International - Transportation to/ from Romania
Domestic - Transportation within Romania
Getting to Romania (International Transportation)
Getting to Romania by Plane
The airlines member of the Sky Team
partnership (Delta, KLM and Air France)
offer excellent connections from all major airports in North
America, Asia, South America
to Romania's capital city - Bucharest.
Romania's national airline Tarom as well as all major European Airlines
are offering non-stop flights from cities in Western and Central Europe to Bucharest.
There are also non-stop flights from other major cities in Romania (Arad, Bacau, Cluj, Constanta, Craiova, Oradea, Sibiu, Targu Mures and Timisoara) to destinations in Europe (operated by Air Connect, Austrian Airlines, LOT, Lufthansa, RyanAir, Tarom, Turkish Airlines and Wizz Air).
Getting to Romania by Train
Traveling by train from other European countries to Romania takes from four hours
(Budapest to Arad or to Oradea) to about 30 hours (Paris to Bucharest).
As most train tickets allow several stopovers en route,
train travel can be an affordable and relaxing way
to include Romania in a European trip.
First and second-class sleepers are available for journeys longer than 10 hours and for overnight trains.
Schedules of international trains to and from Romania can be obtained at:
www.bahn.de
or
www.InterRail.eu
To quickly check international train service availability or to get an idea of travel times please check:
Information on Direct Trains from European Countries to Romania
Information on Direct Trains from Romania to European Countries
Tickets for international trains
At the present time Romania's National Rail Company (SNCFR or CFR)
offers the possibility to purchase tickets on-line for domestic destinations only.
Tickets for international destinations can be purchased at any SNCFR Rail Travel Agency (Agentia de Voiaj CFR)
or at ticket offices in most major train stations in Romania.
If you would like to purchase a train ticket for an international destination,
before your arrival to Romania,
you will need to contact a local travel agency or an international rail travel company:
ACP Rail - Central Station to Great Destinations
Eurail Romania Pass — "Eurail Train Passes" for non-European citizens
The Romanian Railway Company (SNCFR) operates service
between most of Romania's main cities and tourist areas.
For information on domestic train schedules and fares please check our Domestic Transportation section.
Getting to Romania by Car
Documents required by Border Police are vehicle's registration, proof of insurance and valid driver's license.
U.S. / Canadian/ Australian/ New Zealand driver licenses are valid for driving in Romania
for 90 days from the date of entry into Romania.
When renting a car in Europe, please check with the car rental company its policy
regarding taking the car across national borders.
Independent travelers entering Romania by car (own or rental) need to obtain a road toll badge, called Rovinieta.
Rovinieta is available on-line www.roviniete.com
as well as at any border-crossing point, postal office and most gas stations.
Cost of Rovinieta
for passenger cars is the equivalent in Romanian Lei (RON) of:
$4.00 (valid for 7 days) or $9.00 (valid for 30 days).
There is no any other tax to be paid by visitors/ tourists when entering or leaving Romania.
Getting to Romania by Bus
Bucharest and many other cities and towns in Romania are connected by bus with destinations in Europe, including Athens, Berlin, Budapest, Copenhagen, Frankfurt, Istanbul, London, Milan, Munich, Paris, Rome, Vienna.
Companies that are offering bus transportation between Romania and other European counties include:
FlixBus
(Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Holland, Hungary, Italy, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, United Kingdom)
AtlasSib
(Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Holland, Hungary, Italy, Portugal, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom)
Pletl
(Austria, Germany)
Double T
(Austria, Germany, Switzerland)
CDI Transport
(Italy)
Comati
(Czech Republic, Denmark, Germany, Hungary, Slovakia)
To check bus schedules and fares please visit Autogari.ro and/ or MersulAutobuzelor.ro
Getting to Romania by Boat
Several companies offer river cruises on the Danube River from Regensburg or Passau in Germany,
Vienna (Austria) or Budapest (Hungary) to the Danube Delta and/ or the Black Sea.
To check Danube River cruises itineraries and schedules please visit
our Upcoming Tours section
There is ferry service between towns in Romania and Bulgaria:
Zimnicea to Svishtov
Bechet to Oriahovo
and
Turnu Magurele to Nikopol
Domestic Transportation
Domestic Transportation / Train
Romania has a well-developed railway network that covers virtually the whole country.
Trains are one of the most popular means of getting around Romania.
They are inexpensive and generally on time.
Three different services are offered.
The least expensive and slowest are local the local trains - Regio or Regional ( R ).
Faster than the Regio trains are the Inter-Regio trains ( IR ) that require a seat reservation along with the ticket.
