When Romania first popped up on our radar throughout our Europe journey planning, our eyes instantly zeroed in on Transylvania. And immediately, we knew Brasov could be our house base. It simply made sense — it’s near a variety of the sights we wished to go to, it’s pretty straightforward to get to, and let’s be trustworthy, its Outdated City is straight-up beautiful. One look and it’s actually arduous to say no.
In the event you’re flying into Romania, you’ll possible land in Bucharest, which is the capital metropolis and is served by two airports. The smaller and older one is Aurel Vlaicu Worldwide Airport (BBU), often known as Băneasa or Bucharest Metropolis Airport. Not a variety of flights land right here, and many of the ones that do are seasonal.
The primary airport — and the one most vacationers use — is Henri Coandă Worldwide Airport (OTP). It’s additionally generally referred to as Otopeni Airport as a result of it’s positioned within the city of Otopeni, simply north of Bucharest. However because it’s the largest and busiest within the nation, most reserving websites merely discuss with it as Bucharest Airport. So, only a heads-up: once we say “Bucharest Airport” on this put up, we imply Henri Coandă (OTP).
Now, whereas Bucharest itself has loads of cool issues to see and do, should you’re like us and need to head straight to Brasov, no worries — it’s tremendous doable. There are two principal methods to get there from Otopeni Airport: by bus or by practice. Simple choices, relying in your journey model and schedule.
Bucharest Airport to Brasov By Mini-Bus
The easiest method to get from the airport to Brasov? Positively by bus. There are direct journeys that go all the best way from Bucharest Otopeni Airport straight to Brasov’s Bus Terminal, which, conveniently, isn’t too removed from the Outdated City — excellent if that’s the place you’re staying.
One of the common choices is an organization referred to as Direct Aeroport. They use smaller autos like mini-buses or mini-vans, which makes for a extra relaxed and fewer crowded trip. We booked with them, which was fairly simple. We even managed to order seats on-line forward of time.
Methods to E-book a Seat
- Head over to Direct Aeroport web site. Change the language to English (there’s a toggle on the high). Many of the reserving course of is in English, though there’s one half that also exhibits up in Romanian. It’s not too arduous to navigate although — Google Translate will get you thru.
- Enter your origin and vacation spot. Select “Otopeni Aeroport” as your origin and “Brasov” as your vacation spot, and also you’ll see a listing of accessible departure occasions. The buses run 24 hours a day, with intervals starting from 1.5 to 4 hours. The journey takes round three hours and prices 100 RON per individual — not unhealthy for a comfortable trip straight to the center of Brasov.
- Pay to your bus ticket. You’ll be able to select to both pay to your Direct Aeroport bus ticket on-line or just reserve a seat with out making a cost immediately. For our journey, we initially opted for the latter. We made a reservation first, considering it could be probably the most handy choice. However we determined to cancel our reservation and take the scenic route as an alternative — by practice.
Direct Aeroport Mini-Bus
Availability: 24 hours at 1.5- to 4-hour intervals
Journey time: 3 hours
Fare: 100 lei (RON) per individual
Bucharest Airport to Brasov By Practice
Getting from Bucharest Airport to Brasov by practice is a two-part journey, however it’s pretty simple and comes with the bonus of scenic views alongside the best way.
The primary leg takes you from Henri Coandă Airport (OTP) to Bucharest Nord Station. From there, you’ll hop on one other practice that may take you all the best way to Brasov. A number of corporations function this route, and whereas it’s attainable to purchase tickets on the station, reserving on-line prematurely is extremely advisable — not solely to safe a seat, but in addition to take pleasure in discounted fares.
Right here’s a step-by-step information on methods to get to Brasov from Aeroport Henri Coanda by practice:
1. Purchase tickets on-line.
From Bucharest Airport to Bucharest Nord
- Head over to the official CFR web site. CFR is Romania’s nationwide railway operator.
