Published 13 Oct 2026
Romania is one of the better-value uses of a Schengen visa: six days across Bucharest, Brașov, Bran Castle, Sighișoara and Sibiu comes to roughly ₹93,000 to ₹1.3 lakh per person including flights, with most of it going on the flights and the visa. The Transylvania towns are close enough to link by train and bus without hiring a car.
Visa and entry rules for Indians
Indian passport holders need a Schengen short-stay visa (type C) for tourism in Romania, applied for in advance. We checked the Romanian E-VIZA portal and the European Commission’s Schengen visa page on 13 October 2026.
- How to apply: fill in the application on E-VIZA, then attend the Romanian diplomatic mission you chose in person. Originals and copies of documents are presented there. The portal accepts one application per traveller, including children.
- Fee: €90 for adults and €45 for children aged 6 to 12, per the European Commission. E-VIZA says the processing fee is not refunded if the visa is refused.
- When to apply: at least 2 weeks and no more than 3 months before you travel, per E-VIZA.
- Processing: normally 15 days, extendable to 45, per the European Commission. E-VIZA counts the period from your appearance at the mission.
- Documents: E-VIZA says supporting documents not in English or Romanian must be translated by an authorised translator, and each uploaded file must be 2 MB or less. The Commission lists medical insurance covering emergency care, hospitalisation and repatriation as a requirement, and your passport must be valid at least 3 months after you leave the Schengen area.
- Stay: up to 90 days in any 180.
We could not read the Romanian embassy in New Delhi’s own page (it was down when we checked), and we did not find a VFS Global page for Romania in India, so check the embassy for its current document checklist, appointment process and any rupee charges before you pay anyone. Because Romania is in Schengen, the process is similar to the one in our Bulgaria plan and Hungary plan. All facts for Romania are on the Romania hub.
Apply only through E-VIZA and the Romanian mission. Look-alike “Romania visa” sites charge large fees for the same appointment. Book flights on a refundable or flexible fare until the visa is in hand.
What it costs in rupees
Per person, sharing a mid-range double room, for six days (five nights). These are our estimates for typical fares and rates, and they swing with season. One euro is roughly ₹100 to ₹110, so check the day’s rate.
| Item | Approx. cost |
|---|---|
| Return flights Delhi or Mumbai, one stop | ₹50,000 – ₹70,000 |
| Schengen visa fee (€90) | about ₹9,500 |
| Hotels, 5 nights (half a €40–60 room) | ₹10,500 – ₹16,000 |
| Food, about €20–28 a day | ₹12,500 – ₹17,500 |
| Trains, buses, Bucharest metro and taxis | ₹4,000 – ₹7,000 |
| Attractions (Peleș, Bran, towers, museums) | ₹3,000 – ₹4,500 |
| Travel insurance, eSIM, small extras | ₹4,000 – ₹6,000 |
| Total | ₹93,000 – ₹1.3 lakh |
There are generally no direct flights from India, so you connect through Istanbul, a Gulf hub or a European city, and fares rise in June to August and over Christmas. On the ground Romania is cheaper than Hungary or Poland.
Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1: arrive in Bucharest
Take a taxi booked by app or the airport train and bus links into the centre. Walk the Old Town, then the huge Palace of the Parliament, one of the largest buildings in the world, which you can tour with a guide and a passport. In the evening, eat in the old centre and walk Calea Victoriei.
Day 2: Bucharest to Sinaia and Brașov
Take a morning train north through the Prahova valley to Sinaia, about two hours. Visit Peleș Castle, a neo-Renaissance royal residence in the forest. Opening days and hours vary by season, so check before you go. Continue to Brașov by train, around an hour more, and check in near the old town.
Day 3: Bran Castle and Brașov
Take a bus or taxi to Bran Castle, about 30 km away, often marketed as Dracula’s castle. Go early to beat the tour buses. The castle tells the story of Queen Marie more than the vampire. Return to Brașov for the afternoon, and walk to Piața Sfatului, the main square, and up Tâmpa hill by cable car for the view.
Day 4: Brașov to Sighișoara
Take a morning train, roughly 2.5 to 3 hours. Sighișoara is a small, inhabited medieval citadel on a hill. Climb the Clock Tower and the covered stairs to the church, and wander the pastel houses. The town is small, so one night is enough.
Day 5: Sighișoara to Sibiu
Take a morning train or bus to Sibiu, about two to three hours. The old town has a large square, a bridge of liars and a tower with views. Spend the afternoon in the Astra open-air museum just outside, if you like rural life, or in the Brukenthal Museum.
