Is Sighisoara expensive to visit?
In Sighisoara, budget travelers spend $36 (lei156) per day on average, mid-range travelers spend $82 (lei356) per day, and luxury travelers spend around $156 (lei679) per day. These costs are calculated from the reported expenses of previous travelers to Sighisoara.
Sighisoara is a small yet inviting destination that captivates travelers with a mix of travel preferences, spending habits, and budgetary ranges. Visitors can find a range of options for accommodation from high-end luxury hotels to mid-range places to budget-friendly hostels.
If you're not cautious, Sighisoara can become costly, but you can save with strategies like looking for discounts and coupons.
Within Europe, which is known to be an expensive region, Sighisoara is a very affordable destination compared to other places. It is in the top 10% of cities in Europe for its affordability. Very few cities in the region are as affordable as Sighisoara.
For more details, and to find out if it's within your travel budget, see Is Sighisoara Expensive?
How much money do I need for a trip to Sighisoara?
The average Sighisoara trip cost is broken down by category here for independent travelers. All of these Sighisoara travel prices are calculated from the budgets of real travelers. Also, you can see more details at How much does a trip to Sighisoara cost?
Realistic Expectations for Your Travel Budget
To manage your travel budget, it's important to set realistic expectations. Many people think they can visit Sighisoara on a cheap budget, but most don't enjoy the limitations of a tight shoestring budget. Consider how you like to travel. Do you enjoy hostels, resorts, hotels, or vacation rentals? Do you want to dine out and explore the major attractions? These decisions will determine your budget and itinerary.
What Defines a Budget Traveler?
You might think you're a budget traveler, but unless you're willing to sacrifice many comforts, expect to spend a lot more than the average of $36 per day that backpackers typically manage.
Younger budget travelers sometimes stick to a shoestring budget, which usually means staying in hostel dorms, eating at budget restaurants or fast food, relying on public transportation or walking, and limiting activities to free attractions.
Fortunately, you can find plenty of hostels in Sighisoara, including Burg Hostel. These hostels offer inexpensive dorm lodging and a lively social scene, but amenities are often minimal.
So, are you average?
If you're a family or couple enjoying a vacation, you'll most likely want to stay in a mid-range hotel, eat at trendy restaurants, and check out the main museums and attractions that charge for entry. Exploring the major attractions, museums, sights, and landmarks is a must for most visitors to Sighisoara. Keep in mind that most activities have costs associated with them. Hence, you should realistically expect your daily budget to hover around $82 per person, per day.
The range of hotels and vacation rentals in Sighisoara is impressive. If you're traveling with others, sharing your hotel with a partner, friend, or kids allows you to split the costs and save money. Families will want to find hotels and restaurants that accommodate children. Hotel Korona Sighisoara is a solid choice for families, while Hotel Central Park Sighisoara also offers great options. For additional family and couple-friendly hotels, refer to our hotel guide for Sighisoara here.
Looking to Travel in Luxury?
If your ideal trip includes every luxury and top-tier service, be ready to budget around $156 per day. A stay at nicer hotels, meals at prestigious restaurants, fancy excursions, and getting around the destination with taxis or private drivers will cost you more. Many luxury travelers also enjoy unique experiences such as Sighisoara Citadel super - private walking tour - offered by Viator.
Accommodation Budget in Sighisoara
Sighisoara offers a broad range of hotel prices, from budget to luxury. Higher-end hotels come with more amenities and higher prices, particularly during peak season. Off-season, you'll find average rates around $45, but during peak season, they can average $84. Prices range from $33 to $123, and hostels tend to be much cheaper. Save money by visiting during the low season or by taking advantage of early booking and special promotions.
Calculated from travelers like you
The average price paid in Sighisoara for two people for a typical double-occupancy hotel room is $60 (lei261). For one person sharing a room, the average price paid for a hotel room is $30 (lei131) per night. These costs are from the reported spending of actual travelers.
Looking for a hotel in Sighisoara? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options.
The most affordable highest rated hotels in Sighisoara include:
- Hotel Korona Sighisoara starting at $49
- Hotel Central Park Sighisoara starting at $63
- Casa Saseasca Sighisoara starting at $43
- Hotel Sighisoara starting at $51
- Hotel Villa Franca starting at $45
Visiting in the low or shoulder season, rather than during , will give you cheaper lodging options and fewer tourists to navigate around.
Transportation Budget in Sighisoara
Calculated from travelers like you
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On average, past travelers have spent $19 (lei83) per person, per day, on local transportation in Sighisoara. The cost of a taxi ride or rideshare service (Uber/Lyft) in Sighisoara is significantly more than public transportation.
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Transportation1
Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
$19
lei83
The best way to reach Sighisoara is by train. The station provides connections to and from Bucharest, Cluj-Napoca, Arad, Brasov, and Sibiu. There are also direct international links via rail with Vienna and Budapest daily.
Sighisoara is connected to major towns by bus as well. The bus station is adjacent to the railway station, along Strada Libertatii. From here, the city center is within walking distance, just across the river towards the Orthodox cathedral. Once in town, Sighisoara and its sights can be easily navigated on foot.
