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 could be our house base. It simply made sense — it’s near lots of the sights we needed to go to, it’s pretty simple to get to, and let’s be sincere, its Outdated City is straight-up gorgeous. One look and it’s actually onerous to say no.
When 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 lots of flights land right here, and many of the ones that do are seasonal.
The principle 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 positioned 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 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 wish to head straight to Brasov, no worries — it’s tremendous doable. There are two important methods to get there from Otopeni Airport: by bus or by prepare. Straightforward choices, relying in your journey fashion and schedule.
Bucharest Airport to Brasov By Mini-Bus
The simplest way to get from the airport to Brasov? Undoubtedly by bus. There are direct journeys that go all the best way from Bucharest Otopeni Airport straight to Brasov’s Bus Terminal, which, conveniently, is just not too removed from the Outdated City — good if that’s the place you’re staying.
Probably the most common choices is an organization known 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 Guide a Seat
- Head over to Direct Aeroport web site. Swap the language to English (there’s a toggle on the high). A lot of the reserving course of is in English, though there’s one half that also reveals up in Romanian. It’s not too onerous 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 particular person — not unhealthy for a snug trip straight to the center of Brasov.
- Pay to your bus ticket. You may select to both pay to your Direct Aeroport bus ticket on-line or just reserve a seat with out making a fee straight away. For our journey, we initially opted for the latter. We made a reservation first, pondering it could be probably the most handy choice. However we determined to cancel our reservation and take the scenic route as a substitute — by prepare.
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 prepare is a two-part journey, but it surely’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 prepare 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 upfront is extremely really useful — not solely to safe a seat, but additionally to take pleasure in discounted fares.
Right here’s a step-by-step information on easy methods to get to Brasov from Aeroport Henri Coanda by prepare:
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 good throughout the positioning, but it surely’s adequate 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 prepare departure
Journey time: 25 minutes
Fare: 6.75 RON lei (RON) per particular person
From Bucharest Nord to Brasov
- Select the prepare that finest fit your funds and itinerary. For the second leg — the prepare trip from Bucharest Nord to Brasov — prepare for an extended record of choices. When selecting your prepare, pay shut consideration not simply to the departure time, but additionally to the prepare sort and period. 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 prepare, you’ll additionally have the ability to select the precise coach and actual seat, which is tremendous helpful should you’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 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 examine names on board in opposition to the ticket.
- Proceed to the fee part. As soon as all the pieces appears to be like good, go forward and pay utilizing a bank card. When the fee goes by, you’ll obtain a affirmation e-mail with a QR code on the higher left nook. Save a digital copy in your telephone and print one out simply in case.
Reminders
Now, listed below are the issues to think about when selecting the prepare:
- 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 important issues: prepare sort and sophistication. For our journey to Brasov, we rode second class, however on our approach again to Bucharest, we upgraded to firstclass simply to check — and we positively felt the distinction.
So, don’t simply take a look at departure occasions. Be certain that to examine how lengthy the journey will take and what time you’ll really arrive in Brasov. That is particularly vital should you’re attempting to catch daylight or when you’ve got lodge check-ins to think about.
Firstclass is roomier, with simply three seats per row, in comparison with second class’s 4. That additional little bit of area makes an enormous distinction while you’re sitting for a few hours. It’s not nearly consolation. It’s additionally in regards to the environment. Firstclass is noticeably quieter, just because there are fewer passengers. It’s a giant plus should you’re hoping to catch some sleep or simply take pleasure in a peaceable trip. Oh, and the bags racks? They’re larger too — preferrred should you’re carrying bulkier baggage or backpacks.
We paid 81 RON (16.35 EUR) for the primary class seats, whereas the second class seats price us 56.3 RON (11.35 EUR).
Three Kinds 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 largely as a result of Romania has a number of sorts of trains, every catering to a unique type of journey expertise.
For the Bucharest to Brasov route, you’ll almost definitely come throughout three important varieties:
- InterCity (IC). IC trains hyperlink Bucharest to the smaller cities and cities throughout Romania. These are the quickest, which suggests shorter journey occasions, however additionally they include the best fares. It took us solely two hours and 16 minutes to get to Brasov utilizing this prepare. When you’re after consolation and pace, and don’t thoughts paying a bit additional, 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 superb 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 prepare 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 decent funds and never in a rush.
2. Board the prepare to Bucharest Nord Station.
As quickly as you step out of the arrivals corridor at Otopeni Airport, the prepare station is difficult to overlook — it’s good throughout the road. Stroll just a few steps, cross over, and also you’ll end up on the gorgeous 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 to your prepare. However ensure you have your digital ticket and your passport prepared. A prepare inspector will come by to examine your reserving, and so they’ll scan the QR code in your ticket. They’ll additionally confirm if the title matches the one in your passport, so double examine all the pieces earlier than the journey.
3. Alight at Bucharest Nord Station.
In case your prepare to Brasov is about to depart, all you have to do is discover the correct platform and wait. However when you’ve got a bit extra time earlier than your prepare arrives, you possibly can simply cross 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 needless to say 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 online business earlier than catching your prepare!
4. Switch to your Brasov Prepare.
Be certain 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, prepare automobiles are numbered, however the precise quantity you’re on the lookout for is usually written on a chunk of white bond paper haphazardly caught to the window. When you’re uncertain, don’t hesitate to ask a prepare employees member for assist.
When you’re on the correct automobile, discover your designated seat quantity. In case you have baggage, there are overhead racks or baggage areas close to the doorways the place you possibly can retailer your baggage. Remember that most trains don’t terminate at Brasov, so that you’ll must control the station. It’s a good suggestion to begin making ready to depart 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 advocate utilizing Uber as a substitute. Some taxi drivers within the space have been recognized 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.
As an illustration, our house was positioned proper inside the Outdated City, and we solely paid 13.96 RON (round 2.82 EUR) for the trip. Since we had been a bunch of three, that’s nearly 1 EUR per particular person. Undoubtedly an amazing 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 inns in accordance with person evaluations on-line.
High Inns in Brasov Outdated City
High Inns in Centrul Nou
Seek for extra Brasov Inns!
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 guide your prepare tickets on-line upfront. Comply with the identical course of talked about earlier, then merely retrace your steps:
- Take an Uber to Brasov Station.
- Catch a prepare to Bucharest Nord.
- Switch to a different prepare to the airport.
TIP! At all times allot loads of time to your transfers, as delays aren’t unusual in Romania. It’s sensible to present your self just a few hours of buffer time, particularly when you’ve got a flight, bus, or one other prepare to catch. In our case, our prepare to Bucharest was delayed by over an hour, so it’s higher to be secure than sorry!
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