The fastest and the most expensive, still quite resonable, are Inter-City Trains ( IC ).
The (overnight and long distance trains only) Inter_regio and Inter-City trains have dining cars and sleepers .
Map of Romania's Railways Network
To check Romania domestic train schedules please visit:
CFRCalatori.ro
or
InterRail.eu
or
Bahn.eu
For advance Romania Rail Pass reservations please visit
ACP Rail
Romania's National Rail Company (SNCFR) can add a unique and exciting dimension to your Romania experience.
Old, historic trains - pulled by steam engines - dating from the mid 1800s, 1920s and '30s are available for charter.
Historic trains that can be chartered by any organization or individual include:
The Royal Train (Trenul Regal) – five cars (dining car, royal bedroom, king's entourage sleeping car,
sleeping car 1st class and sleeping car 2nd class)
Moldovita – five cars ( 1st class car, 2nd class car, 3rd class car, lounge car, luggage car)
Calugareni – three cars ( 1st class car, 2nd class car and 3rd class car)
Mures – three cars (two 2nd class cars and one gondola car)
Brasov
Main 'hubs' for historic trains in Romania are the cities: Bucharest, Brasov, Sibiu, Targu Mures, Suceava and towns of Oravita and Viseu.
Most popular historic train routes (standard or narrow gauge) include:
Bucharest - Sinaia (Peles Castle)
Bucharest - Snagov
Bucharest - Giurgiu
Ploiesti - Maneciu
Brasov - Sibiu
Brasov – Rasnov - Zarnesti
Brasov – Predeal
Sibiu - Brasov
Sebes Alba - Sibiu
Sibiu - Copsa Mica
Sibiu - Calimanesti
Targu Mures – Band (narrow gauge)
Targu Mures – Sovata (narrow gauge)
Viseu de Sus – Paltin (narrow gauge)
Dej – Salva – Vatra Dornei
Salva - Viseu
Viseu – Borsa
Vatra Dornei – Vama – Moldovita (narrow gauge)
Suceava – Putna
More Information and Reservations
Domestic Transportation / Bus
There are several bus companies that offer fast and inexpensive connections between Romania's main cities.
Inter-City bus stations (Autogara) are usually located near to the train station.
To check bus schedules (domestic routes) please visit: Autogari.ro and/ or MersulAutobuzelor.ro
Bus, (rental) car or taxi might be the only available option for travelers interested to explore some remote areas.
Domestic Transportation / Car rental
Travel by car is the best way to discover Romania's remote areas,
to admire the unique scenery and take advantage of the innumerable photo opportunities.
A hired car will save travelers a lot of time when visiting the Painted Monasteries in Bucovina and the traditional villages in Maramures.
Most major international and local car rental companies have offices in the major cities and airports.
Rental policies vary from company to company;
renters are over 21 years old and have a valid driver's licence and a valid credit card.
Romania's main roads are well marked and maintained.
A map that indicates the condition of roads in Romania is available for download here.
Many pass through cities and towns and gas stations, food stores and hotels are easy to find.
Road congestion may be an issue - during weekends or holidays - for a few popular routes.
Traffic on road DN 1 (traveling from Bucharest to Brasov) is usually heavy on Friday afternoon and evening and on Saturday morning.
There is usually heavy traffic, also, on Sundays (afternoon and evening) on road DN 1 (traveling from Brasov to Bucharest).
A map of traffic intensity forecast is available for download here.
For emergency roadside assistance and towing services please call 9271.
For ambulance, fire brigade or police, call the general emergency # 112.
The Romanian Automobile Association (ACR or "Automobil Clubul Roman") offers 24 hour roadside assistance.
In case that you need roadside assistance please call:
021 222 22 22 (land line) or 0745 382 715 (mobile) or 0722 382 715 (mobile).
The easy way to rent a cheap car in Romania
The Internet has made planning a trip a lot easier in so many different ways, and none more so than booking a car rental quickly and seamlessly at the lowest prices on the market.
One of the best companies promoting low-cost car hire options around the world is Auto Europe, a multinational vehicle rental broker working with all the industry’s most prestigious suppliers in over 180 popular destinations worldwide, including Romania.
After almost 70 years of steady growth, Auto Europe now offers more than 24,000 convenient pick-up points at major airports, central train stations and key cities such as Bucharest, Timisoara, Iasi, Constanța, Craiova and Brașov.
Besides taking advantage of special offers like free winter tyres, free upgrades and free additional drivers, its customers can save even more money by signing up as a member to receive further discounts on car rental in Romania and dozens of other top holiday destinations.