Check that your hotel has convenient parking if you're planning on driving.
How much does it cost to go to Sighisoara? Naturally, it depends on the dates. We recommend Kayak because they can find the best deals across all airlines.
The price of renting a car in Sighisoara will depends on dates, the type of car, the location, and your age. We recommend Kayak because they can find the best deals across all car rental companies.
Food Budget in Sighisoara
Tasting the local cuisine is a key reason for travel, so be sure to sample the unique dishes offered in the area.
Calculated from travelers like you
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While restaurant and meal prices in Sighisoara can vary significantly, the average cost of food in Sighisoara is $40 (lei174) per day, per person, based on the spending habits of previous travelers.
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Food2
Meals for one day
$40
lei174
When dining out, the average daily cost for food in Sighisoara is around $40 (lei174) per person, with previous travelers spending from $18 to $77. Generally, breakfast and lunch cost less than dinner, but this will depend on the type of restaurant and what you order.
Typical meal prices in Sighisoara are as follows:
- Breakfast: $4 to $12
- Lunch: $6 to $16
- Dinner: $12 to $28
- Coffee: $3
- Fast Food or Street Food: $6
As far as Romanian food goes, it takes its influence from a number of the surrounding cultures. Some of these include meatballs from the Turks (used in a soup called perisoare), musaca or moussaka from the Greeks (an eggplant or potato-based dish usually with ground meat), and snitel or wiener schnitzel from the Austrians (a thin veal cutlet that has been breaded and fried). One of the most common meals is a kind of polenta called mamaliga eaten on its own or as a side, while pork serves as the main meat in Romanian cuisine. Other specialties include gulas (goulash), fish or lamb dishes, cheese made from cow's or sheep's milk, and pastries like clatite (crêpes), papanasi (Romanian doughnuts), and cozonac (a kind of sweet bread).
Many hotels include breakfast in their pricing structure, while some charge additional fees for it. The quality and cost can vary significantly by hotel. Knowing this in advance can help you decide whether to allocate more money. It might be worth paying for the delicious hotel buffet, or you could go to a local bakery or cafe that's less expensive.
Pack a water bottle to save on drinks. It's also a way to help protect the environment.
While planning your tour, it's essential to know which meals are included. You may find yourself paying for some meals, which can add to your travel budget.
Sightseeing and Activities Budget in Sighisoara
Calculated from travelers like you
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Sightseeing activities, entertainment, and entrance tickets in Sighisoara typically cost an average of $8.51 (lei37) per person, per day based on the spending of previous travelers. This includes fees paid for admission tickets to museums and attractions, day tours, and other sightseeing expenses.
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Entertainment1
Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
$8.51
lei37
The Sighisoara Citadel, a historic fortress from the 12th century, marks the historic center of the city. Still inhabited today, this area also stands as the center of interest for those who are visiting. Within the walls of this old town are remnants of a medieval past, like the Clock Tower, built in 1360, which looms over the city from the top of the hill. Inside the tower there is a history museum, as well as a balcony and spectacular views from the top. Next to the Clock Tower there is the Monastery Church, a Lutheran built in the late Gothic style. The Church on the Hill is another important landmark and beautiful architectural example of the Romanian Gothic. It can be reached via an old covered staircase, made from stone with a wooden roof.
The town is also thought to be the birthplace of Vlad Tepes "The Impaler" (or Dracula), whose father had lived here in exile. The Vlad Dracul House (or "Casa Vlad Dracul") is allegedly the house in which he spent his childhood. It consists of two rooms located on top of a restaurant serving traditional Romanian fare. Right around the corner from his birthplace, there is also a bust of Vlad Tepes to the left of the entrance of the Monastery Church.
Outside of the citadel, there is also an Orthodox Cathedral located across the Tarnava River, as well as Cornesti Church which is the oldest Orthodox church in town, built in 1797.
Since the town itself is fairly small, most of the main sights can be toured within a day. There is, however, plenty to see and do in the surrounding area as well. Visitors can bike or bike up to the great Oak forest on the Breite plateau, or pack a picnic to enjoy at Vila Franka on the hill just south of the city directly opposite the clock tower. Other nearby attractions include the fortified churches of Biertan or Apold, as well as Saschiz which also has a fortified church and fortress.
As far as events go, the annual Sighisoara Medieval Festival is the most popular, featuring three days of theater, indoor and outdoor music concerts, handicraft demonstrations and exhibitions, painting, sculpture, seminars, film projections, and more. Other festivals include Pro Etnica which showcases interethnic music and art, and the Sighisoara Blues Festival.
Local tours that last a few hours can be a great way to explore Sighisoara. Prices vary by the type of activity or tour, the dates, and the size of the group. Here are a few of the highest rated tours by previous visitors:
- City Tour Sighisoara Legends & Landmarks A Walk Through Time for $46 details
- Saxon Secrets: The Malancrav & Biertan Experience for $101 details
- Sighisoara walking tour or the real house of Dracula -Outdoor experience for $39 details
Sighisoara, Romania
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.