Major city · Romania
Craiova
Give Craiova one full day: Romanescu Park, the Art Museum and the centre on foot. Two nights if you use it as an Oltenia base.
Craiova is the largest city in Oltenia and the region's practical hub, about 3 hours by train from Bucharest. Its draw is a compact, walkable centre with a strong art museum and one of Europe's largest landscaped parks. Most travellers see it in a day or use it as a base for the Danube, the Horezu monasteries and the Jiu valley. It is a working Romanian city, not a resort: come for the museums, the park and the low prices.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- RON
- Best months
- Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct
- avoid Jul–Aug (hot, 33 °C (91 °F)+), Jan–Feb (cold, grey)avoid Jul–Aug (hot, 91 °F (33 °C)+), Jan–Feb (cold, grey)
- Airports
- CRA · OTP
- Nights
- 1–2
Rules in force · 8Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window…Mine-suspected land still exists in Bosnia and Herzegovin…
- Europe ↗Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window, counted across all 29 Schengen states together — not per country; the Entry/Exit System now logs each crossing, so an overstay is detected automatically.
- Europe ↗On the first Schengen entry since EES began, non-EU travellers give four fingerprints and a face photo at the border instead of a passport stamp; there is nothing to apply for or pay in advance.
- Balkans ↗Mine-suspected land still exists in Bosnia and Herzegovina and in pockets of Croatia's former front line: outside towns keep to tarmac and waymarked paths, and treat red triangle signs and taped-off fields as absolute.
- Balkans ↗Serbia refuses onward entry to travellers who reached Kosovo from a third country and then try to cross straight into Serbia; route Kosovo–Serbia legs through North Macedonia or Montenegro, or start the loop in Serbia.
- Balkans ↗Hire cars need written permission from the rental company and valid insurance for every country on the line; Kosovo sells its own border insurance and some contracts exclude Albania, Kosovo or Bosnia outright.
- Romania ↗Romania is in the EU and the Schengen area; the EU Entry/Exit System applies to non-EU visitors. Check the official EU and Romanian sources for your passport.
- Romania ↗Drivers need an electronic road vignette (rovinieta) on national roads; rental cars normally include it, but check.
- Romania ↗Brown bears live in the Carpathians and sometimes enter towns and roadsides: never feed or approach them, and follow local warnings.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Craiova112 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Craiova, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the Romanian leu (RON, plural lei); Romania does not use the euro.Romania-wide
- SIM or eSIMOrange, Vodafone and Digi sell prepaid SIMs in their shops and at the airport; Digi is the cheapest.Romania-wide
- Tap waterTap water in cities is treated and generally safe; many locals prefer bottled mineral water (apă plată = still, apă minerală = sparkling).Romania-wide
- TippingRestaurant: About 10%, left in cash even when paying by card.Romania-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets C/F. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Romania-wide
- SafetyCraiova is a normal Romanian city: violent crime against visitors is rare, and the practical risks are stray dogs…
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsUse cafés, malls, museums and fuel stations; some stations and parks charge RON 1–3.Romania-wide
- Emergency numbers112 police, ambulance, fire, mountain rescue · 955 police (non-emergency) (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidayscheckMany museums close Monday (and some also Tuesday); Peleș closes Monday and has shorter hours Tuesday — check.Romania-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportCRA Craiova International Airport (About 8 km (5 mi) east of the centre; Wizz Air routes from London Luton, Birmingham, Rome, Milan Bergamo…CRA Craiova International Airport (About 5 mi (8 km) east of the centre; Wizz Air routes from London Luton, Birmingham, Rome, Milan Bergamo…
- Getting aroundThe centre is walkable: Mihai Viteazu Square, the Art Museum, the cathedral and the Oltenia museum buildings sit within about 15 minutes of each…
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Coffee8–15 lei
- Beerdraught in a bar / can in a shop8–15 lei4–7 lei
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Taxi, 5 km (3.1 mi)Taxi, 3.1 mi (5 km)12–18 lei
- Metro or bus rideTram or bus ticket2 lei
- Museum or sight ticketMuseum entrycheck10–30 lei
- Budget bedFamily room or apartment (up to 4), a night, per roomRON 250
- Mid-range bedDouble room, 3-star hotel or pension, a night, per roomRON 200
- High-end bedDouble room, 3-star hotel or pension, a night, per roomRON 300
A day, not counting the bed: Budget RON 180 · Mid RON 330 · High RON 600
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- CRA Craiova International Airport (About 8 km (5 mi) east of the centre; Wizz Air routes from London Luton, Birmingham, Rome, Milan Bergamo, Bologna and Charleroi. No domestic flights. Check the current route list before booking.) · OTP Henri Coanda, Bucharest (Fallback: train from Bucharest to Craiova takes about 3 h 15 min.)CRA Craiova International Airport (About 5 mi (8 km) east of the centre; Wizz Air routes from London Luton, Birmingham, Rome, Milan Bergamo, Bologna and Charleroi. No domestic flights. Check the current route list before booking.) · OTP Henri Coanda, Bucharest (Fallback: train from Bucharest to Craiova takes about 3 h 15 min.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
Feb
Avoid
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
Mar
not flagged
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
Apr
Best
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
May
Best
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Jun
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Jul
Avoid
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Aug
Avoid
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Sep
Best
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Oct
Best
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Nov
not flagged
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
Dec
not flagged
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
Best: Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct. Avoid: Jan–Feb, Jul–Aug. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)), coolest Jan (−4°C (25°F)25°F (−4°C) low), wettest May (10 rain days), driest Aug (6). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Craiova: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
−4°C (25°F)25°F (−4°C)
7 rd
Feb
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
−3°C (27°F)27°F (−3°C)
7 rd
Mar
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
8 rd
Apr
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
9 rd
May
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
10 rd
Jun
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
9 rd
Jul
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
7 rd
Aug
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
6 rd
Sep
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
6 rd
Oct
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
7 rd
Nov
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
8 rd
Dec
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C)
8 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
The centre is walkable: Mihai Viteazu Square, the Art Museum, the cathedral and the Oltenia museum buildings sit within about 15 minutes of each other. Trams and buses cover the rest; buy a ticket from a kiosk or machine (2 lei). Taxis are cheap and plentiful, about 2.30 lei per km plus a 2.30 lei start fee. Romanescu Park is about 2 km south of the centre: walk 25–30 min or take a taxi.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Preajba de Padure village
cautionDoor to door: About 1 h each way
Bus from Autogara Nord, about 45 km (28 mi)Bus from Autogara Nord, about 28 mi (45 km)
Seven buses daily, fewer at weekends; about 9 lei one way. Simple village stop, not a sight in itself.
