Travel & Stay

Getting to Romania

    • For travelers from outside of Europe who don’t need a visa, including 🇦🇺 🇨🇦 🇮🇱 🇯🇵 🇲🇽 🇺🇸 🇬🇧
    • Apply online with passport details, €7 fee, and receive it via email within minutes, valid for 3 years
    • Launch expected after June 2025, start date TBA - official EU page

Flight routes

  • There is one direct route to Romania, from JFK to OTP.

    Otherwise, first fly into a European hub such as Frankfurt or Amsterdam and then fly to Romania.

  • Fly to an international hub such as Doha or Istanbul then take a direct flight to Bucharest.

  • You can take a direct flight from many cities in Europe, to either Bucharest or Brasov.

Bucharest International Airport (OTP)

Bucharest is Romania’s capital and biggest city and OTP is the most well-connected international airport in Romania.

BBU is a smaller nearby airport worth checking out for direct flights from a few cities in Europe.

Brasov is 2.5 hours away by train.

Brasov International Airport (GHV)

Newly-built, smaller airport, with direct flights from a few cities in Europe.

Brasov is 15 min away by Uber.

Getting to Brasov

pronounced “brah-SHOV”

Rejoice! You’ll soon arrive in one of National Geographic’s “25 Best Places in the World to Travel to in 2025”

If you landed in Bucharest, here are the best ways to reach Brasov

By Train (recommended)

  • A local train connects the OTP airport and the train station (Gara de Nord). It's comfortable and just €1.20. Pay by tapping your card after you get on or use the "24 pay" app.
    Trains run every half hour so check Google Maps or the timetable screen in the airport.

    An Uber into the city is about €10. Slightly cheaper from the BBU airport.

  • We recommend CFR, the national railway. Purchase tickets on cfrcalatori.ro.

    • Departure station: “Bucuresti Nord” (the main train station)
    • Arrival station: “Brasov”
    • Train type: starting with either IR or IC. Trains starting with R are considerably slower.

    A one-way ride is around €12. Book at least a couple of weeks in advance during the busy summer season.

  • Trains on this route run frequently, the ride lasts for around 2.5 hours, and is beautifully scenic.

    The trains are comfortable but some of them can be older than what some guests may be used to.

By Car

  • Romania is one of the countries in Europe where an International Driver Permit (IDP) is required for driving licenses issued outside of Europe.

    Also unlike other countries, the blood alcohol limit is 0.00%. Meaning you can't have even a single sip of beer before driving.

  • This would be a good option if you want to explore Romania beyond the wedding weekend.

    Major car rental companies like Avis or Hertz are available at the airport. Local agencies usually offer better prices but require a shuttle to get to the parking lot - Stefan recommends klasswagen.com and fmnrent.com

    Make sure to select the correct gearbox - manual or automatic.

  • The drive from Bucharest to Brasov takes 3 hours or longer.

    The route passes through scenic mountain areas, but traffic is always heavy in the summer, especially on weekends.

    Google Maps and Waze are the go-to navigation apps.

    Some sections of the route are off the highway and can be less maintained compared to Western Europe.

  • Note that Airbnbs usually don’t offer reserved parking, and public parking around Brasov’s Old Town fills up quickly.

    You can pay online. Parking is free before 8 am, after 8 pm and all day on Sundays.

In Brasov

You made it to Transylvania!

(Yes, it’s real)

We encourage you to arrange your stay ahead of time.

Where to Stay

We scoured the internet top to bottom, handpicked only the best stays, trekked over to Brasov to check them out, and negotiated special rates for you!

<<<<<<< Updated upstream

They’re reserved July 18-20 for us, so just let us know by May 1st if you’d like to stay in one of these spots.

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They’ve reserved July 18-20 for us, so just let us know by May 1st if you’d like to stay in one of these spots.

>>>>>>> Stashed changes

Entire houses:

  • Montello (7 bedrooms, €36/night/person, 2 minutes walk to Old Town) - amazing rooftop view, great rooms
  • Ra House (8 bedrooms, €35, 10 min) - lots of parking, nice rooms, common area
  • Zen Den (4 bedrooms, €30, 15 min) - nice rooms, patio with a view
  • Casa Cristina (9 bedrooms, €38, 15 min) - nice rooms, some slightly dated, nice view

Boutique hotels:

  • UpperHouse (one-bedroom units, €45, 10 min) - spacious rooms, some common areas, in a quiet hilly residential area
  • Casa Chitic, the one on Johann Gott (one- and two-bedroom units, €60, 2 min) - wooden classic decor, on a back street next to the heart of the action

Price is per person, for 1 night, at the negotiated rate. Walking time to Old Town listed in minutes.

Areas to stay in

We highly recommend staying in Old Town — charmingly historical and close to everything! If you’re searching on Booking.com or Airbnb, make sure to enter 'Brasov Old Town' (which is not the Center).

Check out the map for two other areas that would be okay — click them for quick details. Anything farther out might be missing tourist essentials like stores, restaurants and reliable Uber service.

More recommendations

For additional options, including serviced apartments with free cancellation that we’ve carefully shortlisted, see this spreadsheet.

Getting around Brasov

Walking: Brasov’s Old Town is compact and walkable, with points of interest within easy walking distance.

Ride-sharing apps (recommended): Uber and Bolt (similar to Uber) are reliable, minimal wait times and affordable - around €3 for a 10 minutes ride across town.

