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

Romania uses the Romanian leu (RON), cards and contactless payments are widely accepted in cities, ATMs are easy to find, and tipping around 10% is normal in restaurants. Exchange only a little at the airport, avoid dynamic currency conversion, and keep some cash for small local payments.

The official currency in Romania is the leu (plural: lei), with the currency code RON; Romania is in the EU but has not adopted the euro, so you’ll need local cash for everyday spending according to RomaniaTourism and VisitRomania.net. As of April 2026, the Romania exchange rate is around 1 SGD ≈ 3.45 RON per travelwithhello.com, and has been relatively stable against major currencies since 2009.

Cards (Visa, Mastercard) and contactless payments are widely accepted in Bucharest, Cluj-Napoca, Brasov and most tourist hubs, but small towns, markets, and rural guesthouses may still prefer cash. You’ll find ATMs (bancomat) from major banks across cities; they usually offer better value than airport exchange counters, as noted by several Romania banking guides.

Tipping is customary but not extreme: locals typically add 5–10% in casual places and 10–15% in nicer restaurants, rounding up in taxis. To stay on top of costs, the Hello app can track expenses in multiple currencies with automatic exchange rate conversion, which is particularly handy if you’re budgeting in SGD, EUR, or USD while paying in RON.

Romania’s official currency is the Romanian leu (RON), and you’ll need lei for almost all everyday transactions – euros and other foreign currencies are not commonly accepted in shops, restaurants, or public transport according to RomaniaTourism and several local banking guides.

The leu (plural lei) is abbreviated as RON, and Romania has not yet adopted the euro despite being an EU member, as VisitRomania.net explains. Banknotes currently circulate in denominations of 1, 5, 10, 50, 100, 200 and 500 RON, while coins cover smaller values like 5, 10, and 50 bani. Per travelwithhello.com’s Romania currency guide (updated April 2026), the approximate Romania exchange rate is:

From Currency	To RON (approx., 2026)
1 SGD	≈ 3.45 RON
1 EUR	≈ 4.5–4.7 RON (VisitRomania.net’s long‑term range)
1 USD	≈ 4.5–4.6 RON (per Jan 2025 data from Mysterious Adventures Tours)

These rates move with the market, but Romania’s currency has been relatively stable, with the euro–leu rate hovering between 4.2 and 4.7 RON per EUR since 2009 per VisitRomania.net. For up‑to‑date values, check the National Bank of Romania (BNR) reference rate or a reputable converter like XE or Wise before exchanging.

Many travellers prefer to budget in their home currency while spending in lei. Here’s a rough idea of prices in 2026:

• Simple local meal: 30–45 RON (≈ 9–13 SGD)
• Coffee in Bucharest: 10–15 RON (≈ 3–4.5 SGD)
• Metro ticket in Bucharest: around 3 RON per ride.

If you’re planning with friends, the Hello app supports multi‑currency expense tracking and automatic exchange rates, so you can split costs even if one person thinks in SGD while another uses EUR.

The best Romania exchange rate is usually found at licensed city-center exchange offices or bank ATMs, while airport counters and touristy old-town kiosks often have worse rates and higher margins according to multiple Bucharest money guides and VisitRomania.net.

Foreign currencies like EUR, USD, GBP and CHF can be exchanged at:

• Banks – secure and transparent, but spreads of 2–4% over the mid‑market rate are common according to a 2026 Romanian exchange guide.
• Licensed exchange offices (Casa de Schimb / Birou de schimb valutar) – typically good rates in urban centers such as Bucharest’s University Square or Corneliu Coposu Boulevard, especially when you compare several offices.
• Airport desks & hotel exchange – convenient but often the worst value; VisitRomania.net and local blogs recommend exchanging only a small amount (e.g., €50 or equivalent) on arrival for transport, then doing the rest in town.

Dracula’s Guide to Romania notes that exchanging money at Henri Coandă Airport and in Bucharest’s Old Town usually yields noticeably poorer rates, while certain streets like Corneliu Coposu Boulevard have clusters of competitive exchange houses. When you approach an exchange office, look for:

• Clear display of Cumpărare (Buy) and Vânzare (Sell) rates
• A visible license from the BNR (National Bank of Romania)
• No hidden commissions or “handling” fees.

Practical tips:

• Exchange a small starter amount for taxis or snacks.
• Compare 3–4 offices in a busy area – a 0.5–2% improvement is realistic per 2026 local guides.
• Always confirm the total lei you’ll receive and count cash at the counter before you leave.

If you’re tracking what you’ve exchanged and what you still have, the Hello app can log cash exchanges and convert them automatically so you see your real spend in SGD, EUR, or USD while you travel in Romania.

Cards and contactless payments work very well in Romanian cities, but carrying some cash is still essential for local markets, rural areas, and older establishments, as several Romanian banking and travel money guides emphasize.

In Bucharest, Cluj-Napoca, Timisoara and Brasov, most mid-range and upscale restaurants, bars, hotels, supermarkets and chain stores accept Visa and Mastercard, often with support for contactless cards and mobile wallets. Local banks and merchants increasingly support NFC terminals, so tapping to pay for metro tickets, fast food, or groceries is common. However, small kiosks, countryside guesthouses, or family-run businesses may remain cash‑only.