Day 6: Sibiu back to Bucharest
The trip back is around 5 to 6 hours by train or bus, so book an evening flight home or add a night in Bucharest. Check train times on the national railway site (CFR Călători) or a booking service the day before.
Romania for vegetarians and Jain travellers
Vegetarians can eat well with a little care. Look for zacuscă (roasted vegetable spread), ciorbă de legume (sour vegetable soup), mămăligă (polenta) with cheese and sour cream, vegetable sarmale and papanași, a fried cheese doughnut with jam. Many traditional soups and beans are cooked with smoked meat, so ask. Strict Jain travellers will find onion and garlic everywhere, so carry dry snacks and use an apartment kitchen for a few meals. Bucharest, Brașov and Sibiu all have vegetarian and vegan cafés.
Best time to go
May to September is the practical window. June to August is warmest and best for the castles and walks, with hot afternoons in the south. May and September are cheaper and quieter. December brings Christmas markets in Sibiu and Brașov and snow, and it is cold enough to need proper winter layers.
Practical tips
- Money: Romania uses the leu (RON), not the euro. UPI does not work. Cards are widely accepted, but carry cash for small guesthouses, parking and village shops.
- Transport: trains and buses link Bucharest and the Transylvanian towns. Buy tickets for long legs ahead in summer.
- SIM: an eSIM bought before you fly saves queueing at the airport.
- Plugs: Romania uses the two-round-pin Type C/F plug at 230 V, so pack an adapter.
- Border check: you may be fingerprinted and photographed under the EU’s Entry/Exit System on arrival, so allow extra time.
- Paperwork: keep your visa, insurance certificate and hotel bookings in one folder.
Related guides
Want another Schengen trip on the same visa? See the Bulgaria 6-day plan, the Hungary 5-day plan, the Poland 7-day plan or the Prague 6-day plan. All facts for Romania are on the Romania hub.
Frequently asked questions
Do Indians need a visa for Romania?
Yes. Indian passport holders need a Schengen short-stay visa (type C) for tourism in Romania, which allows up to 90 days in any 180-day period. Romania has been a full Schengen member since January 2025, so one Romanian visa also covers the rest of the Schengen area on the same terms. You apply on Romania's E-VIZA portal and then attend the Romanian mission in person.
How much is the Romania visa fee for Indians?
The standard Schengen fee is €90 for adults and €45 for children aged 6 to 12, according to the European Commission. At roughly ₹105 to the euro that is about ₹9,500 for an adult. The E-VIZA portal says the processing fee is not refunded if the visa is refused. We could not read an India-specific rupee fee or any service charge from official pages, so confirm the amount when you book the appointment.
How long does a Romania visa take from India?
The European Commission gives a normal processing time of 15 days, extendable to 45 if more checks or documents are needed. E-VIZA asks you to apply at least 2 weeks and no more than 3 months before travel, and it counts processing from the day you appear at the mission, so allow for the appointment wait as well.
Is 6 days enough for Romania?
Yes for a first visit built around Transylvania. Bucharest, then Brașov with Bran and Peleș castles, then Sighișoara and Sibiu. It is a lot of train and bus time for six days, so skip Sibiu if you want slower days. A 4-day version keeps Bucharest, Brașov, Bran and Sighișoara.
Is Romania cheap for Indian tourists?
It is cheaper than Western Europe and the Nordics. A mid-range double room is often €40 to €60 a night, and a restaurant main course is typically €6 to €12. Flights and the visa make up over half of a six-day budget of ₹93,000 to ₹1.3 lakh per person.
Can I use UPI or Indian cards in Romania?
UPI is not accepted. Visa and Mastercard credit and debit cards work in cities and most restaurants, and contactless payment is common. Carry some Romanian lei in cash for small guesthouses, village shops, parking and some castle ticket offices. Withdraw from a bank ATM rather than an independent exchange machine.
Can vegetarians eat well in Romania?
Vegetarians can, with some effort. Look for sarmale cu ciuperci or vegetable-stuffed cabbage rolls, zacuscă (roasted vegetable spread), ciorbă de legume, mămăligă with cheese and sour cream, papanași (fried cheese doughnuts) and polenta dishes. Many traditional soups and beans use smoked meat, so ask. Strict Jain food is hard, so plan some self-catering.
What is the best time to visit Romania?
May to September is the practical window. June to August is warmest and best for the Carpathian castles and walks, May and September are quieter and cheaper, and December is good for Christmas markets in Sibiu and Brașov if you accept the cold.
