Accommodation will be your biggest expense in Romania. Cheap accommodation is scarce in Bucharest. Expect to pay at least US$30.00 for a double room with shared bath in any hotel within walking distance of the centre of most Romanian cities and towns. Accommodation in private homes in the countryside starts at US$15.00 a night, including a home-cooked breakfast.

The cost of dining is rising - Romanians can't afford to eat out, so most restaurants are geared to 'rich foreigners'. In Bucharest it's tough to eat for less than US$5.00 per head, not including alcohol. Eating out is cheaper elsewhere, and a bottle of good Romanian wine can be as little as US$2.50 . Seeing a film or play costs about US$2.00 , and entrance fees to museums are about US$1.00 . Public transport is dirt cheap by Western standards. US$5.00 will take you approximately 100km by bus or comfortable express train. Petrol is around US$1.20 a litre.

It's easy to cash travellers cheques in Romania, but not very easy to replace stolen ones. Only American Express has an office that issues replacements in Bucharest. Cash-dispensing ATMs accepting Visa, MasterCard and plenty of other plastic are becoming increasingly widespread in Romania. Credit cards are widely accepted in hotels, restaurants and shops. They are essential for hiring a car, unless you want to pay cash up-front. Marked, torn or very used notes will often be refused at exchanges. Ensure whatever currency you bring is in good condition.

Tipping is not common in Romania, though you should always round up the bill to the nearest leu. Some bartering, but not much, goes on at flea markets. Unmetered taxi drivers drive a hard bargain, so always haggle.