ATMs (called bancomat) from major banks like Banca Transilvania and others are widely available in city centers, shopping malls, and near transport hubs. Money in Romania guides note that withdrawing lei from a local ATM often gives a better effective rate than exchanging cash at airport counters. Key tips for ATMs:

• Use bank-branded ATMs inside branches or malls, not standalone machines in tourist hot spots.
• Decline Dynamic Currency Conversion (DCC) – always choose to be charged in RON, letting your bank handle the conversion.
• Typical foreign card fees vary by your home bank; many travellers report total costs of 1–3% per withdrawal.

Approximate 2026 cash-use examples:

• Taxi or rideshare from Bucharest Airport: 70–120 RON depending on distance.
• Coffee and pastry in a local bakery: 15–25 RON (often cash preferred).

If you’re relying heavily on apps and contactless payments, an eSIM from Hello helps you stay online for bank alerts, ATM maps, and card security from the moment you land with Hello eSIM for Romania.

In Romania, tipping is expected but relaxed, with locals usually adding 5–10% in everyday restaurants and 10–15% in nicer venues, plus rounding up fares in taxis; tips are appreciated but rarely mandatory, according to Romanian hospitality norms shared in local travel guides.

Here’s a practical tipping overview for 2026:

Situation	Typical Tip in Romania
Casual restaurant / café	5–10% of the bill (round up if service charge included)
Mid‑range or fine dining	10–15% for good service
Taxi or rideshare	Round up to the next 5–10 RON
Hotel porter	5–10 RON per bag
Guided tour	10–30 RON per person, depending on length and quality

Many restaurants now allow you to tip by card: when the terminal prompts for a tip, you can enter an amount in RON or a percentage. However, cash tips remain common, especially in smaller towns. Always check whether a service charge is already included before adding more.

On the digital side, Romania has strong card penetration but is less dependent on super‑apps like WeChat Pay or PayPay, which are popular in parts of Asia. Local fintechs and banking apps drive QR or contactless payments, but as a visitor you’ll primarily use physical cards, mobile wallets, or cash.

Money-saving tip: when splitting bills with friends, agree on a standard tip percentage and track it. The Hello app can automatically allocate that tip across your group when you log expenses, keeping everyone’s share fair even when you’re paying in lei but budgeting in another currency.

Most travellers want to know what currency Romania uses, whether cards are widely accepted, how tipping works, and the safest way to get cash, and the answers are reassuring: Romania uses the leu (RON), cards and ATMs work well in cities, and tipping is moderate and flexible.

Q: What currency does Romania use? Can I pay in euros? A: Romania’s currency is the Romanian leu (RON). While some hotels may quote prices in euros, everyday transactions – supermarkets, restaurants, public transport – are done in lei. Guides like RomaniaTourism and VisitRomania.net stress that foreign currencies are generally not accepted for direct payment.

Q: Is it better to exchange money at home or in Romania? A: Most money-in-Romania guides recommend exchanging or withdrawing once you arrive. Bank ATMs and licensed exchange offices in city centers tend to offer better effective rates than airport or hotel desks. Exchanging only a small amount (around €50) at the airport for immediate needs, then doing the rest in town, is a common strategy suggested by VisitRomania.net.

Q: Are credit cards and contactless payments widely accepted? A: Yes in cities and tourist areas – Visa and Mastercard work in most restaurants, hotels and larger stores. You’ll still want cash for markets, small cafés, rural pensions and public toilets.

Q: How much should I tip in Romania? A: Aim for 5–10% in casual places and 10–15% in nicer venues, plus rounding up taxis.

Q: How can I keep track of my Romania travel budget? A: The Hello app lets you record expenses, scan receipts in any language, and track costs in multi-currency format, automatically converting from RON to your home currency so you always know what you’re really spending.

Romania is generally safe for handling cash and cards, but a few common money pitfalls can eat into your budget, including poor exchange rates at airports, hidden ATM conversion fees, and occasional taxi overcharging in busy tourist areas according to multiple local travel blogs and currency guides.

Scams and pitfalls to watch for:

• Bad exchange rates at airports and train stations – margins can be significantly worse than city-center offices. Several guides suggest limiting airport exchanges to a small amount for transport.
• Dynamic Currency Conversion (DCC) at ATMs and card terminals – if the machine offers to charge you in your home currency instead of RON, decline and choose RON, or you may pay 3–6% more.
• Unlicensed exchange offices – avoid places with unclear signage, obscured rate boards, or high-pressure staff; Romania’s BNR licenses legitimate offices.
• Taxi overcharging – insist on the meter, check starting tariffs on the car door, and avoid unofficial taxis around airports.

Cost-saving tips for 2026:

• Use bank ATMs or well-reviewed exchange houses in areas like Bucharest’s University Square for better rates.
• Compare at least 3–4 exchange offices; local currency guides estimate a 0.5–2% improvement just by shopping around.
• Pay by card or contactless where possible to avoid repeated cash exchange spreads.
• Keep small notes (5, 10, 20 RON) for kiosks, public toilets, and tipping.

If you’re tracking every lei to keep your trip on budget, the Hello app can import bank statements, scan receipts, and split group expenses, letting you see how much you’re saving with smarter exchange decisions and avoiding hidden fees across your days in Romania.