Getting from Bucharest to Brașov: train, bus, car and tours
Bucharest: Excursion to Dracula's castle with lunch included
What is the best way to get from Bucharest to Brașov?
The InterRegio or fast train from Gara de Nord takes about 2h10 to 2h45 depending on the service. Tickets cost 55–90 RON (€11–18). A guided day tour typically departs at 08:00 and returns by 21:00, combining Brașov with Bran Castle and Peleș Castle for €35–60 per person.
Brașov is the gateway to Transylvania and the most popular day trip from Bucharest — and with good reason. The city has a well-preserved medieval centre, the Black Church, and the Tâmpa Mountain cable car, and it sits within easy reach of Bran Castle and Peleș Castle. Getting there from Bucharest takes a little planning, but is not complicated.
How far is Brașov from Bucharest?
Brașov is approximately 170 km north-northwest of Bucharest by road, or 166 km by the most direct rail route. Journey times depend heavily on which transport you use and, for road travel, when you go.
By train: the recommended option
The train is the most stress-free way to reach Brașov if you’re travelling independently. Romanian intercity trains have improved significantly in recent years on this route.
Types of trains:
- InterRegio (IR) — the fast option, typically 2h10–2h30. These are the trains to book.
- Regio (R) — slower regional trains, stopping at more stations. Journey time 2h45–3h15. Cheaper but slower.
Frequency: Approximately 6–8 departures per day from Gara de Nord (Bucharest North Station), starting from around 06:00, with the last departure around 21:00.
Tickets: Book at cfrcalatori.ro — the site has an English interface. Second-class InterRegio tickets typically cost 55–90 RON (€11–18) depending on the service and advance purchase. First class adds roughly 20–30 RON. Tickets can also be bought at the Gara de Nord ticket hall.
The journey: The route through the Prahova Valley is scenic in its own right. Trains pass through Sinaia (where you can see Peleș Castle from the rail) and Predeal (highest altitude town in Romania). In winter, snow often starts appearing around Sinaia.
From Brașov station to the centre: The train station is 2 km from the Old Town. Bus 51 or 52 from outside the station (buy ticket from the kiosk, ~3 RON) takes about 15 minutes. Bolt works in Brașov — typically 20–30 RON for the short trip.
By bus (coach)
Several private operators run coaches between Bucharest and Brașov. Prices are generally lower than the train (35–60 RON, €7–12), and departure points include the Filaret international bus station in south Bucharest and various pick-up points.
Journey time: Officially 2.5–3 hours, but road traffic on the DN1 through Sinaia and Predeal can add 30–60 minutes on busy weekends. The DN1 is a single-carriageway mountain road in sections — summer holiday traffic is genuinely slow.
Flixbus: Operates on this route (book via the Flixbus app). Comfortable coaches, fixed timetable. Worth comparing to the train price, particularly in off-peak periods.
For day trips: If you’re planning to combine Brașov with other stops (Bran Castle is 30 km from Brașov, Peleș/Sinaia is 45 km), the bus drops you in Brașov but does not help with onward connections to Bran or Sinaia. For multi-site days, a guided tour or rental car is more practical.
By car
Driving from Bucharest to Brașov gives you the most flexibility for reaching Bran Castle, Peleș, and the Carpathian villages — but it requires careful planning of timing.
Route: Take the A3 motorway (A1 from Bucharest, then A3 towards Ploiești) and then the DN1/E60 through Sinaia and Predeal to Brașov. Google Maps gives approximately 2h15 in clear traffic.
The problem: The DN1 Prahova Valley road (Sinaia section) is a notorious bottleneck on summer weekends, Easter, and May 1. Return journeys on Sunday evenings can take 4–5 hours from Brașov to Bucharest — a miserable end to a day trip. If driving in summer, go on a weekday.
Parking in Brașov: Paid parking is available in the city centre. The main car parks near the Old Town (Piața Sfatului area) cost around 5–8 RON/hour. Arrive before 10:00 in summer for a space.
For car rental practicalities, see the car rental guide for Bucharest day trips.
