Currency exchange

Romania's currency is Leu (plural "Lei") (pronunciation: lay).

Banknote denominations: 1, 5, 10, 50, 100 and 500 lei

Coins: 1, 5, 10 and 50 bani pieces. (pronunciation: bahnee)

1leu = 100 bani

Foreign currencies may be exchanged at banks or authorized exchange offices (called: "casa de schimb" or "birou de schimb valutar"). International airports and larger hotels also offer currency exchange services.

Exchange rates  for foreign currencies, valid on May 27, 2008:

one US dollar = 2.33 Lei (2 lei and 33 bani)

one Canadian dollar = 2.35 Lei (2 lei and 35 bani)

one British Pound = 4.60 Lei (4 lei and 60 bani)

one Australian dollar = 2.23 Lei (2 lei and 23 bani)

one Euro = 3.67 Lei (3 lei and 67 bani)

Note: Although black market rates may seem good, please remember that it is illegal and you can be easily cheated.

Official exchange rates announced by the National Bank of Romania

ATM (Bancomat)

ATM machines are available at main banks and at airports and shopping centres. Do not expect to find ATMs in remote areas or villages.

Credit cards

Major credit cards including American Express, Mastercard and Visa are accepted in large hotels, car rental companies and stores in the main cities. However, credit cards are unlikely to prove useful in small towns or away from tourist areas.

Travelers' Checks

Preferably in US dollars or Euros, Travelers' Checks can be cashed in large banks, some hotels and selected exchange offices but most of them charge considerable commissions. Do not count on cashing such checks outside Bucharest and a few other major cities. For travel around the country it is a good idea to carry cash. Small stores and restaurants might accept U.S. Dollars in small denominations ($ 1, 5, 10 and 20) but the exchange rate offered will not be the best. Street handicraft vendors prefer Romanian currency.

Budget Guide

Entrance fees to historic buildings and attractions are rarely more than $5.00.

Hotels outside Bucharest range from $65 to $120 per night/double room, with full breakfast and taxes included.

A three-course dinner, for two, with wine and tip starts at $35.00 and can go up to $200.00 or more in some of the more upscale restaurants in Bucharest. However, less expensive does not mean not as good as a very expensive one. Dinner in restaurants is often accompanied by live music.