Bucharest on a Budget 2026: Belle Époque Palaces & €35 Days

Little Paris on a Budget

Bucharest is an extraordinary urban collage of French Belle Époque architecture, massive communist monuments, and modern craft coffee shops, offering remarkable value for money.

The Cheapest Airport Transit in Europe

Do not take taxis outside Henri Coandă Airport (Otopeni). Walk directly into the newly built covered train station outside the arrivals terminal:

• CFR Airport Train: Fast air-conditioned trains run every 40 minutes directly into Bucharest Gara de Nord in just 20 minutes for 5.50 RON (€1.10). You can tap your contactless bank card right at the turnstile.

Where to Eat: The Magic of Ciorbă

Romanian sour soups (ciorbă) are culinary masterpieces, traditionally soured with fermented wheat bran (borș) and served with sour cream and spicy green peppers:

• Ciorbărie: A casual soup kitchen chain with branches around Romana and Old Town. Giant bowls of ciorbă de burtă (tripe soup), ciorbă de văcuță (beef soup), or bean soup with smoked ribs cost 18 to 24 RON (€3.60 to €4.80) with bread included.