Currency Exchange In Romania

Money, Currency & Payments in Romania

Your Complete 2026 Traveler’s Guide to Romanian Lei, ATMs, Credit Cards, Currency Exchange & Tipping

Updated October 2026

As we prepare for our mysterious adventures through Romania, let’s talk about money! Knowing how to access your funds, exchange currency, and appropriately tip local service providers will make your journey considerably easier.

Romania is generally a convenient and affordable European destination for American travelers. However, understanding a few local customs and avoiding unnecessary banking fees can make a significant difference.

1. Understanding Romania’s Currency

Romania’s official currency is the Romanian Leu (RON), with the plural being Lei.

Despite being a member of the European Union, Romania has not adopted the Euro as its official currency.

Romanian currency is available in colorful polymer banknotes of 1, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, and 500 Lei. Coins, known as bani, represent smaller denominations, with 100 bani equaling one Leu.

We recommend keeping smaller notes, particularly 5, 10, 20, and 50 Lei, for tipping, markets, and incidental purchases. Some small businesses may have difficulty making change for large banknotes.

2026 Currency Exchange Reference

As of October 9, 2026: $1 USD = approximately 4.76 RON.

US Dollars	Romanian Lei
$1	4.76 RON
$5	23.81 RON
$10	47.61 RON
$20	95.22 RON
$25	119.03 RON
$50	238.06 RON
$100	476.12 RON
$200	952.24 RON
$500	2,380.60 RON

These amounts are based on the October 9, 2026 reference rate. Actual exchange rates may vary according to your bank, credit card provider, or currency exchange office.

For updated conversion rates, visit XE Currency Converter.

2. Should You Exchange Currency Before Departure?

Generally, we recommend waiting until you arrive in Romania rather than purchasing Romanian Lei before leaving the United States.

Many American banks do not routinely stock Romanian currency. Special orders may require additional time and may involve less favorable exchange rates.

You have several convenient options upon arrival:

Bank-affiliated ATMs: Usually our preferred choice for obtaining local currency.

Authorized currency exchange offices: Often found in city centers and shopping districts. Look for signs displaying Schimb Valutar or Casa de Schimb Valutar.

Banks: Some Romanian banks offer over-the-counter currency exchange during business hours.

Airport exchange counters: Convenient but frequently less competitive. We recommend exchanging only a small amount if absolutely necessary.

When using an exchange office, check the posted buying rate for USD, ask about commissions, and confirm the exact amount of Lei you will receive before handing over your money.

Avoid exchanging money with individuals on the street, regardless of how attractive the offered rate may appear.

3. Recommended Bank-Affiliated ATMs in Romania

This is one of our most important recommendations for travelers.

Romania has numerous independent ATMs, including machines located in airports, hotels, convenience stores, and tourist districts. Some independently operated machines may charge substantial withdrawal fees or offer unfavorable currency conversion.

We recommend looking for ATMs owned and operated by established Romanian banks.

Preferred Romanian Banking Networks

Bank	What to look for
Banca Transilvania (BT)	A major Romanian banking network with widespread ATM availability
BCR – Banca Comercială Română	Established national bank with ATMs in cities and commercial areas
BRD – Groupe Société Générale	Major banking network with branches and ATMs throughout Romania
Raiffeisen Bank România	Established bank with ATMs in major urban and commercial locations
CEC Bank	Long-established Romanian bank with an extensive national presence
UniCredit Bank România	Established banking network, particularly convenient in urban areas
ING Bank România	Recognized banking network with self-service banking locations

Our recommendation: Banca Transilvania, BCR, and BRD are excellent networks to look for first, although the best choice ultimately depends on the fees displayed by the machine and charged by your American bank.

A bank-owned ATM does not guarantee a fee-free withdrawal for foreign cardholders.

ATMs We Recommend Approaching with Caution

Independently operated tourist ATMs, including Euronet machines, may present higher fees or costly conversion offers.

This does not mean every independent ATM is unsafe. However, a bank-affiliated machine is generally our preferred starting point.

The Most Important ATM Rule: Always Choose Romanian Lei!

