Birmingham Airport offers direct flights to Romania, one of Europe's most affordable destinations, where a pint costs as little as £1.65. The country is gaining popularity as a budget-friendly 'hot holiday destination' featuring fairytale castles, the Carpathian Mountains, and the Danube Delta.
Romania's capital, Bucharest, provides an inexpensive weekend getaway with rich history, culture, and cheap ales. Flights from Birmingham Airport to Bucharest are among the most affordable in Europe, with Wizz Air offering tickets from just £26.99. However, prices fluctuate seasonally; direct round-trip flights on budget airlines typically range between £60 and £120 if you book early and travel light.
Accommodation and Dining Costs
Bucharest offers a wide range of affordable accommodation. Hotels like Duke Romana Suites by Olala! or Atrium Hotel Ateneu City Center average £52 to £59 per night, providing central access without high costs. For a more premium stay, the Leonardo Hotel Bucharest City Center or Mercure Bucharest City Center cost between £100 and £104 per night.
Dining is also inexpensive. A standard local draught lager, such as Ursus or Timișoreana, costs around 10 to 14 RON (£1.65 to £2.30). On the busy terrace strips of the Old Town (Lipscani), prices may rise to 18 to 24 RON (£3.00 to £4.00), but moving just a street or two away drops prices back to around £2. A pub meal costs about 35 to 55 RON (£6 to £9), while a mid-range restaurant dinner averages 90 RON (£15) per person.
Attractions Beyond Bucharest
Romania offers more than cheap drinks. Just 15 kilometres north of Bucharest lies Palatul Mogoșoaia, a peaceful scenic palace popular among locals. Peleș Castle, a Neo-Renaissance masterpiece in the mountain resort town of Sinaia, is about a 2-hour train or drive north of Bucharest. It served as the summer residence of the Romanian royal family and is considered one of Europe's most beautiful castles. Nearby, Pelișor Castle offers a more intimate royal experience.
For adventure, the Carpathian Mountains are reachable within 1.5 to 2 hours by car or train. This vast wilderness spans multiple countries. The Danube Delta, a protected wetland of channels and lakes, is about 3 hours and 40 minutes away, offering Europe's second-largest and best-preserved river delta.