Public transportation: Buses are frequent and comfortable, sometimes crowded. €0.80 per ride.
Pay on the bus by tapping your card. Some foreign cards may not work, use the "24 pay" app.

Our Favorite Restaurants

For traditional Romanian food, Sergiana is a must. Ograda brings in a little modern twist, and for a full experience, Stana Turistica is worth going a bit farther out for. For a relaxed drink head to Juno wine garden.

See this list for dish suggestions and more recommendations, including vegetarian and non-Romanian cuisines, snack spots, coffee shops and breweries. Click here to add them to your google maps.

Must-try Romanian dishes

  • Eggplant dip

    “Salata de vinete”

    A creamy spread made from roasted eggplant and mayo. It’s simple yet packed with flavor, often served with bread. Refreshing and light, it’s a great summer appetizer.

    Leina’s favorite Romanian dish.

  • Cabbage rolls

    “Sarmale”

    Minced pork, rice and herbs rolled in pickled cabbage leaves, adding a subtle tang to each bite. Simmered slowly in tomato sauce, with smoked meats, and served with sour cream. Rich, complex, incredibly flavorful.

    Stefan’s favorite Romanian dish.

  • Skinless sausages

    “Mici”

    Grilled rolls made from a mix of minced pork, beef and all the right spices, served with a side of mustard. Bursting with savory, juicy flavor, it’s the flagship of every Romanian barbecue.

  • Meatball soup

    “Ciorba de periosare”

    Pork and rice meatballs and hearty vegetables in slightly-sour broth. Served with sour cream and pickled jalapenos. Delicious and delightfully tangy.

  • Cherry liquor

    “Visinata”

    It captures the essence of ripe cherries—sweet, bold, and fruity, with a smooth, velvety finish.

    25% alcohol, much more manageable than Tuica or Palinca (50%).

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Travel Facts…

  • Language: Romanian is one of the five Romance (Latin) languages, most similar to Italian. However, English is VERY commonly spoken. Aside from remote villages, you’ll have absolutely no trouble communicating in English pretty much anywhere.

  • Currency: Romanian Leu (RON) — Credit cards, including tap/Apple Pay, are widely accepted. Cash is very rarely needed, for example at public pay-toilets (1-3 RON). You can withdraw RON using your foreign debit card from local bank ATMs (not Euronet) for zero or low fees.

  • Power outlets: Standard European two-prong round plugs

  • Summer weather: Warm days (30°C or 85°F), cooler evenings (20°C or 70°F) and little rain (3 days per month) make Brasov a pleasure to be outside in all day, and — with a sweater on — all night too!

  • Mobile data: Using an eSIM lets you can compare offers and install at home — example

… and Cultural Tips

  • Tipping: Much more relaxed than in the U.S. You may leave 5-10% in restaurants, but it’s not strictly expected.

  • Very safe: Much more so than the U.S. and even Western Europe (map). Pickpocketing is not common, terrorism unheard of, and you can walk alone at night without a worry!

  • Uncrowded: Romania remains delightfully free from over-tourism, allowing you to explore it at ease, and discover why it keeps being labeled a hidden gem!

  • Development: While Romania exudes authentic charm, it may not offer the same level of development as other cities in Western Europe, so buildings and roads may not be as modern.

  • Locals: Brasov locals are warm, welcoming, and friendly. Happy to stop for a chat or lend a few minutes to help you find your way. In bigger cities, people are also helpful and friendly, though they might carry a ‘resting straight face’ until you strike up a conversation.

Sightseeing Suggestions

  • Mount Tampa

    Right next to Brasov Old Town

    Fairly easy walk, although pretty steep at times. Starts from beautiful Old Town and goes up to the Hollywood-style sign. Forest walk and views of the city from the top.

    2 hours round trip, the path is well marked. Starting point location. You can take the cable car (pictured) up and/or down.

  • Bran Castle

    30 minutes away from Brasov

    “Dracula’s Castle” is a legendary fortress with gothic architecture and panoramic views of the Carpathian Mountains.

    To get to it, you'll stroll through Bran town - a lively tourist hotspot brimming with souvenir shops and local crafts stalls.

  • Mountain Villages walk

    40 minutes away from Brasov

    Beautiful scenic walk nestled among mountains, with village houses left and right, offering a very human perspective to the area.
    Fairly easy with some incline, 1.5 hour roundtrip Google maps route

    More involved hikes: Amfiteatrul Transilvania (3-5h long), Piatra Craiului (8h long)

  • E-bike in the Carpathians

    45 minutes away from Brasov

    Glide on an electric bike through rolling hills around Poiana Marului the and wide-open spaces among the Carpathian Mountain.

    Example route: 3-5 hours long - an easy, scenic route on unpaved and gravel forest roads (guided tour and rental)

  • Sighisoara Medieval Town

    2 hours away from Brasov

    A charming medieval town up in the mountains. It’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and one of the only medieval fortresses that’s still inhabited. Beautifully, vibrant architecture, historic towers and lively festivals.

    Via Transilvanica passes by nearby.

  • Bucharest Old Town

    3+ hours away from Brasov

    Bucharest is Romania’s capital and biggest city. Summer days get hot, and it’s more packed than Brasov. The Old Town showcases historic architecture and lively night life.

    On the way from Brasov you can stop in Busteni for the cable car and/or in Sinaia for Peles Castle.

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