When withdrawing cash, you may be asked: “Would you like to be charged in USD or RON?” Always choose RON (Romanian Lei) and decline any offered currency conversion.

This is known as avoiding Dynamic Currency Conversion (DCC).

By selecting RON, your American bank or card network generally handles the conversion rather than the ATM operator. This often produces a more favorable rate.

If an ATM displays an excessive withdrawal fee, you may cancel the transaction and try another bank.

Additional ATM Safety Tips

Prefer ATMs attached to or located inside established bank branches.
Cover the keypad when entering your PIN.
Avoid assistance from strangers.
Check the withdrawal amount and fees before confirming.
Take your card, cash, and receipt before leaving.
Use your banking app to monitor withdrawals.
Avoid repeated small withdrawals if your bank charges a fixed fee per transaction.

4. Using Credit Cards and Debit Cards

Credit and debit cards are widely accepted throughout Romania, particularly in Bucharest, Brașov, and other larger towns.
Visa and Mastercard are generally the most reliable choices.
American Express and Discover are less consistently accepted and should not be your only payment options.
Contactless payments are common, and many businesses accept Apple Pay and Google Pay.
However, you should always have a little local currency available, especially when visiting smaller villages, outdoor markets, roadside establishments, or rural attractions.

Before Leaving the United States

We recommend contacting your bank or checking its mobile app to confirm:

Your card is authorized for international transactions.
Your daily ATM withdrawal limit is sufficient.
Your bank’s foreign transaction fees.
Your international ATM withdrawal fees.
Your PIN is active and functioning.
You have access to banking alerts while abroad.

Some banks no longer require travel notifications, but it is still wise to verify their international-use policies.

Important: Avoid using a credit card for ATM withdrawals unless absolutely necessary. These transactions are often treated as cash advances and may involve additional fees and immediate interest charges.

5. How Much Cash Should You Bring?

Since many major expenses are already included in your Mysterious Adventures Tours experience, you will not need to carry substantial amounts of cash.
However, you should budget for expenses that may not be included in your particular itinerary.

These may include:

Meals and beverages not included in your tour
Additional drinks, snacks, and refreshments
Souvenirs and local crafts
Optional personal activities
Laundry and hotel incidentals
Gratuities
Independent shopping or entertainment

Suggested Personal Spending Budget

Spending Style	Suggested Daily Allowance
Modest spending	75–125 RON ($16–$26)
Moderate spending	150–250 RON ($32–$53)
Shopping and additional dining	300–500+ RON ($63–$105+)

These are suggested allowances for personal expenses, not estimates of the cost of the entire day’s meals or activities.
For most travelers, withdrawing approximately 300–500 RON initially is a reasonable starting point.
Additional withdrawals can be made during the tour as needed. However, we recommend having sufficient cash before visiting remote villages or rural attractions, where banking facilities may be limited.

6. Tipping Etiquette in Romania

Tipping is appreciated throughout Romania and is an important way of acknowledging excellent service.
However, Romanian tipping customs are not identical to those in the United States. While gratuities are welcomed, they are generally more modest and are not automatically expected at American percentages.
Here is our guide to common gratuities.

Restaurants and Dining

Recommended gratuity: 10% for good service; up to 15% for exceptional service.

For example:

Restaurant Bill	10% Tip	15% Tip
50 RON	5 RON	7.50 RON
100 RON	10 RON	15 RON
200 RON	20 RON	30 RON
300 RON	30 RON	45 RON

Romanian restaurants have a regulated tipping system. You may be presented with a bill showing optional gratuity percentages or a space to specify the amount.
You may generally pay the tip by card or cash.
Tipping remains voluntary, and you should not feel obligated to provide a gratuity for unsatisfactory service.

Cafés, Coffee Shops and Bars

For casual service, rounding up the bill or leaving 2–5 RON is a thoughtful gesture.
For attentive table service or a larger bar tab, a gratuity of approximately 5–10% is appreciated.
There is no obligation to tip for every individual coffee or counter-service purchase.

Hotel Housekeeping

Suggested gratuity: 5–10 RON per room, per day.
Housekeeping gratuities are optional, but a small gesture of appreciation is always welcome.
If you choose to tip, we recommend leaving the gratuity daily rather than at the end of your stay, since housekeeping personnel may change.
Leave the money somewhere visible with a short note indicating that it is for housekeeping.