Guided day tours: Brașov + Bran + Peleș
If you want to combine Brașov with Bran Castle and Peleș Castle in a single day, a guided tour is the most logical option. Driving between the three sites independently requires careful navigation and parking at each, and the total driving time exceeds what’s comfortable in a day without a driver.
Typical itinerary: depart Bucharest 07:30–08:30, visit Peleș Castle at Sinaia (1.5–2h), drive to Bran Castle (1–1.5h), continue to Brașov Old Town (2h free time or guided walk), return to Bucharest arriving around 20:00–21:30.
Full-day Transylvania tour: Bran Castle, Peleș Castle and Brașov from Bucharest Day trip from Bucharest: Peleș Castle, Brașov and Bran CastleIs a guided tour worth it? If your priority is seeing multiple sites with minimal planning overhead, yes. If you only want Brașov itself, the train is cheaper, faster, and more flexible.
More detail in our Brașov day trip guide and the Bran vs Peleș Castle comparison.
Timing and what to see in Brașov
If you’re arriving by train for a day trip, you’ll have roughly 5–7 hours in the city (depending on your train times). That is comfortable for:
- Piața Sfatului (Council Square) — the central square, lined with Baroque facades and the Black Church
- Black Church (Biserica Neagră) — the largest Gothic church in Romania, damaged in the 1689 fire that gave it its name. Entry ~15 RON
- Strada Sforie — claimed to be one of the narrowest streets in Europe (1.32m at its tightest)
- Tâmpa Mountain cable car — 7-minute ride to views over the city. Return ticket ~25 RON
- Brașov Bastions walking loop — the medieval city walls and towers, including the Black Tower and White Tower
For a full day in Brașov only, the Brașov day trip guide covers the walking route in detail.
Brașov as a base
Some visitors prefer to stay in Brașov (or Sinaia) rather than Bucharest, and do the Transylvania sights from there. This makes sense if your primary interest is the castles and mountains rather than Bucharest itself. Brașov to Bran Castle is 30 km (~40 minutes); Brașov to Peleș/Sinaia is 45 km (~50 minutes). From a Bucharest base, both journeys add time.
See the best day trips from Bucharest guide for an overview of the full Transylvania circuit.
Frequently asked questions about getting from Bucharest to Brașov
Can I go from Bucharest to Brașov and back in a day?
Yes, comfortably by train. Depart Bucharest on the 07:00 or 08:00 train, arrive in Brașov by 09:30, explore until 17:00–18:00, and return on an evening service. You have a full day in the city. If you also want Bran Castle, consider a guided day tour instead — independent logistics between Brașov and Bran by public transport are awkward.
Is there a direct train from Bucharest to Bran Castle?
No. Bran Castle is 30 km from Brașov with no direct rail link. From Brașov, buses run to Bran (around 1 hour, ~6 RON), but the timetable is limited and the stop for the castle requires a 15-minute walk. For Bran, a car or guided tour is more practical.
How much does a guided Brașov day tour cost?
Guided day tours from Bucharest combining Brașov, Bran, and Peleș typically cost €35–60 per person for a shared group tour. Private tours are €150–300+ for the vehicle. Shared tours are good value for solo travellers or couples.
Can I get from Bucharest to Brașov by bus for cheap?
Yes. Flixbus and Romanian private coach operators charge 35–60 RON (€7–12) for the Bucharest-Brașov run. The trade-off is journey time variability — road traffic on the DN1 can add 30–90 minutes compared to the train.
What’s better: Sinaia or Brașov as a day trip?
Different experiences. Sinaia is smaller, easier to cover in a half day, and the reason to go is Peleș Castle. Brașov has more of a city character — a full day is comfortable. See the Sinaia day trip guide for the Peleș option.
Frequently asked questions about Getting from Bucharest to Brașov: train, bus, car and tours
How long is the train journey from Bucharest to Brașov?
How much does a train ticket cost from Bucharest to Brașov?
Is there a bus from Bucharest to Brașov?
Can I drive from Bucharest to Brașov?
Is a guided day tour worth it for Brașov?
Where do trains arrive in Brașov?
Should I book train tickets in advance?
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