When Romania first popped up on our radar throughout our Europe journey planning, our eyes instantly zeroed in on Transylvania. And straight away, we knew Brasov can be our dwelling base. It simply made sense — it’s near a whole lot of the sights we wished to go to, it’s pretty simple to get to, and let’s be trustworthy, its Outdated City is straight-up beautiful.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.
For those who’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 whole lot of flights land right here, and a lot 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 known as Otopeni Airport as a result of it’s situated within the city of Otopeni, simply north of Bucharest. However because it’s the most important and busiest within the nation, most reserving websites merely consult with it as Bucharest Airport. So, only a heads-up: once we say “Bucharest Airport” on this submit, we imply Henri Coandă (OTP).
Now, whereas Bucharest itself has loads of cool issues to see and do, if you happen to’re like us and wish to head straight to Brasov, no worries — it’s tremendous doable. There are two essential methods to get there from Otopeni Airport: by bus or by practice. Straightforward choices, relying in your journey type 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from Bucharest Otopeni Airport straight to Brasov’s Bus Terminal, which, conveniently, just isn’t too removed from the Outdated City — excellent if that’s the place you’re staying.
One of the crucial common choices is an organization known as Direct Aeroport. They use smaller automobiles like mini-buses or mini-vans, which makes for a extra relaxed and fewer crowded journey. We booked with them, which was fairly easy. We even managed to order seats on-line forward of time.
Find out how 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 reveals 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 an inventory of obtainable 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 particular person — not unhealthy for a comfortable journey straight to the guts of Brasov.
- Pay in your bus ticket. You possibly can select to both pay in your Direct Aeroport bus ticket on-line or just reserve a seat with out making a cost straight away. For our journey, we initially opted for the latter. We made a reservation first, considering it might be probably the most handy choice. However we determined to cancel our reservation and take the scenic route as a substitute — 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 particular person
Bucharest Airport to Brasov By Prepare
Getting from Bucharest Airport to Brasov by practice is a two-part journey, however it’s pretty easy 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 can take you all the best way to Brasov. A number of corporations function this route, and whereas it’s doable to purchase tickets on the station, reserving on-line prematurely is very advisable — not solely to safe a seat, but additionally to get pleasure from discounted fares.
Right here’s a step-by-step information on tips on how 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, swap the language to English from the highest menu. The interpretation isn’t excellent throughout the location, however it’s adequate to information you thru the method.
- To your origin, enter Aeroport Henri Coanda, and in your vacation spot, kind in Brasov. Choose your journey date, and the location will present you out there 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 particular person
From Bucharest Nord to Brasov
- Select the practice that finest fit your finances and itinerary. For the second leg — the practice journey from Bucharest Nord to Brasov — prepare for a protracted record of choices. When selecting your practice, pay shut consideration not simply to the departure time, but additionally to the practice kind and length. Typically paying a bit extra for a faster, extra comfy journey is completely price 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 precise coach and actual seat, which is tremendous useful if you happen to’re touring with somebody or simply wish to safe a window spot.
- Create an account on the CFR web site. After that, you’ll must create an account and confirm your electronic 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 examine names on board towards the ticket.
- Proceed to the cost part. As soon as the whole lot seems good, go forward and pay utilizing a bank card. When the cost goes by means of, you’ll obtain a affirmation electronic 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 might take as much as 4.5 hours.
- Fares additionally differ, relying on two essential issues: practice kind and sophistication. For our journey to Brasov, we rode second class, however on our manner again to Bucharest, we upgraded to firstclass simply to match — and we undoubtedly felt the distinction.
So, don’t simply have a look at departure occasions. Make certain to examine how lengthy the journey will take and what time you’ll really arrive in Brasov. That is particularly vital if you happen to’re making an attempt to catch daylight or when you’ve got resort check-ins to contemplate.
Top notch is roomier, with simply three seats per row, in comparison with second class’s 4. That further little bit of area makes an enormous distinction whenever you’re sitting for a few hours. It’s not nearly consolation. It’s additionally concerning the ambiance. Top notch is noticeably quieter, just because there are fewer passengers. It’s a giant plus if you happen to’re hoping to catch some sleep or simply get pleasure from a peaceable journey. Oh, and the bags racks? They’re greater too — very best if you happen to’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 increased, whereas others, particularly the slower ones, are considerably cheaper. And that’s principally as a result of Romania has a number of sorts of trains, every catering to a distinct type of journey expertise.
For the Bucharest to Brasov route, you’ll more than likely come throughout three essential 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 best fares. It took us solely two hours and 16 minutes to get to Brasov utilizing this practice. For those who’re after consolation and pace, and don’t thoughts paying a bit further, that is your finest wager.
- 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 a great steadiness between value 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 strong alternative if you happen to’re on a decent 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 couple of steps, cross over, and also you’ll end up on the beautiful terminal.
Because you’ve already booked your ticket on-line, you possibly can skip the machines and queues. Simply head straight to the platform and wait in your practice. However be sure you have your digital ticket and your passport prepared. A practice inspector will come by to examine your reserving, they usually’ll scan the QR code in your ticket. They’ll additionally confirm if the identify matches the one in your passport, so double examine 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 might want to do is discover the best platform and wait. However when you’ve got a bit extra time earlier than your practice arrives, you possibly can simply go 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 bogs within the station, however there’s additionally a free choice contained in the McDonald’s. Simply take into account that you’ll must 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 handle your corporation earlier than catching your practice!
4. Switch to your Brasov Prepare.
Make certain to enable loads of lead time earlier than your boarding time as discovering your assigned automotive 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. For those who’re uncertain, don’t hesitate to ask a practice workers member for assist.
When you’re on the best automotive, discover your designated seat quantity. If in case you have baggage, there are overhead racks or baggage areas close to the doorways the place you possibly can retailer your luggage. Remember the fact that most trains don’t terminate at Brasov, so that you’ll must control the station. It’s a good suggestion to start out getting ready to go away as you get nearer to Brasov to keep away from lacking your cease.
5. Take Uber to your Lodge.
Brasov Station is smaller in comparison with Bucharest Nord, so it’s simple to navigate. As quickly as you step out of the terminal, you’ll be greeted by taxi drivers. Nevertheless, we extremely suggest utilizing Uber as a substitute. Some taxi drivers within the space have been identified to reap the benefits of unsuspecting vacationers, which is why our host instructed Uber because the safer choice. Plus, it’s fairly inexpensive in Brasov.
As an example, our condo was situated proper inside the Outdated City, and we solely paid 13.96 RON (round 2.82 EUR) for the journey. Since we had been a gaggle of three, that’s nearly 1 EUR per particular person. Positively a terrific 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 a few of the top-rated resorts in response to consumer critiques on-line.
Prime Accommodations in Brasov Outdated City
Prime Accommodations in Centrul Nou
Seek for extra Brasov Accommodations!
Find out how to Get from Brasov to Bucharest
When it’s time to go again to Bucharest or Bucharest Airport, it’s simply as vital to guide 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! All the time allot loads of time in your transfers, as delays usually are not unusual in Romania. It’s clever to offer your self a couple of hours of buffer time, particularly when you’ve got 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 secure than sorry!
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