With Auto Europe, you can book a car hire in Romania online in just a few seconds through its state-of-the-art search engine or speak directly to one of the company’s highly-trained rental specialists and they will be more than happy to find you the best deal.
With its amazing mountain scenery, diverse cultures and numerous historic towns and villages to discover, few visitors would argue that extensive travel in Romania is most rewarding on four wheels.
The country's true character lies in its more remote regions, and Auto Europe will always be able to provide you with the right car in the right place at the right price wherever (and whenever) you want to go.
Many of Romania's driving routes are wonderfully scenic, particularly in the areas around the Carpathians Mountains. Transylvania is a magnet for travellers who flock to the region year-round to admire its stunning scenery and immerse themselves in the fascinating world of Count Dracula.
Furthermore, Romania boasts one third of all Europe's mineral springs, so with a car you'll be able to relax and recharge your batteries at one of the many excellent spa resorts dotted around the country.
And who can resist a leisurely drive down Romania's idyllic Black Sea coast, particularly during the warm summer months, on a journey that should normally include a memorable stopover for lunch in the old port town of Constanta, one of the most picturesque seaside settings in Eastern Europe.
Reaching a height of 2,042 metres (6,700 feet), the spectacular Transfagarasan Highway winds a scenic passage across the southern section of the Carpathians Mountains for some 90 kilometres (56 miles), making it a top choice for travellers looking for the ultimate road-trip experience in Romania.
Another favourite of the country's many motoring itineraries is the route through the Eastern Carpathians between Gheorgheni and Bicaz, passing Lacu Rosu and the Ceahlau Massif en route.
The dense, verdant forests of the north are also best appreciated from the comfort of a car rental in Romania, particularly on the road from Sighetu Marmatiei to Vatra Dornei, one of the prettiest cities in the country.
Drivers heading from Moldova Noua to Turnu Severin can follow the route along the majestic River Danube all the way to the world-famous Iron Gates, a breathtaking gorge that forms part of the frontier between Romania and neighbouring Serbia.
And last but not least, there's nothing more exhilarating for travellers hiring a car in Romania than a leisurely drive through the Cerna Valley to Targu Jlu before visiting the historic Horezu Monastery, which was founded by Prince Constantine Brancovan in 1690.
So whether it's a small, manoeuvrable car you require for a few days' city sightseeing in the capital Bucharest, for instance, or something more spacious and sumptuous such as a stylish SUV for a fun-filled family holiday by the Black Sea, or that dream motoring holiday to visit Count Dracula’s castle in Transylvania, Auto Europe can provide everything from mini- and full size-category cars to luxury vehicles and even motorhomes for all kinds of budget, large or small.
Have a good trip,
or Vă dorim să aveți o călătorie plăcută, as we say in Romania!
Romania road trips in a Campervan or Motorhome
Visitors who prefer to travel around Romania in a Campervan or Motorhome
will find quite a few welcoming Camperstops and Campsites;
most are usually open from beginning of May until the end of September.
Wild Camping & Urban Camping are permitted almost everywhere in Romania.
Companies that are offering Campervan or Motorhome rental include:
Nomad-Caravan.ro
Rimor.ro
CamPanda.com
Rent-Motorhome.com
TopAutoRulote.ro
FreeSpiritLiving.ro
Romania road trip route planner
The following resources may be of help to plan a driving vacation/ road trip in Romania:
ViaMichelin.com
Google.com/Maps
Domestic Transportation / Taxi
Taxis are available in every city and larger towns in Romania.
They can be summoned by telephone or hailed on the street.
Authorized taxis can be recognized by the TAXI sign on the roof.
All Taxis should be equipped with meters.
Taxis can also be ordered by calling specialized companies
that can confirm the rate / mile and approximate cost of the ride.
Drivers approaching you at the airport or at the train station in Bucharest are likely to inflate their rates;
to avoid being overcharged just ignore them.
| Taxi fares vary from city to city: | |
|---|---|
| initial charge | $0.5 - $1.2 |
| trips within city limits | $0.75 - $2/mile ($0.45 - $1.25/ km) |
| trips outside city limits | $1.2 - $2/mile ($0.75 - $1.25/ km) |
| slow traffic or waiting time | $0.1 - $0.3/minute |
Domestic flights
Tarom - Romania's national airline
as well as the low-cost airlines: Air Connect,
RyanAir and Wizz Air
operate scheduled flights between Bucharest and several cities within Romania:
Bacau, Baia Mare, Cluj, Constanta, Iasi, Oradea, Satu Mare, Sibiu, Suceava, Targu Mures, Timisoara
