Sibiu: know before you go

Sibiu International Airport (SBZ) sits west of the center, and Tursib bus line 11 is the cheap, direct link: its covered AEROPORT TERMINAL stop is right outside arrivals. Lines 112, 116, 117 and 118 also serve the airport area, and line 21 runs between the airport and the train station. Buy a 60-minute ticket for 3.5 lei from the machine in the station, or tap a contactless bank card on the bus. Trains pull into Gara Sibiu on the northern edge of the center, a short bus ride from Piața Mare; buses 2, 3, 5, 13, 15, 18, 19, 21 and 22 stop there. Long-distance buses use the station on Strada Europa Unita, served by lines 1, 8, 16, 20, 115, 117 and 213. Taxis and ride-hail apps also meet arrivals, but the bus is the cheapest option unless you have heavy luggage.

The old town is small enough to walk, and the three squares sit a couple of minutes from one another. You will only need a bus for the train station, the ASTRA open-air museum, or the Păltiniș resort. Tursib runs the city network, and every bus and minibus has a yellow contactless machine: tap a bank card, pick your ticket, and board. A 60-minute ticket costs 3.5 lei and covers changes within the hour; a day pass at 7 lei pays for itself after two rides. The SibiuBus app shows buses live on the map and sells tickets, day passes and longer passes.

Hotels, restaurants and the main museums take cards without trouble, though some market stalls and smaller shops still prefer cash; the Romania country guide covers the currency and general tipping. The one city-specific charge to plan for is the hotel tax. Sibiu introduced a 2% tax on the total accommodation bill on January 1, 2026, and it is added to your room rate at check-in. A 400-lei night adds 8 lei to the bill, so factor it in when you compare prices.

Sibiu is a calm, walkable city, and the old town stays busy into the evening, so walking between the squares at night is normal. Treat it like any festival city: keep your phone and wallet in a front pocket in the Christmas market crush and around the bus and train stations, and do not leave a bag on an empty chair at a café terrace. There is no area in the center that visitors need to avoid, but the cobbled lower town is quieter late at night than Piața Mare.

Sibiu's tap water is safe to drink, so a refillable bottle is all you need in the squares. Pharmacies are easy to spot in the center, and the county emergency hospital sits close to the old town with several bus lines stopping nearby. For the national emergency number and health insurance notes, see the Romania country guide.

Wi-Fi is standard in Sibiu hotels and most cafés around the squares, and you can usually find a signal while sitting at a terrace. If you are staying more than a couple of days, a local prepaid SIM is cheap and easy; Orange stores and airport kiosks sell plans, and eSIMs work if you would rather not swap a physical card.

The Lutheran Cathedral and the Orthodox cathedral are active places of worship, so cover shoulders and knees and keep your voice down inside; services may be under way while you visit. Photography is fine in the squares and on the Bridge of Lies, but check the signs inside museums because some Brukenthal rooms restrict photos. Romanians greet staff when entering a small shop or café, and bună ziua (good day) is the polite opener.

Romanian is the everyday language, and English is widely spoken by younger Sibiu residents and by staff in hotels, restaurants and the main museums. Romanian is a Romance language, so Spanish, Italian or French speakers will recognize some words. A few basics help in markets and smaller shops: bună ziua (good day), mulțumesc (thank you), da (yes), nu (no) and nu înțeleg (I do not understand). Menus in the old town usually have an English version, and ticket desks generally manage at least basic English.

The three squares are pedestrianized and mostly flat, but the lanes between them are cobbled and some of the old passages and lower-town streets have steps. The Council Tower viewing balcony is reached by stairs with no lift, and several historic interiors predate modern access, so call ahead if you use a wheelchair. The airport bus station is covered and integrated into the terminal building, which makes the wait comfortable even with luggage.

Book your room first if you are coming for the Christmas market, which fills Sibiu through November and December, or for the international theatre festival in June, when central hotels book out early. For sights, the Brukenthal National Museum rarely requires a timed ticket, but the Council Tower has a small viewing balcony and can queue at busy times. Restaurants on Piața Mare fill on Friday and Saturday evenings, so reserve a table for dinner.