is customary but moderate: leave around 10% at a sit-down restaurant when service is not already included, and tip more only for genuinely good service. Check the bill for “serviciu” or a service charge before adding anything. In casual cafés and inexpensive restaurants, rounding up to the nearest 5 or 10 lei is usually appreciated. A 10% tip on a 150 RON meal would be 15 RON; excellent service might justify 15%, but tipping 20% is generally unnecessary.

Practical Romania tipping amounts include:

• Restaurants: 5–10%, or up to 15% for exceptional service.
• Cafés and bars: round up or leave 2–5 RON when table service is provided.
• Taxis and ride-hailing: round up to the nearest 5 or 10 RON.
• Private guides: about 20–50 RON per traveller for a good half-day experience.
• Hotel housekeeping: around 10–20 RON per day, depending on the property.
• Porters: approximately 5–10 RON per bag.

Card terminals may ask for a tip, but cash can be simpler if you want to control the amount. Never feel pressured to tip for poor or misleading service, and confirm the final total before tapping your card.

Romania is highly card-friendly in urban areas, but travellers should not assume that every international wallet is supported; Visa, Mastercard, Apple Pay, and Google Pay are more dependable than WeChat Pay or PayPay. Local merchants may use Romanian banking apps and QR-based payment systems, but overseas visitors generally need a compatible card or wallet connected to their own account. Bring a physical card and some RON rather than relying exclusively on one app.

Common money risks include:

• Dynamic currency conversion that charges your home currency at an inflated rate.
• Unlicensed exchange offers near stations or tourist landmarks.
• ATM “assistance” from strangers who try to see your PIN or distract you.
• Taxi overcharging, especially when fares are not displayed clearly.
• Restaurant bills containing items you did not order or an already-added service charge.
• Card skimming at unfamiliar or tampered terminals.

Use official taxis or reputable ride-hailing services, shield your PIN, and review receipts before leaving. For connectivity, an eSIM from Hello can provide data after arrival for maps, banking alerts, translation, and ride-hailing without depending on unsecured public Wi-Fi. Hello’s app also supports receipt scanning in different currencies, voice expense entry, bank-statement imports, and automatic categorisation.

The simplest way to save money in Romania is to pay in local currency, avoid unnecessary ATM conversion, compare exchange rates, and use public transport and local eateries instead of tourist-area services. The following answers cover frequent planning questions.

Can I use euros in Romania? Some tourist businesses may accept euros, but the rate is often unfavourable and change may be given in lei. Pay in RON whenever possible.

How much cash should I carry? Around 100–200 RON per person is a practical starting amount for a day in a city, supplemented by cards. Carry more before visiting remote villages or the Danube Delta.

Is Romania expensive? Costs vary by city and season. A bakery breakfast may cost 10–25 RON, a casual lunch about 25–45 RON, and a mid-range dinner approximately 60–120 RON per person in 2026. Intercity trains and local buses are often cheaper than private transfers.

What is the easiest way to track spending? Record every cash and card purchase in Hello, where RON expenses can be converted automatically into SGD and split across multiple currencies when travelling with friends.

Should I get Romanian cash before flying? A small amount can be useful for transport or a first coffee, but exchanging large sums at the airport is rarely the best-value option. Withdraw or exchange more after reaching a reputable city location.