Getting Around Romania: Car, Train, Bus or Tours
The best way to get around Romania depends on your route. Trains connect the main cities cheaply but slowly, buses and minibuses reach smaller towns, a rental car gives you the most freedom in Transylvania, and domestic flights save time on long distances. Organised tours fill the gaps for places like Bran or the Saxon villages. For route ideas, see our Discover Romania guide.
Below we compare the options and share practical tips, including the main driving rules.
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Key facts
- Trains link Bucharest, Brașov, Sibiu, Sighișoara and Cluj; they are affordable but often slow.
- Buses and minibuses reach many towns that trains do not.
- A rental car is the most flexible option for Transylvania, the Saxon villages and Corvin Castle.
- Driving requires a road vignette (rovinietă), and Romania has zero tolerance for alcohol at the wheel.
- Domestic flights save time on long routes, such as Bucharest to Cluj, Iași or Timișoara.
Ways to Get Around at a Glance
Each option has its strengths. This table helps you choose:
| Option | Best for | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Train | Bucharest, Brașov, Sibiu, Sighișoara, Cluj | Affordable and scenic, but slow on long routes |
| Bus and minibus | Smaller towns and some villages | Frequent on popular routes; timetables vary |
| Rental car | Saxon villages, castles, mountain roads | The most freedom; busy main roads at weekends |
| Domestic flight | Long distances, such as Bucharest to Cluj | Saves many hours compared with the train |
| Organised tour | Bran, Peleș, villages, bear watching | Transport and guide included; no planning needed |
Travelling by Train
Romania has an extensive rail network run by the state operator and some private companies. Trains are an easy way to travel between the main cities in Transylvania and to reach Brașov from Bucharest in about three hours, with beautiful views of the Carpathians on the way.
Trains can be slow on longer routes, so for journeys across the country, such as Bucharest to Cluj, consider a night train with sleeping cars or a domestic flight. Buy tickets online or at the station, and check timetables shortly before you travel.
Tours That Take Care of the Transport
A 2-day trip through Transylvania from Bucharest, a private day trip to Bran, Peleș and Brașov and a small-group day to Sighișoara, Viscri and Rupea from Brașov.
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Viator
2-Day Transylvania from Bucharest: Brașov, Bran, Sighișoara
A 2-day trip from Bucharest through Transylvania: the old town of Brașov, Bran Castle (“Dracula’s Castle”) and the medieval citadel of Sighișoara.
* Prices are indicative and subject to seasonal variations or changes applied by the official provider. The exact price and availability are confirmed on the booking platform.
Viator
Dracula’s Castle, Peleș Castle and Brașov: Private Day Trip from Bucharest
A private full-day trip from Bucharest to Bran Castle (“Dracula’s Castle”), the royal Peleș Castle in Sinaia and the old town of Brașov.
* Prices are indicative and subject to seasonal variations or changes applied by the official provider. The exact price and availability are confirmed on the booking platform.
Viator
Small-Group Tour of Sighișoara, Viscri and Rupea from Brașov
A small-group day trip from Brașov to the medieval citadel of Sighișoara, the Saxon village of Viscri and Rupea Fortress: UNESCO heritage in one day.
* Prices are indicative and subject to seasonal variations or changes applied by the official provider. The exact price and availability are confirmed on the booking platform.
* Prices are indicative and subject to seasonal variations or changes applied by the official provider. The exact price and availability are confirmed on the booking platform.
Buses and Minibuses
Private companies run buses and minibuses between towns, often more frequently than trains on some routes. They leave from bus stations (autogară) or set stops, and they are useful to reach places like Bran from Brașov.
Timetables change between seasons and weekdays, so check them the day before. For villages with few connections, an organised tour or a car is usually more practical.
Renting a Car and Driving in Romania
A car gives you the most freedom to explore Transylvania at your own pace. The motorway network is growing but still incomplete, so many journeys use two-lane national roads. Keep these rules and tips in mind:
- Road vignette (rovinietă): required on national roads; you can buy it online or at petrol stations.
- Zero tolerance for alcohol: never drink and drive.
- Speed limits: usually 50 km/h in towns, 90 km/h on national roads and up to 130 km/h on motorways; follow the signs.
- Dipped headlights must be on outside towns, even during the day.
- Rural roads: watch out for horse-drawn carts, animals and cyclists, especially at night.
- Traffic: the main road between Bucharest and Brașov through the Prahova Valley can be very busy at weekends.
- Always follow the traffic rules and the instructions of the local authorities, and check the rental conditions for your licence.
Domestic Flights and City Transport
Domestic flights connect Bucharest with cities such as Cluj-Napoca, Iași, Timișoara and Oradea in around an hour, a big time saver compared with the train.
In Bucharest, the metro, buses and trams cover the city, and you can pay by contactless card on many vehicles. Ride-hailing apps work in the main cities and are an easy way to get around, also to and from the airport.
Getting Around in Winter
In winter, trains are the most comfortable option between the main cities. If you drive, winter tyres are required on snow and ice, mountain passes can close and high roads such as the Transfăgărășan are closed for the season.
Check road conditions before setting off and follow the instructions of the local authorities. Our guide to Romania in winter has more tips, and the 7-day Romania itinerary shows a route that works by car or by train.
Getting Around Romania: FAQ
What is the best way to travel around Romania?
It depends on your route: trains for the main cities, a rental car for Transylvania’s villages and castles, and domestic flights for long distances. Organised tours cover places that are hard to reach.
Is it easy to travel around Romania by train?
Yes between the main cities, such as Bucharest, Brașov and Sibiu. Trains are affordable but often slow on long routes, so check journey times before you plan.
Do I need a vignette to drive in Romania?
Yes. A road vignette (rovinietă) is required on national roads. You can buy it online or at petrol stations.
Should I rent a car in Romania?
It is the best option for the Saxon villages, Corvin Castle and mountain roads. For a route between the main cities, trains and tours work well too.
How do I get from Bucharest to Cluj-Napoca?
The fastest option is a domestic flight of about an hour. By train it takes much longer, although night trains are an option.
Are Uber and Bolt available in Romania?
Ride-hailing apps work in Bucharest and the main cities, and they are an easy way to get around and to the airport.