Hotel Porters and Luggage Assistance

Suggested gratuity: 5–10 RON per bag.
If a hotel porter assists with transporting your luggage to your room, a small gratuity is appropriate.
For particularly heavy luggage or additional assistance, you may wish to offer a little more.

Hotel Concierge

Concierge gratuities are not generally expected for ordinary information or directions.
However, if a concierge arranges a difficult reservation, special transportation, or an unusual personal request, a gratuity of approximately 10–30 RON may be appropriate, depending on the assistance provided.

Taxi and Rideshare Drivers

For taxis, rounding up the fare is customary.
For example, if your fare is 27 RON, you might pay 30 RON.
For exceptional assistance, luggage handling, or a longer private transfer, an additional 5–10% may be appreciated.
Uber and Bolt also provide in-app tipping options.

Local Tour Guides

Suggested gratuity for a separate half-day guided experience: approximately 20–50 RON per person.
For a full-day private guided experience, a larger gratuity may be appropriate, depending on the quality and duration of the service.
Guides who share their knowledge, stories, history, and local traditions contribute enormously to the travel experience.
A gratuity is a thoughtful way to acknowledge their dedication, but it remains discretionary.

Coach Drivers and Private Transportation

For organized group travel, an optional gratuity of approximately 10–20 RON per traveler, per full day of service may be considered for an attentive coach driver.
This is a suggested group-tour guideline rather than a fixed Romanian custom.
For shorter transfers, a smaller gratuity or rounding up may be sufficient.

Your Mysterious Adventures Tours Team

Our tour directors, local guides, and drivers work together to provide a memorable and well-organized experience.
Please consult your Final Itinerary or Tour Information for any specific gratuity recommendations applicable to your tour.
Gratuities for the MAT team should not automatically be assumed to follow the same guidelines as those for independently booked local services.

Should You Tip in US Dollars or Romanian Lei?

Romanian Lei is generally preferred.
Although some tourism professionals may accept Euros or US Dollars, local currency is more practical and eliminates the need for the recipient to exchange foreign money.
We recommend keeping smaller Lei notes specifically for gratuities.

7. Currency Exchange Mistakes to Avoid

A few simple precautions can help protect your travel budget.
Avoid airport exchange counters for large amounts. Their convenience may come at the expense of a less favorable rate.
Never accept an ATM’s automatic USD conversion without comparing costs. Choosing to transact in RON is generally the better option.
Avoid street money changers. Use legitimate banks or authorized exchange offices.
Do not rely exclusively on credit cards. Rural establishments and small vendors may prefer cash.
Avoid bringing excessive Romanian currency home. You may have difficulty exchanging leftover Lei in the United States.
Do not carry all your money in one place. Keep a backup card and emergency cash separately.

8. What If Your Card Is Lost, Stolen, or Declined?

Before departure, save the international customer-service numbers for your banks and card providers.

If your card is lost or stolen:

Immediately lock or freeze the card using your banking app, if available.
Contact your card provider to report the loss.
Review your recent transactions for unauthorized activity.
Ask whether emergency card replacement or emergency cash assistance is available.
Notify your Tour Director if you need assistance locating a bank or making arrangements.

For added security, we recommend traveling with at least two payment cards, ideally issued by different financial institutions.

9. Helpful Currency and Banking Resources

Currency conversion and exchange rates

Major Romanian banking networks

These banking websites can help you identify bank locations and obtain information about available services.

10. A Final Word from Mysterious Adventures Tours

Romania is a remarkable country filled with history, warm hospitality, fascinating traditions, and extraordinary places waiting to be explored.
Managing your money during your adventure should be simple with just a little preparation.
We recommend carrying a modest amount of Romanian Lei, using reputable bank-affiliated ATMs, keeping a reliable credit card available, and having smaller notes ready for local purchases and gratuities.
Most importantly, remember that our team is here to help make your journey as enjoyable and worry-free as possible.

Get ready to explore the mysteries, legends, and unforgettable magic of Romania!