Romania travel guide: Bucharest, Transylvania and how to get around
Romania is a country of walled Saxon towns, painted monasteries, mountain roads and a big, lively capital. It rewards a trip that mixes Bucharest with a few days in Transylvania. The one thing to know is distance: roads and trains are slower than the map suggests, so choose fewer places and stay longer in each.
The short answer
- First trip
- Start with two or three days in Bucharest, then take the train north to Brașov and Sibiu for the castles and old towns.
- How long
- Four days covers Bucharest and one trip out. A week gives you Transylvania properly, and ten days lets you add Maramureș or the Danube Delta.
- Best time to go
- May to June and September for mild weather and green hills. July and August for the mountains and the coast. December for Christmas markets.
- Getting around
- Trains link Bucharest with Brașov, Sibiu and Constanța, though they are slow. Buses and hire cars fill the gaps in the countryside.
- Money
- The leu (plural lei, RON). Cards are taken in cities and most restaurants, but carry cash for villages, markets and small guesthouses.
- Book ahead
- Intercity train seats, rooms in Transylvania in summer, and any castle or tour you have set your heart on.
Best cities to visit in Romania
Bucharest
A big, uneven capital of grand boulevards, an enormous Parliament building, old inns and a busy night scene. It suits people who like a city with layers and a good appetite.
Give it 2 to 3 days
Beyond the cities
Brașov, Sibiu and Sighișoara
The three Transylvanian towns most visitors choose, each with a medieval center of colorful houses and towers. Brașov is the easiest by train from Bucharest, Sibiu has the best squares, and Sighișoara is the smallest and most walled.
Peleș and Bran castles
Peleș, in the mountain town of Sinaia, is a royal summer residence, and Bran, near Brașov, is the one linked to the Dracula legend. Both are close to Brașov or Sinaia, and both have days when they are closed, so check before you go.
Maramureș
A northern region of wooden churches, carved gates and hay meadows, where village life still follows older rhythms. It is far from everything else, so it suits a car and at least two nights.
The Danube Delta
A wide wetland where the river meets the Black Sea, reached by boat from Tulcea. It is best for birds and quiet, from spring to early autumn, and needs a night or two.
Romania itineraries
- Four days: Bucharest and Brașov
Spend two nights in Bucharest, then take the train to Brașov, about two and a half hours. Use the next day for Bran or the old town, and return to Bucharest or fly out.
- Seven days: Bucharest and Transylvania
Two nights in Bucharest, two in Brașov with a day for Peleș and Bran, then on to Sibiu and Sighișoara for a night each. Trains and buses link them, though a hire car makes the villages simpler.
- Ten days: Transylvania and the north
Two nights in Bucharest, four across Brașov, Sibiu and Sighișoara, then a long road or a domestic flight north to Maramureș for three nights. Leave a buffer day, as journeys run long.
Best time to visit Romania
May, June and September are the easiest months. The weather is mild, the hills are green or gold, and the towns are lively without being crowded. July and August are warm to hot in the cities and good for the mountains and the Black Sea coast, though the coast is busy.
Winter is cold and often snowy in Transylvania. December has Christmas markets, and ski resorts such as Poiana Brașov run from around December. Spring can be wet, and some mountain roads stay closed into early summer, so check the road before you drive.
How to get around Romania
- TrainsCFR runs the national network. Intercity trains need a seat reservation, and Bucharest to Brașov takes about two and a half hours. Interrail and Eurail passes are accepted, but a reservation is still required on many services.
- Buses and minibusesPrivate coach firms cover routes the trains do not, such as many mountain and smaller towns. Look for departures at the main bus stations and book online where you can.
- CarsA hire car is the best way to reach castles, villages and mountain passes. Roads vary, journeys take longer than distances suggest, and mountain routes can close in winter.
- FlightsDomestic flights save time on very long trips, such as Bucharest to Cluj-Napoca or Timișoara, and several European cities have direct routes to the regional airports.
What to book before you go
These are the ones that sell out across Romania. Each city guide has its own list.
- Intercity train seatsa few days ahead
Reservations are required on Intercity services, and popular summer trains fill up.
- Rooms in Transylvania in summer1 to 2 months ahead
The old towns have limited beds, and July, August and festival weekends sell out.
- Castle and guided toursa week or more ahead
Peleș and Bran draw large groups, and opening days change by season.
Money, tipping and practical things
- CurrencyThe Romanian leu (plural lei, code RON). Romania is in the EU but not the euro area.
- Cards and cashCards and phone payments are widely accepted in cities and in most restaurants and hotels. Carry cash for markets, village guesthouses and small shops.
- TippingA tip of around 10 per cent is usual in restaurants if service is not added. Round up for taxis.
- Tourist taxesLocal councils set accommodation taxes. Bucharest charges a flat amount per person per night from 2026, which the hotel or booking site usually collects.
- EntryNon-EU visitors are registered at the border by the EU's Entry/Exit System. Whether you need a visa, and an ETIAS travel authorization once it starts, depends on your passport: check the EU's official site, travel-europe.europa.eu, before you book.
- PlugsType C and Type F sockets at 230 volts. Most UK and US plugs need an adapter.
What to skip in Romania
- Treating Dracula as the main reason to go
Bran is busy and thin on history. Go for the setting, then spend your time in the old towns and the mountains.
- Trying to see the whole country in a week
Distances are long and journeys slow. Pick Bucharest and Transylvania, or one region, and do it well.
- Driving the high mountain roads without checking
Passes such as the Transfăgărășan close for much of the year because of snow. Check opening dates before you plan around them.
Romania: questions people ask
How many days do you need in Romania?
Four days covers Bucharest and one trip out. A week lets you see Transylvania properly, and ten days gives time for Maramureș or the Danube Delta.
What are the best places to visit in Romania?
Bucharest, then Brașov, Sibiu and Sighișoara in Transylvania, Peleș and Bran castles, the wooden churches of Maramureș and the Danube Delta.
Is Romania cheap for tourists?
It costs less than much of western Europe, especially for meals and local transport, but prices in Bucharest and the busiest Transylvanian towns have risen. Eating where locals eat keeps the bill down.
What is the best time to visit Romania?
May, June and September for mild weather, July and August for the mountains and coast, and December for Christmas markets and snow.
Can you travel around Romania by train?
Yes, between the main towns, though trains are slow and Intercity seats need a reservation. Buses and hire cars fill the gaps in the countryside.
Do you need cash in Romania?
Some. Cards work in cities and most restaurants, but markets, village guesthouses and small shops often prefer cash in lei.
Which currency does Romania use?
The Romanian leu (RON), not the euro. Cards charge at the bank's rate, so a card without foreign fees saves money, and ATMs are common in towns.