- When you’re on the homepage, change the language to English from the highest menu. The interpretation isn’t excellent throughout the positioning, however it’s ok to information you thru the method.
- In your origin, enter Aeroport Henri Coanda, and to your vacation spot, sort in Brasov. Choose your journey date, and the positioning will present you obtainable journeys, most of which contain a fast switch at Bucharest Nord Station.
Bucharest Airport to Bucharest Nord
Availability: Hourly practice departure
Journey time: 25 minutes
Fare: 6.75 RON lei (RON) per individual
From Bucharest Nord to Brasov
- Select the practice that greatest fit your finances and itinerary. For the second leg — the practice trip from Bucharest Nord to Brasov — prepare for an extended record of choices. When selecting your practice, pay shut consideration not simply to the departure time, but in addition to the practice sort and length. Typically paying a bit extra for a faster, extra comfy trip is completely value it. Extra about this later.
- Choose the coach and your seat. When you’ve chosen your practice, you’ll additionally be capable to select the particular coach and precise seat, which is tremendous helpful should you’re touring with somebody or simply need to safe a window spot.
- Create an account on the CFR web site. After that, you’ll have to create an account and confirm your e-mail. Then, enter all passenger particulars, together with full names — precisely as they seem in your passport. That is vital as a result of they do test names on board in opposition to the ticket.
- Proceed to the cost part. As soon as the whole lot seems to be good, go forward and pay utilizing a bank card. When the cost goes by way of, you’ll obtain a affirmation e-mail with a QR code on the higher left nook. Save a digital copy in your cellphone and print one out simply in case.
Reminders
Now, listed below are the issues to contemplate when selecting the practice:
- Not all trains are created equal. Some are fast and environment friendly, whereas others take for much longer. The quicker trains can get you to Brasov in as little as two hours and 14 minutes, whereas slower ones could take as much as 4.5 hours.
- Fares additionally differ, relying on two principal issues: practice sort and sophistication. For our journey to Brasov, we rode second class, however on our means again to Bucharest, we upgraded to firstclass simply to match — and we undoubtedly felt the distinction.
So, don’t simply take a look at departure occasions. Be sure that to test how lengthy the journey will take and what time you’ll really arrive in Brasov. That is particularly vital should you’re making an attempt to catch daylight or when you have lodge check-ins to contemplate.
Firstclass is roomier, with simply three seats per row, in comparison with second class’s 4. That further little bit of house makes an enormous distinction once you’re sitting for a few hours. It’s not nearly consolation. It’s additionally concerning the environment. Firstclass is noticeably quieter, just because there are fewer passengers. It’s an enormous plus should you’re hoping to catch some sleep or simply take pleasure in a peaceable trip. Oh, and the bags racks? They’re greater too — excellent should you’re carrying bulkier luggage or backpacks.
We paid 81 RON (16.35 EUR) for the primary class seats, whereas the second class seats value us 56.3 RON (11.35 EUR).
Three Varieties of Trains from Bucharest to Brasov
Right here’s one other factor: not all trains are priced the identical. Some fares are noticeably larger, whereas others, particularly the slower ones, are considerably cheaper. And that’s largely as a result of Romania has a number of sorts of trains, every catering to a special type of journey expertise.
For the Bucharest to Brasov route, you’ll most probably come throughout three principal varieties:
- InterCity (IC). IC trains hyperlink Bucharest to the smaller cities and cities throughout Romania. These are the quickest, which implies shorter journey occasions, however in addition they include the very best fares. It took us solely two hours and 16 minutes to get to Brasov utilizing this practice. In the event you’re after consolation and pace, and don’t thoughts paying a bit further, that is your greatest guess.
- InterRegional (IR). These are long-distance trains that serve regional routes throughout Romania. They’re not as quick as IC trains, however they’re fairly dependable and strike steadiness between worth and effectivity.