Calafat and the Danube
goDoor to door: About 1.5–2 h
Bus or car, about 90 km (56 mi) southBus or car, about 56 mi (90 km) south
River town and border crossing to Bulgaria; pair with a Danube day.
Drobeta-Turnu Severin
goDoor to door: About 2 h
Train or car along the Danube, about 110 km (68 mi)Train or car along the Danube, about 68 mi (110 km)
Roman ruins and the Iron Gates start here; better as an overnight.
Horezu monasteries
overnightDoor to door: About 2–2.5 h
Car, about 110 km (68 mi) northCar, about 68 mi (110 km) north
Horezu pottery and the painted monastery; too far for a comfortable return day.
Târgu Jiu
goDoor to door: About 2 h
Train or car, about 110 km (68 mi) north-westTrain or car, about 68 mi (110 km) north-west
Brancusi's outdoor sculptures; a solid half-day if you have a car.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Centre (Mihai Viteazu Square and Unirii)
Walk to the Art Museum, the cathedral and the main restaurants; best for a one-night stop.
Around the railway station and Autogara Nord
Practical for early trains and buses; a short taxi ride from the sights.
Calea București / Electroputere side
Mall, supermarkets and cheaper chain hotels; 10–15 min by taxi or tram from the centre.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- 150–250 lei excl. bed
- Mid
- 250–450 lei excl. bed
- High
- 450 lei+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Double room, 3-star hotel or pension1 × 1 night × RON 200 | RON 200 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × RON 330 | RON 660 |
| Airport taxi, CRA to centre, one way1 × RON 50 | RON 50 |
| Tram or bus ticket, one ride2 × RON 2 | RON 4 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × RON 40 · check | RON 80 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | RON 99 |
| Trip total≈ RON 547 per person per day, bed included | RON 1,093 |
2026 estimate in lei; long-distance transport excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | 8–15 lei |
| Shawarma or fast food | 15–25 lei |
| Pizza main at a mid-range restaurant | 25–40 lei |
| Beer: draught in a bar / can in a shop | 8–15 lei / 4–7 lei |
| Taxi, 5 km | 12–18 lei |
| Tram or bus ticket | 2 lei |
| Museum entrycheck | 10–30 lei |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Stray dogs occur in some districts; keep distance and do not run.
- Use marked taxis and agree or check the meter; avoid unlicensed drivers at the station.
- Summer afternoons in Jul–Aug are genuinely hot; shift sightseeing to morning and evening.
- Some museum rooms keep short hours and close one day a week: check before you go.
- Card payment is common in hotels and malls but not everywhere; carry some lei in cash.
Emergency numbers
- Police, ambulance, fire, mountain rescue
- 112
- Police (non-emergency)
- 955
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
CraiovaCraiova
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
La această adresă, vă rogTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, ambulance, fire, mountain rescue112
- Police (non-emergency)955
Embassy
No embassies in Craiova: most countries are represented in Bucharest (about 3 h by train). US citizens: the US Embassy is in Bucharest.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Craiova station → Bucharest, train: about 3 h 15 min, roughly €12 (≈ US$14)
- Craiova → Timișoara, train: about 7 h, roughly €20 (≈ US$25)
- Taxi in town: about 2.30 lei per km plus a 2.30 lei start fee
Say or show
- Bună ziua — Hello (BOO-nuh ZEE-wah)
- Mulțumesc — Thank you (mool-tsoo-MESK)
- Cât costă? — How much is it? (kuht KOS-tuh)
- Pot plăti cu cardul? — Can I pay by card? (pot pluh-TEE koo KAR-dool)
- Unde este toaleta? — Where is the toilet? (OON-deh YES-teh twa-LEH-tah)
- Ajutor — Help (ah-zhoo-TOR)
112 works from any phone, including without credit.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Craiova. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct · avoid Jul–Aug (hot, 33 °C+), Jan–Feb (cold, grey) · month by month →
- 2 airports and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 5 day-trips, door to door
- 5 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for CRA: Wizz arrival times, taxi and bus fallback, late-arrival rung.
- Four walking clusters with rescue anchors: Mihai Viteazu Square, the Art Museum and cathedral, the Oltenia museums, Romanescu Park.
- Place pages with verified hours (Art Museum, Oltenia Museum, Romanescu Park) and eat pages with last orders.
- Danube and Jiu valley day-trip fixtures with rail and bus cutoffs.