A work trip to Romania - I wasn't sure what to expect when heading to Romania, I'd never been, but I would happily go back
Landing at Bucharest airport, I made my way towards the exit to see what travel options were available.
- Taxi rank which to get to the city centre cost around 65 Lei (£10). You can book a taxi whilst at the airport by using the Yellow Terminals in the International arrivals hall, keep hold of your ticket as you will need this to show the driver, payment is cash only, so be mindful to take Romanian Lei with you, or use an ATM at the airport. Alternatively and maybe the better option as it will be a fixed price, download either Uber or Bolt Apps you can quickly order up a ride without an hassle. This was my preferred option.
- Airport shuttle bus service on the ground floor of the International arrivals that runs about every 15 mins - The bus drivers don't sell the tickets, so you would need to use the ticket machine located on the bus or at the bus stop. 8,5 Lei for a return ticket.
- Train, this runs a direct line every 40 mins to and from the main station in Bucharest Gara de Nord. It takes around 25 minutes. Tickets can be purchased at the platform, on the train or online
Taxi Tips
- Ask if the meter works, if it doesn't, don't accept the ride
- Refuse anyone who approaches from inside the airport offering taxi services
- Don't negotiate with the drivers on the fare, the price is set once you book, if you used the terminals
- Uber and Bolt are a safer more reliable option, download either app and take the hassle out of getting around
So with the Uber booked and waiting, I made my way to Bucharest Train Station. Bucharest is another blog in the making!
From Bucharest I booked a train to Brasov. the journey took 2.5hrs, which is about the same as if I'd driven. The train was fairly cheap, and don't expect much in the way of comfort, this however may have changed!
As I've mentioned before in other posts, my main site for booking hotels is hotels.com, for this trip I booked up Citrin Hotel in the heart of Brasov, it's a great place with friendly welcoming staff, and very convenient for getting around Brasov.
You can fly direct to Brasov Airport which opened in 2023 from some countries. WizzAir fly from England and Germany. You can always check destinations using FlightFrom.com
The city of Brasov is in the Transylvania region of Romania, for those unfamiliar with the region, think Dracula!
Old town is cobbled streets and medieval Saxon walls, surrounded by Carpathian Mountains.
The former town hall Casa Sfatului is now a museum, housing all the local history and stories. It is ringed by colourful buildings of shops and restaurants and the Legend steeped landmark of the Gothic Black Church just around the corner.
With so much to do all year round, Brasov is a hidden gem.
Whether it's hiking or biking through the mountain trails or taking the cable car up Mount Tampa to the Hollywood style BRASOV sign to take in the views, or just exploring the medieval streets and taking in a coffee in the town square.
Skiers can hit the slopes in winter, at Poiana Brasov winter sports resort. With Brasov turning into something of a winter wonderland, with ice-skating in the city centre ring or snowmobile adventures.
My trip was made up of working, adventuring and food tasting!
Once the working day was done, I strolled the streets of Old Town taking in all the charm it had to offer. With restaurants a-plenty, there was no shortage of food choice, choosing was the hardest part!
Romanian cuisine is a must try, from grilled meats, stews to polenta, there is something for all taste buds.
Over the weekend, a guided tour was booked, you can do this online, most hotels will have a list of activities.
I booked up the Brann, Rasnov tour, which takes you to Brann the home of Dracula's Castle and Rasnov Fortress a medieval fortress built around 1225.
Dracula's Castle and the town of Brann are well worth a visit, I went back a second time after the tour to have a proper look around, again some great places to eat, and the history of the castle that inspired the story is amazing.
Rasnov Fortress is an awesome sight as you approach, sat high above the town, it has stood for generations offering refuge to the townsfolk during times of war. Like Brann the history and stories surrounding Rasnov are incredible.
If you enjoy adventuring and good food I would add Romania to your list. Although it never really appears high on the tourist list, there are some incredible places to visit.
General Tips
- Like many places home and abroad always be mindful of your surroundings, make sure to carry a bit of cash with you for tipping which is expected in most restaurants.
- The people are generally friendly and English is widely spoken.
- Beware of the Bears, especially when hiking or biking in certain areas, these areas are well signposted so don't be put off.
- Use Uber or Bolt to get around if you haven't hired a car. I'd recommend using either for your airport pickup/drop-off
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