- Regio (R). Previously Private, these are your native commuter trains and the slowest of the bunch. They cease at virtually each single station alongside the route, which actually drags out the journey time. Utilizing this practice to Brasov can take as much as three hours and 40 minutes. However the upside? They’re tremendous low-cost. These are a stable selection should you’re on a good finances and never in a rush.
2. Board the practice to Bucharest Nord Station.
As quickly as you step out of the arrivals corridor at Otopeni Airport, the practice station is tough to overlook — it’s excellent throughout the road. Stroll a number of steps, cross over, and also you’ll end up on the beautiful terminal.
Because you’ve already booked your ticket on-line, you may skip the machines and queues. Simply head straight to the platform and wait to your practice. However be sure to have your digital ticket and your passport prepared. A practice inspector will come by to test your reserving, and so they’ll scan the QR code in your ticket. They’ll additionally confirm if the identify matches the one in your passport, so double test the whole lot earlier than the journey.
3. Alight at Bucharest Nord Station.
In case your practice to Brasov is about to depart, all you must do is discover the precise platform and wait. However when you have a bit extra time earlier than your practice arrives, you may simply move the time at one of many cafés or quick meals spots close by.
For these needing to make use of the restroom, you’ll discover pay-to-use bathrooms within the station, however there’s additionally a free choice contained in the McDonald’s. Simply understand that you’ll have to make a purchase order first, and the bathroom code is printed in your receipt. It’s a easy system, so seize a fast chunk and deal with what you are promoting earlier than catching your practice!
4. Switch to your Brasov Practice.
Be sure that to permit loads of lead time earlier than your boarding time as discovering your assigned automobile is usually a bit difficult. From our expertise, practice vehicles are numbered, however the precise quantity you’re in search of is usually written on a bit of white bond paper haphazardly caught to the window. In the event you’re uncertain, don’t hesitate to ask a practice workers member for assist.
When you’re on the precise automobile, discover your designated seat quantity. When you’ve got baggage, there are overhead racks or baggage areas close to the doorways the place you may retailer your luggage. Understand that most trains don’t terminate at Brasov, so that you’ll have to regulate the station. It’s a good suggestion to begin getting ready to go away as you get nearer to Brasov to keep away from lacking your cease.
5. Take Uber to your Resort.
Brasov Station is smaller in comparison with Bucharest Nord, so it’s straightforward to navigate. As quickly as you step out of the terminal, you’ll be greeted by taxi drivers. Nevertheless, we extremely advocate utilizing Uber as an alternative. Some taxi drivers within the space have been identified to make the most of unsuspecting vacationers, which is why our host recommended Uber because the safer choice. Plus, it’s fairly inexpensive in Brasov.
For example, our condominium was positioned proper throughout the Outdated City, and we solely paid 13.96 RON (round 2.82 EUR) for the trip. Since we had been a gaggle of three, that’s nearly 1 EUR per individual. Positively an ideal deal for comfort and peace of thoughts!
The place to Keep in Brasov
If, like us, you determine to make Brasov your base, you’ll discover loads of lodging choices within the Outdated City and the Centrul Nou. These two areas are near the favored sights and transportation stations. Listed below are among the top-rated lodges based on consumer evaluations on-line.
High Accommodations in Brasov Outdated City
High Accommodations in Centrul Nou
Seek for extra Brasov Accommodations!
Methods to Get from Brasov to Bucharest
When it’s time to move again to Bucharest or Bucharest Airport, it’s simply as vital to ebook your practice tickets on-line prematurely. Comply with the identical course of talked about earlier, then merely retrace your steps:
- Take an Uber to Brasov Station.
- Catch a practice to Bucharest Nord.
- Switch to a different practice to the airport.
TIP! At all times allot loads of time to your transfers, as delays aren’t unusual in Romania. It’s clever to present your self a number of hours of buffer time, particularly when you have a flight, bus, or one other practice to catch. In our case, our practice to Bucharest was delayed by over an hour, so it’s higher to be protected than sorry!
Updates Log
2025 7 2 – First uploaded
