Bucharest to Brasov is one of the most traveled routes in Romania. Bucharest locals often escape to the charming Transylvanian city and its lush mountains for weekend getaways. Travelers, meanwhile, almost always have these two cities on their Romania itineraries.
For visitors, how to get from Bucharest to Brasov (or vice versa) is a common consideration. What is the best mode of transportation? How far is Bucharest to Brasov and how long does the journey take? This guide will break down all of your options and answer all of these important questions.
Bucharest to Brasov by Train
The best way to get from Bucharest to Brasov is undoubtedly by train, especially if you’re coming from the Bucharest city center.
Bucharest to Brasov Train Time
The train from Bucharest Nord Station to Brasov is 2 hours and 30 minutes. These trains are modern, clean, and almost always on-time. Just don’t expect working air conditioning!
Bucharest to Brasov Train Schedule
Bucharest Nord Station has trains that run to and from Brasov every hour of every day. You can find the Bucharest to Brasov train timetables on the CFR Calatori website here.
Bucharest to Brasov Train Cost
Tickets for the route are very affordable. You’ll find that train tickets are priced as little as $8 USD depending on the day and time, with prices maxed out around $16 USD. You can get first class tickets for around $20-25 USD.
Several companies operate trains between these cities, including:
You should be able to buy tickets directly from these sites (and they should give you the option to translate to English).
Bucharest to Brasov by Car
Driving between these two cities can take anywhere from three hours to five hours depending on traffic.
On paper, it should only take a little over three hours. However, this route is so frequently trafficked that it leads to a lot of congestion. A lot of people visit Brasov, the mountains around it, and the beautiful town of Sinaia along the way. Plus, it’s only two lanes for much of the journey. You can see why there’s always a jam!
Another thing to consider when driving in Romania is that there’s no such thing as a divided highway. It’s either a two-lane road or three-lane road, with the center dedicated for passing on both sides.
It’s not as scary as it sounds. I drove in Romania and didn’t fear for my safety at any point. You get used to the more aggressive drivers. But keep in mind that the driver won’t necessarily get to enjoy the scenic views. Just another reason to take the train if you can.
Also note that you can just as easily rent a car in Brasov as in Bucharest. For example, I rented a car once I got to Timisoara for my next five days exploring Transylvania before dropping it off in Brasov. Then, I was able to take the train from Brasov to Bucharest, the most desirable option.
Bucharest to Brasov by Bus
A less common option is to take the bus from Bucharest to Brasov. Flixbus operates several daily buses between the two cities for less than $10 USD. The journey takes close to four hours without traffic.
Taking the bus is a very cheap option and allows you to enjoy the stunning scenery once you reach the Southern Carpathians. With that in mind, I’d deem this the second-best choice after the train.
Bucharest to Brasov by Private Car Taxi Transfer
Finally, you can always hire a private driver to get you from Bucharest to Brasov. You can find a reliable driver via somewhere like GetYourGuide.
However, private taxi transfer is another option I wouldn’t recommend because the train is so easy and efficient.
The one instance this option might make sense is if you’re going to Brasov straight from the Bucharest Airport. This would prevent you from having to transfer trains or head to the city center to catch a bus. In that case, go right ahead if you have the money to spend. A Bucharest to Brasov private taxi ride likely costs around $50 to 70 USD per person (and note that it’s common practice in Romanian tipping culture to consider adding 10% gratuity for the service).
In-Summary: How to Get From Bucharest to Brasov
Travel between these two cities is made very easy by train. The journey takes less than three hours by train and around three hours by car without traffic.
However, if you are flying into Bucharest Airport and plan to head straight to Brasov, know that you first have to take the train from the airport to the Bucharest city center.
Anyhow, the journey will be worth it, as both of these cities offer a lot for visitors. There’s a lot to do in Brasov and it’s one of the most beautiful cities in this part of the world, so be sure to prioritize spending ample time there.
If you’re planning on continuing to Sibiu, check out my guide on how to get from Brasov to Sibiu.
